{"id":2088,"date":"2014-01-12T18:00:36","date_gmt":"2014-01-12T23:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2088"},"modified":"2025-08-01T13:29:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T17:29:17","slug":"restoring-the-heart-of-the-ponderosa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2088","title":{"rendered":"Restoring the Heart of the Ponderosa – Part 1 (by BluewindFarm)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: Circumstances bitter Adam\u2019s homecoming, setting him and his family on a personal quest to restore the heart of the Ponderosa. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rating<\/strong>: T \u00a0 (46,330 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

Story note: In keeping to the timeline of characters, this story is set before Roy Coffee came to Virginia City and was sworn in as sheriff; Ray Teal didn\u2019t join the cast as Sheriff Roy Coffee until the second season. So, I\u2019ve chosen Morgan Woodward\u2019s character of Sheriff Biggs (Death at Dawn) to be the lawman, though he was never given a first name in the episode, I\u2019ve chosen Vernon. As for the doctor, there were various actors who portrayed Dr. Paul Martin, as well as other physicians who treated the Cartwrights during the early seasons, so I have decided that Paul Martin will be the doctor in Virginia City during the time frame of my story.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are references to a subject of a sensitive manner; however, no such acts occur within this story.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final page contains the reviews\/comments from the old BonanzaBrand Library.<\/span><\/p>\n

Restoring the Heart of the Ponderosa Series:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Part I<\/a><\/span>
\nPart II<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Restoring the Heart of the Ponderosa<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 1: Present Day<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The horses and wagons kicked up a veil of dust that coated everyone and everything that followed until the cloud had nothing to fall upon except the barren land they left behind. A column of soldiers riding two by two led a procession of nine covered wagons across the desert, before moving into the foothills of the East Range. The civilian wagons bore testament to the ferocity of the attack they had survived; torn canvasses and holes in the wood from where arrows had struck and been removed. A few wagons were a mix-match of horses as the dead were replaced from wagons that could no longer continue. The people within the wagons rode in a state of semi-shock; from the attack, from their losses, and from their fears to go forward. But the Major insisted the only way out of their predicament was to go forward, to Mill City.<\/span><\/p>\n

The canvas of the first covered wagon bore the insignia of the U.S. Army above two crossed sabers. A soldier sat high on the bench seat of the wagon and held the reins that guided the four-horse team as it rattled along the arid ground. Following the Army wagon were the wagons of settlers who had survived the latest attack by a mixed group of Indians, comprised of Paiute and Shoshone warriors. Every wagon contained wounded, minor or serious as well as those who escaped unscathed, as they headed out into the darkest part of the night. As the sun had set the night before, the dead had been quickly buried and prayed over. Orders had passed to soldier and civilian alike to prepare to leave the scene as soon as possible in an effort to avoid the bands of Indians who traveled the land, wreaking havoc whenever they encountered those who they claimed trespassed across their land.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Army patrols had been dispatched deep into the territory in an effort to re-establish a peace treaty that had somehow, somewhere been broken; much to the chagrin of the United States government. Too many people had hopes riding on the military\u2019s ability to restore the peace; stagecoach companies, supply line companies, freight haulers, settlers, and politicians too; many lives as well as the country\u2019s westward expansion depended on restoring the fragile peace. The soldiers of this particular patrol were looking for a band of Indians raiding settlements and killing the inhabitants; however, the civilian who accompanied them was only looking for one person.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Eighteen hours has elapsed since Adam Cartwright and the soldiers he was accompanying had stumbled upon the ten-unit wagon train under attack. Now, inside the army wagon and shaded from the morning sun, twenty-five year old Adam sat with his arms wrapped around the male youth who lay in his lap. The unconscious boy wore no shirt and only deerskin breeches and moccasins, showing his thin, tanned, dirt-crusted, and abused torso. During his first encounter with the youth, Adam knew, somehow he knew that this boy was the one he sought. This boy, who hours before had appeared so distressed when he had turned around, now\u2026 he lay so quiet. So uncharacteristically like the youngest brother who he remembered from before he had left home to attend Harvard. The boy who would eventually recover from the untimely death of his mother, the boy who never knew a stranger and greeted everyone with a bright smile, the boy who was constantly on the go, wide-eyed, and happy. His youngest brother, who the last time he saw him was just a few months shy of his sixth birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n

And now\u2026 seven years since the last time he\u2019d seen his brother or held him in his arms, he was riding in the back of an army wagon, hoping to get to the nearest town and a doctor to have the boy\u2019s head wound treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa will be thrilled to see you, to hug you. And don\u2019t forget Hoss, if he can get you away from Pa, he\u2019s liable to hug you and never let you go,\u201d Adam whispered as he held the boy tight. \u201cYou need to wake up, Joe? How\u2019d you get here? What happened two years ago?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 2: The Past<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The trip for his return home from Harvard would be faster than his trip east. Five years before Adam had spent considerable time at sea as a passenger upon a sailing schooner as she gracefully slipped through the waters of the Pacific Ocean towards the Isthmus of Panama. Once the ship docked, he then travel by stagecoach until he reached the Atlantic Ocean, where once again passage was booked on a sailing vessel, this time heading north to Boston. Though he traveled a less dangerous route than the overland stage of the American West, it was still fraught with its own troubles against Mother Nature. However, the dangers provided by the sea was nothing compared to the Indian attacks that had plagued the overland routes of travel at that time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The passenger train in which he currently rode passed through various towns and cities as he made his way from Boston, Massachusetts to St. Louis, Missouri via Chicago, Illinois.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he transferred from one train to another making his way home, twenty-three year old Adam Cartwright reflected upon the very different trip he was experiencing compared to the one made by he and his father, so many years before. On their original westward trip, progress faltered when provisions ran low and necessity forced his father to take menial jobs to earn money or to stop to take care of his sick child. There were times when inclement weather blocked their travel for months. But never had the man given up on the promise he had made to his late wife, he would fulfill their dream of finding a location out west to build a home and raise the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was during one of the forced stops for supplies, he also had to tend to his ailing son and without planning to, the man met a lovely Swedish woman, fell in love, and soon married. The new addition to the small family didn\u2019t discourage the dream, she embraced the opportunity. Happily, the small family headed west and along the way a second son was born and a short time later, his wife was dead; tragically killed in a retaliatory Indian attack. Had their guide only given himself up in the first place, life could have been so much different. With his wife buried at Ash Hollow, the man and his two sons continued west.<\/span><\/p>\n

With his sons at his side, the man found the location to conclude their travels and to fulfill the dream; they broke ground and built a small cabin that would suffice until they could build the home of their dreams. In order to realize his dream, the man trapped and hunted rabbits, raccoons, and beavers for furs and pelts. The money from the sales went to purchase the first few head of cattle and to pay for the use of a bull in order to breed the heifers that weren\u2019t intended to be slaughtered for food. When old and wise enough, the boys hunted and trapped rabbits and other small critters, for food and for pelts. As the man\u2019s dream took hold, so did those who would prey upon his livestock. And so the father expanded his hunts to include coyotes, wolves, and the occasional mountain lion in order to protect his family and his livestock; their pelts also brought a good price when traded.<\/span><\/p>\n

He held a deep understanding of what it meant to have a steward ship of the land, and for that reason, the man and the land prospered and grew; when he could afford it, he purchased additional acreage. As they worked the land, they only took what was necessary and when it came to the trees cut for their homestead, they transplanted the seedlings they had grown for every tree they harvested.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A number of years had passed since their arrival, and with the ranch house nearing completion and pelts prepared for trade, fate would have the man travel to New Orleans to notify Marie deMarigny of the death of her husband, his best friend. He had not planned to become involved in the struggles of strangers, but a man without honor is not a man. And so he helped defend the woman after he realized the wrong inflicted upon the young widow; and in defending her honor, they fell in love. The woman longed to leave the home which held so much heartache and bitterness, to begin anew. They were married before they left the city and slowly traveled the route to the land that was becoming known as The Ponderosa. Shortly upon their return to his home, they found out she was with child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier than expected, another son made his way into the world, and the land and the family continued to flourish. That is until that fateful day when a horse stumbled as the rider happily raced it into the yard. He buried his wife on the promontory overlooking the jewel his land bordered, Lake Tahoe.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys continued to grow, as did the Ponderosa and soon there were only two sons on the land as the eldest traveled east to realize his dream of furthering his education. It had been difficult, with little formalized schooling while traveling via wagon, and then no real school in the township where they built their home. But, with the help of tutors the young man had passed the entrance exam and been accepted as a student to the prestigious college of Harvard. He promised to return home after attaining his dream of furthering his education; planning to use what he learned to further build a bigger and better Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

His dream achieved, he looked forward to returning to the Ponderosa\u2026 his family and his home stood at the center of an enterprise growing in size and complexity, and the son was returning as a Harvard graduate with Master\u2019s Degrees in Engineering and Architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Currently, the oldest son was enjoying the speed and convenience afforded him via this method of travel \u2013 the train. As he sat back and watched the scenery pass outside the window of the passenger car, he wondered about his family, especially his brothers. He knew they had grown and changed during his five-year absence, his father had made sure Adam kept abreast of most anything and everything the boys did from the day Adam left home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss had been out of school for the past three years and working alongside their father and the ranch hands on the cattle and lumber side of the business. Ben had realized early on that Hoss would never be the scholar like his older brother and the boy had a real affinity in working with the animals, especially when they were injured or ill. His size helped him handle the man-size jobs that would be performed by a still growing young man.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for Joseph, according to letters received, he had become a highly temperamental youth, eager to throw the first punch, but always claimed some sort of provocation or that he had to, in self-defense or defense of others. Adam mused at remembering the letters where Ben declared that Joseph was again on restrictions for being too close to the horses that were being broke to saddle or because of said fights.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018I wonder how gray Pa\u2019s hair has turned while I\u2019ve been gone. It was really starting to gray after Joe learned to walk,\u2019 Adam thought to himself as he smiled at the memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

During the years of his absence, as settlers pushed into the western territories, so did the Army. With the various treaties signed, hostilities had subsided and travel by coach was safer than it had been five years previous. From St. Louis to Sacramento, CA, Adam Cartwright planned to travel via the Overland Stage. The longest portion of his journey lay ahead of him, and the one he had not looked forward to due to the discomforts of riding inside the cramped confines and the lack of readily available conveniences. However, this was the fastest route home and he was eager to return to his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

As his graduation neared, Adam had explored all his options of returning home, he could have stopped in Henderson, Nevada and waited for a supply run heading towards Carson City, but the fastest route was to take the southern stage route through to Sacramento, California and take a smaller stage that ran between Sacramento and Virginia City. He couldn\u2019t believe it when his father had written that they had signed a cattle contract with the Army and their delivery date was close to Adam\u2019s projected arrival in Sacramento. So, it was decided that Adam would wait for his family or vice-versa, depending on who arrived first.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the coach bounced along the rutted and pitted trails, he wondered about the other changes to the growing and prospering ranch that his father described in his monthly letters to his son. Most of all, Adam pondered about the change of name from Mormon Station to Virginia City; how had that affected the town? He tried to envision what the town might look like, with all the new stores and hotels, and other establishments that ultimately came with the westward expansion. His father had informed him that much had changed and been built in his absence. The biggest change, after the change of name, was the town\u2019s hiring of a lawman, Vernon Biggs. The new sheriff was a practical man who accepted no nonsense and wanted to see that the city amounted to something more than just another rowdy cow town that eventually would fade away as a ghost town.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Mile after mile and day after day, the passengers endured the discomforts of being jarred by the bench seats as the stage traveled along the paths that crisscrossed the land while making their way west. Every forty to fifty miles they would stop at a way station for a change of horses and a quick bite to eat, if the facility was set up for more than a change of horses. Otherwise the passengers only had long enough to stretch their legs and use the outhouse facilities before they were on their way again. Meals at each stop varied, as did the conveniences and the people who lived and worked at the stations.<\/span><\/p>\n

As each day began to fade to night, the driver would push his team to reach their next stop before the sun set. The passengers mentally pushed the horses on, encouraging them to speed across the land in order to benefit from sitting upon something not moving or to lie in what would hopefully be a comfortable bed or bunk. On more than one occasion, Adam had made due with sleeping in the hayloft of the horse barn in order to escape the snores from a few of his male passengers. During each nightly stopover at a way station, men and women were assigned to sleep in separate rooms regardless of whether they were married or not. Sometimes, due to delays earlier in the day, their last stop before night fell was only at a relay station; strictly a change of horses with no overnight accommodations. Once the horses were changed, the driver pushed on through the night in an effort to reach the next station where they could lie down to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The stage portion of the trip home was only supposed to last for fifteen grueling days, but with breakdowns or passengers staying over and not continuing with their original coach, a passenger or two was occasionally bumped. And, since Adam was not traveling with any companion or traveling on business, more times than not, he was the passenger who volunteered to wait until the next stage or was bumped as declared by the station manager.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After nearly three weeks of sitting within the cramped confines of the coach, or being stranded to wait for the next stage, once Sacramento, California came into sight, no one within was more relieved. When the stage finally halted in front of the Imperial Hotel in the center of Sacramento, the oldest Cartwright son waited for his fellow passengers to disembark. He was eager to reunite with his family, but he didn\u2019t want their reunion to be in front of these strangers or to possibly block his traveling companions from their own reunions. As he waited within, on the street side of the coach, he looked out one of the windows and thought he recognized his father, but couldn\u2019t be sure with so many people milling around. When he finally rose from his seat and stepped out, he heard, \u201cThere he is, Pa!\u201d Upon stepping to the boardwalk, back slaps, handshakes, and ultimately bear hugs went back and forth among the three Cartwright men before they finally acknowledged the driver who was waiting to hand down Adam\u2019s luggage and valise. The driver and his shotgun were eager to be on their way to the relay station on the outskirts of town in order to change horses. The depot clerk and another man had already pulled Adam\u2019s trunk from the boot of the coach and set it on the boardwalk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you son,\u201d Ben stated, torn between longing for the young man who had left their home five years before and the mature man who stood in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you too, Pa,\u201d Adam answered, the pitch of his voice rose as Hoss picked him up from behind and squeezed him into a hug. \u201cWhat has Hop Sing been feeding you Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When he turned around, it surprised Adam to realize that his seventeen-year-old brother stood tall enough to look him in the eye, and outweighed him by at least fifty pounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat hasn\u2019t that college been feedin\u2019 ya? Why ya ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 but skin and bones there older brother,\u201d teased Hoss. \u201cWelcome home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be good to be home. I take it you were successful in convincing Joe to stay with Hop Sing?\u201d Adam asked, redirecting his conversation to their father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe weren\u2019t happy about it, but I think he understood why,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The oldest Cartwright son felt a little guilty for his youngest brother\u2019s absence, but their father had been adamant that Joe was to await their return at home. Adam\u2019s scheduled return closely coincided with the delivery date of a herd of cattle to the U.S. Army outside Sacramento. Even though the youngest Cartwright had been \u2018holding the cut\u2019 for a year now, his father knew a cattle drive was no place for a youngster of soon to be eleven. Ben had written of his desire to keep Joe safe at home in the last letter Adam had received before he left Boston, and his grandfather, to return to the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon hearing Adam inquire about Joe, Ben remembered back\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

It had been a few trying weeks in dealing with the youngest and most temperamental of his sons after Joe learned he would not be participating in the cattle drive to Sacramento. The boy incessantly pleaded with them to allow him to participate, at times his emotions would throw him into a temper tantrum in an effort to get his point across, and for that reason, Ben had withheld the good news that they would also be meeting with Adam to bring him home. He knew Adam\u2019s return would give Joe more ammunition to use against them in order to be allowed to go on the journey. But, Ben knew once Joe saw Adam, all would ultimately be forgiven and so he took solace in the \u2018lie of omission\u2019 towards his son. There was also the fact that Joe was still of age where he was required to go to school, and their brief summer break would not begin until the end of July.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the week before they were to leave, Ben realized the reunion between his oldest and youngest needed to be at home, and not for the reasons he believed; yes, he wanted his youngest safe, but there was another more serious reason. As he did every night, Ben visited his youngest, to bid him pleasant dreams and to kiss him upon his brow; he paused at the slightly opened door when he heard Joe talking. Ben was surprised not to see Hoss sitting on Joe\u2019s bed or in the chair beside it. Looking farther into the room, he finally saw his youngest son. Joe sat cross-legged on the seat at one of the windowsills, and in his hands he held what Ben knew to be his mother\u2019s picture. It pained him to overhear what Joe had to say.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMomma, we got another letter from Adam today\u2026 Pa read it to Hoss and me after supper. In it, he was talking about graduating soon and how he was second in his class at Harvard. Don\u2019t know why he was talking about the weather, I don\u2019t see what the temperature has to do with studying; he said he was getting degrees in engineering and archy-something. Pa said he would be real happy to see Adam\u2019s dip\u2026di-blo\u2026 Anyway, Hoss said it was a certificate to show he studied hard. He talked about leaving Boston and his Grandfather, how he would be sad, but at the same time, he looked forward to coming home.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa and Hoss seemed real happy to read what he wrote, they always do\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s tone of voice changed to a sadder one, \u201cHoss said something about not being able to wait until Adam got here, that he couldn\u2019t wait to have him be part of the family again\u2026 Later, when we were doing our chores I asked Hoss what he meant, and he kinda looked at me real funny\u2026 he told me to quit joshing him. Said he was excited to have our brother come home and I should be too. I tried to explain to him, but I only made Hoss\u2026 Hoss got all upset and told me it weren\u2019t funny, that Adam was our brother and that\u2019s all there was to it. Momma, I don\u2019t remember Adam… I only remember Hoss being my brother. Do you remember him, Momma?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d ask Pa about Adam, but\u2026 Momma, I know we get letters from him, and Pa and Hoss say he\u2019s my brother\u2026 but I don\u2019t wanna get a tanning. Pa tanned me good when I forgot to give him that note from my teacher last month. I can\u2019t think how hard he\u2019d tan me for forgetting about a brother\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben decided he needed to address his young son; he quietly knocked upon the door before pushing it the rest of the way open.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, are you ready for bed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost,\u201d Joe answered as he hung his legs from the windowsill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I heard you talking, where\u2019s Hoss?\u201d Ben casually asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s already in bed\u2026 I was talking to Momma,\u201d Joe stated as he hurriedly jumped from his window seat and placed his mother\u2019s picture back upon the nightstand next to his bed before he prepared to crawl beneath the covers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you have a good talk?\u201d Ben asked as he held the covers up for Joe to slip underneath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKinda,\u201d Joe replied as he snuggled into the covers, however, he didn\u2019t lie down on his bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy the look on your face, I\u2019d say, you didn\u2019t get everything resolved,\u201d Ben stated as he eased himself on the edge of the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to meet his father\u2019s eye, Joe looked at his hands in his lap.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell me what\u2019s troubling you, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t nothing\u2026\u201d Joe replied and shrugged his shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it is something. You were real quiet when you came in from doing your chores tonight\u2026 Did you and Hoss have an argument?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d mumbled Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it about Adam?\u201d Ben decided to broach the subject of his oldest son instead of waiting for Joe to decide he wanted to talk about him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe immediately looked into his father\u2019s face. \u201cHoss said he\u2019s excited for Adam to come home and be a part of the family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is\u2026 and I am too. And I\u2019m sure that Adam is looking forward to coming home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019ll be in the bedroom next to mine?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that\u2019s Adam\u2019s room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he\u2019ll be Hoss\u2019 brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd yours too,\u201d Ben answered and smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and Hoss remember him?\u201d Joe quietly asked, his eyes falling back to look at his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you don\u2019t,\u201d Ben sorrowfully stated, he didn\u2019t question.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head slightly, Joe answered, \u201cI know you read letters from him, and I know that\u2019s his room, and I know you and Hoss talk all the time about him\u2026 But, Pa I don\u2019t wanna get a tanning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I\u2019m not going to give you a tanning,\u201d Ben lovingly answered as he reached forward and lifted his son\u2019s chin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guilt ridden, Joe stated, \u201cI don\u2019t remember him. I mean, I see the picture of the four of us on your desk, but\u2026 he\u2019s just a picture or words in a letter. How am I supposed to act around him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe same as you do for Hoss and myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s got a college edge-ee-kay-shun\u2026\u201d Joe answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s \u2018ed-u-ca-tion\u2019. But he\u2019s still your brother.\u201d Ben knew he needed to say more, and hoped what he said would make sense to his son, \u201cJoseph, I\u2019m not saying that getting reacquainted with your brother will be easy, why don\u2019t you plan to start out by thinking of him as a new friend and see where it goes from there. I\u2019m sure once you two really get to know each other that you\u2019ll start to remember things you did together, before he left for college. Besides, he doesn\u2019t know you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?!\u201d Joe\u2019s voice pitched an octave in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Poking his young son in the stomach elicited a giggle, Ben answered, \u201cHe only knows you as the five-year old soon to be six-year old child you were before he left to go to college. Why, just last week you were telling me you were practically grown\u2026 He doesn\u2019t know you as the ten-year old that you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be eleven this fall\u2026\u201d Joe sat up straighter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. So\u2026 you and Adam are sort of in the same boat\u2026 You\u2019ll both have to work to remember and to get to know each other, again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill Hoss and Adam have to do the same work?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA little bit. Now, why don\u2019t you lie down and go to sleep\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, when is Adam coming home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be for some time yet, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Goodnight, Pa. I love you,\u201d Joe stated as he lay down and pulled the covers up to his shoulders and turned to his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSweet dreams, Little Joe. And I love you too.\u201d Ben stood, leaned over his son, and kissed his temple.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling the door closed as he stepped to the hallway, Ben elevated his eyes and said a quiet prayer, \u201cLord, please forgive me for the small lie I just told my son.\u201d Ben turned to walk down the hall towards his own bedroom when his middle son\u2019s door opened, \u201cPa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Hoss?\u201d Ben answered as he approached.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo ya got a minute? I need ta tell ya somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben entered Hoss\u2019 room, his son already changed into his nightshirt. From the looks of the covers, his son had already tried to go to bed, but couldn\u2019t fall asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa might wanna have a seat Pa, this might take a few minutes,\u201d Hoss stated as he backed up towards his bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you in some kind of trouble?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNa, I ain\u2019t in no trouble, it\u2019s just\u2026 Well\u2026 I wanna talk ta ya about Joe. We was in the barn doin\u2019 our chores tonight and he got ta askin\u2019 me about Adam, and\u2026 I don\u2019t think I handled the situation to good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Ben asked as he sat in the chair by Hoss\u2019 desk. Based on his conversation with his youngest, he knew what Hoss was about to say, but he wanted to hear things from his middle son\u2019s perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, he asked me what I meant about Adam comin\u2019 home and bein\u2019 a family again. I thought he was joshin\u2019 me. And well\u2026 he kinda said he didn\u2019t know Adam, and I got mad at him. Told him it weren\u2019t funny and he should be happy Adam was comin\u2019 home, that I was gonna be real happy to have my brother back. But the more I got to figurin\u2019\u2026 Pa, Adam\u2019s been gone for about five years, and Joe bein\u2019 almost eleven, he\u2019s been gone almost half a Joe\u2019s life\u2026 What if he really don\u2019t remember him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes and gave thanks that his sons cared for each other. \u201cI\u2019ve spoken with Joe; I overheard him talking to his mother\u2019s picture, earlier\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Hoss quietly asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. Joe knows about Adam, his letters, his picture, his bedroom, and that they\u2019re brothers, but he doesn\u2019t remember Adam\u2026the things they did together or things we did as a family. I suggested that once he meets Adam, that he first starts out thinking of Adam as a friend and hopefully that will lead him to remembering Adam as his brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, there\u2019s no reason for you to be sorry. I guess I should have thought about it myself. You and I have strong memories about Adam, but the twelve years age difference between the two of them\u2026 and Joe\u2019s young age when Adam left\u2026 Things will work out, I\u2019m sure of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre we still not gonna tell Joe that Adam will be comin\u2019 home with us after the cattle drive?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn light of him not remembering, I don\u2019t want to put any more pressure on the boy. I did tell Joe it would be some time before Adam came home, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa. Guess I\u2019ll turn in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stood from the chair, bid his son goodnight, blew out the lantern, and closed the door behind him as he headed for his own bedroom. After changing into his bedclothes, Ben wondered how he could not have foreseen the reality he\u2019d stumbled upon that night, as he slipped between the covers of his own bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As his attention returned to the present, Ben vowed that he would take Adam aside shortly before they arrived at the ranch to explain the situation involving Joe and his lack of \u2018remembering\u2019; Ben didn\u2019t want to tarnish his oldest son\u2019s homecoming any sooner than necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Once Adam\u2019s luggage was collected, the family made plans to head to the hotel where Ben had already reserved a suite for their use.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, if you don\u2019t mind, I need to find the telegraph office. I\u2019d like to wire Grandfather that I\u2019ve arrived home safely,\u201d Adam stated as he collected his valise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Abel would appreciate that. Please, let him know I said, \u2018Hello\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded while Hoss ambled on to the hotel, toting Adam\u2019s luggage, his trunk would be delivered later. Before the stage\u2019s arrival, Ben had made arrangements for Adam\u2019s trunk to be delivered to their room by workers from the stage line.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As they shared their first evening meal together, Adam fell into old times with his father, as if he\u2019d not been gone for five years; the conversation flowed effortlessly in both directions. It only took a few hours once he stepped off the stage to truly reconnect with his middle brother, getting accustomed to the fact that this brother was almost a man grown was unnerving, but not difficult. In fact, Adam appreciated the maturity Hoss displayed as they discussed the changes to the ranch that had occurred during his absence, and he appreciated all the work his brother did alongside their father and the ranch hands. As they talked of the Ponderosa, Adam mentally made modifications to the designs he had planned to incorporate into the running of the ranch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss asked a lot of questions regarding Harvard and the time Adam spent in Boston. He remembered a few stories from some of Adam\u2019s letter that he wanted more detail than what would be written down. And so as Adam recounted the stories and the little particulars, here and there, the family laughed and enjoyed their time together.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Unknowing exactly when Adam\u2019s stage would arrive, Ben had planned to spend several days in Sacramento as a reward for Hoss after all his hard work and added on a few more as a respite for Adam before the last leg of their trip home. Ben was also looking forward to a few days of relaxing as they had just spent two long weeks rounding up cattle and another week pushing them on the trail to the U.S. Army post outside of Sacramento. He knew they should have hired on more men to accommodate the size of the herd they were pushing, but there just weren\u2019t enough men willing to hire on as drovers in the growing town of Virginia City.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss pulled extra duty in riding night watch over the herd, allowing the drovers a few extra hours of sleep to make up for the shortage of manpower. But the drovers\u2019 extra sleep at night did nothing to alleviate the hours in the saddle during the day and the extra work each man assumed on the short-staffed drive. As a bonus, Ben allowed their hands a few extra days of relaxation in Sacramento before he expected them to return to the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As they were waiting for dessert to be served, Adam expressed his apologies at having caused his family to wait several extra days for his arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t have to wait any extras days, brother. We got held up tryin\u2019 ta cross a few rivers between here and home. We only got here yesterday ourselves, but we still got the herd here before the penalty clause woulda kicked in. And believe it or not, the army wouldn\u2019t take possession of the herd until they\u2019d examined each an\u2019 every one of them this mornin\u2019; last night the hands weren\u2019t too pleased to find out they couldn\u2019t go celebratin\u2019 until today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry to hear about your problems. We experienced several breakdowns as well as one time I volunteered to take the next stage and a couple other times the station manager informed me that my seat was on the next westbound stage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRegardless, you\u2019re here, son.\u201d Ben stated with a smile of gratitude that his oldest had finally been safely returned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Once they had finished their dinner at the hotel, all three Cartwrights headed for the saloon where Ben and Hoss knew their hands would be celebrating. Adam enjoyed seeing and talking with several of the hands who he remembered from before he\u2019d left for college; he enjoyed sharing a beer with all of them as he listened to some of them boasting of the outrageous shenanigans of his youngest brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A day of sightseeing and inspecting some of the livestock that were scheduled for auction later in the week reminded Adam how much he was looking forward to returning to being a cattleman now that he had fulfilled his dream of furthering his education. Later, he and his family relaxed around the hotel room for a second evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss had already bid them goodnight in an effort to give his Pa and Adam a little private time together. Having waited long enough, Adam stated, \u201cPa, I know our stay in Sacramento is a bonus for all the hard work Hoss has done, as well as to give me some time without being jostled about in a stage\u2026 but if you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d really like to go home. If I were to be real honest, I miss my little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d Hoss sheepishly stated; stepping from one of the bedrooms off the main suite.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to go home too, son?\u201d Ben asked as he looked to his middle son, clad in only a nightshirt and socks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I know ya wanted me to have some fun, and I have had fun seein\u2019 the sights and eatin\u2019 in them fancy restaurants yesterday and taday, but\u2026 I know Joe\u2019s probably a poutin\u2019 at home. And keepin\u2019 Adam from him just don\u2019t seem fair. And I miss him too. \u2018Sides the quicker we get Adam home, the sooner Joe will remember him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re sure\u2026\u201d Ben watched as both Hoss and Adam nodded, \u201cI\u2019ll tell the hands we\u2019re heading home in the morning, but they can spend one more day here before heading home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it a little late to schedule a ride on the stage in the morning?\u201d asked Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t no stage for another two days, sides we ain\u2019t goin\u2019 home that way, brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not? Then how?\u201d Adam\u2019s curiosity rose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa know Pa, for him being a college edge-e-cated fella, he don\u2019t know a whole lot\u2026\u201d Hoss teased and ducked from the pillow Adam had picked up from the settee and threw his direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben spoke, as if having to explain something to a very young child, \u201cwe have horses in the remuda. Do you remember what a remuda is\u2026\u201d Seeing Adam\u2019s deadpan expression, Ben laughed and continued, intending to jokingly admonish his son, \u201cAnd don\u2019t give me anything about it being so long since you\u2019ve sat in a saddle, I know for a fact that you made weekly excursions on horseback when the weather allowed.\u201d Ben raised his eyebrows before he stated, \u201cAbel wrote me in his letters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Acquiescing, Adam stated, \u201cJust as long as I\u2019m the first one who gets to soak in that big tub in the bathhouse Hoss said you added on to the house. A nice\u2026 long\u2026 hot\u2026 bath.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood to bid his father goodnight as he and his brother retired to the same bedroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 3: The Shattering<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The following morning, with arrangements made for Adam\u2019s trunk to be taken to the chuck wagon where their cook would deliver it back to the Ponderosa, the Cartwrights headed towards the livery. As they entered the building, Adam realized that his father had brought his favorite mount, Beauty. Taking a few moments to examine his horse, running his hands over the animal\u2019s body and legs, Adam whispered, \u201cThanks, Pa, Hoss.\u201d As the Cartwrights saddled their horses, Adam commented, \u201cBeauty appears to be in good flesh\u2026 Who\u2019s been keeping him in condition?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s been doing most of it, I\u2019m just too heavy,\u201d commented Hoss as he hefted his saddle onto the back of his mount, Chubbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? But he\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben interrupted Adam, \u201cHe\u2019s only worked the horse for the past year or so, and only under close supervision by myself, Hoss, or Charlie. I know how your horse can be and to leave Joe to his own devices with Beauty would be ensuring business for Paul.\u201d Ben slipped the bridle on Buck. \u201cAt first I was leery of letting him ride Beauty, but Charlie insisted that Joe\u2019s a natural when it comes to riding. He also told me that he had personally promised Joe a trip to the wood shed should he ever find out that Joe had not followed the rules we set down in order to allow him to ride your horse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The men led their horses from the livery, mounted, and rode out of Sacramento.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As he rode beside his brother, Adam enjoyed the leisurely pace set by their father, giving him time to admire the scenery he\u2019d missed experiencing for the past five years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though it had taken them seven days to deliver the herd, it would be a much quicker trip home without being encumbered by the cattle. Ben figured they\u2019d make it home in three and a half days, even allowing a slower trip to compensate for Adam\u2019s absence from being in the saddle for prolonged periods of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019d been on the trail for an hour when Adam halted his horse and spoke, \u201cHoss, can I ask you something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Hoss replied as he stopped alongside his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam crossed his arm over the saddle horn and leaned forward before he spoke, \u201cLast night, you said something\u2026 about getting home and Joe remembering me…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned his horse, Buck, and answered, \u201cSon, I didn\u2019t want to upset you this soon. I was going to tell you when we were closer to home. But\u2026\u201d Ben faltered in his explanation. \u201cIt has been a little more than five years since you\u2019ve been home, and Joe…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, ya gotta understand that\u2019s a long time for our little brother. Now don\u2019t get flustered at Pa for not tellin\u2019 ya in a letter, Pa and me didn\u2019t figure it out until a few weeks ago\u2026 an\u2019 by then yous already on yer way home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam asked after taking a deep breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI overheard your brother talking with his mother\u2026 her picture that is, and\u2026 he stated that he didn\u2019t remember you. Adam, he knows you\u2019re his brother, he knows your picture and I read your letters aloud, but\u2026 In the time you\u2019ve been away\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s forgotten me?\u201d queried Adam, not willing to admit how disheartening it was to hear the news.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot forgotten you, exactly, but he doesn\u2019t remember the things you did with him. He\u2019s had other life experiences that have pushed those memories to the back of his mind,\u201d explained Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I shouldn\u2019t expect him to jump up in my arms once we get home,\u201d Adam forlornly stated. In all the years he\u2019d been gone, he\u2019d not given any thought to things being different upon his return home. His own memories of his time with Joe were as bright as if they had happened the day before.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben allowed Adam to his thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam remembered the long hours that Marie had laid in labor as the newest Cartwright had decided not to wait until his expected due date. Joseph Francis Cartwright had made his way into the world just before midnight on Halloween, almost a month premature. Images of holding his newest brother in his arms, and then the pride he took when he helped the youth take his first faltering steps which years later led to the boy riding his pony for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam saddened as he remembered the nights with broken sleep as the young boy grieved the loss of his mother and suffered nightmares that couldn\u2019t be calmed until he was snuggled in his brother\u2019s arms. The nightmares lasted for weeks and finally subsided upon Ben\u2019s return home, having taken time away from the Ponderosa and his sons to come to terms with the grief of losing his third wife.<\/span><\/p>\n

After Adam cleared his throat, indicating he was once again in the present, Ben continued, \u201cI talked with him, and suggested the two of you start out as friends. I also told him that you didn\u2019t really know him either. You don\u2019t know the young man he\u2019s becoming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss snickered, which changed to a cough when he saw his father look at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf what the hands said last night were true, maybe I don\u2019t want to know this brother of mine,\u201d Adam jested, trying to lighten the mood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben scolded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. I was only joking.\u201d Adam lowered his eyes, not sure how to proceed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Accepting his son\u2019s sincerity, Ben continued, \u201cI\u2019m sure in time he\u2019ll start remembering all the good things the two of you did once you start interacting together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t how exactly how to handle the news he just heard; he had looked forward to picking up his life with both his brothers where it had left off when he departed for college. It only took a few hours to reconnect with Hoss and laugh about old times, but to know that Joe didn\u2019t remember those \u2018old times\u2019\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnyway, older brother\u2026 Joe mighta been thinkin\u2019 while Pa an\u2019 me been gone and he mighta remembered ya by now, and if he does, ya gotta be prepared ta tangle with a wildcat. That boy\u2019s done grown while ya been gone. Now he\u2019s still on the plumb-puny side, but he ain\u2019t the little scamp ya mighta remember.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCompared to you, who isn\u2019t on the plumb-puny side?\u201d teased Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just a growin\u2019 boy who appreciates the good food that Hop Sing fixes us,\u201d boasted Hoss as he rubbed his stomach. \u201cI done lost a few pounds while we been on the trail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you have, son,\u201d teased Ben, enjoying the camaraderie.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Three days out from Sacramento and after three nights camping under the tapestry of the Sierra night time sky, the majesty of the Ponderosa came into sight. Several hours later, all three men recognized something was sorely wrong as they halted their horses and looked down into the valley to view the main ranch house. Without words among them, they put their heels to their horses\u2019 flanks and raced towards the smoke that lazily rose into the sky and flowed on the currents of the breeze. As they entered the yard, each man could smell the acrid odor of burned lumber, hay, and straw; the sight of the smoldering main barn stopped them in their tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Hoss was the first to ask as he, his father, and brother stepped from their mounts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without giving voice to his thoughts, Adam begged, \u2018Please don\u2019t let this be an accident cause by Little Joe.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was the first to approach the charred remains, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can rebuild it Pa,\u201d Adam stated as he moved to stand behind his father and placed his right hand on the man\u2019s left shoulder. \u201cWe can build one, even better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben stated, patted his son\u2019s hand and turned to approach the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is everyone?\u201d Hoss asked as he fell in line behind his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben called out as he stepped to the wooden porch. \u201cJoseph! We\u2019re home and have a surprise for you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben pushed open the door and stepped inside; surprised his youngest was not yelling and bounding down the steps to greet them. He was actually glad his oldest sons had wanted to travel home sooner, thus allowing Adam to return on a weekend, when Joe would not be in school. As much as the youth had pleaded his case to go on the cattle drive, Ben could only imagine how much grief his youngest son would give him in order to get out of going to school the next day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey shortshanks, where ya hidin\u2019?\u201d Hoss hollered as he entered the great room, removed his hat and hung it on the pegs behind the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u201d Doctor Paul Martin stated as he came around the corner from the dining area and stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy God\u2026 How bad was Joe injured?\u201d Seeing their family friend and physician standing there startled Ben, he felt his stomach drop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Ben,\u201d Paul stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben trembled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell us what happened,\u201d Adam ordered, removing his hat as he came to stand beside his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry this isn\u2019t the welcome home you were expecting, Adam,\u201d Paul used as an answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe? What\u2019s happened to Joe?\u201d Ben demanded as he took a step forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d Sheriff Vernon Biggs called from outside the door as he made his way to the front entrance of the ranch house. \u201cI thought I heard horses, but\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what, Vern?\u201d Ben asked as he turned to watch the approaching lawman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you might have been the posse returning\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d the posse be returnin\u2019? Why\u2019re you here, Sheriff?\u201d Hoss asked, getting the feeling he was not going to like the lawman\u2019s answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere just isn\u2019t any other way to say it other than come right out and say, the Ponderosa was attacked yesterday, we don\u2019t know exactly who done it, other than what little information Charlie was able to tell us before the doctor operated. He said he heard whooping and hollering and rifle shots, then he took an arrow in the shoulder. He told me that he and Little Joe were in the barn when it all started and he yelled for your boy to get to the cellar and bar himself in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he went to the cellar, where is he?\u201d Adam stoically asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

When neither the lawman nor the doctor would answer, panic continued to build in the pit of Ben\u2019s stomach, he demanded, \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?! Vern?! Paul?!\u201d He looked from one man to the other and back again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know. Whoever it was, it appears they took him.\u201d Biggs stopped to gather his thoughts. \u201cThe men who survived searched everywhere they could think of\u2026 Moss came to town to get me, told me what he found when he and the men returned from the range, and I formed a posse and brought the doc. From the footprints, it appears that Joe tried to make it to the cellar. We found his tracks and there\u2019s no other explanation than they took him with them when they took the supplies from your cellar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe DAMNED the supplies! WHERE\u2019S MY SON?!\u201d demanded Ben as he took a step forward and grabbed the front of the sheriff\u2019s vest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know,\u201d Biggs frankly answered, accepting the honest anger the father directed towards him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy aren\u2019t you out with the posse?!\u201d Adam bluntly asked, forcing his way between his father and the sheriff.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause the soldiers stopped us last night, I had to come back\u2026 But I sent a few of the men back out earlier this morning to where we were stopped, just to see if they could find anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, Vern\u2019s done all he could within the confines the army placed on him. I\u2019ve been here all night, tending to the wounded,\u201d Paul Martin added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Army?! What does the Army have to do with this?\u201d demanded Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow many wounded and how bad?\u201d asked Hoss at the same time Adam was questioning about the Army.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul answered, \u201cTwo men killed outright, their bodies were transported to the undertaker\u2019s last night. Charlie took an arrow to the shoulder and must have struck his head on something as he fell; he also has suffered a severe concussion. We\u2019re just lucky he was making as much sense as he was to tell us what happened. Pete took two bullets, one to the back of his shoulder and another to his leg, while Jose took a bullet to his side. I operated on all three, and Charlie\u2019s been running a fever, it finally broke about an hour ago. They\u2019ll all recover, given time and rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the other men?\u201d Hoss inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGeorge and Keegan were killed. I\u2019m sorry, Ben, they were already dead when I arrived,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate that from what Pete said, they finished work early and returned to the bunk house. Otherwise, it would have only been Charlie, Joe, and Moss here when it happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheriff Biggs continued with the story, \u201cThere weren\u2019t that many hands here, but I left two to stand as guard and took the others with me on the posse. We had to come back after the army stopped us. After dark, the McCloud brothers offered to light out after them soldier boys to see if they could find Little Joe. There wasn\u2019t anything they could do until this morning, so I told \u2018em to wait until first light.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Hop Sing?\u201d Hoss asked; he was worried for his little brother, but Hop Sing had become a member of the family, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was in town, getting supplies\u2026 He\u2019s been in the bunk house helping to tend to Pete and Jose, Charlie\u2019s in the guest room down here.\u201d Paul pointed to the room the other side of the wall. Seeing the expression on the elder Cartwright\u2019s face, Paul continued, \u201cBen, Hop Sing\u2019s torn up about this. Little Joe was originally supposed to go to town with him, but at the last minute the boy decided he wanted to stay home. The man\u2019s regretting that he didn\u2019t make the boy go with him, said something about the boy saying he was remembering Adam\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute, why weren\u2019t Little Joe in school?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cYesterday was a school day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe teacher was out sick, hadn\u2019t been feeling too good the day before. He came to see me and I said he needed to get plenty of rest, so he canceled school until Monday,\u201d Paul answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHas there been any kind of ransom demand?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRansom?\u201d Sheriff Biggs asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey kidnapped my younger brother,\u201d Adam bitterly stated. \u201cPa\u2019s building an empire here, what other reason would anyone have for taking Little Joe?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say,\u201d acknowledged Sheriff Biggs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVern, you said the army was here and stopped you. Why? Why was the army here?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cWhat aren\u2019t you telling me?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam spoke before the lawman could answer, \u201cYou said\u2026 you couldn\u2019t say, not that you didn\u2019t know\u2026 you know something. Tell us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, the Ponderosa isn\u2019t the first place to have been hit. But it was the first ranch in this area to have them attack\u2026 and in broad daylight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talkin\u2019 about, Sheriff?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho did this, Sheriff?!\u201d Adam\u2019s tone indicated he wasn\u2019t comfortable with the words or the actions of the sheriff. From what he understood, these raiders hadn\u2019t only struck the Ponderosa, others had been at risk. Even with his college education, Adam couldn\u2019t put the whole picture together; with other ranches under attack there is no way his father would have driven a herd to Sacramento, nor would he have allowed the men to have some down time, and then leisurely ridden home. If there had been trouble in the vicinity, the hands at the ranch would not have been as unprepared as it appeared they had been. Something did not add up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I don\u2019t know you, but I\u2019m the sheriff and I do believe I\u2019m due your respect.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Adam Cartwright, Sheriff,\u201d Adam stepped close to the lawman before he continued, \u201cAs for respect, you\u2019ll get my respect once you\u2019ve earned it. Now just who does the army think took my brother, if it wasn\u2019t for a ransom demand, then why?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben interrupted by placing his hand on Adam\u2019s upper arm and tried to pull him away from the lawman, \u201che\u2019s my son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my brother!\u201d Adam shouted without taking his eyes from the lawman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen let me handle this,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWHO?!\u201d Adam demanded, not being distracted from the lawman.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the lawman didn\u2019t speak up right away Hoss spoke, \u201cYou said Charlie was shot with an arrow, and the others with bullets. Who goes around usin\u2019 both? You\u2019re mixin\u2019 white men and Indians\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Army thinks it was a band of comancheros,\u201d Biggs answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cComancheros? Here?\u201d Hoss asked, unbelieving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBiggs you know as well as I do that the comanchero are down in the New Mexico territory and the Texas panhandle. They\u2019ve never been this far north,\u201d Ben voiced his disbelief. \u201cHow could the army possibly think they\u2019d be here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been following a rogue band of riders, Mexican, Indian, white, even a few blacks from what they said. The men who were leading them were wearing faded army uniforms\u2026\u201d Biggs answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen call them what they truly are, marauders,\u201d Adam ordered. \u201cI\u2019ll ask you again, why is the Army after them?! Why weren\u2019t we warned?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2026\u201d Biggs expression indicated he didn\u2019t want to say what he knew, but the eldest son kept pressing the issue. \u201cBen, you know the telegraph line has been down for some time due to that fire. It\u2019s taken the company a long time to replace all the poles and restring the wire. They only got it reconnected to Virginia City while you were gone. There was no way for us to know. \u2018Sides, the Army\u2019s been slowly making their way into this territory for months following the\u2026 marauders, they\u2019ve been on their tail the whole time; maybe they didn\u2019t have the time to send out wires.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s no excuse,\u201d Adam inserted, \u201cWe should have been notified. Pa and Hoss just delivered a herd to the fort outside of Sacramento, why wasn\u2019t anything said to them there?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s possible California wasn\u2019t warned because they weren\u2019t in their territory,\u201d suggested Biggs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa is as close to California as you can get without being in California. That\u2019s no excuse!\u201d Adam declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring the oldest Cartwright son, the lawman continued, \u201cThis particular patrol was originally out of Texas and has been following this group from there, into northern New Mexico and now here. Unfortunately, they always appear to be a day behind them. Until yesterday, this is the closest they\u2019ve come to getting them, the Army showed up last evening…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand, why didn\u2019t the Army send out dispatches\u2026\u201d a pained Ben stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been following them, trying to stop \u2018em, or kill \u2018em\u2026 Ben, there\u2019s more to it than just stealing food and supplies\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s obvious by the fact that they\u2019ve kidnapped my youngest brother,\u201d declared Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s possible that this group\u2026\u201d Biggs stumbled over his words. \u201cFrom what I found out from a sergeant, while in Texas and New Mexico, they\u2019ve taken women and children from other ranches to sell down below the border or to certain establishments in San Francisco\u2026\u201d It pained the man to admit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat establishments you talkin\u2019 about, Sheriff?\u201d Hoss innocently asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSlavery,\u201d answered Adam in a cold tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Joe ain\u2019t a negro,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cWhy would one of these establishments want Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hated to be the one to tarnish his middle brother\u2019s innocence, but he knew of no other way. \u201cHoss, there\u2019s more than one kind of slavery and it disgusts me to say, but there are those who would use young boys\u2026 places along the Barbary Coast, in San Francisco and other denizens in larger cities\u2026\u201d Adam continued after seeing the look of not understanding on his brother\u2019s face. \u201cCrime bosses prostitute young boys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what would women want of a boy like Joe?\u201d Hoss innocently asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not women… I\u2019ve a friend who investigated and wrote an expos\u00e9 for the newspaper while I was in Boston, there are men who\u2026 they relieve their sexual needs by using young boys\u2026 they\u2019re perverse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy God,\u201d breathed Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut the Sheriff said he could be sold in Mexico?\u201d Hoss asked, still horrified at what Adam said, but hoping there was another alternative.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know that\u2019s how he\u2019s being sold in San Francisco. He could be sold as a cabin boy to some ship\u2019s captain.\u201d Biggs saw the look of horror upon Ben\u2019s face and tried to diminish the revulsion behind the possibilities of why the boy had been taken. \u201cIn Mexico he\u2019d be sold into slavery to some of the larger rancheros or possibly be sold to some mine as cheap labor, someone small enough who wouldn\u2019t necessarily attract attention or someone small enough to get into areas to set blasting charges,\u201d Biggs answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThrow away labor\u2026 Cheap and expendable,\u201d Adam\u2019s words held venom. \u201cUse the child until there\u2019s nothing left to use and replace them with another.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd these men\u2026 \u201d Ben closed his eyes\u2026 his balance wavered. \u201cMarie\u2026 please forgive me,\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grabbed hold of one of Ben\u2019s arms; nodded his head to indicate for Hoss to take the other arm as they guided their father farther into the great room and sat him into his burgundy leather chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam turned away from his grief-stricken father and proceeded to walk to the round table near the staircase. As he pulled the glass stopper from the decanter, Adam paused a moment, briefly looked the room over and thought on how some things never change and others, change in such an unbelievable manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 4: The Offering of a Life<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam set the decanter back to the table before he turned around, absent mindedly swirling the amber liquid within the glass. As he looked around and took note of everything and everyone in the room, he averted his eyes when he came to his father. He looked up upon hearing the soft padding of footsteps coming through the dining area; it appalled him to see the expression worn by Hop Sing. The man slowly placed one foot in front of the other, indicating his approached was made with great trepidation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam thought if his father had aged ten years since walking through the doorway, Hop Sing had aged\u2026 He didn\u2019t know how to evaluate the man\u2019s age; he hadn\u2019t seen the family\u2019s beloved major domo in five years. Had Joe\u2019s growing up aged the man, or was it compounded by the events of the past twenty-four hours that put the age onto the man\u2019s face? He\u2019d never known how old the man was and he knew that most adults of Chinese descent appeared younger than their actual age.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing cautiously stopped beside the chair which failed to comfort the family\u2019s patriarch. His head bowed in unworthiness, shoulders slumped, his back hunched, leaning forward, his hands nervously clasped in front, slightly visible between the gap where the cuffs of his long sleeves touched together.<\/span><\/p>\n

The servant spoke solemnly to his employer, in his stilted English, \u201cMr. Cartwright, this unworthy servant beg forgiveness. I bring shame to home. I pack and leave before nightfall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave?\u201d a startled Hoss queried as he stepped towards the smaller man. \u201cWhy ya wanta leave?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo want leave, must. Not worthy to stay,\u201d answered the humbled servant, not willing to look to any of the men standing in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Hop Sing,\u201d stated Adam, having walked over and stopped next to his father to whom he handed the glass of brandy. \u201cYou are a part of this family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I not worthy of family\u2026 not worthy of me to stay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, did you help those men to take Little Joe?\u201d asked Adam as he stepped around his father\u2019s chair. From his peripheral vision he saw the doctor encouraging his father to drink the brandy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d Hop Sing declared in anger as he looked up, hands separated and clinched into fists. \u201cI love Lit\u2019le Joe like own son!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why do you feel unworthy of staying?\u201d Adam knew what the man\u2019s answer would be; he had experienced the special relationship between his grandfather and some of his employees at the ships\u2019 chandler shop while he had been back east. They would do anything for the man they had served under out upon the Atlantic\u2026 even give their life to protect the one who meant so much to them. One man had done just that during an attempted robbery of the shop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonorable fatha ask I watch over numba three son, I fail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing,\u201d Ben stated as the brandy worked its magic in restoring his sense of self. \u201cWhen you went to town, who was watching over Little Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Guiltily, Hop Sing heard accusation in Ben\u2019s question and voiced, \u201cCharlie say he watch Lit\u2019le Joe while I go get supplies.\u201d His head humbly bowed again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen I should fire Charlie for allowing those men to take my son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo! Charlie try protect boy, tell boy run to cellar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why should I fire you? You weren\u2019t even here. You temporarily transferred your responsibilities for my son to my ranch foreman, a man I trust as implicitly as I trust you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI no understand\u2026\u201d Hop Sing stated as he looked beseechingly to his employer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa means that he trusts you, your loyalty. Had you been here, Pa knows you would have fought those marauders to keep Joe safe, just as Charlie and the others tried. If it came to it, you would have given your life to keep Joe safe,\u201d answered Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI die for Joe\u2026 I give you my life\u2026 It is yours,\u201d Hop Sing stated as he wondered how his life would be forfeited. He bowed deeper in shame.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will not accept your life, Hop Sing\u2026 Your life is yours to live, whether here or elsewhere, that is your decision. That has always been your choice. But what I would ask is, if you decide to stay, that you continue to watch over my home, my sons. You are a part of our family and when we bring Joe home, he would be quite upset to find you not here,\u201d stated Ben as he tried to explain so the man would understand. \u201cWill you stay, and watch over my family?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI stay for Joe\u2026\u201d answered Hop Sing after looking to each man he served.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t ya stay for me?\u201d Hoss pleadingly asked as Hop Sing looked at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for me?\u201d Adam inquired, not as emotionally as Hoss had asked. As he watched the Oriental man nod, he was thankful that his father had been able to express the words that had failed him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI stay for family,\u201d declared Hop Sing, knowing that he owed this family more than they could ever understand.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his eyes, by not being there to protect the life of the youngest Cartwright he had committed an egregious act that should have at least cost him his employment, or at most, his life. Even though the eldest Cartwright spoke kind words, Hop Sing couldn\u2019t understand how the man could not order the forfeiture of his life. In his homeland he had witnessed servants lose their jobs and some their lives, as ordered by the prefectures or the magistrates when one of their children they were responsible to care for had suffered a slight injury. Hop Sing worried that maybe his employer would not be so noble should injury or harm fall upon his youngest. He accepted the kind words knowing that his life could still be forfeit once the boy was found. Until that time, the faithful Oriental promised himself that he would work harder and longer in an effort to restore the trust he knew he had lost, whether his employer would admit it or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood man.\u201d Ben took a deep breath. \u201cAs for the time being, would you continue to help Paul take care of the men?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I help honorable Doctor Martin. Later, I cook supper for family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Quietly the man left the room and returned to the kitchen where he had been preparing food for the wounded men.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 5: Getting Organized<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Doctor Martin had quietly waited beside where Ben sat and decided now was the time to continue his evaluation of his friend; he tried to reach for the man\u2019s wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine Paul,\u201d declared Ben, pulling his arm from the doctor\u2019s grasp as he sat straighter in his chair. \u201cNow, what more do you know that you\u2019ve not told us?\u201d Ben directed his question to Sheriff Biggs.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the lawman spoke with his father, Adam made his way upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Stepping into his old bedroom, Adam was taken back that everything was as he remembered the last time he had been within the room\u2026 nothing had been moved. He knew that Hop Sing had been in the room recently, there wasn\u2019t a speck of dust upon any surface and he could tell that his bed had been freshly made for his impending return. His thoughts drifted back to his final night at home and how he tried to console his youngest brother, he tried to convince Joe that he would return once he had learned all he could while at Harvard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya gonna go away like Momma?\u201d five year old Little Joe asked as he hid behind the partly opened door, hesitant to fully enter his oldest brother\u2019s room. The light from the lamp in the room showed the fears upon the child\u2019s face.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam saw the boy\u2019s tear-stained face and lower lip quivering. He laid down his book and held out his arms, encouraging the boy to enter the room. He lifted the blankets so the child could snuggle under the covers with him. Once the bedsheets covered both of them Adam replied, \u201cJoe I\u2019m only going away to college, but I promise you, I\u2019ll return.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Momma promised me she\u2019d come home,\u201d Joe sniffled.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen did she promise you she\u2019d come home?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen she put me down for a nap, I didn\u2019t want to sleep. Adam\u2026 You not going away because I made Momma die, are ya?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Startled at his brother\u2019s question, Adam sat forward and sternly looked into Joe\u2019s eyes, \u201cJoe you didn\u2019t make your Momma die.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did too\u2026 \u201c Joe sniffled deeply.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Marie\u2019s horse tripped, she was hurt so bad when they fell that God didn\u2019t want her to suffer, so he called her to heaven.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Wiping his sleeve under his runny nose, Little Joe replied, \u201cGod wouldn\u2019ta had to call her to heaven had I kept my promise.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Adam was concerned for his little brother and needed to know what secret his brother was keeping. \u201cJoe why don\u2019t you tell me about the promise you and Marie made that day.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t wanna take my nap\u2026 I heard Momma say she was going to town to see Doctor Paul, he always gives me candy when I go there. I wanted to go with Momma\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This was the first time Adam had heard anything of where Marie had been before returning home that fateful day.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMomma said she\u2019d bring me some candy if I promised to go to sleep and take my nap. I wanted the candy\u2026 an\u2019 I told Momma, \u2018I promise.\u2019 And she promised she\u2019d be home when I woke an\u2019 when I woke, she\u2019d have some candy for me\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Sobs began to wrack the young boy\u2019s body as he poured out his heart to his brother.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had difficulties in understanding as his brother talked and continued to cry, but he heard enough, \u201cI didn\u2019t \u2026 sleep. I broke my promise \u2026. Momma died \u2026 \u2026 \u2018cause I was bad.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Wrapping his arms tighter around his brother and pulling the boy to his lap Adam stated, \u201cJoe, your not taking your nap had nothing to do with your mother\u2019s death. It just happened, and it would have happened whether you had been asleep or not.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe held tight to Adam\u2019s nightshirt. \u201cBut the preacher\u2026\u201d *inhale* \u201che said bad things happen\u2026\u201d *inhale* \u201cwhen people aren\u2019t good.\u201d *Sniffle* \u201cI was bad, so Momma died.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe. No, no, no. You are not bad, believe me. At times you are trying, but you are not bad. You did not cause your mother\u2019s death. Joe\u2026 look at me.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam waited until Joe calmed down enough and would look at him.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to know, that I will come home. Whether you take a nap or not, whether you\u2019re a good boy for Pa and Hoss or whether you misbehave\u2026 I will return. Have I ever lied to you?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to sleep in here with me tonight?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded. Adam leaned back to lie down and pulled his brother with him. Adam felt bad for his sibling, he couldn\u2019t believe that the little boy had held this memory in secret, \u201cNo wonder he had such horrible nightmares, I can\u2019t believe he never said anything to anyone\u2026\u201d Adam thought to himself as he cuddled his brother.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

He reached over to turn down the lamp; however, sleep eluded the eldest Cartwright son for the longest time as he worried if he should tell their father of the boy’s secret. As the light of morning broke into Adam’s room, he woke to find his brother missing and he began to panic until Hop Sing entered his room bearing a tray with a small coffee pot and a cup.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Fatha take brotha to room earlier, he no wake… sleep like angel.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Thank you Hop Sing.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

With all the activity of packing for the trip to town, Adam forgot to talk to his father about his conversation with his youngest brother.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Looking up and realizing how he hadn\u2019t moved since he\u2019d entered his room, Adam sensed his larger brother behind him and said, \u201cI\u2019m riding into town to send wires, if the telegraph is back up like Biggs said, and organize some posters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do ya want me ta do?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss watched as Adam changed out of his traveling clothes and dressed in his dark blue work jeans, red button-up work shirt, and black vest. After pulling on his well-worn work boots, he stood from the wooden chair, and walked across the floor, he knelt in front of the armoire in his room. From the locked box built into the bottom, he pulled out his revolver, gun belt, and several boxes of ammunition.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay here with Pa,\u201d Adam finally answered his brother as he stood up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanta go with ya,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you need to stay here with Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam\u2026 you\u2019ve been gone from here for five years. You don\u2019t know the territory or the people anymore. Ya can\u2019t go on your own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I can\u2019t just sit here and do nothing. Look, like I said, I\u2019m only going to town to get word out that Joe\u2019s been kidnapped.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya comin\u2019 back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back as soon as I send the wire and arrange for posters to be drawn and shipped out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, as long as the weather holds, I can trail after them.\u201d Hoss wanted to, no, he needed to go after his little brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe McCloud brothers\u2026 Biggs said they\u2019re following \u2018em. Adam, I\u2019ve been working with them, ever since before I got outta school, they\u2019ve been teachin\u2019 me about trackin\u2019. I think we can catch up with Wren and Orlando. If we do that, then we can find Joe before anythin\u2019 happens to \u2018em.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss I\u2019m going to town, but I\u2019ll be back tonight,\u201d Adam stated as he finished fastening his holster around his waist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not gonna go lookin\u2019 for Joe?\u201d Hoss asked in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re gonna go lookin\u2019 for Joe, as you so eloquently say, but first, I need to get word out about Joe\u2019s abduction, and then\u2026tonight, we\u2019ll go over the map so I can have a better idea of what\u2019s happened around the territory while I\u2019ve been away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen do we ride out then?\u201d Hoss took comfort in the fact that he knew that he would be leaving with his oldest brother when he finally did ride out to look for their brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore first light; have everything ready before I return, pack horse, provisions…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmmunition and a couple of spare rifles for both of us, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure Adam, if you think they\u2019re needed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do.\u201d Before leaving his room, Adam asked, \u201cYou\u2019re sure you can follow their trail?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShucks Adam, I bet you anythin\u2019 that Wren and Orlando left a trail for me to follow onced I got home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019re right. Try to take it easy little brother; it\u2019s going to be a while before we get to sleep in our own beds again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d Hoss prepared to leave his brother\u2019s room, he stopped at the doorway, and looked back into the room that had been vacant for too many years, \u201cThem places, do they really do that to little boys?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded as he picked up his jacket from his bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry your welcome home weren\u2019t all you\u2019d hoped ita be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe too\u2026 Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll find Joe.\u201d Adam lifted and resettled his revolver in his holster and followed Hoss from the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 6: Spreading the Word<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam rode into Virginia City, ignoring the changes that he had thought about after reading his father\u2019s letters. He only had one thing on his mind, hoping the telegraph office was still located where he remembered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tying Beauty in front of the building, Adam entered to find an older, bespectacled man standing behind the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help ya, young fella?\u201d the man inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the telegraph is back up, I need to send a wire to all the nearby towns,\u201d Adam answered as he began writing the wire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018$1,000 Reward for Return of 10-year old Joseph Cartwright \u2013 KIDNAPPED.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Adam Cartwright? I don\u2019t believe it. Welcome home, son,\u201d the man greeted as he finally recognized the man standing at the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without acknowledgement, Adam handed the sheet of paper to the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

The telegrapher read the note, his face fell from the heartfelt greeting to one of disbelief. \u201cYou\u2019re serious\u2026 This why Sheriff Biggs went to the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded, \u201cIf you know Joe well enough, could you add a description?\u201d Adam ruefully inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I know your little brother. I can work with Oliver Pratt over at the Territorial Enterprise to publish this in the newspaper too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d offered Adam as he turned to leave the office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell your Pa and Hoss, we\u2019ll be praying for Little Joe\u2019s safe return.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Standing on the boardwalk, Adam turned and re-entered the telegraph office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like for you to also send the wire to the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Denver. They can help get the word out to their agency in San Francisco and other locations, possibly any Army fort.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019ll do anything you ask, but why not wait for a ransom demand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBiggs and the Army feel Joe was taken by men who weren\u2019t looking for a ransom. Just get those messages sent and put the cost on the Ponderosa\u2019s account.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill do, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man turned, walked to his desk, sat down in his chair, and began tapping out the messages to any and all the towns, he didn\u2019t care how long it took or how far the message went, he was going to do all he could to see that he passed the word of Joe Cartwright\u2019s abduction.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The more he thought about it, the more it didn\u2019t make sense that those men would take Joe without a ransom demand. If they needed money, there was plenty for the asking when it came to the prosperity behind the Ponderosa. Why take the boy only to sell him? Maybe the marauders had no real knowledge of the homestead or the family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGod, why couldn\u2019t this have been a simple kidnapping for ransom?\u201d Adam asked as he turned his horse for home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben had had enough of listening as Sheriff Biggs tried to re-explain what he had learned from the soldiers. He grew angry at the lawman\u2019s insistence that he leave it to the army to return his son; especially in light of the fate his son faced. He finally held up both hands and pushed past the lawman and the physician. He quickly mounted his horse and raced away from the homestead.<\/span><\/p>\n

After twenty minutes of fast riding and foolhardiness for not paying attention to the ground his horse was covering, Ben found himself on his knees facing the stark tombstone of the last woman he had loved and lost.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMarie\u2026\u201d Ben pleaded as he collapsed in anguish at the suffering his youngest son had to be experiencing. \u201cI can\u2019t lose him\u2026 I can\u2019t lose my\u2026 our son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grief enveloped him as he regretted leaving his son home in an effort to protect him; in his desire to protect his son, he\u2019d left him to a future worse than anything that could have happened during a weeklong cattle drive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having heard his eldest mention San Francisco, he remembered the times they\u2019d driven a herd to the city and how he\u2019d warned his drovers about Shanghai attempts. But now, San Francisco held a different kind of terror, fears for those too young to protect themselves from some of the worst of mankind \u2013 those whose sexual appetite was deviate to God\u2019s teachings.<\/span><\/p>\n

During his years at sea, he\u2019d heard horror tales from other ships where cabin boys as well as smaller men we prayed upon by larger crewmen; months at sea without a woman in sight drove some men beyond reason. Ben Cartwright couldn\u2019t understand how such a thing could happen within a city the size of San Francisco where houses of ill-repute were more common than the churches.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a father, he almost prayed that his son\u2019s fate rested in Mexico, in the dank mines; best his son\u2019s life end quickly in a blasting mishap or a cave-in rather than suffer untold miseries as some man\u2019s play thing, if they weren\u2019t able to locate him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018God forgive me for thinking such thoughts,\u2019 Ben prayed as he clasped his hands together and bowed his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

The leaves in the trees surrounding the hallowed location rustled as a gentle breeze blew across the cape where Marie Cartwright\u2019s grave overlooked the quiet of Lake Tahoe. The widower\u2019s cheek grew warm as if the love of his life were caressing his face, seeking to comfort him. Taking strength, Ben spoke, \u201cI\u2019ll bring him home. I\u2019ll find him, no matter how long it takes. Thank you, my love.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben returned to the Ponderosa, invigorated with plans on what he was going to do; the Army be damned!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 7: The Search<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The sun had yet to rise when three Cartwrights made their way to the back barn where their hired hands stabled their horses. Ben had bid Paul Martin goodbye, telling him that he\u2019d compensate the doctor for all his expenses in treating the men in his employ. The night before, he\u2019d requested Sheriff Biggs to convey the same message to the undertaker, seeing to it that the men who had lost their lives in defense of his home were properly taken care of in their final rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was no argument between the brothers that this hunt would be too much for their father, both sons knew they would need his guidance as the search progressed. Their only fear would be his reaction when they came upon the men who\u2019d dare to take their family member. Individually they each wondered who would be the first to claim foul and seek retribution for the suffering of the youngest member of their family.<\/span><\/p>\n

With their own mounts well laden for a long expedition and packhorses loaded with provisions as well as ammunition, the Cartwrights set out to follow the trail that Hoss knew the McCloud brothers would lay for him to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Three days had passed when Hoss held up his arm, motioning for his father and brother to hold up. Hoss positioned Chubbs deeper into the tree line in an effort to hide from the sound of approaching horses. Ben quickly followed suit with his mount and packhorse. Adam hurriedly found himself praying that neither Beauty nor his packhorse had been seen as he\u2019d hesitated to see who might be approaching.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the shadows of the forest they watched as a small army patrol moved along the trail, all three gasped when they saw the bedraggled condition of several young women who sat in the back of a wagon in the middle of the column.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was the first to speak once the patrol was out of sight, \u201cThey must have caught up with \u2018em.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot all of them, Joe wasn\u2019t in that wagon,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cAnyway, that was too small of a patrol to be the detachment that Biggs told us about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe keep following the original trail. Hoss find Wren and Orlando,\u201d Ben instructed as he kneed his own horse and pulled one of the packhorses out of the woods and onto the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

By the end of a week, Hoss had managed to trail the McCloud brothers into Fresno, California where they booked rooms with an adjoining suite at the Fresno House Hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they settled in and waited for the brothers to make their presence known, Adam was first to broach the subject, \u201cI guess we can be thankful that their trail headed south.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d Hoss asked as he pulled off his boots.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hate to admit it, but I actually prayed that those marauders would head south and not west. I know it might have been easier to find Joe in San Francisco, but I can\u2019t bear to imagine what he might have gone through until we could find him. At least heading south, for the time being, he\u2019s safer\u2026\u201d Adam admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben softly spoke. \u201cYou\u2019re not the only one who wished the trail to head south. God forgive me, but if we can\u2019t find your brother, I\u2019d rather he lose his life in a mining accident rather than spend one minute as some\u2026\u201d Ben couldn\u2019t bring himself to speak the word.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find him, Pa,\u201d Hoss offered as he stretched back on the settee within the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The McCloud brothers entered the hotel restaurant where the ma\u00eetre\u2019d escorted them to the Cartwrights\u2019 table. The men didn\u2019t stand on the pleasantries of shaking hands; they sat down and ate in relative silence after the older McCloud brother indicated it would be best to talk business in the privacy of their hotel room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had been surprised to see the two men who entered the dining room, looking left to right, he couldn\u2019t tell the two men apart\u2026 twins. He\u2019d had a friend at college who\u2019d had younger twin sisters, but he\u2019d never interacted with the girls, they were about as old as his youngest brother, so it was strange to actually meet these two. The McCloud brothers were blonde haired with deep blue eyes, and stood almost as tall as Hoss, yet were as skinny as the poles that held up the telegraph wires. Though their clothes spoke of life on the range, they were neat and as clean as they could be, under the circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam remembered once when his friend Arnold\u2019s family had come to visit, he\u2019d seen the two girls dressed identically and wondered how anyone could ever tell them apart. Now, with his second experience with twins, he was pleased to see these two dressed differently than the other. Throughout the dinner, he participated in the idle conversations, but at the same time, he carefully observed the two, trying to figure out how it was that Hoss knew which brother was which.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As they entered the suite, Wren walked across the common room towards the window, slowly looked out over the street before pulling the blind closed. He turned and crossed his arms over his chest, indicating that Orlando was the one who would be talking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss felt at ease with the two McCloud brothers, but was surprised when he recognized the fact that Adam was wary of them. The brothers had joined the Ponderosa the year after Adam left for college, so he could understand a little of his brother\u2019s discomfort; he didn\u2019t know the men like Hoss knew them. Hoss knew at times the brother\u2019s relationship could be volatile, one minute bickering to where an outside would fear their disagreement would come to fisticuffs, but if someone stepped across the line to pick on one, their argument would stop and they would staunchly defend their brother. He\u2019d witnessed the two of them laughing and joshing with each other as if there was never a care in the world. Between them, they could get the job done with very little talking, they just knew what the other was going to do and what they needed to do to get the job done. He understood both held deep respect for the other and embraced their deep brotherly love. He could understand that because that\u2019s how he wanted things to be between him and his brothers, well\u2026 maybe not the bickering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I guess we should come right out and tell ya that we ain\u2019t seen hide nor hair of Joe yet. We did encounter a patrol who were taking a few women back to where they came from,\u201d Orlando stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw them as we\u2019s a followin\u2019 your trail,\u201d Hoss stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing I do know, these men are only a small part of a larger organization,\u201d Orlando stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMarauders aren\u2019t an organization,\u201d Adam blatantly stated as he handed the oldest McCloud brother a glass of brandy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI agree, but these marauders are too small to have this large of a contingent of soldiers after them. I think the ones who struck the Ponderosa were an offshoot branch, on their way to meet up with a larger body of marauders. There are possibly a lot of smaller groups performing raids at various locations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know this? Are you sure?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d Wren straightened up from leaning against the wall, listening to his older brother, and began to speak. \u201cWe\u2019ve been listening hard when we\u2019ve been fortunate enough to enter a town. Liquor loosens a few tongues but not enough to spill the whole story.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019re the men who took Joe?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey ain\u2019t here, least not now. We\u2019ve high-tailed it after them, but it\u2019s like they and the army are always one step ahead of us,\u201d Orlando answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you don\u2019t know for sure that they\u2019ve been here,\u201d Adam spat, the fact that he had to rely on the clothes the men wore to identify which brother was speaking unnerved him. He knew this inability was only part of the reason for his unease, but something else pulled at him\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they wouldn\u2019t come into a town this size with the law well established; but there are others, in the saloons, who are talking about them. They\u2019re possibly working for some revolution down in Mexico. They\u2019re pillaging ranches and homesteads, taking whatever and whoever they can. It\u2019s thought their intent is to sell their plunder down in Mexico and use the money to purchase weapons and ammunition. But then this could all be a shell game, a ruse\u2026 they have no intention of going into Mexico, at least not for some revolution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Shell game, that\u2019s it,\u201d Adam thought and held in his laugh. One day, Adam had observed a friend at college trying to figure out under which shell the pea was hidden. Though the game was a friendly game between dorm mates, it took a while before Adam saw the pattern of the game and was able to properly determine which shell held the pea. And so he continued to watch and figure out the pattern of these two brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeems to me you\u2019ve heard a lot for just sitting around in a few saloons,\u201d Ben emphatically stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot just saloons, but the Sheriff here is a cousin of ours, on our mom\u2019s side a the family,\u201d Wren spoke. \u201cWe didn\u2019t know it until we got ourselves into a little bit of trouble this morning. We told Cousin Jacob why we were here and he filled us in on the rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Orlando continued, \u201cHe\u2019s warned us that things could explode this side of the border. If the patrol gets it just right\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n the army gets it just right then Joe\u2019s safe,\u201d declared Hoss as he sat forward on the settee, eager for a little bit of good news.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, if this patrol gets it just right, there won\u2019t be any survivors. Mr. Cartwright, from what Sheriff Habaeger says; this patrol has been out of communication for some time. They\u2019re not reporting back\u2026\u201d Orlando stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMeaning they’re not checking in for new orders,\u201d Wren interrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems that they\u2019re hell-bent for leather on stopping this gang regardless of those caught up in the outcome. Those unfortunate to be captives of the marauders are likely to be considered collateral damage,\u201d Orlando lowered his head as he spoke. \u201cThose four women were lucky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can the army\u2026\u201d Hoss started to ask.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t the army, exactly\u2026 It\u2019s the major who\u2019s leading them. He\u2019s refusing to go into any town in chance that his orders might have changed or been modified,\u201d Wren answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave they?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wren answered, \u201cCousin Jacob can\u2019t say, no one knows exactly where the patrol is, only hearsay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Army isn\u2019t eager to air out their dirty laundry to let any town know they possibly have a rogue patrol out there.\u201d Orlando changed the subject back, \u201cThose women you saw on the trail, were what\u2026 four of them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded as he remembered the scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFour who lived. There were five others who didn\u2019t; we found them huddled together where they died.\u201d Wren added in disgust, \u201cThey just left them there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould the marauders have killed them?\u201d Hoss asked, appalled that this could have happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey were killed due to canon fire, we saw the impact craters. Major Albert Weldon only cares about stopping the marauders, period,\u201d Orlando stated. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t have to report back on the status of the captives, according to his way a thinking, once a woman\u2019s been taken by these men, they\u2019re as good as dead anyway. He thinks he\u2019s doing the families a favor in not having to deal with the aftermath of a woman being taken by their kind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat can\u2019t be true\u2026\u201d Hoss stated, at a loss to believe what he had heard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish it weren\u2019t, Hoss. From all the reports we\u2019ve heard, some straight from men who\u2019ve previously served under this major\u2026 He doesn\u2019t care how, as long as his mission is accomplished,\u201d Orlando added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo,\u201d interrupted Adam, having finally felt comfortable with the two brothers, \u201chow do we proceed from here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe keep looking,\u201d answered Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere Pa? The army\u2019s been after them for months\u2026 how\u2019re we supposed to find them?\u201d inquired Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe talk to the people who won\u2019t talk to the army,\u201d Adam answered. He looked to one of the twins, \u201cAnd Orlando knows exactly who I mean.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As Adam and Hoss settled into their beds for the night, Hoss quietly spoke, \u201cYa know, ya can trust Orlando and Wren.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam answered as he pulled the bedcover to his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa seemed kinda wary of \u2018em at supper and once we got to our rooms,\u201d Hoss continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was\u2026 I\u2019ve never had any real dealings with identical twins\u2026 You seemed so at ease and accepting of them\u2026 It struck me strange that I couldn\u2019t tell who was who\u2026 I had to look at their clothes each time I wanted to talk to remember which name to use.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShucks Adam, I\u2019ve known Wren and Orlando for over four years\u2026 it was fun in the beginning playing tricks on Joe with the two of them, we\u2019re kinda like\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree peas in a pod,\u201d teased Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026 I like that. If ya want, I can tell ya how I tell \u2018em apart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessary, I figured it out\u2026 finally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re okay with them helpin\u2019 us find Little Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll be fine with them helping us find our brother. Get some sleep; we\u2019ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

For a month the McCloud brothers continued to lead the Cartwrights in their endeavor to trail after the marauders. The physical trail had long grown cold and several times they had encountered Army patrols who warned them to turn back. Another time they encountered the remains of a battle with no survivors found among the bodies of the marauders and victims alike. Each time they stopped in a town, they heard the aftermath of another raid, homesteads burned, men murdered while women, children, and anything of value were taken\u2026 and still no Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Occasionally they were forced to stop their travels to replenish their supplies or to have their horses reshod, but the next day they were on the trail again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Knowing they wouldn\u2019t receive any help from the Army, they steered clear of any forts or posts in a town. The Cartwrights and the McClouds focused their attention on the saloons. But they selected the saloons to visit with care. They knew within the walls of the higher-class saloons men would gather together as the community leaders demanded protection from the local officer of the law or yelling for help from the government; arguing that the army should be sent in to deal with those responsible.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was the lower-class saloons that the Cartwrights and McClouds frequented in an effort to learn any information that would lead them to find Joseph Francis Cartwright and return him to the folds of his family. Within the confines of these establishments the smell of unkempt men mixed with cheap whiskey, watered down beer, cigars, and cigarettes. It was enough to roil the stomach of those who prided themselves upon their appearance and hygiene, but now\u2026 They forwent their own habits in order to fit in, to be able to hear without alerting the others of the need to keep quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As their search continued, summer had long given way to autumn and winter was threatening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their travels led them from one town to another along the American border with Mexico. Within each town they visited, they didn\u2019t know whether or not to be disappointed when they could find no proof the marauders had left the country or were planning to any time soon. It pained the men to know that there was nothing they could do until they knew for certain where the marauders were heading. All they could do was follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

The longer they listened at the various saloons the direction of their quest was supported as the men overheard portions of enough conversations to indicate they were still on the right trail. As far south as they were, they didn\u2019t have to worry about snowfall as they did in the Sierras; however, they did stop to purchase warmer coats and gloves for the impending colder weather as they traveled along the combined lower Rocky Mountain and lower Sierra Mountain ranges.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 8: A Major Setback<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dusk was falling as the group rode single file through the arroyo, hoping to find a suitable location to make camp for the night. The others wheeled their mounts around when they heard a horse scream, followed by the report of a rifle. Hoss, being next to last in line, was the first to see Beauty rearing and flailing sideways, as Adam futilely struggled to control his panicked mount. The chestnut horse didn\u2019t have the strength to prevent its collapse; suffering death spasms as it struck the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPut a bullet in its brain!\u201d Orlando yelled, having been in the middle of the line of riders. Seeing Hoss running to his brother, Orlando pulled his revolver as he jumped from his saddle and ran to the rear of the line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss had jumped from Chubbs and ran to his brother, \u201cAdam!\u201d he hollered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifting his brother from the ground, he failed to realize his brother\u2019s leg was trapped under his horse. Beauty was still thrashing around, becoming a danger to each man who attempted to rescue the trapped rider; a single bullet fired was enough to end the horse\u2019s suffering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCareful, Hoss,\u201d Ben called as he neared his sons. \u201cWren, Orlando, help me get Adam out from under his horse!\u201d Ben\u2019s concentration was distracted from his son when he heard Orlando yell, \u201cWREN! Get back here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s unconscious, Pa,\u201d Hoss called, pulling Ben\u2019s attention back to his injured son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust hold him!\u201d hissed Ben as he worked with Orlando to pull the dead horse from Adam\u2019s leg.<\/span><\/p>\n

Realizing the two of them didn\u2019t have the strength to move the horse, Orlando ran to the saddle horses, grabbed his lariat and tied it to the saddle horn. Next, he pulled the lariat from Chubbs and again, tied it around the horn on the horse\u2019s saddle. As he ran back to the Cartwrights, two lariats played out behind him. Working quickly, he tied one line around the front pasterns and the second line he tied round the rear pasterns of the dead horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

(NOTE: Pasterns are the part of the horse\u2019s leg between the fetlock [ankle] and the hoof.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere ain\u2019t any other way to do this, and I\u2019m sorry for any further injury this causes Adam,\u201d Orlando stated as he placed a hand upon his employer\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust get it off my son!\u201d Ben replied, acknowledging there wasn\u2019t anything else they could do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wary of getting tangled in the ropes, Orlando cautiously made his way back to Chubbs and grabbed the reins before he mounted his own horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReady?\u201d Orlando called out, looking back over his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo it!\u201d Hoss hollered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYaw!\u201d Orlando yelled as he put his heels to his horse and swatted his hat at Chubbs\u2019 rump to get the horses moving. Shod hooves scrambled over the hard-pack ground and the saddles creaked as they pulled the rope taunt against dead weight. Slowly they inched forward, pulling their burden from its victim.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss held tight as Adam was pulled along the ground as the horse\u2019s weight dragged him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy there Adam, I got ya,\u201d Hoss whispered in his brother\u2019s ear, and held tight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPull him out!\u201d Ben shouted as Adam\u2019s leg was fully exposed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa,\u201d Orlando called, bringing both horses to a halt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss pulled his brother to safety, sat back on his heels, with his arms wrapped around his brother\u2019s chest. From deep within his brother, Hoss heard and felt the painful moan, but the darkness didn\u2019t relinquish its hold on the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben scrambled over the dead horse to reach his son. Carefully he placed two fingers at the pulse point under his son\u2019s jaw as he had been shown by Paul Martin. His breath exhaled in a rush at finding the strong beat. Next, Ben turned his attention to examining his son, checking for broken bones; he cringed at finding his son\u2019s lower left leg broken. The worried father felt relieved when his examination did not reveal any broken ribs and that his left arm was unharmed. As he proceeded up his son\u2019s body, he found his eldest\u2019s left shoulder dislocated. The final injury he ascertained was a growing lump above his left ear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow far\u2019s the nearest town?\u201d Ben asked as he looked to the remaining McCloud brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not too far from Yuma,\u201d Orlando stated as he handed over his canteen to Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho was shooting at us, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cWhy\u2019d they shoot Adam\u2019s horse out from under him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having removed the lariats from the dead horse, he wound and replaced them on their rightful saddles. Orlando returned to where the others tended to their family member. As he listened to the fragmented conversation, he heard the father calling out the various injuries suffered; all the while he stood watch, his hand upon his revolver. Ten minutes had passed when he turned, gun drawn having heard pebbles shifting and falling down on them, \u201cShhhh,\u201d he warned, \u201cSomeone\u2019s coming.\u201d He knelt in a crouch, scanning the darkness that had fallen upon them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m back!\u201d Wren called out upon his return.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere the Hell did you go?\u201d Orlando angrily demanded as he stood and returned his revolver to his holster as his brother approached.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo see if I could find out who was shooting at us,\u201d Wren retorted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReal smart thing to do on your own! Did it ever occur to you that there could have been more than one person laying in ambush for us?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I did, and I felt it was worth the risk,\u201d Wren hissed back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou left us a man down, unguarded! Hell, you could have been shot!\u201d his brother argued back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, so unguarded that they took another shot at ya,\u201d Wren answered sarcastically, knowing no such shot had been fired. \u201cWhoever it was lit out soon after that shot was fire and they saw all of you reacting to the horse going down. They didn\u2019t even wait around to see me scrambling up to their general area.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the point!\u201d yelled Orlando, clearly upset.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey brother, I\u2019m okay. No harm done,\u201d Wren answered; his tone of voice calmer than it had been moments before, he recognized the reason for his brother\u2019s well-founded anger. He placed a hand upon his older brother\u2019s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. \u201cI\u2019m fine. I\u2019m back in one piece without any additional holes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry for losing my temper, at ya.\u201d Orlando momentarily averted his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s understandable, big brother. How\u2019s Adam?\u201d Wren thrust his chin towards where Ben and Hoss tended to the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot so good. We\u2019re gonna need to make camp here for a little while,\u201d Orlando stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t much around here,\u201d Wren acknowledged having seen little in the way of anything to build a fire or provide cover.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we\u2019re gonna have to ride on to find material to make a travois; sure ain\u2019t any trees around here that we can use.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

An hour later the McCloud brothers returned to where the Cartwrights had made camp. The brothers found Ben and Hoss had moved the still unconscious Adam away from his dead horse so they could properly tend to his injuries, as well as make allowance for getting him to the travois that was yet to be built. Adam\u2019s legs were tied together, one leg acting as a splint for the broken leg, with strips of material that had once been a shirt and his left arm had been strapped to his torso.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within fifteen minutes of the travois being built, Adam was carefully placed upon and secured to it. Carefully, the long poles were lifted and tethered to Buck\u2019s stirrups at Ben\u2019s insistence. Hoss felt one of the packhorses could pull the travois, but relented to their father\u2019s need to be close to his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the group set out for Yuma, Hoss pulled Adam\u2019s canteens and rifle from his saddle. The bedroll had already been removed and placed upon Adam to keep him warm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what about Adam\u2019s saddle?\u201d Hoss asked as he placed Adam\u2019s rifle next to his brother on the travois.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot much we can do with it; we don\u2019t have time to swap it out on one of the packhorses. We\u2019ve wasted enough time; I want to get Adam to a doctor. Leave it,\u201d Ben stated as he climbed upon Buck, careful not to jar the poles sticking through his stirrups.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere Pa, take Adam\u2019s canteens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s move out,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights fell in line for the slow trip to Yuma; Ben riding Buck and constantly looking back towards the travois, while Hoss took the lead ropes to the two packhorses. Orlando McCloud led the procession and Wren rode drag, both having their rifles ready on their laps.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The eastern horizon bore the hints of color indicating morning would soon arrive as the group stopped, having heard moans from their injured member.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSon,\u201d Ben called as he quickly jumped from the saddle, grabbed a canteen and knelt next to his son. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Adam whispered, his head moving slowly from side to side. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Come on son, wake up\u2026\u201d Ben pleaded, gently patting the side of his son\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

A louder moan preceded his eyelids twitching.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it son, open your eyes,\u201d Ben encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019 wanna,\u201d mumbled Adam as he fought his way from the darkness, but not sure he wanted to leave the safety it provided.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you have to.\u201d Ben took encouragement that his son had answered him. \u201cIt\u2019s time to wake up, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019 wanna go ta school, Pa,\u201d Adam spoke. Upon hearing a laugh, his eyes opened a little, but wouldn\u2019t properly focus. He began to panic when he realized his couldn\u2019t move his arms to pull the blanket up to cover his face as he always tried to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben became alarmed at Adam\u2019s comment about school and his struggles to free his arms, but he knew he needed to get his son to calm down so he wouldn\u2019t cause additional damage to his injuries and so that he could drink some water.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I need you to calm down\u2026 Here\u2026 please\u2026 drink some water,\u201d Ben voiced. \u201cJust rest easy, son. You\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam relaxed in his struggles as his vision cleared, and he saw his father kneeling beside him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gently, the worried father raised his son\u2019s head and held the canteen to his lips. He encouraged his son to sip, pulling it away to make sure his son wasn\u2019t taking too much and could manage what he had drank. He smiled as Adam licked his lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few more sips later, Adam closed his eyes and said, \u201cThanks\u201d as Ben pulled away the canteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben placed the stopper back in the opening and handed it to Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam called as he tried to sit up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLie still son,\u201d Ben stated as he pushed his hand against his son\u2019s chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOhhhh\u2026\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes opened wide enough and smiled when his vision again focused clearly and he saw his brother looking over their father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHey Hoss, what happened? Where are we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe sure ain\u2019t home, nor are you in school,\u201d Hoss happily rejoined.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSchool? Hoss what are you talking about?\u201d Adam attempted to look around, but his body protested his movements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa done told Pa a few moments ago ya didn\u2019t wanna wake up to go to school,\u201d laughed the big man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you remember, Adam?\u201d Ben inquired; his eyes chastised his middle son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmbush, Beauty\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, son. He\u2019s dead.\u201d Ben felt a fleeting moment of peace that his son was lucid enough to remember what happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026 I felt it. How bad am I injured?\u201d Adam asked, knowing where he hurt and figured he had some broken bones.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLower left leg broken, left shoulder dislocated; I stabilized your arm by binding it to your torso\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBroken ribs?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t find any indication they were broken, but that doesn\u2019t mean a few aren\u2019t cracked or at best, bruised. You probably also have a concussion, but only a doctor can confirm that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBased on this headache\u2026 I\u2019d say you can add that to the tally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe should be in Yuma by lunch, why don\u2019t you try to sleep,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam answered, knowing full well that he wouldn\u2019t be able to sleep; riding a travois that bounced along the ground was not conducive to sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The door to the examination room opened, allowing the middle-aged physician to step into the waiting room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctor Lothario \u201cLaurie\u201d Lewis would have looked Adam in the eye had the two men been able to stand toe to toe. His dark hair was peppered with grey, as was the long handlebar mustache he wore. His green eyes sparkled brighter now that he had good news to greet his patient\u2019s concerned family. Upon originally seeing his patient\u2019s pallid complexion and grimaced face, he feared there was more wrong than what the father had stated shortly after their arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, your son will recover, but\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d Hoss demanded as he stood to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be some six, seven weeks before his leg is fully healed and the splint can be permanently removed. I couldn\u2019t find any indication of broken ribs, but he will be sore for quite a while based on the colorful bruising on his left side. I\u2019ve reset his shoulder and bound his arm to his torso. That was right smart thinking on your part; it prevented your travels from aggravating the injury.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about internal injuries?\u201d Ben quietly breathed; he\u2019d held the fear unvoiced ever since they had pulled his son from under his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour son\u2019s a lucky man. Considering how long ago the accident happened, had he suffered internal injuries, they would have presented themselves during the course of my examination.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I see my son?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s asleep. I had to sedate him so that I could set the leg and his shoulder. He\u2019ll be out long enough for you to go to the hotel, bathe, and eat a good meal. I would suggest a nap, but I can see that you would forgo that suggestion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d be right on that call,\u201d Hoss eagerly answered back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll allow you to see for yourselves that he\u2019s resting comfortably before you tend to your own needs. Oh\u2026 I do have one question.\u201d The doctor looked to the pained father and saw some of the tension relax in the man\u2019s posture and facial expressions. \u201cHas your son experienced any reactions to sedation? Nausea? Violence?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s as tough as they come, Doc,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cNow if it were Joe\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right, the only effects Adam suffers after being put under is being a little foggy brained and cotton mouthed,\u201d acknowledged Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s common for most patients. I worry when a patient has a history of adverse reactions, it can compromise the patient\u2019s recovery if not monitored closely. I\u2019ll still keep an eye on him, just to make sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Lewis, if the family would like to see the patient, I\u2019ve cleaned up the room\u2026\u201d stated a young woman who came from the examination room carrying a bundle of sheets and towels in her arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you Nurse Wainscott.\u201d Turning back to the Cartwrights, \u201cGentlemen, as I said; long enough to see that he\u2019s resting comfortably, and then you are to take care of yourselves. I don\u2019t want to see either of you back here for at least an hour, two would be even better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, doc. I\u2019ll see that Pa takes care of himself,\u201d Hoss answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

After making sure that Adam wasn\u2019t in any pain, his family left the doctor\u2019s office and headed down the boardwalk to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Feeling much better for having bathed, shaved, and eaten, Ben and Hoss returned to the doctor\u2019s office, two hours after they had left. As they stepped inside, the doctor welcomed them back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was the first to answer, \u201cI\u2019m sorry Doctor, I can\u2019t remember your name\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s understandable Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the doctor replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, call me Ben. This is my son Hoss and as I said earlier, your patient is my son Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Lothario Lewis, but everyone calls me Doc Lewis or Doc Laurie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t Laurie a gal\u2019s name?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Ben couldn\u2019t believe the insensitivity of his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s okay, Ben\u2026 Hoss. Yes, Laurie is known as a woman\u2019s name, however, when I was growing up, my younger sisters just couldn\u2019t pronounce Lothario, more often than not they called me Laurie and so the nickname stuck. And I\u2019m sure I was teased just as much for my name as you must have been teased,\u201d Laurie stated as he looked to Hoss, smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess you\u2019re right about that. But I had Adam there ta help me understand why the others teased me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I had an older brother with an even more difficult name than mine, Aloysius, and the girls called him Alli, so I couldn\u2019t feel too bad,\u201d Doc Laurie laughed at his private memory. \u201cAdam\u2019s still resting comfortably, and when I checked on him a few minutes ago he was showing signs of waking up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The physician led the men back to the examination room where Adam rested, and as indicated, Ben observed Adam was becoming restless; a sure sign the sedation was wearing off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting in the chair next to the bed his son laid upon, Ben quietly called his name, encouraging the man to push aside the dark veils that claimed him in sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam breathily whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here son. Take it easy, we\u2019re at the doctor\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo son, we\u2019re in Yuma, Doctor Laurie Lewis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPretty woman?\u201d Adam asked, still fuzzy headed from the anesthesia he had been administered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWake up and find out for yourself, older brother,\u201d Hoss jovially teased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah, I just wanna sleep,\u201d Adam fumbled to speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, drink some water,\u201d Ben encouraged as he held the glass to his son\u2019s lips after having elevated Adam\u2019s head from the pillow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Adam responded after licking his lips and struggling to open his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back, young man,\u201d Doc Laurie stated as he took Adam\u2019s pulse and placed his right wrist back to the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou the doc?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn all my feminine glory,\u201d laughed the physician.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry about that,\u201d Adam was slightly mortified that he had said what he had said. \u201cI normally don\u2019t make such assumptions when meeting people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo harm done, it happens. I\u2019ll blame it on the medication and not you personally. Besides, you weren\u2019t fully awake at the time.\u201d All the while Adam had spoken, the doctor had quietly evaluated his patient and was pleased with his progress in how he was quite coherent and his use of vocabulary improved as he became more aware.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s the damage done?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father said you were awake for a while out on the trail, what do you remember?\u201d Doc Laurie knew what Ben had told Adam and used this as another test of the man\u2019s short-term memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I need to remember, but that I can sort of feel some discomfort\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow much pain?\u201d Doc Laurie asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot a lot, but as for what I remember Pa telling me\u2026 I do remember he said my left leg was broken and my shoulder dislocated. I also told him to add my headache to the tally as a sure sign of a concussion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laurie looked to Ben to confirm and was relieved when Ben nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs your father properly diagnosed your injuries and you remember it quite well\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo well, and not just from remembering\u2026 I presume you\u2019re going to tell me to take it easy for a week or two, and take it slowly when I\u2019m finally allowed to use crutches to get around, but that won\u2019t be until after my shoulder has thoroughly healed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can see all my medical training isn\u2019t needed where this family is concerned,\u201d teased Doc Laurie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYears a practice with our own doc back home in Virginia City,\u201d Hoss boasted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel for your physician,\u201d Laurie deadpanned. \u201cI\u2019ll agree that you do have a mild concussion, but it doesn\u2019t seem to have affected your memory.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you hungry Adam?\u201d Ben inquired. \u201cDo you think you can eat something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think we should get the doctor\u2019s opinion, don\u2019t want all his medical training to be for naught,\u201d Adam joked along.<\/span><\/p>\n

The men stayed with Adam until his injuries insisted that he need some medication to be more comfortable and he began yawning, unable to keep his eyes awake any longer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you can get by with just laudanum. I know a number of my colleagues feel morphine is a God send to the medical community, but I\u2019ve seen a few patients\u2019 reactions to the drug, so I\u2019ll only use it in the most dire of circumstances.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once satisfied his patient was resting comfortably, Doc Laurie turned the lantern in the room down low and followed Ben and Hoss from the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon the latch quietly catching Ben asked, \u201cHow long before we can take him home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHome? What about Little Joe?\u201d Hoss pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk with Orlando and Wren to see if they\u2019ll continue looking for Joe, but\u2026 as much as it pains me to say, we need to get Adam home, where he can recover in peace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I want to go with the McClouds\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo! We\u2019ve searched for three months. God, I never thought we would be gone this long. When Orlando and Wren find any news, you can go to them, but for now\u2026 Hoss, Joe\u2019s out there somewhere, but we have a ranch to run. We\u2019ll increase the reward and send out more posters\u2026 There\u2019s just nothing we can do\u2026 Where else can we look?\u201d Ben knew how his words sounded; he had not given up on finding his son, but he wouldn\u2019t risk his other sons while looking for his youngest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Joe,\u201d Doc Laurie asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

And for the next hour, Hoss relayed everything that had happened the past three months from Joe\u2019s abduction to their walking through the door with an unconscious Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood heavens\u2026 I had no idea.\u201d The man had no further comment, what did or could one say to someone in such a situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor, now you\u2019ll understand why I want to get Adam home. Life needs to return to normal, as much as it can,\u201d Ben stated, having stayed quiet while Hoss told their story.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll insist that Adam stay here for two more days, so I can evaluate that the bones in his leg are properly set and then I\u2019ll help make arrangements for you to purchase a wagon and a team of horses to get him home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa ain\u2019t tellin\u2019 us we have to get home by stage?\u201d Hoss asked in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, this way you\u2019ll be able to set your own pace and stop when you want to stop. Besides, I don\u2019t know of any stage run that goes between Yuma and Virginia City, or even Carson City. Once we have the wagon, we\u2019d best see that the back of the wagon is settled deep with straw and a mattress; as well as making sure it has a cover. Hopefully the weather will hold for your return trip home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As the two Cartwrights settled into their hotel room for what they thought would be their last night, Hoss asked, \u201cPa, how long do ya figure it will take us to get home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI figure it will probably take us two weeks. We won\u2019t be as slow as a cattle drive, I figured even giving Adam plenty of time to rest during the day, we can make fifty miles easy. I mean if the stage horses can go that far between way stations pretty much full out at times, we should be able to make fifty miles a day and not wear the horses out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll need to take some food with us\u2026 for the team as well as for Buck and Chubbs,\u201d Hoss added as the two wrote out their final needs to get Adam home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFeed for the horses\u2026\u201d Ben shook his head, \u201cHopefully there will be good enough graze along the way. Supplies and food stock for us\u2026\u201d Ben stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about water, Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to have barrels mounted and strapped to the sides of the wagon, I won\u2019t set out without water.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Doc Laurie will give us all the medications and supplies we need to make Adam comfortable,\u201d Hoss added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaudanum, as well as bandages for the splint,\u201d Ben commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sat back from the table where they made their list.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, neither of us have ever been this far south before, and to get here\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were following the trail of those marauders,\u201d Ben filled in where Hoss left off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know ya wanna get home, and deep down, I do too. Just wished ita be with Little Joe with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do to, Hoss. I do to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, don\u2019t ya think it might be best to hire us a guide to make sure we get home in the quickest amount a time and the safest route?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA guide? What for? We\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we\u2019ll be tending to Adam, and taking care of the horses, and worrying about Joe\u2026 We need someone who knows this country and won\u2019t get distracted by stuff\u2026 Ya understand, don\u2019t ya Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking time to consider what his middle son stated, Ben agreed. As he looked at the list they had written, he knew that it would take more than just a few hours to get everything together, loaded, and ready to head out. He wanted to leave as early in the morning as possible in order to log as much time on the trail as they could before they had to stop for the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll use tomorrow to make all our purchases and I hope we can find someone who\u2019s willing to be a guide for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

They had given Doctor Laurie Lewis the two days he\u2019d wanted to keep an eye on his patient, and one additional day to organize the final preparations for their trip and to hire a guide. The night of their arrival, Ben and Hoss had seen that the McCloud brothers had enough money, and supplies on the packhorses, to continue their search for Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

They were a little apprehensive, but at the same time felt lucky, to find an Army officer being transferred from the Army post outside of Yuma to a newly established fort along the Klamath River in Northern California to act as their guide. The commander of the fort had wanted to send his officer to his new assignment as soon as possible, but the man was challenging his orders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss accidentally bumped into Captain Yancy Mayhew while in the general store purchasing supplies. The two men began an easy conversation and when Hoss found out the officer was heading north, he asked how well he knew the territory and if he\u2019d mind some company. Hoss explained of their need to get his brother home and that they were unfamiliar with the territory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll need some time to think about it,\u201d Captain Mayhew answered and later, watched the large man leave the store.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYancy,\u201d called the proprietor as he walked around the counter to where the officer stood. \u201cI know ya want to fight your transfer, but ya know it ain\u2019t gonna do any good. Orders are orders\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026\u201d Yancy answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat big fella that left here\u2026 I think it\u2019d be a good idea for you to guide him and his Pa out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYancy, you ever heard the name Cartwright before?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSon, listen to me, go with them.\u201d The proprietor turned and walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

And so, as dawn broke over Yuma, Hoss and Ben bid goodbye to the good doctor and set out to return Adam home, with Captain Yancy Mayhew as their guide. Ben settled on the wagon seat to drive, while Hoss led Buck and rode Chubbs. Formalities of title and rank were dropped before the sun reached noon on their first day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Throughout their trip, when Ben grew tired of driving, Hoss would tie both saddle horses to the railing of the wagon, watch his Pa climb into the back, before he would make his way to the bench seat to drive for a while. Occasionally, as the land spread out before them, Captain Mayhew would tie his own mount and packhorse to the back of the wagon and ride on the bench seat with Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

The trip was made more enjoyable, if it could be enjoyed, by the fact that Adam was able to participate in the conversations and the men shared their sense of stewardship for the land, as they had found out during their talks as the trip progressed. Each man spoke of what drew them west, what kept them there; however, the Cartwrights never mentioned their search.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As the small group made camp for the night, they were two days out from the Ponderosa; Ben and Hoss had long recognized the landscape days before, but were hesitant to bid goodbye to their guide who had become a friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I know we\u2019re close enough for you to get home from here without my skills as a guide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true,\u201d Ben humbly answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI probably should head out on my own tomorrow,\u201d Yancy stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo ya have ta? It\u2019s been fun havin\u2019 someone other than family ta talk to and joke with,\u201d Hoss commented as he sat down beside his older brother near the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably none of my business, but just what was it that took you so far south?\u201d the captain asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s personal,\u201d Ben answered as he dished beans and smoked ham onto the plate for the officer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard rumblings of men searching for McComber\u2019s Marauders\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat who they are?\u201d Hoss asked as he stopped his fork midway to his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you ARE the ones,\u201d Yancy validated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know who they are; we never got a straight answer from any soldier we ever met up with. We kind of tried to avoid any dealings with the Army for that matter,\u201d answered Adam as he drank from his cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yancy calmly spoke, \u201cThey\u2019re kind of a sore point with the Army, and especially since Major Albert Wheldon has all but gone AWOL. It\u2019s more like he\u2019s acting on his own without orders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben listened to what the officer was telling them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can that be?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story, but you were smart not to tell the post commander why you were in Yuma.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you aware of the fact that some of the captives taken by these\u2026 McComber\u2019s Marauders end up dead because of this major\u2019s actions?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, the Army is\u2026 That\u2019s why they\u2019re keeping it so hush.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHUSHED! The Army is allowing those marauders to continue their raids without notifying the populace that there is a danger, and the Army has done nothing to curb this major\u2019s actions! As far as I\u2019m concerned the Army is condoning what his man and his patrol are doing!\u201d hollered an enraged Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not condoning anything, it\u2019s just that the major\u2019s father has political connections and they\u2019re trying to deal with this\u2026 internally,\u201d Yancy answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInternally! And in the meantime those marauders go wherever they like, and take whatever they want! INCLUDING MY TEN YEAR OLD SON!\u201d Ben threw his plate down and stormed from the campsite. He had long wondered why there was no official word from the Army about these marauders; now he knew why, and it sickened him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?!\u201d Hoss hollered as he ambled out after his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t know why you were after them, just that you were,\u201d Yancy hung his head. \u201cListen, I don\u2019t blame you for your anger towards the Army. This should have stopped long ago, before it got so out of\u2026 hand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe only reason we\u2019re returning home is that someone shot my horse out from under me. We sent two of our ranch hands to continue the search for our brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how much longer the Army can keep this quiet, I honestly wish there was some way this could get out to the public.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you care?\u201d Adam asked as he looked in the direction his father and brother left.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause the longer this is allowed to continue, the more the reputation of the Army will be tarnished, the more damage will be done to the credibility civilians like yourself place in us. I\u2019m fourth generation soldier, I\u2019m proud of my family and our history in defending this country\u2026 The Army has allowed Wheldon to go rogue long enough, it needs to stop.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam observed Yancy, his seriousness in his beliefs and his willingness to explain himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something you can do\u2026 Write down everything you know about this Major Albert Wheldon and all that\u2019s happened, as far as the Army is concerned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor what use? It\u2019ll just be covered up\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you worried about your career?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy career be damned! I would have gone public months ago if I knew anyone would believe me; why do you think I\u2019m being transferred away from where McComber\u2019s Marauders were heading?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey were heading to Yuma?\u201d Adam rose up from lying against the fallen tree, his temper began to flare. They had been so close, and now\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly, but they were close\u2026\u201d Looking to the man who remained, Yancy explained, \u201cI was too vocal in how we could stop Wheldon, my commander was only interested in helping the major stop the marauders and heap laurels upon them both,\u201d Yancy spat on the ground. The reasons behind his words repulsed him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYancy, I don\u2019t know if you know the name Cartwright, but Pa owns the largest spread in the Nevada territory, he has influential friends. You write out all you know, and give us the names of anyone else you know who would be willing to tell us, we\u2019ll see that the truth gets out. Maybe it will help bring my brother home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what good it will do, but I\u2019ll do it. If only to see your brother returned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adam had long fallen asleep when Hoss and Ben returned to camp. As they entered camp, the light provided by the fire illuminated the captain furiously writing in a tablet of paper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam and I had a long conversation after you left\u2026 I think we can both be of help to each other. I\u2019ve written out dates, locations, facts, names, etc., and I can get more. I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo stop Major Albert Wheldon, and his callous disregard for orders and the Army\u2019s inability to rein him in.\u201d Yancy handed the pages to the elder Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow come?\u201d Hoss asked as he watched his father leaf through the sheets.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWheldon has to be stopped and someone has to see that the Army is held accountable for the consequences when they allow an officer to go rogue and they keep quiet about it. An act of omission is still a lie, regardless how small or how large\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben grieved with the statement; his own act of omission had meant that his youngest son didn\u2019t have the proper ammunition in order to mount his own defense as to why he should have been allowed to travel on the cattle drive so many months before. Ben had come to realize that his son could have ridden in the chuck wagon with Cookie, their cook. They could have been together as a family, it wasn\u2019t necessary that the boy work as a drover, though he probably would have believed he could have performed the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following morning, Captain Yancy Mayhew said goodbye to the Cartwrights with the promise they would have more information coming to them from some of his friends in the service who were objecting to his reposting and the reason behind his transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 9: Spiraling Down<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben, Adam, and Hoss quietly returned to the Ponderosa with heavy hearts; they knew that until Joe was found and returned, their lives would never be the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they crossed their land, they saw their hands working their cattle and the herds were in the pasture land ready for winter\u2019s onslaught. Arriving in the main yard, they were pleased to see the remains of their burned down barn had been cleared away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo time for visitors!\u201d yelled Hop Sing as he came from the front door, stopping abruptly when he recognized the man stepping down from the wagon seat. \u201cMr. Cartwright! You find Joe?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned to their caretaker and shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had an accident, Adam was hurt,\u201d Hoss stated as he dismounted from Chubbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Adam hurt? How bad?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBad enough that I won\u2019t be working the ranch for a while,\u201d Adam replied as Hoss helped him from the back of the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me help ya into the house, brother,\u201d Hoss stated as he supported Adam\u2019s weight by wrapping his large arm around his brother\u2019s waist. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to see if Doc Martin has a set of crutches ya can use now that you\u2019re home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want Paul to examine Adam\u2019s shoulder to make sure it can bear his weight and the stress before he uses the crutches,\u201d Ben stated as he waited for his sons\u2019 approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go into town as soon as I get Adam settled,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ll send one of the men. You need to rest, too,\u201d Ben stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI go get Charlie, he send man, get honorable doctor,\u201d Hop Sing offered before scurrying across the yard to the bunk house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within fifteen minutes, one of the hands had run for the back barn and galloped his horse towards Virginia City. Several other hands, including Charlie, came to take care of the team and the wagon, and to unload the remaining supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing was nearing putting their evening meal on the table when the sounds of a carriage could be heard arriving. Ben walked outside to hopefully greet the doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home, Ben,\u201d Paul solemnly stated. \u201cMack told me it you were home, and he only saw Adam and Hoss. I take it you didn\u2019t have any luck finding Little Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we had to give up the search to get Adam home. Please, come inside.\u201d Ben motioned with is arm for his friend and doctor to enter their home. \u201cHop Sing should have supper ready in a few minutes, you\u2019ll join us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be happy to, I\u2019ve been on the go all day today. I had just arrived back home when Mack told me Adam had been injured, said he thought he saw his leg in splints?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam broke his leg when his horse fell on him after being shot, he also suffered a dislocated shoulder and that\u2019s what I\u2019m most concerned about, has it reset properly to allow him to use crutches to get around?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s not in any pain\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s been over a week since he\u2019s felt the need to take any laudanum, even to help him sleep,\u201d Ben answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen I think his examination can wait until after supper; I\u2019m famished.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two men entered the great room, where Paul returned the greetings offered by the oldest brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing quietly waited in the background of the downstairs bedroom as the physician completed his examination of Adam. He was not pleased with the reason behind the injuries. Seeing the remains of the fading bruises, over two weeks after the accident, proved just how hard of a fall the oldest son had taken. He knew the man had to be stiff and sore; riding in the back of a wagon for two weeks was not the way to heal the body, nor the mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pleased with how well your shoulder has healed, Adam. And your leg appears to be mending, just let me replace this splint. I\u2019ll also add some additional cotton swaddling in order to make it more comfortable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d mumbled Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s your head? Any headaches?\u201d Paul inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot related to my fall, but\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re concerned about Joe,\u201d Paul stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all are and there\u2019s not a damn thing I can do!\u201d Adam slammed his fist down on the surface of the bed, in expression of his anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can pray,\u201d Paul answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I mean. Someone shoots my horse out from under me and we have to turn back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou need time to heal. Why don\u2019t you put your mind to work\u2026 draft a design for your new barn. You barely returned home from college before you took off after those marauders. I\u2019m sure you had ideas on how to improve the Ponderosa\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can I think of the Ponderosa?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Joe was born here,\u201d Paul answered calmly. \u201cAdam, whether the improvements are made in his memory or in anticipation of his return, he\u2019ll be mad at you for sitting here sulking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what Hoss wrote in some of his letters, Joe could sulk with the best of them. So I\u2019m just doing what my little brother would do,\u201d replied Adam as the frown on his face deepened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, tomorrow I expect you to be at the table or your father\u2019s desk\u2026 drawing, because Joe\u2019s sulks never lasted through the night. The next day he\u2019d be facing life head on and throwing care to the wind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Under hooded eyes Adam couldn\u2019t help but smile at how the doctor had worked him into a checkmate situation, trapped by his own words he conceded that he would live for tomorrow\u2026 for Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell Ben that you can start using the crutches, however, for a few weeks I think it would be best that you not attempt the staircase.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI make bed for numba one son, here,\u201d Hop Sing spoke up. Both men had forgotten he was present in the room. \u201cI bring school supplies; paper, pencil, ruler from upstairs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Adam stated and bowed his head in appreciation to the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll also recommend later tonight that you take a nice, long, hot bath. Hop Sing, you have some special herbs and salts to help ease aches and pains\u2026\u201d Doc Martin stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning his conversation back to Adam, \u201cKeep your leg elevated. Place a chair next to the tub to prop your leg upon. But for now, rest easy, my friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctor Martin snapped shut his Gladstone bag, turned and gave the man\u2019s shoulder a squeeze before he left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A month had passed and as promised, Yancy Mayhew and his friends continued to provide information to the Cartwights. Ben and his older sons diligently read through the reports, compiling data in preparation to give testimony to Congressman Matthew Hardy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly after their arrival home, Ben had written to the U.S. Army headquarters in Washington, D.C. to make a formal inquiry into the actions of Major Albert Wheldon and to notify the authorities of the man\u2019s callous disregard for human life.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response, Washington had sent a wire indicating that Congressman Matthew Hardy would be arriving in late December to speak with the Cartwrights and to review the documentation they had accumulated.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A week before Christmas, Hoss drove the buggy into Virginia City as he transported his oldest brother to see Paul Martin, hoping to have the splint removed from Adam\u2019s leg and to make sure the bones had completely healed. As Hoss stepped from the carriage, he was hailed by the telegrapher, who also served as the postmaster, waving a thick envelope. As they waited for the man to approach, most of the people who passed them refrained from wishing season\u2019s greetings to the brothers; too many times they had experienced the acerbic attitudes assumed since their return without the youngest member of their family. The man handed the envelope to Hoss before promptly turning and walking away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inside the doctor\u2019s surgery, the brothers waited for Doctor Martin\u2019s return from being called to a home on the other side of town. Whiling away the time, they read the report contained within the envelope.<\/span><\/p>\n

The report relayed detail after detail, they were shocked when they read the final item included. A report from the Arch Dioceses in California claiming a lone soldier had shown up at a small orphanage outside of San Luis, Arizona, sick with fever. As the nuns tended to him, they listened to his ramblings; worried, they brought the man to the attention of a visiting Cardinal and their own parish priest. Both listened as the soldier became coherent enough to seek confession. He spoke of having been ordered to fire on a group of civilians who had been following their patrol and asking questions about the men the Army patrol was following.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the man\u2019s health improved, he said he felt relieved for having made his confession; however, he felt that there were others who needed to know what he knew and he wanted the church\u2019s blessing to tell his story. He gave his permission for the priests to waive the sanctity of Confession and confirm what he had said. The man swore and affirmed that he was under no duress to make his confession public and signed the document. Within the written pages, he noted when the attack upon the civilians occurred and described the arroyo where he\u2019d chosen to ambush the riders. He described the men and their horses in great detail. He also identified the command and patrol of which he was a member, and who gave the orders for the ambush. He wrote about more than just the ambush, he wrote of attacks on the marauders and the results, the captives killed. He wrote of soldiers bullied into following orders and of one soldier who had been deliberately killed and the act covered up because the man spoke out against the major. The reports written claimed the soldier had been killed in the line of duty, by the hostiles they were trailing. He wrote of everything he knew since leaving Texas and how their commander avoided any town or fort in order to keep from receiving notification that their original orders were no longer in effect: Find and destroy McComber\u2019s Marauders. Knowing that his words and experiences meant more than receiving forgiveness from God, he knew lives were at risk and wanted the truth to be known. The Cardinal and priest signed the paper as witnesses, including their own observations of the man as he made known the facts. The following morning, the soldier was found hung in his sleeping room; he\u2019d left a suicide note blaming the life he had lived while under the command of one Major Albert Wheldon and referenced his confession letter as exhibit A.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDAMN THE ARMY!\u201d yelled Adam as he threw his crutch across the room in Doctor Martin\u2019s surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGlad your splint is coming off today and you won\u2019t be needing that crutch anymore,\u201d Paul stated as he entered his office, having narrowly missed being struck by the projectile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Paul. We receive another report from Yancy Mayhew with corroborating documentation from the Arch Dioceses of California\u2026 Damn the Army and their coverup! How many more lives are these marauders and Wheldon\u2019s patrol going to destroy before they\u2019re stopped?! When is it going to stop?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t answer those questions. All you can do is present these facts to Congressman Hardy when he arrives here next week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Adam, Congressman Hardy will know what to do, how to get this to stop,\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what good it will do. What good can a Washington Congressman do all the way out here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you\u2019ll find out once he arrives. Are you ready to get this off?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet it off, Paul. I want this damn thing off my leg!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul set to work without any further conversation; he knew the young man in front of him and what this whole situation had cost him and his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Avoiding the main street of Virginia City, under the cover of night, Orlando and Wren McCloud pulled the wagon they were driving to the back of Doctor Martin\u2019s home, two evenings before Christmas. Under the tarp in the back of the wagon was a pine box, five feet long, by two feet wide, by one foot deep. Slowly, the older brother stepped down, proceeded to the back door and knocked. Without hurry he waited for the lantern to be lit and the door opened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMay I help you?\u201d asked the housekeeper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs Doc Martin home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you needed the doctor, you should have come to the front door,\u201d the woman gently scolded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Removing his hat, Orlando stated, \u201cI\u2019m sorry ma\u2019am, but I need to see him without others knowing we\u2019re here.\u201d Orlando half turned so the woman could see, by the pale moon light, the wagon and his brother waiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Kincaid, who is it?\u201d Paul Martin inquired as he tied the sash to his robe around his waist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019d be so kind to tell Doc, Orlando McCloud is\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOrlando,\u201d Paul interrupted. Mrs. Kincaid stepped aside. \u201cWhat are you doing here? Where\u2019s Wren? Is he okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s waiting at the wagon\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s cold out there, have him come in,\u201d Paul offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, we\u2026\u201d Orlando stumbled with what to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan we speak, private like?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs. Kincaid turned and left the room. She was satisfied there was no medical emergency that would pull the doctor from his home during the night; she returned to her quarters and to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Wren waited on the wagon seat, Orlando quietly informed the doctor they had brought home the body of Joe Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy God\u2026\u201d Paul gasped. \u201cThis is going to destroy Ben and the boys.\u201d Looking to the man and his haggard appearance, he asked, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere were two survivors, captives. The woman was mentally unstable; the doc said it was from what she suffered.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the other?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA young girl, she and a young boy were brought in by the soldiers. The girl suffered a few minor injuries, but the boy was in bad shape. The girl said he tried to shield her and that\u2019s how he came to be hurt. There wasn\u2019t anything the doctor said he could do other than to make the boy comfortable. He died within an hour of arriving at the clinic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe spoke with the doctor, explaining who we were and why we were there. He allowed us to talk to the girl. She described the boy and said his name were Joe Carter or something like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see the body?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Orlando shook his head no, \u201cDoc said it weren\u2019t pretty, he\u2019d been hurt real bad. Doc, I didn\u2019t know what else to do other than have the undertaker prepare him and then bring him home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did the right thing, Orlando. Why don\u2019t you and Wren take the coffin over to Mortimer\u2019s and then spend the night at my surgery.\u201d From his pocket, the doctor pulled a key and handed it to the man. \u201cThere are rooms in the back with comfortable beds. I don\u2019t have any patients tonight, you\u2019ll be protected from anyone seeing you back in town and asking questions before I can tell Ben what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Doc,\u201d Orlando answered as he accepted the key and left the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 10: The Heart Grows Cold<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Paul waited for the shock and grief to set in, but the only emotion to surface was anger. After listening to Paul explain the reason for his visit, Adam screamed, \u201cDamn them!\u201d Storming from the room, he slammed the front door behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only tears shed slipped down the face of the man silently standing in the dining room, head bowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOrlando and Wren took the coffin with his body to Mortimer\u2019s,\u201d Paul stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see him,\u201d Ben spoke in a voice absent of all emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I can\u2019t allow you to see his remains. It\u2019s been over two weeks, and the injuries he suffered\u2026 you don\u2019t need that to be your last memory of Joe. Remember him as the bright and vibrant boy he was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to be sure\u2026\u201d Ben stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the descriptions the doctor and the young girl he was trying to protect gave the McClouds, and she said his name was Joe Carter, she could have misheard his last name\u2026 Who else could it be? Ben, you and the boys did everything you could. Let him be at peace. The three of you need to accept Joe\u2019s death so you can grieve\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss remained frozen as he sat on the hearth of the fireplace, his muscles and thoughts encased in anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The buzz around Virginia City centered on the impending funeral of the youngest member of the Cartwright family. People spoke of their plans to attend and what they would wear as casually as if it were a Christmas Eve party. As person after person approached the parson, they were offended when he stated the family requested a private service on their land, there would be no witnesses other than those who truly loved the boy. He refrained from using the actual words Ben had yelled, words that expressed the depths of emotions and anger the man felt at having his life shattered and the fodder it would provide the gossips of Virginia City.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Christmas Eve day, Adam and Hoss drove the Ponderosa wagon to town. As they drove along the main street, people stopped what they were doing and watched the scene when the wagon halted in front of the undertaker\u2019s building. Without words, the Cartwright brothers entered the building and moments later carried the coffin and slipped it in the back of their wagon. A colorful blanket was placed over the pine box before the tail gate of the wagon was pinned closed in an effort to stop the gawkers from seeing the reason for their sorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once he sat high on the bench seat, with his oldest brother next to him, Hoss picked up the reins and slapped the horses to move them out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A Christmas morning snow threatened the Ponderosa as Reverend Harrison stood before the family and the few who were invited to attend the services for Joseph Francis Cartwright. Besides the ranch hands, the only other person who was allowed to come was Doctor Paul Martin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dressed in black, the family stoically stood beside the grave as they paid their last respects to their brother. The words spoken by Reverend Harrison were barely heard as their grief blocked out all thoughts other than what could have been.<\/span><\/p>\n

Off to the side stood Mortimer and two of his assistants as they waited for those gathered to leave so they could lower the coffin into the ground and shovel the dirt back into the grave.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Four days after their brother was laid to rest, Adam and Hoss drove the ranch carriage to Virginia City to meet the special stage and its passengers. First impressions were very important to Adam Cartwright, he knew how they presented themselves would lay the foundation for how they were perceived by the congressman they were meeting. He had mentally planned out everything they would say and do while these men were their guests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Adam\u2019s first impression of the man who introduced himself as Congressman Matthew Hardy was that the man was a pompous fool. A man who enjoyed the privileges afforded him as a member of congress and spent a great deal of time berating others he felt beneath his status; making ridiculous requests followed up by, \u201cI\u2019m a United States Congressman.\u201d It was also apparent that his Congressional privileges certainly included the fact that he never went hungry; the man\u2019s girth was almost as round as he was tall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had better hopes upon seeing the second man to disembark the stage, his insignia indicated he was high up in the chain of command in the U.S. Army and introduced himself as Lieutenant Brigadier General Norman Simpson.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The return trip to the Ponderosa was spent by pointing out the sights of the land and discussing the people of Virginia City; nothing was said about why the men were there, that conversation would happen later, at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The three Cartwrights sat back and waited for their guests to finish reading through everything they had compiled against Major Albert Wheldon. The numerous grunts, groans, and attempts to clear one\u2019s throat grated on the family\u2019s nerves. Twice, Hop Sing had entered the room to refill the coffee pot that sat in the middle of the low wooden table, where pages and pages of testimony were strewn. Only the Cartwrights acknowledged his presence and thanked him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite a wild tale you\u2019ve laid out,\u201d Congressman Hardy stated as he laid the last sheet of paper to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTale?\u201d Adam asked in disbelief, but yet as the afternoon progressed he had expected nothing less. \u201cWe followed that patrol for three months; we personally saw the aftermath of at least one attack from Major Wheldon\u2019s patrol on the marauders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is quite fanciful,\u201d the general quietly stated as he too allowed the final page he had read to slip to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFanciful?\u201d Hoss incredulously asked. \u201cIt ain\u2019t fancy, it\u2019s down right barbaric what he was allowed ta do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen, Major Wheldon was following orders, do whatever it took to stop McComber\u2019s Marauders,\u201d Simpson stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid those order even stop to consider how he would go about stopping them? The cost to innocent lives? Where is the Army\u2019s compassion for the people they are supposed to protect?\u201d Adam had seen out of the corner of his eye his father\u2019s reaction to the two men, and so he chose to speak on behalf of his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the reports I read, the women who lived were so traumatized it might have been better had they been killed,\u201d Hardy spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what of those who weren\u2019t killed, what lives are they living?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cThose reports speak of United States citizens sold into white slavery rings\u2026 And the children\u2026\u201d Adam pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose claims are unsubstantiated,\u201d Hardy answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnsubstantiated? Only because the men, the fathers and husbands, were killed during the raids,\u201d Hoss stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no proof here,\u201d the officer stated, he swept his hands above the papers. \u201cIt\u2019s all just hearsay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the life of my youngest brother?!\u201d Adam asked, knowing they had kept this a secret from the men.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf your brother rode with McComber, then he gets what he deserves,\u201d Simpson replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHE WAS TEN YEARS OLD! He turned eleven Halloween! He was killed during the final attack that wiped out McComber\u2019s Marauders!\u201d bellowed Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no proof that he was killed by Wheldon\u2019s patrol,\u201d Hardy boasted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no proof to say he wasn\u2019t killed by the army,\u201d Adam responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe United States Army does not kill civilians,\u201d Simpson stated as he stood to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not allowing the officer to intimidate him, Adam stood and replied, \u201cNo they just attack them without any regard and accept it as a casualty of war. Well, we are not at war! There was no declaration of war again these marauders, just orders for them to be stopped. No guidelines given, no orders to check in, to validate that the order still stood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe never rescinded his orders,\u201d Simpson refuted. \u201cThere was no need to check in other than to file his reports.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam breathed heavily and stared the man straight in the eye. So angered was he that he didn\u2019t hear the first time his father called his name, until he felt the man\u2019s hand on his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen,\u201d Ben spoke, \u201cIt is apparent that we\u2019re not going to get anywhere as you continue to ignore the facts as presented to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFacts twisted to your point of view,\u201d Hardy belligerently stated as he wallowed in the settee in an effort to stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did not twist the facts, Congressman. We only asked the respondents to state the facts as they saw them. We did not ask the Arch Dioceses of California to send us their letter or the letter of confession from that officer.\u201d Ben stood proud, but sad. \u201cYou were only our first option to see justice done for my youngest child. Since we will not receive justice at your hands, we will be forced to demand the convening of a coroner\u2019s inquest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful what doors you open, Mr. Cartwright. You may find you do not like what stands behind them,\u201d stated Senator Hardy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you threatening me?\u201d Ben expressed his first hint of animosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, just trying to inform you what might be at risk to your\u2026 Ponderosa,\u201d Hardy stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen, the hour grows late and we have a long trip back to town,\u201d offered Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we were\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Matthew. I\u2019m sure the International House in town has rooms to accommodate us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With that, Adam drove the carriage as well as their guests to town.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The hour approached midnight before Adam stepped into the house and removed his hat and gunbelt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re later than I expected,\u201d Ben stated as he sat in his burgundy chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI stopped by to talk to Joe and Marie\u2026 I wanted to tell them what was happening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I know how what I said earlier\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re ready to give up?\u201d Adam asked in disbelief.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I am beginning to see where this is going to go. A United States Congressman and a Brigadier General\u2026 it\u2019s going to be swept under the rug.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if we allow it, Pa. I think that Hoss and I realize the coroner\u2019s inquest will be a farce; they\u2019ll only go through the motions… It\u2019s up to us to see what happens afterwards. We have friends Pa, friends who won\u2019t let Little Joe\u2019s death or the deaths of all the others be in vain. We\u2019ll get the word out there. Let them think they have the upper hand and that we\u2019re only small-town nobodies. As written by the English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton, in his Richelieu; or the Conspiracy, \u2018the pen is mightier than the sword\u2019. As long as we can make people think twice\u2026 we\u2019ll have won.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sagging back into his chair, Ben replied, \u201cI don\u2019t want to win, I just want Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time since the night Paul Martin had reported the news of Joe\u2019s death, Adam watched his father cry.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The second Monday after New Year\u2019s Day the courthouse of Virginia City was packed full of people, all waiting to witness the Cartwrights take on the United States government.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiram Wood represented the Cartwrights as Federal Judge John Gearity had been dispatched from visiting family in California to preside over the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

For three days, the Cartwrights presented document after document in an effort to get the Army or the Government to admit Major Albert Wheldon exceeded the scope of his orders and that through his actions brought about the death of civilians, namely Joseph Francis Cartwright. Once word leaked out of the trial, several witnesses had made their way to Virginia City to give testimony. Lieutenant Brigadier General Simpson took less than one day to explain the government\u2019s case.<\/span><\/p>\n

After listening to closing arguments from both sides, Judge Gearity declared the court in recess pending his final decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights, Attorney Hiram Wood, Doctor Paul Martin, Sheriff Vernon Biggs, and newspaperman Oliver Pratt sat alone in the dining room of one of the restaurants in town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know the case is going to go against us,\u201d Hiram spoke after the waitress left the room having refilled each man\u2019s coffee cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe expected that from the beginning,\u201d Adam answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vernon and Paul were surprised to hear this statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready with a full-page expose,\u201d Oliver stated. \u201cI don\u2019t care what strings the Army has pulled to acquit the Major, the people of this territory have a right to know the truth and make their own decisions on whether they agree or not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss spoke, \u201cIf they do acquit him, what will we do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet Oliver run his story, and then\u2026 we try to get on with living,\u201d Ben replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tell you one thing, I\u2019m going to review every contract we have with the army to provide beef,\u201d Adam stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe soldiers out here aren\u2019t at fault,\u201d Ben replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but the government will probably want to cut their ties with us, once word gets out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur beef\u2019s the best there is,\u201d Hoss stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep, and our contracts have heavy penalty clauses for any cancellations, and you can bet I\u2019m going to make sure every one of them is enforced,\u201d a devilish glint appeared in Adam\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Shortly before four o\u2019clock word came through that Judge Gearity had made his decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

The courthouse was packed full with people to hear Gearity announce his decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter reviewing all the evidence presented and reviewing the law as it relates to the military vs civilian law\u2026 No civilian can bring charges against an officer for perceived grievances. However, I took my duty one step further and reviewed Major Wheldon\u2019s actions against the code of conduct for the United States Army. Though innocent lives were lost, the actions of Major Wheldon and his patrol were instrumental in protecting a greater number of lives, lives of countless other civilians had McComber\u2019s Marauders not been stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis coroner\u2019s inquest finds in the favor of the United States Army, and that they acted in the best interest of the public at large.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights sat with acceptance, while their friends and neighbors sat in shocked silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Later that evening, Congressman Hardy, Lieutenant Brigadier General Simpson, and Judge Gearity sat alone in the restaurant of the International House.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Warren will be happy to find out that you found in favor of his son,\u201d Hardy stated as he raised his glass in toast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Simpson bragged, \u201cOnce word of this case reaches the upper echelon in Washington, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if you aren\u2019t recalled, and nominated to the United States Supreme Court.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just say that Judge Warren Wheldon owes me a favor, a very\u2026 large\u2026 favor,\u201d Judge Gearity answered as he raised his glass and sipped the amber liquid contained within.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The following morning, Oliver Pratt printed his front page story regarding the Coroner\u2019s Inquest and the mockery of justice he had witnessed. All the evidence and counter points were printed in whole. In summary, he questioned whether justice could ever be received for those outside of the \u2018good old boys club\u2019 in Washington, D.C. and their fellow bedmates, certain members of the United States Army.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Territorial Enterprise was being delivered in town and as far as possible, three men mounted their horses in front of the livery.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what\u2019ll we do now,\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both sons heard the defeat in their father\u2019s voice, and the coldness began to grow in their own hearts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Word of their pursuit of justice spread beyond the borders of Virginia City and it did cost the Cartwrights several contracts for providing beef for the Army. But as Adam stated, they demanded payment in full based on the penalty clauses for the breach of each contract. And the Army\u2019s argument against the payment made the news in the Territorial Enterprise, it was only noted in the small print when the government finally relented and made payment.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, other outposts in the territory and surrounding landscape applauded the Cartwrights for their efforts in trying to bring a known rogue officer to justice, and so\u2026 reluctantly they followed their orders from Washington to terminate their contracts with The Ponderosa. The addendum to their orders gave them authorization to negotiate their own contracts with independent cattlemen in the area to secure the best quality beef at the best price possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

The majority of the commanders knew where to find the best quality and price; so they met with Ben or one of his sons, individually in Virginia City, never on the Ponderosa nor did they mention the Ponderosa during discussions. Every contract was concluded with a firm handshake, they never revealed to Washington the fact that the independent cattlemen were Ben Cartwright and his sons.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it came time to pay for the delivery of the herds, bank drafts drawn on the government\u2019s cash account had been forwarded to the various financial institutions who would cash the drafts and in turn write another draft to the order of Ben Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for the money from the penalty clauses, Ben and his sons donated it to the towns of Virginia City and Carson City with the stipulation to build better schools and to hire teachers with appropriate credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 11: Life Goes On<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Winter finally arrived and proceeded to be bitter upon the Ponderosa; they\u2019d never experienced such record amounts of snow, at least to their way of remembering. Deep in their hearts they knew there had been worse winters, but those winters were always brightened by the enthusiasm of their youngest member.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The first hints of spring found Adam and Hoss out working together repairing many of the fence lines that were damaged during the snows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey Adam, looky out there!\u201d Hoss called, the first hint of joviality the man had expressed in months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, let\u2019s just get to work,\u201d Adam stated as he continued hammering the nail to hold the wire to the post.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, look at them horses. Look at that fella there, that chestnut\u2026 three stockings and a blaze. Look how proud he looks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, ya ain\u2019t replaced Beauty yet. Rammer\u2019s a nice horse, but he ain\u2019t you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would you have me do?\u201d Adam stood straight and looked at his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we worked hard enough today that we should just take this wagon back, saddle up our horses and head out after that herd. See if we can drive them down to the breaking corrals. There\u2019s gotta be a few good horses in that bunch\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, we have a lot of work to do after this past winter,\u201d Adam sounded as if he was trying to convince himself to stay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa know, Pa forgot about one thing when he said, \u2018We go home\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Adam asked as he pushed his hat back from his forehead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe go on livin\u2019. Adam, I miss shortshanks as much as the two of ya do, but\u2026 Tell me honestly, would Joe want us mopin\u2019 around like a schoolboy who just got turned down by the prettiest girl in town for the upcoming dance?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam gave a quick huffing laugh and shook his head from side to side, \u201cNo, he\u2019d keep asking the next girl in line until one said yes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he\u2019d go on livin\u2019 all the while lookin\u2019 to find a gal to say yes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven at only ten years old he was a charmer,\u201d Adam had to laugh at the image the stories his brother had written about in some of his letters when it came to Little Joe asking a pretty girl to one of the various dances in town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he shore was. But that\u2019s the point, we gotta keep askin\u2019, keep livin\u2019, keep lookin\u2019 for that brass ring ya once told us about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam reached down and picked up the bucket containing the nails.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhacha you doin\u2019?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going horse wrangling, you coming?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou betcha!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They knew their father would be out at the promontory, so they didn\u2019t worry about upsetting him by quitting work early. Within twenty minutes of arriving home, the team was unharnessed and turned out, and their own mounts saddled.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Four hours later Charlie closed the gates to the breaking corrals and whistled in appreciation at the horses within.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think horse wrangling was on the work schedule for today, boys,\u201d the foreman teased. It did the man good to see the smiles upon the brothers\u2019 faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNope it weren\u2019t,\u201d Hoss replied as he poured some water from his canteen over his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided to take a page from the Joe Cartwright book of life and said to heck with working today. It\u2019ll be there tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat will be there tomorrow?\u201d Ben asked as he approached the pens.<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers looked to each other and Adam knew he had been delegated as spokesman to answer their father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI take it you didn\u2019t complete the work today?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Adam jovially answered. \u201cPa, I know we should have, but\u2026 Hoss and I were talking; we have to learn to live. What we\u2019ve been doing since Christmas is just\u2026 existing. I need to replace Beauty and I think there\u2019s at least one horse, in particular, in this herd that just might be the one.\u201d Taking a deep breath, Adam continued, \u201cI\u2019ve also been dabbling\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDabbling?\u201d Ben asked, surprised his son used such a non-precise word.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve drafted a design for a new barn, to replace the one we lost\u2026\u201d Adam immediately regretted his choice of words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see the two of you at my desk before Hop Sing sets supper on the table,\u201d Ben announced as he turned from his sons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, ya cain\u2019t go on grievin\u2019,\u201d pleaded Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

With understanding, Ben turned; both hands slipped into his front pockets, \u201cAdam, I\u2019ll expect you to bring your design, and Hoss, I want to hear your plans for getting these horses sorted and a count for how many will be worth keeping and how they\u2019ll fit in on the ranch. You have until suppertime boys. Make good use of your time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam called out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet living boys\u2026 I\u2019m\u2026\u201d Ben looked to his feet. \u201cAdam, show me which horse you\u2019re thinking of choosing.\u201d It wasn\u2019t a large smile on the man\u2019s face, but it was a start.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Supper that night was a livelier affair as the men discussed which horses were worth keeping and what modifications they would like to see added to the new barn design.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

By the beginning of summer, their ranch hands witnessed Adam Cartwright riding across the range on his new horse he\u2019d named Sport. They were impressed with how dedicated Adam was into training this horse to be an all-around cowpony; cutting and reining came easy to the animal. Had the past not happened, the men wondered how hard it would be for them to win any of the rodeo contests against Adam and his mount.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took pride in seeing that his design for the new barn come to life. With all the Cartwright horses stabled within, the family wondered what it would be like to have one more horse with theirs; the horse that would have belonged to Joe. Their youngest brother\u2019s pony could have been kept with the others, but they just couldn\u2019t face seeing the horse day after day. So, once the snows melted in the meadows, Hoss and Chubbs had led the pony into the meadow where they kept one of their breeding herds of horses and turned him loose. Hoss smiled as the animal kicked and bucked and squealed as he ran to make new friends among the broodmares and the yearlings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A year had passed since Joe\u2019s abduction. With their youngest brother\u2019s memory forever locked in their hearts, the Cartwrights focused their attention to the Ponderosa. Working from sun up to sun down had a way of pushing their grief from the front of their memories, it never disappeared entirely. Life became easier to bear, as long as they looked at life the same way Little Joe had. In time, they were able to admit to themselves that they had done everything they could to save the life of the boy whose incessant laughter had once brightened their home. But still, they would always wonder what they could have done differently to secure a different outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It was easier to live with themselves and their hands, but, now, in the year since the death of his youngest son, Ben Cartwright had turned into a man that few in town dared approach. When Marie had been alive, the Ponderosa had been known to host lavish Christmas parties; however, the first Christmas after her death had been hard for the family. And then Adam had left for college and Ben didn\u2019t feel like hosting such a merry occasion, not even for his youngest son\u2019s sake. But as the holiday approached for a second time after Adam\u2019s departure, Ben watched his youngest withdraw into himself; the boy rarely smiled or laughed. The only time it seemed the boy smiled was when he was with his pony. It was then that the widower father decided that Christmas needed to be celebrated and the Ponderosa was once again the place to be on Christmas Eve and had been every year until the year that Joe had been abducted and ultimately killed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Christmas had come and gone, twice, and there was no celebration, no tree, no presents. No donations for those less fortunate in town. There was only one wish those on Ponderosa requested and it remained unfulfilled; and the heartache showed clearly in their actions. Though they tried to live life as Joe would have wanted them to, the men lived only for the Ponderosa and had little to do with the people of Virginia City. When they had to go to town, it became a place to transact business, period. They couldn\u2019t stand the pity upon the people\u2019s faces or how the people had lost their ability to speak with the family.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 12: A Spark of Hope<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A second summer returned to the territory, and the Cartwrights accepted their grief as an ever-present fact as life continued on the Ponderosa. More often than not it was a struggle to live life as Joe would have, and so they allowed their grief to remain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The largest crop of calves populated their land and news of the quality of their horse herds had spread wide and far, but still, it wasn\u2019t enough to replace their loss. And so they worked harder, all for the memory of Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As the second anniversary of Joe\u2019s abduction approached, Adam and Hoss remained behind while Ben had departed earlier in the week to negotiate a timber contract in Stockton, California. The night before his departure he\u2019d suffered a restless sleep as he dreaded his impending proximity to San Francisco. He relived the weeks after Joe\u2019s abduction, remembering the potential threat that could have befallen his youngest. After the funeral and as the months passed, he began to wish that maybe his son had been taken to the city instead of heading for Mexico\u2026 He knew it was incongruous to trade off one wish for another, especially after the fact. Each time he remembered how his son had died, he\u2019d cringed to think how he\u2019d originally thought it better for his son to die in a mine accident instead of spending anytime being prostituted. But now that his son was a year and a half dead due to the campaign of annihilation by an Army major, he began to rethink his feelings, and became even more bitter.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat do you have there, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked as he saw his brother step from the post office and slip an envelope into his vest pocket while he put the rest of the mail for the Ponderosa into his saddle bags.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2026\u201d Adam stated as he stepped from the boardwalk to the hitching rail and untied Sport\u2019s reins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give me that, brother. I saw ya stick a letter in your pocket. Now tell,\u201d Hoss answered in the surly tone of voice that had become his normal when people didn\u2019t give him a proper answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have to know\u2026 it\u2019s a letter from Gabe Cunningham.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After thinking a few moments to remember where he\u2019d heard the name, \u201cThat fella you went to school with?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I went to school with him,\u201d Adam answered, his words quieting as he remembered happier times.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t ya say he was going into the army after graduatin\u2019? What\u2019s he got to say?\u201d Hoss knew that Adam hadn\u2019t corresponded with a lot of his classmates upon his return home. How could he, when things happened as they had. How does one jovially write to a college friend and say, \u2018By the way my brother was murdered by the Army.\u2019?<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t answer; he just stood beside his horse, left hand on the crest of his horse\u2019s neck his right hand on the saddle horn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Hoss called out as he stepped around his brother\u2019s horse, grabbed Adam\u2019s arm and hissed, \u201cWhat\u2019d he write that\u2019s got you flustered?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stared across his saddle without acknowledging his brother who stood to his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he seen a white child among the Shoshone,\u201d Adam coldly stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo? There\u2019s plenty of white children been taken over the years durin\u2019 them Indian raids.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe thought of me after he returned to Mill City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d he do that?\u201d Hoss wanted to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows we tried to have Major Wheldon brought up on charges related to Joe\u2019s murder. He wrote me later, offering condolences and saying he agreed with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, that was a year and a half ago. Why\u2019s he writin\u2019 now?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam answered in a guilt-ridden voice, he dropped his chin to his chest, \u201cI have to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo?! Where? Explain it ta me! Lately, all we do is work out on the range and do our chores, but then\u2026 I don\u2019t like being the only one stayin\u2019 at the house, tryin\u2019 to get Pa through this. I know it\u2019s hard trying to live knowing what we lost. Adam, it\u2019s been two years\u2026 how long are we supposed to go on like this\u2026\u201d He grabbed hold of Sport\u2019s reins, enforcing that he wasn\u2019t going to let his brother get by without talking. \u201cPa still ain\u2019t got over Joe\u2019s death and keepin\u2019 to yourself in your room\u2026 It\u2019s almost like ya died too, only ya ain\u2019t dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, if I hadn\u2019t come home\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean if you hadn\u2019t come home\u2026\u201d Hoss asked in disbelief.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Adam struggled to explain his feelings, something he wasn\u2019t very good at doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talkin\u2019 about? I don\u2019t understand\u2026 Talk to me, brother\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I hadn\u2019t left for college, Joe would never have forgotten me. But I went away, and Joe forgot. If he hadn\u2019t forgotten about me, he would have been with Hop Sing, in town. He wouldn\u2019t have been left alone at the house to be taken. I would have been there to protect him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you hadn\u2019t left for college, yeah… Joe would have remembered ya, but aren\u2019t ya forgettin\u2019 about the cattle drive? You\u2019d a still been on the cattle drive with us\u2026 Pa didn\u2019t want Joe on the drive and riskin\u2019 him gettin\u2019 hurt, so he\u2019d a still been at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know Joe would have still been left behind due to his age… But he wouldn\u2019t have wanted to stay home in order to try to remember me! He\u2019d have gone to town with Hop Sing,\u201d Adam pleaded. \u201cGod, Hoss! Pa get\u2019s me home two years ago only to lose his youngest son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, that weren\u2019t your fault!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut we wouldn\u2019t have spent a few extra days in Sacramento if I hadn\u2019t been away at college.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa we woulda, because Pa woulda wanted us to relax a little, first time in a long time we\u2019da been able to take any real time off. Whether you were comin\u2019 home from Boston or the three of us on the cattle drive, we still woulda stayed. If you\u2019re gonna blame yourself for that, then why don\u2019t ya blame that teacher for gettin\u2019 sick and closin\u2019 school for the rest of the week. Heck ya, blame the teacher, it\u2019s all his fault. Adam, ain\u2019t no one ta blame but them marauders and the Army for not sendin\u2019 word. Ya cain\u2019t go around thinkin\u2019 like that, I thought you knew that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cWhat I know and how I feel are two different things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa don\u2019t blame ya for what happen, brother. Please don\u2019t go\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, from the moment I returned home until my horse was shot out from under me, we all were out there looking for Joe. We were forced to return home\u2026 WITHOUT OUR LITTLE BROTHER!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026 Orlando and Wren\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe army stopped the marauders and said they were sorry to report there were very few survivors among their captives and a child identified the body of a boy named Joe. The army wiped them out just like the McCloud brothers said they would! We should have kept looking; we took it on faith when the army said he was dead!!\u201d Adam shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt weren\u2019t just the army. Why were we supposed to keep looking?\u201d Hoss asked in distress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe could have prevented those soldiers from wiping them out! We could have maybe saved their captives!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we could maybe have done that, but then again\u2026 maybe we could have been caught up in the mayhem and been victims of that major, too. You almost was. Could be if we kept after them we coulda got off trail and maybe we woulda been too far away to do anythin\u2019. Adam, the boy they found fit Joe\u2019s description. Paul said\u2026\u201d Hoss answered as he shoved his hands into his pant front pockets and started to shuffle his feet; a sure sign that Hoss was depressed. \u201cWhat we can be thankful for is that Orlando and Wren were there soon enough that they could return his body after the attack. He\u2019s home, but Joe\u2019s dead\u2026 He\u2019s buried next to his momma.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026 something here,\u201d Adam placed his right hand over his heart, \u201cthat won\u2019t let me believe that Joe\u2019s dead. Paul refused to let us see the remains when they brought that coffin home. In my head I know he\u2019s buried next to Marie\u2026 But I\u2019ve had a feeling that I just couldn\u2019t shake\u2026 I just couldn\u2019t sit in the house and watch Pa in his grief. I\u2019ve tried, I\u2019ve honestly tried and sometimes I\u2019ve succeeded in facing the fact that I can live again. But other times, I\u2019m stuck in a quagmire\u2026 I hired men to look for Joe. Pinkertons, bounty hunters, anyone who I felt had a chance to possibly see him. Pa isn\u2019t living anymore; he just goes through the motions\u2026 We all are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Hoss admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven though he doesn\u2019t say anything, I know he wishes maybe they had taken Little Joe to San Francisco\u2026 God at least he\u2019d still be alive.\u201d Adam couldn\u2019t put to words his revulsion in wishing his baby brother had been sold into a life of child prostitution instead of ending up dead at the hands of the U.S. Army.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what now?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe saw a white child\u2026\u201d Adam returned the conversation to the letter in his pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat Gabe fella said he saw a white child\u2026What\u2019s that go to do with your aleavin\u2019 home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe, uses his engineering degree for the army\u2026 He was out surveying for a new fort up in Lander County. They encountered a band of possibly Paiutes or Shoshone Indians\u2026 He thought the group was comprised mostly of youths, a small hunting party, boys out to prove themselves. It wasn\u2019t until they returned to town that Gabe remembered about my brother missing\u2026 He sent me the letter I picked up this morning.\u201d Adam patted the front of his vest with the letter nestled inside. \u201cHe said that there was a youngster with a band of young bucks, tanned like the others, but felt that something wasn\u2019t right, he didn\u2019t look Indian, Gabe saw the boy\u2019s eyes. My God Hoss, all along we were looking in the wrong places for Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean we we\u2019re lookin\u2019 in the wrong places?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cWe followed their trail south\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe said\u2026 Hoss, they were green. One of the boys had green eyes. Joe wasn\u2019t with the marauders anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d yer friend get so close and then get away from a huntin\u2019 party?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey were children, Hoss. Too young to be considered warriors. Anyway, Gabe wrote the boy appeared to ride the worst horse of the lot and bearing the brunt of the others\u2019 ill-tempers. Well, when the others turned to ride away\u2026 this boy, Gabe said it was the dangedest thing, the boy hefted a stick over his head, holding it as if it were a lance, kicked his horse\u2019s flanks, and charged straight at them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh Lordy\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe ordered the other soldiers he was with to hold their fire, he knows some patrols don\u2019t care if they\u2019re children, but Gabe couldn\u2019t stomach grown men shooting down a child\u2026 Sides, what harm could the boy do with only a stick, though he had a bow slung over his shoulders as well as a quiver with arrows…. The boy was within twenty feet when he halted his horse and forced it to rear up. The boy threw his stick at them and then raced his horse away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like something Joe would a done\u2026\u201d mused Hoss as he remembered some of the shenanigans he and Joe got into while Adam was away at college.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, Gabe\u2019s said he\u2019d wait for me in Mill City and then we\u2019d go back into the Shoshone range\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Joe\u2019s buried next to his Momma, this here boy cain\u2019t be Joe. There\u2019s plenty of children who\u2019ve been taken during Indians raids over the years that have green eyes.\u201d Disbelieving that his brother could actually think this boy was Joe, he continued, \u201cIf the boy were white and could ride away from them others to throw that sick, why\u2019d he ride back to the other Indians? Why didn\u2019t he ride to them soldiers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, maybe he was scared, could be he\u2019s suffered amnesia. Hoss I don\u2019t know. But Gabe said when he got through laughing at the youth\u2019s antics, he thought he saw something carved on the stick, anyway, he picked it up and saw it had a brand whittled onto it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo? Boys carve stuff all the time. I don\u2019t see Indian boys being no different than us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe said it was a pine tree, our brand, the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can he be so sure it was our brand and not just whittlin\u2019?\u201d Seeing the look on his brother\u2019s face, Hoss continued, \u201cAdam\u2026 there\u2019s been Indian uprisin\u2019s out that way. Ya cain\u2019t go,\u201d he pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to. If there\u2019s even the slightest chance that this is Joe\u2026 our Joe. I have to go after him. I have to bring him home, for Pa… for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about bringin\u2019 him home for you?\u201d Hoss asked, he was scared for his brother. Had their grief cost Adam his sanity and he was grasping for any chance that his dead brother could be alive?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know Joe anymore. It\u2019s been seven years\u2026 half his life. It doesn\u2019t matter if he comes home for me\u2026 If this isn\u2019t him, I don\u2019t know how much longer I can stay here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatcha mean by that?\u201d an angered Hoss demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf this isn\u2019t Joe, I\u2019ve been thinking about returning to my Grandfather, to Boston.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, that would plumb kill Pa if ya did that!\u201d exclaimed Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I can\u2019t go on like this. Hoss, for five years I lived like a civilized person, I didn\u2019t have to wear a gun every day of the week. I didn\u2019t have to worry about Indians or outlaws or marauders. I don\u2019t know that I can continue to live here, knowing what this land did to our family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, it ain\u2019t the land, Joe was born of this land.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I know that he died for this land, but my heart says otherwise. Hoss, I haven\u2019t made up my mind. In my dreams I keep seeing Joe walk through the front door\u2026 I\u2019ll keep in touch while I\u2019m gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do I tell Pa when he gets back from Stockton?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll know. God, he\u2019ll know,\u201d Adam shook his head as he mounted Sport.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The ride home was quiet; Hoss knew there was nothing he could do to change the mind of his oldest brother. Whatever his brother had said he was doing, was done. As they rode, Adam\u2019s thoughts were organizing what he would need to take with him and just how he would try to approach this band of Indians and attempt to retrieve his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within a half an hour of arriving home, Adam\u2019s saddle bags were stuffed and a packhorse was loaded with provisions, \u201cWatch over him, Hoss. Pa\u2019s gonna need you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs both of us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo Hoss,\u201d stated Adam as he placed a hand to his larger brother\u2019s shoulder, \u201che needs Joe. If this is Joe, I\u2019ll do my best to bring him home\u2026 You take care.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will. You just watch yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

That night, Hoss sat in his father\u2019s chair and conveyed to Hop Sing why Adam had left and where he was going. He struggled with the idea that if Adam was not successful that he feared he would lose both of his brothers; one to death and the other to Boston.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 13: Meeting with Destiny<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe?\u201d Adam queried as he entered the engineer\u2019s office in Mill City.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man who, with his shirtsleeves rolled up, pushed back his chair hadn\u2019t changed too much in the two years since their graduation; other than his face, forearms, and hands bore a tan, indicative of the days he\u2019d spent in the sun practicing his profession. Back at Harvard many of their friends had teased the two of them as being the epitome of opposites. Even now, their differences we just as stark; the man\u2019s blonde hair was longer and bore a distinct wave as it curled over his collar compared to Adam\u2019s dark hair and shorter cut. And the reddish-blonde mustache made the officer look younger than his actual age versus Adam\u2019s clean shaved face and serious, more mature appearance. As for their height, Adam stood over six feet tall and his friend, Gabe, was only five foot, eight inches tall. But regardless of their differences, they had become fast friends through the probabilities of learning engineering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! You made good time,\u201d Gabe Cunningham stated has he stood and stepped from behind the desk to greet his former college friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you any more news?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSame old Adam, get right down to business\u2026 I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019d probably be the same way if there was the possibility that this was my little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, how have you been?\u201d Adam offered as he removed his hat and extended his hand in greeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave a seat,\u201d Gabe offered. \u201cWe can discuss pleasantries later. As for this tribe\u2026They\u2019re moving around too much. The Colonel sends out a weekly patrol to look for the band of braves, but none have seen the boys. They\u2019ve gotten close to the warriors a few times, but not close enough to stop the raids.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure they\u2019re the ones attacking settlements?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe they are, but it\u2019s only the older braves who probably are roving, the camp itself is comprised of their elderly, women, and youths. We frequently find their camps, but not their braves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your commander\u2019s orders where the camp is concerned?\u201d queried Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are those who say we should destroy the camp because the women will ultimately breed more braves, and the young males grow up to be braves, but our commander agrees with Washington where it comes to women and children. So for the time being, the camp is safe, but if we can\u2019t halt the braves, that policy might change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the past two years, including the Coroner\u2019s Inquest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you keep in touch with Yancy Mayhew after that farce of an inquest?\u201d Gabe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor a little while, but we lost touch.\u201d With regret Adam stated, \u201cI\u2019m sure that his helping us didn\u2019t bode well for his military career.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it didn\u2019t. He, and every other soldier that tried to help, knew what would happen once they provided you with the evidence you needed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hadn\u2019t known the man but for two weeks as he helped guide them home from Yuma, Arizona. It wasn\u2019t until their final night together that Yancy had broached the subject of why they were so far south, and to see if his hunch was right \u2013 were the Cartwrights the men he had heard about who were following McComber\u2019s Marauders, and Major Wheldon.<\/span><\/p>\n

After his father had stormed from their camp, followed by his brother, Adam had a long talk with the soldier and to some extent; his faith that there were good men in the military was restored. Yancy had kept his promise to keep them informed on everything he knew where the Army and the marauders were concerned. Adam was surprised that the officer\u2019s friends, inside and out of the Army, as well as the Church, sent supporting documentation to help the Cartwrights in their fight against the Army and Washington. But, by the end of the Coroner\u2019s Inquest, Adam knew that his youngest brother\u2019s death meant nothing to anyone outside of Virginia City.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did happen?\u201d Adam finally asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYancy got bounced around from one post to another; I heard that he ultimately resigned his commission. The others\u2026 well, they just weren\u2019t worth the trouble for Washington to reprimand. Yancy had clout.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Adam said, \u201cThat\u2019s a shame, he was a good officer; fourth generation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he was; however, I think you\u2019ll be pleased to know that he\u2019s going to law school and is doing quite well. He\u2019s also formed some kind of a watch-dog group to keep an eye on Washington and how they assign officers out here. It\u2019s actually a good thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish the results had been different.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as your brother is concerned, I agree. But with Yancy on the outside, he knows how the Army operates and he\u2019s like a dog on a meat bone when he finds a wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Refilling their drinks, Gabe continued, \u201cI\u2019m sure you heard about Judge Gearity?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, his nomination to the United States Supreme Court made the paper at home. It\u2019s a shame he died after being thrown from his horse,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice held a hint of sarcasm. Not quite sure how his friend would feel about his comment, he\u2019d refrained from saying what he truly wanted to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, such a shame,\u201d Gabe agreed with a gentle shake of his head. \u201cHere\u2019s a toast\u2026 A toast to United States Supreme Court Nominee Judge John Gearity\u2019s horse\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam raised his glass and smiled cheekily, appreciating the fact that Gabe felt the same way he did.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, the conversation turned to the \u2018youthful ambush\u2019 Gabe and his patrol had encountered. Gabe explained how he kept the stick and handed it to Adam for him to see for himself that it was indeed their brand and not just some happenstance carving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their conversation stalled. Adam thought long and hard about what was in his hands. Was he just grasping at anything to avoid the continued heartache? \u2018I know Joe is buried next to his mother back on the Ponderosa\u2026 So what am I doing here?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t seem as happy as I thought you\u2019d be,\u201d Gabe stated, breaking the awkward silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess you could say that. The whole time I was riding here, I was so excited that this would be Joe\u2026 My heart wants it to be,\u201d Adam looked up from the object in his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut your mind, your analytical mind, is telling you that you\u2019re wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cAm I going crazy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no more than I would be if this had happened to my family,\u201d Gabe answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is it so hard for me to accept his death? I have for a year and a half\u2026 why now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d have to tell me\u2026 I can\u2019t imagine walking in your boots.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo years ago, I was eagerly looking forward to returning home. Now\u2026 I\u2019m thinking of returning to my Grandfather\u2019s in Boston.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAhhh\u2026\u201d Gabe shook his head sympathetically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t really want to go back east. Adam, this is your home. Regardless how many years you and your father spent traveling from Boston to get here, no matter how many years you spent at Harvard\u2026\u201d Pointing to the drawing hanging on the wall, a map of the territory of Nevada, \u201cThis is your home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know this is my home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour brain wants to head east, but your heart wants to stay here. So, your heart really wants this to be Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you think this is Joe? Yes, the carving strongly resembles our brand\u2026 It could just be whittling\u2026 \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for you to find out. Adam, I don\u2019t know why I brought that stick back to Mill City nor do I know why it was that once I was in my quarters I thought of your brother. I hadn\u2019t thought of you and your family for a long time. Maybe this is fate intervening\u2026 Hell Adam, you came all this way\u2026 You have to know how long the odds are that this could even be plausible. All I know is that I couldn\u2019t get your little brother\u2019s name out of my head until I had posted that letter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2026\u201d Adam asked, \u201cWhen does the next patrol leave?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow and we have the Colonel\u2019s permission to ride with Majors Hughes\u2019 patrol.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going?\u201d Adam asked in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a courtesy to you, yes. I guess the two skeptics in us will always doubt that this is your brother, but our quixotic side feels otherwise. I\u2019d like to see this through.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Five days had lapsed since Adam Cartwright and Lieutenant Gabe Cunningham joined the patrol that left Mill City in search of the roving band of braves who were continuing to wreak havoc across the territory, and hopefully to find the band of youths on the off chance that Little Joe was one of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they paused to water their horses and to eat a cold supper, they heard the unmistakable sounds of rifle fire as a scout raced his horse back towards the column.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Hughes, we found them!\u201d the man yelled has he hauled on the reins to stop his horse. They\u2019re just over that rise, only they found a wagon train to attack!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With little need to order his men to their horses, still he followed protocol and ordered them to mount. Within minutes the troop was racing across the land.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Coming over the rise, the soldiers made their way to the clusters of boulders that dotted the landscape; handing their mounts off to privates who would try to keep them from bolting or from being captured by the Indians.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam made his way to cover, taking his rifle and grabbing his saddlebags that contained his ammunition. Above the noise of the attack, the major ordered his men to choose their targets carefully and not to waste ammunition.<\/span><\/p>\n

As their targets became aware of the wagon train\u2019s unexpected reinforcements, the Indians changed their tactics in order to avoid the new threat while still taking their vengeance against those who invaded their land.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The battle lasted longer than Adam believed possible; all the while, numerous arrows struck too close to his position and the ricochet of bullets sent chards of rocks against him. Several times during the battle he was forced to relocate to find a position that was easier to defend, offered protection, and allowed him to focus on stopping the Indian attack.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the battle raged beyond the range of his rifle, the eldest Cartwright son pleaded that the Indian boys were back at their settlement and not a part of the slaughter that had swept Adam into its midst. If the boy was his brother, he never wanted him to witness the senseless slaughter of human beings. Knowing he had a duty to perform, Adam left his cover and ran towards another defendable position that was closer to the fight, and began firing his rifle; reloading when the cartridges were spent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright was never a man to count the number of men he killed, but he couldn\u2019t believe the duration of the ambush and what it cost in lives lost. The carnage across the landscape in both man and animal was sickening in both sight and smell.<\/span><\/p>\n

In time, Adam ran out of ammunition for his rifle and reverted to his handgun, requiring him to change positions again as this weapon had a shorter firing range. Carefully Adam fired, not wanting to waste any bullets. With his revolver empty, Adam ducked undercover to reload.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 14 \u2013 Compassion, a Bitter Pill to Swallow<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Long after the last rifle was fired, and the soldiers and settlers had reclaimed their dead, Adam carried an unconscious youth across the land and into the camp that had hastily been set up to tend to the wounded. As he approached he heard shouts of \u2018Kill \u2018em!\u2019, \u2018Murdering heathen!\u2019, \u2018Scalp him and leave him for the buzzards!\u2019 He stoically continued to walk past the civilians, directly to the wagon of the soldiers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you have there?\u201d asked the soldier in command of the detachment, Major Ronald Hughes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s white, and if I\u2019m right\u2026 he\u2019s my brother,\u201d answered Adam as he lay the boy down near the rear of wagon and knelt over the prone figure. Pulling his saddlebags from his shoulder, Adam reached within, pulled out a shirt and began to rip it into strips to use as bandages.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBrother? If he looks like that and was with them\u2026 he\u2019s no longer your brother. Best thing you can do for your family is to kill the boy and never mention this to them,\u201d stated the major.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKill him?!\u201d a shocked Adam asked as he stood lividly to face the officer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s Indian now,\u201d Major Hughes simply explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can\u2019t believe it. I won\u2019t believe it!\u201d Adam stated, glaring at the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook at him!\u201d the major ordered as he pointed to the figure on the ground. \u201cWhat other reason would he have for riding with them? Why else would he be here? He\u2019s Indian!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking back to those final moments of the battle, Adam softly spoke, \u201cHe had a knife\u2026 he held it almost like he was poised to attack me from behind, but when I turned he didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee\u2026 Be done with him son,\u201d Major Hughes sorrowfully suggested as he watched conflict wash over the man\u2019s face. \u201cIt\u2019s for your own good, as well as your family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t\u2026 I won\u2019t! It\u2019s men like you who\u2019re the cause of him being out here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I\u2019m not sure what you\u2019re implying\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was another Army officer who was after a band of marauders, men who had taken my brother when they attacked our home. The officer in charge didn\u2019t care anything about the captives\u2026 He felt it was better for the families involved if they were killed along with their abductors. My brother was just a child when he was taken!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Showing a brief moment of compassion, the Major asked, \u201cHow long has he been missing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo years. He was taken two years ago\u2026, but it\u2019s been seven years since I\u2019ve seen him,\u201d Adam admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re that Adam Cartwright,\u201d Major Hughes finally put the name with the event.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m that Adam Cartwright, though I\u2019m the only Adam Cartwright that I know. And I don\u2019t care what you think you know, my brother was taken when he was only ten years old!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA child that age, he was still impressionable. If he is your brother, he\u2019s Indian.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t believe that!\u201d Adam implored.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeven years is a long time, children change as they grow up\u2026 You can\u2019t be sure that this is your brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe could have killed me, he was so close\u2026 when I turned around\u2026 I reacted\u2026 I fired\u2026\u201d guilt encompassed him as he realized he\u2019d fired his weapon on a child\u2026 a white child\u2026 a child who could be his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPitty your bullet only grazed him,\u201d voiced an approaching soldier wearing sergeant\u2019s stripes on his sleeves, as he spat out a wad of chew that barely missed the unconscious youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam fumed at the sergeant\u2019s actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, regardless\u2026 whether he is or isn\u2019t my brother, I\u2019m asking for your protection\u2026\u201d Adam reached for the commanding officer\u2019s arm. \u201cHis and mine, from those settlers and from the men under your command,\u201d Adam stated, looking the Major dead in the eye. \u201cMy brother is not responsible for the circumstances that brought him here. He was taken, by force, from our home two years ago. I will do everything in my powers to bring my baby brother home to our father. Now, will you or will you not provide a safe haven to two white travelers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can have your safe haven, but you and you alone will tend to that.\u201d The major pointed to the figure on the ground. \u201cI\u2019ll not have any of our dwindling resources spent on it.\u201d The Major felt for the man who had been accompanying his patrol, but\u2026 he wouldn\u2019t acknowledge the figure lying at his feet as human.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it too much to ask for you to show a little compassion to a young boy?!\u201d argued Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCompassion? For an Indian?!\u201d stated one of the civilian leaders of the wagon train who had come to investigate the commotion and to thank the soldiers for their timely arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHE\u2019S WHITE!\u201d Adam shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026\u201d the officer recognized the situation could get out of hand quickly. He knew the name \u2018Cartwright\u2019 was long established and powerful in the territory as proof by the inquest against Major Wheldon a year and a half before. Major Hughes decided to walk a fine line between \u2018doing the right thing\u2019 and following his orders. \u201cIt appears to have been a long time since that \u2018boy\u2019, as you call him, was anything other than Indian. You\u2019ll get your compassion; you\u2019ll get it in the form of a ride in that wagon. If he eats, he\u2019ll eat from your provisions. As for bandages, tear up one of your shirts. That\u2019s the best I can or will do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Major Hughes left him alone as he went to tell his captain to pass the word that Cartwright and the Indian were not to be bothered, or helped, by soldiers or by civilians.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Turning around and kneeling to tend to the injured youth, Adam remembered earlier when the soldiers he had been riding with had come across the wagon train under attack and they joined in the fight. The scene was hectic as the settlers tried to defend their position and lives. He and the soldiers had taken cover behind various groupings of boulders strewn across the land to lend their aid. As the battle progressed, Adam had run out of cartridges for his rifle; he only had the bullets in his handgun and the one box of ammunition that remained from his saddlebags he had pulled from Sport before he ran for cover. Moving closer to the scene to accommodate the shorter range of his revolver, Adam took cover behind another cluster of boulders before he began to return fire, again. He didn\u2019t hear the sound of the Indian approaching until he heard a twig snap. Having just finished reloading, he closed the cylinder of his revolver, spun around and instinctively he pulled the trigger at the body looming over him and immediately regretted his actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sun glinted off the blade of the knife the young boy carried, but that wasn\u2019t what Adam noticed. Quelling the moment\u2019s panic over the Indian\u2019s proximity, he became aware of the bright green eyes and what he thought was a look of surprise on the young face that was so young. The tanned complexion contorted into a grimace as the boy mouthed something before he collapsed to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The eldest Cartwright son cradled the boy in his arms as they sat near the fire. The cool temperatures of the night time desert caused the boy\u2019s body to shiver. Adam had wrapped the adolescent in a blanket in an effort to help keep him warm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Gabe Cunningham quietly called as he approached the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe,\u201d Adam acknowledged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs he your brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I remember he looked like, yes. But\u2026 I won\u2019t know for sure until he wakes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s some coffee.\u201d Gabe handed Adam the second cup he carried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t Hughes be upset about you wasting the Army\u2019s supplies on us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is from my own stash. I can\u2019t stomach the brew they make, it\u2019s only fit for use as wheel grease,\u201d Gabe said as he sat down. \u201cThey\u2019ll finish burying the dead before morning and you need to be ready to head out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I overheard the major.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning his attention to the boy who laid in Adam\u2019s lap, Gabe suggested, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you see if he\u2019ll swallow something. Getting him warm from the inside will help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s unconscious,\u201d Adam stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust see if he can swallow; even when someone\u2019s unconscious they can still swallow. That\u2019ll prove his head wound isn\u2019t too serious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam placed the cup to the boy\u2019s lips and tilted it up with one hand, while he used his other hand to open the boy\u2019s mouth. A few moments later the boy swallowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot a lot at one time, just little sips,\u201d Gabe stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Gabe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The lieutenant watched the interaction of his former college friend and the youth he believed to be his brother. He remembered the stories Adam had told of helping to raise both his siblings, especially after his second step-mother had been tragically killed in a riding accident. The man before him had recounted how at seventeen he had been thrust into the role of decision maker on the Ponderosa when their father had disappeared for several months. As the teen had struggled with some of the newer hands to accept him as their boss, he also assumed the role as a father figure for the young child who didn\u2019t understand the concept of death or why his father had left. Gabe wondered what nightmares would be in store for his friend to deal with once they returned home; as had been the case in the brother\u2019s feeling of abandonment by his mother and his father. The letters Adam read from home were typical of a young child, but still\u2026 The officer wondered if the brother would harbor resentment that Adam had also left him to pursue his dream of education, if the boy remembered him at all. He almost wished he had followed his father\u2019s footsteps into medicine instead of becoming an engineer; the two before him would prove an interesting case study. He wondered what his father would think upon examining how people react to various stimuli or situations in order to help the patient understand the reasons for what they felt or how they behaved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focusing his attention back to his friend, Gabe knew that if this was Adam\u2019s brother, and until the boy was restored to his family, Adam wouldn\u2019t allocate the time to see to his own proper care; all his energies would be devoted to his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

In time, Adam settled the boy back to his lap and Gabe chose then to speak, \u201cNow that he\u2019s taken care of, you might want to get one of our corpsmen to take a look at your face.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy face?\u201d Adam brought a hand to his face, \u201cOh, I see what you mean.” He saw the thickened blood on the tips of his fingers where fragments of rock from the bullets ricocheting had marred his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d best get it cleaned up to prevent any infection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you keep an eye on Joe while I wash up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind, as long as you\u2019ll promise to take care of your own needs\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine, I need to tend to Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you need to see that you eat properly, that you give into the sleep that\u2019s drawing on your reserves, and tend to your own injuries. It won\u2019t do you or the boy any good if you collapse from sickness or exhaustion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that. Thanks for caring.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want you to take what I\u2019m about to say the wrong way, but\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust say it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know my father is a physician.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember\u2026 But he\u2019s several thousand miles away and can\u2019t help Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he can\u2019t help Joe, but he can help you\u2026 in a fashion. Don\u2019t let your feelings fester. It\u2019s going to be difficult to assimilate the boy back into your lives, if he is your brother\u2026 You need to find a confidant\u2026 someone you trust who you can talk to, to let off steam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you won\u2019t. You keep everything closed inside\u2026 I saw it when you talked of your family when we were at Harvard. Everything was easygoing, but I know some of the situations were grimmer than you stated. Find someone you can talk to, otherwise you\u2019re going to blow like that steam engine we built as second year students\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember, we didn\u2019t allow a large enough opening for the release of pressure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it, big guy. If you keep your feelings bottled up inside, I do believe this is the situation to cause you to explode.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As he kept his promise to take care of himself, Adam realized he was injured worse than he first thought. He\u2019d gone to remove his shirt to wash up and found that his shirt stuck to the upper part of his arm; he\u2019d been grazed by a bullet just below his shoulder and didn\u2019t know it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using soap and water, he cleaned his face and washed his upper body and arms. Before redressing, he treated the cuts on his face and the bullet wound with some herbs that Hop Sing always insisted they carry in their saddle bags.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The sun of their first dawn together rose at their backs. The distant range of hills they were traveling towards shone with the dull colors of bare ground and rocks, as well as the hues of lush grass inter-mixed with the greens of pine and spruce trees. The man\u2019s body was jarred sideways by the motion of the wagon passing over the rock-strewn and rutted ground. The canvas cover flapped open shining the morning sun on the figure in his lap, highlighting the abuse he had suffered over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam knew the soldiers and the settlers were angry with him for doing something \u2018Christian\u2019 for someone they considered worse than a heathen\u2026 lower than an animal. But, if for only his father\u2019s sake, he was going to do his best to bring his brother home. He didn’t know how, he only knew this was his youngest brother. It wasn’t that he blindly wished the youth to be someone he wasn’t, but that deep in his heart he knew the youth in his arms could only be Joseph Francis Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa will be thrilled to see you, to hug you. And don\u2019t forget Hoss, if he can get you away from Pa, he\u2019s liable to hug you and never let you go,\u201d Adam whispered as he held the boy tight. \u201cYou need to wake up, Joe? How did you get here? What happened two years ago?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After several days of travel, word traveled back through the line of travelers that they would not be stopping for a mid-day meal; only a brief stop would be allowed when they came to a stream some miles still ahead. The stop would be long enough to refill their canteens, water barrels, and to allow the horses to drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The patrol had stopped, allowing Adam to climb from the back of the wagon carrying two canteens and leading Sport and his packhorse. As he stood at the stream, he heard a woman scream. Running, he stopped short when he saw several men struggling on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet off!\u201d Adam ordered as he pulled the two men from the boy. \u201cHow dare you attack a defenseless child?\u201d Through his heightened emotions, Adam had thrown one of the men a good fifteen feet from where he stood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t gonna let no murderous Injun attack my family!\u201d the closer man hollered back as he went to draw his weapon from the holster at his hip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the man could complete his draw, Adam\u2019s gun was in his hand, unwaveringly pointed at the man\u2019s head, the hammer pulled back and Adam\u2019s finger on the trigger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTry it,\u201d Adam growled, his eyes were cold and hard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?!\u201d demanded Major Hughes having heard the commotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat Injun\u2019s tryin\u2019 ta get away,\u201d one of the attackers called out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not trying to get away,\u201d Adam stated as he returned his gun to his holster and went to kneel next to the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were supposed to keep an eye on him Cartwright!\u201d Hughes stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was still unconscious when I left him to go get some water. May I remind you that you yourself said I was autonomous and was not to expect any help from your command?\u201d Adam didn\u2019t look up from his brother as he spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

After ordering the civilians to return to their wagons, Hughes inquired, \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d feel better if you\u2019d allow your corpsman to examine him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor God\u2019s sake! He\u2019s a white child! He\u2019s not even thirteen years old!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband was a doctor\u2026 It\u2019s been years since he\u2019s practiced\u2026\u201d came the voice of an elderly woman as she made her way through the crowd. \u201cI didn\u2019t know the Indian was a child.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not an Indian ma\u2019am, he\u2019s my brother,\u201d Adam declared, his eyes dared the major to contradict him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get my husband,\u201d the woman offered as she turned away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe ride in five minutes,\u201d Major Hughes declared. \u201cAs I said for everyone else, go back to your wagons!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With that, the others returned to their wagons, leaving Adam alone with his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, if the doctor and his wife have room in their wagon, it might be best for you and the boy to ride with them. Hughes ain\u2019t gonna give you any extra consideration or wait for the doc to look him over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t expect him too. Would you get my horses from the stream?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, and then I\u2019ll wait with you until the doctor\u2019s wagon gets here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGabe, he is my brother,\u201d Adam stated as he looked to his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so, Adam. I surely hope his is who you think he is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The Doctor Aubrey Abrams\u2019 wagon slowly fell back in line at the end of the column; having pushed the boy\u2019s brother to pick up the reins to the team, bartering examining his patient in exchange for a driver.<\/span><\/p>\n

The elderly physician saw Adam\u2019s glance at his hands, \u201cThey can still handle a team, and as long as surgery isn\u2019t required, they can still perform an examination.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Alice Abrams pulled the cover over the youth\u2019s shoulders as she settled back and listened to her husband explain his findings to the man driving their wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very malnourished, has several broken ribs that are probably a few weeks shy of being fully healed. Too many bruises and contusions; as far as the gunshot wound\u2026 he\u2019s probably suffered a pretty good concussion. I\u2019ll have Alice cook up some broth to feed him when we stop for the night, but he stays in this wagon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t want him anywhere else\u2026 other than home,\u201d Adam answered as he looked over his shoulder to the form sleeping under the blanket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t one of those soldiers a friend of yours?\u201d Alice inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Gabe Cunningham, but he\u2019s on special assignment out here as an engineer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s an engineer doing out here on patrol?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe saw Joe, that\u2019s my brother\u2019s name, some time back with a band of Indian boys and sent me a letter. It\u2019s only as a special favor to me that the colonel allowed him to come with us,\u201d replied Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has your brother been missing?\u201d Aubrey asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI pray that he\u2019ll be the brother you remember,\u201d Alice offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor my father\u2019s sake, I hope he remembers enough to be able to come back from this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf he was raised anything like you probably were, he\u2019ll come back. You\u2019ve a strong sense of family in you, son,\u201d Aubrey stated as he looked to his wife.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It took longer than their original outward trip, but the patrol finally saw the wagon train through to Mill City before they headed back to look for the renegades who were still wreaking havoc on the white men who traversed and settled the land. Major Hughes received a report that several more homesteads had been ambushed as they escorted the wagon train to town. In the most recent raids, only livestock had been taken and the settlers had been able to defend themselves and their homes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adam Cartwright steered the team of horses pulling the wagon to the doctor\u2019s office in Mill City, having followed Lieutenant Gabe Cunningham to the location.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to report back to the colonel, Adam. I hope everything turns out alright for you\u2026 and your family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Extending his hand to his friend, Adam replied, \u201cGabe, thank you for everything. Thank you for remembering about Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, the only reason I remembered was seeing that stick; even then it took me a while to remember why that whittling was important. Good luck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The lieutenant rode his horse away from the covered wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adam nodded as his friend rode off. He climbed over the seat and dropped into the back of the wagon. After bundling the youth into his arms, Adam stepped into the doctor\u2019s office carrying the boy he knew to be his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Half an hour later he listened as the two doctors conferred, Doctor Willem Benedict greeted Adam and asked to hear the full story surrounding the boy\u2019s situation. The physician listened to the story in full, from abduction to rescue, with a lot in between missing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the marauders abducted him\u2026 how did he end up with the Indians?\u201d Doctor Benedict asked as Adam\u2019s story concluded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur brother Hoss asked that same question. I have no idea, other than the fact that some of the marauders who struck the Ponderosa were Indian, but from everything we learned while we were trailing them\u2026 they were heading for Mexico.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s neither here nor there, for now. What matters is the boy is with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he? Will he be okay?\u201d Adam inquired with nervousness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I agree with the assessment made by Doctor Abrams. The boy needs at least a week\u2019s worth of rest and several months\u2019 worth of nourishing food.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s he still unconscious?\u201d Adam queried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not unconscious; his body needs the rest. Believe me; he\u2019s only sleeping at this time. He\u2019ll probably wake some time later tonight or tomorrow morning. In addition to the visible wounds, the healing ribs, and the concussion, he\u2019s suffering from exhaustion\u2026 The body can only take so much before it shuts down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Benedict\u2026 he\u2019s not dying?\u201d gasped Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Adam, call me Willem. No, he\u2019s not dying; he just has very little left in reserves to be awake. I\u2019ve seen other white children after being taken by Indians\u2026 Regardless of how your brother came to be with them, his life has not been easy. White children are the lowest of the lows, he\u2019s had to fight for any scrap of food he\u2019s ever ate and as evident by the clothes, they\u2019re discards, I wouldn\u2019t even consider them hand-me downs. The fact that they are so worn, they\u2019re not fit to be worn by someone of pure blood, or even a half-blood; and the Indians loath half-breeds, so I hope you\u2019ll understand some of what this boy has gone through. No one has been looking out for that boy for a long time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care about that\u2026 not now,\u201d Adam stated as the familiar feeling of guilt gnawed at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better. If he is your brother as you believe, forcing him to forget the past two years will be the worst thing you can do for him. He has to come to grips with the fact that he was taken through no fault of his own. He\u2019s been deprived of his family and from love. When he wakes, let him talk, let him get it out of his system, but don\u2019t pressure him. Most importantly, show him an unconditional love. Don\u2019t put strings on your love that he has to be white; he might retain some of his Indian habits for a long time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I spend the night with him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, but first, I think even in his present state, he warrants a proper bath. I\u2019ll ask my wife to fill the tub with hot water and we can bathe him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s been a long time since I bathed Joe\u2026 Maybe it will bring back some good memories,\u2019 Adam thought to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Half an hour later, with the filthy and tattered pants tossed into the fire, a clean and still sleeping boy was carried into an upstairs bedroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can ask my wife to bring one of my shirts in to act as a nightshirt for the boy\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can worry about that later,\u201d Adam stated as he finished tucking the boy into bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll inform my wife you\u2019ll be joining us for supper and for breakfast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary,\u201d Adam added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, as our guest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A full moon shone outside the window in front of which Adam sat in an overstuffed chair. He gazed upon the features of the youth sleeping in the bed and imagined the boy as the soon to be six-year old he remembered.<\/span><\/p>\n

The clock downstairs stuck one o\u2019clock and seemed to rouse the boy from his slumber.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam watched as the boy stretched and attempted to snuggle deeper under the covers. Slowly the boys eyes fluttered opened and closed several times before they stayed open and scanned the room, coming to rest on the man who sat in the chair. Showing little fear, the boy attempted to sit up, but in his weakened condition he fell back to the surface.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, I mean you no harm,\u201d Adam stated, making no movement that would frighten the boy. He slowly turned up the lantern on the table next to his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy looked at him, raising the blanket to just below his chin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you hungry?\u201d Adam asked. Seeing the look of confusion upon the boy\u2019s face he made the motion of eating, cupping one hand and then lifting his other hand from the \u2018bowl\u2019 to his mouth. The boy nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam returned to the room with a bowl of chicken stock broth and held it out to the boy. Slowly the boy lowered the blanket and reached for the bowl. Warily, he watched the man while he drank; a few minutes later he handed the bowl back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Adam,\u201d he offered as he took the bowl and set it on the night stand. \u201cDo you want more?\u201d Again Adam made the movements of eating. The boy shook his head. \u201cProbably for the best, wouldn\u2019t want to overstuff you. Might make you sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy pulled the blanket up to his chin again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you cold?\u201d Adam asked, he pointed to the boy then made his body shiver to convey his question. The boy nodded. After retrieving another blanket, Adam laid it over the boy before sitting down on the edge of the bed; the boy cagily moved away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to hurt you. You\u2019re safe here. Do you have a name?\u201d Adam pointed towards himself and said his name, then he pointed to the boy and raised his eyebrows in question and said, \u201cYou?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy turned within himself, trying to recall the words the man spoke. \u201cFight\u2026\u201d the boy dropped the blanket and raised his balled hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFight Fists?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFigh-y\u2026 Fists,\u201d the boy hesitantly answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFighting Fists.\u201d The boy nodded. \u201cDo you have a white man\u2019s name?\u201d Adam inquired and grew despondent when the boy tilted his head sideways and gave him a blank look. Adam looked around the room, stood, and walked over to retrieve a sheet of paper and pencil from the desk in the corner. He quickly sketched on the piece of paper. He held the page to the boy and asked, \u201cDo you know this sign?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s eyes widened as he reached for the paper, and took it in his hands as if it were the most precious possession he owned. \u201cOme,\u201d the boy said. \u201cOme ah oss a-um ah-ing,\u201d he continued to repeat and became agitated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry; I don\u2019t understand what you\u2019re saying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOme, ah oss a-um ah-ing,\u201d the boy repeated, and pointed at the drawing. The boy grabbed the pencil from Adam and drew another pine tree next to the one drawn by Adam, and then drew five stick figures. When he finished he said, \u201cOme,\u201d as he pointed to the pine tree. \u201cAh,\u201d as he pointed to the first figure, followed by A-um and Oss as he pointed to the two middle figures, and then he said \u201cO\u201d as he pointed to the smallest figure and then pointed to himself. To the final figure he said, \u201cAh-ing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam startled in realization and breathed deep in an effort to slow his racing heart, he knew what the boy was trying to tell him. The boy was confirming everything that Adam already knew. He held one side of the paper and pointed to each character in return and slowly pronounced, \u2018Home, Pa, Adam, Hoss, Little Joe, and Hop Sing.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA-um,\u201d the boy questioned as he pointed towards Adam, his expression indicating his curiosity as he then pointed back to the stick figure he\u2019d identified as A-um.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m Adam. I\u2019m your oldest brother, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAd-am,\u201d the boy stated and smiled in response to Adam\u2019s smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLi-tel Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Little Joe. I think you\u2019ve had enough talk for one night. Why don\u2019t you snuggle back under the covers and get some more sleep.\u201d Adam so much wanted to pull the boy into a hug and never let him go, but he knew it might be too soon. So instead, he pulled the cover over Joe\u2019s shoulders before walking over to turn down the lamp in the room. Five minutes passed before the boy\u2019s breathing evened out, indicating he was asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam returned to the chair, anxious for the morning sun to rise and for the town to come alive; he wanted to send a wire home as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Through the window, the morning sun shining on Adam\u2019s face combined with the smell of sausage frying woke him. At first he moved quickly to sit up and then he regretted his hasty movement, feeling the stiffness in this back and the crick in his neck from falling asleep in the chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

The door opened to admit the doctor, \u201cHow\u2019s our patient?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubbing his neck, Adam answered, \u201cHe woke during the night and I was able to offer him a bowl of broth. He drank it all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say anything?\u201d Willem asked as he stepped to the nightstand and saw the sheet of paper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we had some \u2018meaningful\u2019 dialog around one o\u2019clock. Through this drawing I was able to determine he recognized our brand, the pine tree. He called The Ponderosa home, and then he drew Pa, me, Hoss, himself, and Hop Sing, our cook and housekeeper. He asked if I was Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d the physician admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019ll wake up again, soon?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cI\u2019d like to get him to eat some more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think he already is,\u201d Willem smiled as the figure beneath the covers started moving, first a dark, curly-haired head was visible and then two arms as he threw off the covers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you this morning Joe. Are you hungry?\u201d Adam asked as he rubbed his hand in a circle over his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUngee,\u201d Joe said and nodded his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe word is hungry,\u201d Adam corrected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUngry,\u201d Joe replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, it seems we need to work on the pronunciation of your H\u2019s, but for the time being, if you\u2019re \u2018ungry\u2019, we best get you fed.\u201d Adam joked before turning to the doctor and asking, \u201cWhat food will he be able to eat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think scrambled eggs will be easy enough on his stomach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWillem?\u201d called a female voice from the hallway. \u201cIs the boy awake?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Lorelei, the boy is awake and \u2018ungry\u2019,\u201d Doc smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy scrambled to grab the blankets to cover himself as the woman entered the room; he hadn\u2019t paid attention that he\u2019d been stripped down after his arrival at the clinic and bathed before being taken upstairs and put to bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think these clothes should fit him,\u201d Lorelei stated as she set the garments on the chair. \u201cMarilee Smoller brought them over last night, said her son had outgrown the clothes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ll thank Mrs. Smoller for us,\u201d Adam stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, she\u2019s not a misses, she\u2019s one of the girls from the saloon; Willem takes care of all the ladies and their children. Imagine..\u201d Lorelei tisked, \u201ca woman the rest of the town snubs their noses at is the only one who shows any compassion for this child\u2019s plight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRegardless, will you thank her for me?\u201d Adam walked over to his coat hanging on the back of the door, reached into an inside pocket and pulled out his wallet. \u201cIf you\u2019ll give this to her.\u201d He held out several bills, knowing how difficult it was for a saloon girl to work and raise a child.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMarilee will appreciate this, but believe me, she didn\u2019t do this in the hopes of getting money from you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know she didn\u2019t,\u201d replied Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see that she gets this,\u201d Lorelei stated and left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll leave you to help your brother to get dressed, we\u2019ll see you downstairs.\u201d Doctor Willem Benedict left the room and closed the door behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joe, let\u2019s see about getting you dressed. First, put these on,\u201d Adam tossed over a pair of long john bottoms that had been cut off at the knees. Seeing his brother\u2019s expression, Adam stated, \u201cYou put those on and then we\u2019ll get you dressed in pants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at both sides of the article of clothing, Joe looked to his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPut them on, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOw?\u201d the boy asked trying to remember his language from before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe word is \u2018how\u2019. Here, this is the front side and this is the back side,\u201d Adam stated as he held the bottoms to his brother\u2019s feet and then indicated for the boy to pull them up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next he tossed over a pair of pants that once pulled up were a little too long in the leg and a little too big around the waist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s a belt to help keep your pants up, but first, let\u2019s get you in this shirt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once his brother was dressed, Adam reached for the raw-hide moccasin boots that they had not thrown away the night before.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he leaned over in front of his brother he was surprised for feel Joe\u2019s hand upon his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cItky\u2026\u201d Joe stated as he rubbed his hand over his face, \u201cooth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing straight, he saw his reflection in the mirror, \u201cGuess I should take care of my needs next.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy face is itchy,\u201d Adam stated as he ran his fingertips over the stubbles of his beard. Next he ran his fingers over his brother\u2019s face, \u201cYour face is smooth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt-chee\u2026 Sm\u2026smooth,\u201d Joe imitated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Joe,\u201d Adam encouraged as he proceeded to prepared to shave his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe slowly walked over and stood a few feet away from his brother, who stood in front of the shaving stand and mirror. The boy watched, wide eyed, as the water in the bowl turned to lather and then Adam applied the lather to his face. Joe hurriedly reached for Adam\u2019s hand as he lifted a blade to his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh-uh,\u201d Joe voiced; his eyes wide with fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay Joe. I\u2019m just shaving.\u201d Adam gently removed Joe\u2019s hand from his arm and then slowly applied the razor blade along his face. When finished, Adam wiped the streaks of shaving cr\u00e8me from his face and said, \u201cFinished.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe ran his hand along Adam\u2019s cheeks and said, \u201cFished.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, fi-nished, means I\u2019m done shaving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSmooth,\u201d Joe stated. He rubbed his hands across his own, smooth face, \u201cFi-nished?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be old enough to shave for a few years, yet,\u201d teased Adam as he folded the razor blade into the handle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinished,\u201d repeated Joe more confidently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at his brother dressed in clothes too large made Adam realize just how young his brother was. Adam smiled, \u201cWe\u2019ll shop for proper fitting clothes and boots later this morning. But first things first,\u201d Adam laughed as Joe grabbed at his belly and frowned as his stomach grumbled, \u201cLet\u2019s get you downstairs and fed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With his hand on his youngest brother\u2019s shoulder, the two made their way out the bedroom door; Joe hesitated, peering out the doorway, seeing no one else, he stepped into the hallway. With Adam\u2019s guidance he made it down the stairs and into the kitchen area where the doctor and his wife were waiting for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome, Joe,\u201d Willem stated as he pointed to a chair for Joe to sit upon. \u201cLorelei has fixed you a breakfast I think will be easy on your stomach and yet will fill you up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Lorelei Benedict set the bowls and platters of food upon the table, Joe watched the others around him as he tried to figure out what to do with the metal things next to the plate in front of him on the table. He vaguely remembered the items and picked up the one with the prongs in his left hand. Having been so long since using them; he gave a valiant attempt as he struggled to get his food from the plate to his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam noticed, but paid no attention of the boy\u2019s struggle, not wanting to embarrass him. He continued to eat his own breakfast and refill his cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWillem, what time does the telegraph office open? I\u2019d like to send a wire home\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShould open around nine o\u2019clock,\u201d answered Willem.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe stores generally open around the same time, too,\u201d Lorelei stated. \u201cYou\u2019ll need proper fitting clothes for the boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Joe stated and smiled as he realized the adults were talking about him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you, Joe,\u201d Adam smiled as the boy lifted the plate in an effort to ask for more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do declare, maybe you had better wait to purchase the clothes\u2026 at the rate he\u2019s eating, he\u2019s going to outgrow any clothes you buy him today,\u201d laughed Lorelei as she spooned more eggs upon the boy\u2019s plate. \u201cAre you hungry?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cH\u2026 Hungry,\u201d Joe stated as he used his thumb to push more eggs onto the fork and finally into his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot much longer, Joe,\u201d teased Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe had his fill, Willem stated he wanted to examine his patient one more time before he allowed the brothers to set out on their adventure in Mill City.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

With instructions to \u2018take it easy\u2019 and to keep an eye out on the boy in case he became the least bit dizzy, Adam set out with Joe; their first stop, the telegraph office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to send a wire to Virginia City, Nevada, if the lines are up,\u201d Adam stated after greeting the telegrapher.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure are, ain\u2019t had any trouble since they rebuilt them after that fire a few years back. Just write out what you wanta send.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright<\/span>
\n Ponderosa Ranch<\/span>
\n Virginia City, Nevada<\/span><\/p>\n

Will be home within a week \/stop<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

\u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d Adam halted upon hearing his name called. \u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a few brown-paper packages in their arms, the Cartwright brothers waited as a woman approached them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, my name is Marilee Smoller, and I\u2019d like to thank you for the money Mrs. Benedict said you gave to me. It\u2019s much too much.\u201d The woman reached for her reticule.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked upon the woman and prevented her from opening her handbag. He found her quite attractive, and his own curiosity aroused as to what would have driven her into this line of employment, but he knew manners forbid such questioning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, what I gave to Lorelei to give to you, I would have given to anyone who helped me when it comes to caring for my little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThough from what I\u2019ve heard, not too many people other than the Benedicts have shown the least bit of compassion for your brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll because of circumstances beyond his control,\u201d Adam vented in disgust, he moved his hand to rest it upon his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople fear that which they do not know\u2026 The people in this town are no different.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just this town\u2026 or the west, I\u2019ve witnessed similar in Boston.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo not judge the people; it will only take you down to their level. Mr. Cartwright, I did not expect you to be so gracious when I offered my boy\u2019s clothes.\u201d Blushing slightly, Marilee continued, \u201cI won\u2019t belittle your generosity by trying to return the money. I just wanted you to know that\u2026 I thank you for understanding\u2026 and accepting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cThank you for understanding and accepting.\u201d Adam looked to Joe as he spoke, then looked up and tipped his hat as Marilee Smoller nodded, walked past him, and into the saloon.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 15: The Homecoming<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Toby transcribed the taps and clicks coming across the wire. When finished, he jumped up and ran out the door, hollering, \u201cHOSS CARTWRIGHT!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss turned at hearing his name, searched the people milling along the boardwalk before spotting the telegrapher running towards him, waiving a sheet of paper over his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, this just came in\u2026 It\u2019s from Adam!\u201d the man stated breathlessly as he stopped in front of the big man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss read the missive, \u201cThat\u2019s all, \u2018be home within a week\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all, Hoss. I thought you and your Pa would be happy to know he\u2019s coming home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s only gonna be happy if he decides to stay,\u2019 Hoss mumbled to himself. \u201cUh\u2026 thanks Toby. I\u2019ll get this to Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The telegrapher watched Ben Cartwright\u2019s middle son walk down the boardwalk and slowly climb upon the seat of the wagon loaded with bags of grain and stacked with lumber, rein slapped the team of horses, and proceeded out of town. He shrugged his shoulders and returned to his office.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cBeen gone over a month, no word, no nothin\u2019. And all he says is \u2018be home in a week\u2019. Well, it\u2019s nice to know he\u2019s alive but once he\u2019s home, he\u2019s gonna rue the fact that he left without any word other than \u2018be home in a week\u2019. Well, I\u2019ll let Pa deal with him, but first mornin\u2019, he\u2019s gonna start doin\u2019 all them chores he left for me ta do. By the time I get done with him he\u2019s ain\u2019t gonna have the strength to go back ta Boston,\u201d ranted Hoss as he drove the wagon home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The wagon halted in front of the barn without any input from the middle Cartwright son who sat unmoving upon the seat, not hearing his father\u2019s words as the man came from the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u201d, Ben called again. \u201cWhat is it son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? I\u2019m sorry\u2026 I didn\u2019t hear ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSon, did something happen in town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we got word from Adam\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben watched as Hoss pulled the slip of paper containing the message and handed it to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe home within a week? What\u2019s that supposed to mean? You never said where he went\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026 He said you\u2019d know and I\u2026 I just couldn\u2019t\u2026\u201d Hoss evaded answering while he stepped down from the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t what\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go inside.\u201d Once they were inside and Ben sitting in his leather chair, Hoss continued, \u201cYou thought he was going after that lumber contract in Salt Lake, but the truth\u2026 shucks Pa\u2026 He said he never believed that was Joe we buried next to Ma.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d Ben startled at the revelation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that he knew Joe was killed by the Army when they was after those marauders, but his heart wouldn\u2019t believe it. He hired men to continue looking, Pinks, bounty hunters, anyone who would have a chance to find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey won\u2019t find him\u2026 He\u2019s buried next to his mother!\u201d shouted Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam got a letter from a friend who\u2019s in the Army. Said he\u2019d seen a green-eyed, white boy and\u2026 the boy had carved our brand on a stick. Adam believed this boy was Joe and went to find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNO! Joe is dead! I won\u2019t go through this again!\u201d Ben\u2019s heart grew heavy with the memory of the death of the son he considered his baby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? But what if it is Joe? What if Adam found him?\u201d Hoss pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA father would know\u2026 I would know if my son were still alive!\u201d argued Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa\u2026 you\u2019re still grievin\u2019. Maybe your grievin\u2019 ain\u2019t lettin\u2019 you feel the truth,\u201d suggested Hoss. \u201cMaybe my grievin\u2019 ain\u2019t let me feel the truth, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding dawned on both Cartwrights as they agreed to wait and see; and because Adam didn\u2019t mention Joe in his wire leant them to believe the fact that he was coming home alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cAdam, you\u2019ll need to take it slow with Joe. He\u2019s not up to this long of a ride,\u201d Willem Benedict stated. \u201cHe\u2019ll need plenty of time to rest during the day as well as a good bed to sleep in at night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t promise a bed every night, but when I can, he\u2019ll sleep in a bed. Willem, Lorelei, thank you for all you\u2019ve done for Joe,\u201d Adam sincerely stated as he stood in front of their home and bid them goodbye.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll let us know when you get home? And keep us informed on how he\u2019s doing?\u201d Lorelei asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will.\u201d Turning to his brother, he said, \u201cYou ready to ride?\u201d Adam patted the seat of the saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring Adam\u2019s offer of help, Joe grabbed the saddle horn and swung himself into the saddle, which caused Adam to raise his eyebrows. \u201cDoc said to go slowly, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS-low-ly,\u201d Joe repeated and nodded as he fidgeted to place his feet in the stirrups.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe looks good upon that pinto you bought from Fred Younger, won\u2019t you reconsider riding home. I\u2019d prefer it if you would take the stage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can ride at a walk and even a slow lope would be easier than a stage.\u201d Seeing the concern on the doctor\u2019s face, Adam added, \u201cWhen was the last time you rode a stage? I\u2019d prefer not to spend hours being jostled and bounced around in a stage and only stopping when the driver reaches a way station. Besides, I don\u2019t want to expose Joe to people who wouldn\u2019t understand what he\u2019s been through and they\u2019re bound to ask when they see how he might behave and hears that he doesn\u2019t have that great of a grasp on the English language.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to explain anything to them\u2026\u201d Lorelei pleaded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is for the best. I want some one on one time with Joe. I purchased some school books and I hope to help him be able to better communicate with Pa by the time we get home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, I wish you well,\u201d Willem accepted the fact that he couldn\u2019t change the older brother\u2019s intentions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam mounted his horse and took the lead line to the packhorse from their new friend, nodded, and kneed it horse to move. Joe twisted around to look backwards from the saddle and imitated the doctor and his wife as they waved goodbye.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Long before the sun set on their first night alone, the brothers made camp. As Adam took care of the horses, Joe scrambled around picking up twigs and broken limbs to make a fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?!\u201d hollered Adam as he returned to the empty camp, and then felt relief as the boy came through the woods with an armload of firewood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did good, buddy.\u201d Adam smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

After cooking a simple meal, eating, and cleaning up. Adam motioned for Joe to come over to him. As his brother sat down, Adam pulled a book from his saddlebags.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle brother, I know it\u2019s been a while since you\u2019ve been to school, but I think we should re-introduce you to learning so you can understand what we\u2019re saying, or at least making it so you can speak so that we can understand what you\u2019re trying to say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam spent an hour instructing Joe from one of several school books he had purchased while in Mill City. Each morning, every time they stopped during the day, and of an evening, Adam worked with his youngest brother to help him relearn what he had forgotten.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ten days had lapsed since the brothers had left Mill City when they rode into Virginia City as the town was just coming to life for the morning. Adam had given up on working with Joe in reading from one of the books, considering the temper tantrum the boy had thrown the night before. Adam knew the boy was trying and regretted pushing his brother so hard, so he decided to forgo any lesson. He just wanted to get the boy to Doctor Martin; as neither of them had slept during the night, they broke camp several hours before dawn and rode.<\/span><\/p>\n

They halted in front of a house with a white picket fence as a man exited the home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Martin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man hesitated and looked hard to recognize the man under the growth of whiskers. \u201cAdam? Adam Cartwright? Where\u2019ve you been son?\u201d Paul stepped sideways, seeing a young boy sitting upon the horse behind Adam. \u201cWho do you have there? Who\u2019s your shadow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, I\u2019ve brought Joe home. Do you have a few minutes to examine him before I take him to Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, uh\u2026 Why don\u2019t you come inside? No sense letting the folks of Virginia City gape at the two of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once inside, Paul ushered the Cartwrights into the kitchen before he pushed Adam to another room, where he suggested the man head out to clean up for the morning, \u201cYou could use a bath and a shave, why don\u2019t you go to the barber shop.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you didn\u2019t want the town gaping as us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll only see that you\u2019ve returned. Once you\u2019re back to being yourself, you come back here and I\u2019ll let you know what I find.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, Joe\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be okay with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know he will, but how will he react to my not being here?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cHe\u2019s been out there, without us, for two years. He\u2019s been living with a band of Indians, if you can call it living. He\u2019s been neglected, abused\u2026\u201d Adam proceeded to inform Paul of how he had found Joe and the diagnosis from the two previous physicians they had encountered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul answered, \u201cEven before Joe disappeared, it was always difficult to get him to eat. He always looked half starved.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut now it\u2019s worse, because he has been half starved. He did good eating while coming home, but he still could use more weight on his body.\u201d Admitted Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t expect to erase several years of malnutrition in a week, it will take months\u2026 But I\u2019ll leave that to Hop Sing. Well, let\u2019s see how he is, shall we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul led Adam back into the kitchen where Joe had helped himself to a small plate of cookies. The two men stopped in the entryway and stared at the boy, crumbs around his mouth and on his shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you enjoy the cookies?\u201d laughed Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was hungry,\u201d Joe slowly spoke, hoping that he had pronounced the words correctly. He knew he had been in the wrong the night before, but he couldn\u2019t help himself when it came to taking out his frustrations on his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would say you were, little buddy,\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cDid you leave any for Doctor Martin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe presented the plate which he had hidden behind his back as he nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like some milk to go with the rest of those?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded again, and the three sat down at the table and finished off the plate of cookies, with Joe drinking milk while Adam and Paul drank coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe do you remember me?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor,\u201d Joe answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am a doctor, but do you remember me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked to Adam, not knowing how to answer the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, think back, before you were with the Indians and before you were taken from home, do you remember Doctor Martin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head no, \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to be sorry. It might be a good thing since you always tried to hide from me when I came to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bad man?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you just never liked the medicine I gave you at times. You didn\u2019t like my poking and prodding you,\u201d Paul answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou poking and prodding, now?\u201d Joe asked with a worried expression on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if you want me to.\u201d Joe shook his head no. \u201cYou already had two other doctors examine you before you arrived here,\u201d Paul used as an enticement to get the boy to agree to his examination.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam stay?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you scared of the doctor, Joe?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, but his posture and expression said otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good man; he was the physician who brought you into the world when your mother went into labor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMomma go?\u201d Joe asked, trying to understand the concept of what Adam said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, this type of labor is what we call it when a woman is in the process of giving birth to a baby,\u201d answered Paul. \u201cWhen your momma gave life to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe mouthed, \u2018Oh.\u2019 \u201cYou know me?\u201d he warily asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuite well,\u201d Paul answered with a smile. \u201cWould you allow me to examine you while Adam goes to the barber shop to have a shave and a bath?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe smell good and come back?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m sure he will.\u201d Paul struggled to keep from smiling and laughing at the boy\u2019s question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe bath?\u201d Joe held out his arms above his head and smelled himself. He crinkled his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can heat some water and you can bathe here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe no go to bar-ber shop?\u201d When Joe was unsure of the word he used, he slowed down his speech and over enunciated the word.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it would be best if you were to bathe here. Let\u2019s let your Pa have a look at you before the rest of the people of Virginia City welcome you home. How\u2019s that? Is that okay with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe smell better, see Pa and Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you\u2019ll smell better before seeing your family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Adam left, Paul exited the kitchen to seek out his housekeeper, Mrs. Kincaid, and requested that she prepare a bath for the youngster Adam Cartwright had brought to his house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Martin, why did he bring the boy here, instead of to your clinic?\u201d Mrs. Kincaid inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he has every reason to believe this child is his brother and he didn\u2019t want the people of Virginia City to butt in where they didn\u2019t belong, at least not yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Joseph was buried over a year and a half ago\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but\u2026 I won\u2019t positively know until I examine the boy. I pray to God we made a mistake, that\u2019s the kind of mistake I can live with. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Half an hour later, having been properly bathed and shaved, and having sent a telegram to Willem Benedict in Mill City that they had arrived in Virginia City, Adam returned to Paul Martin\u2019s home and met an agitated Joe in the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome!\u201d Joe shouted as he grabbed Adam\u2019s hand and pulled him down the hallway, shoving his way past Mrs. Kincaid. \u201cDead!\u201d he pointed into a room that Adam knew was the doctor\u2019s study.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam feared somehow Joe had injured the doctor when he said dead; the eldest brother was relieved to see Paul sitting at his desk, head in his hands trying to hide his mirth as Joe came farther into the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, is everything alright?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDead. Why no buried?\u201d Joe, clearly upset, pointed to the object hanging in the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trying to keep from laughing, Paul answered, \u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry my skeleton scared you. I have this so that I can explain to people what is wrong when something inside them is broken. Like your ribs\u2026 Adam, I was trying to explain to Joe why he was experiencing some discomfort along his ribcage. I expect his ribs should be fully healed in a few more weeks, if he takes it easy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo! I no take itezee. I good.\u201d Joe was beginning to throw a temper tantrum by thinking the doctor was saying he was a thief in taking this itezee thing. \u201cAdam, tell doctor I good, I no take!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s like the other two doctors said, you need to rest, to take it easy, so you can get well. That\u2019s what Doctor Martin meant when they say for you to take it easy. He didn\u2019t mean that you were stealing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSmell good? Go home?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul?\u201d Adam looked past his youngest brother to the doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why you can\u2019t go home now. I know that Ben will want to make sure Joe is okay, why don\u2019t I ride out to the Ponderosa with you\u2026\u201d suggested Paul. \u201cActually, I\u2019d like it if Joe would ride in my buggy with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, go get your things together,\u201d Adam stated. Once Joe was out of hearing, Adam asked, \u201cWhat else?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe may need sedating once he gets home\u2026 He could possibly remember the day he was taken throwing him into a full-blown emotional tantrum. I\u2019ve seen hints that he\u2019s tired and that could trigger an outburst of epic proportions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I should be thankful he only threw the one last night\u2026 and it was small,\u201d Adam stated as he looked to where Joe had gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, he\u2019s\u2026 what\u2026 thirteen?\u201d Doc Martin mused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis fall\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen he should be nearing the onset of puberty, which could also add to the magnitude of the temper tantrum. I\u2019ll only sedate him if I feel there\u2019s no other choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHoss, there\u2019s nothing we can do until Adam decides to make his presence known,\u201d Ben stated as Hoss played with the food on his plate. \u201cEat your lunch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa, Adam said, within a week. He shoulda been home three days ago, he said within a week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where would you go looking for him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026 I\u2019d start in Mill City like Toby printed at the top of the wire. Something coulda happened to \u2018em.\u201d Seeing the frown on his father\u2019s face, Hoss stated, \u201cI just want him home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I,\u201d admitted Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming from the kitchen into the dining room, Hop Sing announced, \u201cRider come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss slowly stood from the table and made their way to the front door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHot diggity!\u201d exclaimed Hoss as he ran across the porch after recognizing his brother halting Sport and two other horses at the hitching rail. \u201cAdam! I was worried, thought ya\u2019d be home three days ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo did I, but I had to take things a little slower than what I originally planned. Is Pa\u2026\u201d Adam\u2019s voice muffled as he stepped down from his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, what are you doing here?\u201d Ben asked as he saw the physician\u2019s carriage come to a stop. \u201cI\u2019ll have Hop Sing set places for both of you. We were just sitting down for lunch.\u201d Turning to his son, \u201cAdam, I missed you boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI missed you too, Pa,\u201d Adam admitted as he allowed his father to embrace him in a hug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss told me where you were, we\u2019ll talk later\u2026 after Paul leaves,\u201d Ben quietly stated, letting his words voice his disapproval of his son\u2019s actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I think it would be best to talk now\u2026\u201d Adam answered as he turned from his father and went to the far side of Paul\u2019s carriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe fell asleep about fifteen minutes after we left Virginia City,\u201d Paul admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s actually a blessing that he did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the two men conversed next to the physician\u2019s carriage, it was the first time that Ben realized there was someone else with Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, let\u2019s try not to wake him. He really wasn\u2019t up to your trip home,\u201d Paul witnessed Adam\u2019s guilt, \u201cI know you said you took it slow, but he wasn\u2019t ready for it. However, I don\u2019t think it did any lasting harm. He just needs to sleep so his body can recover. Why don\u2019t you carry him up to his bedroom and I\u2019ll inform Ben and Hoss what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam bundled the sleeping figure into his arms and carried him across the yard and into the house. To Adam, it felt like old times as he carried his sleeping brother through the house, the boy\u2019s head resting on his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul? Who\u2019s that with Adam?\u201d Ben asked as he faced his long-time friend and pointed his arm across his body towards the direction Adam had walked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, let\u2019s go inside\u2026\u201d Paul stated as he approached Ben, placing a hand upon the man\u2019s shoulder and guiding him into his home. \u201cHoss,\u201d Paul acknowledged.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cThat can\u2019t be!\u201d exclaimed Ben as he angrily stood to his feet. \u201cYou said he was in that coffin\u2026 dead! We buried him next to Marie! What kind of a joke are you playing?! How dare you!!\u201d Ben\u2019s tone held disbelief and accusation; his posture radiated his anger as he stood over his friend who sat quietly on the settee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not playing any joke.\u201d Paul spoke calmly. \u201cBen you have to understand the condition of the remains\u2026 anyone would have believed they belonged to Joe. There was just too much trauma inflicted upon the body and there were no other reports of boys who resembled Joe\u2026 We had eye-witness descriptions of the boy. It was an honest mistake. But that boy upstairs\u2026 Adam carried his little brother upstairs; that boy\u2026 that boy is Joe.\u201d Paul struggled to convince his friend, \u201cBen he has the scar\u2026 from when he fell out of the tree\u2026 that first fall after Adam left for college\u2026 I had to put stitches in his\u2026 uh\u2026 you remember\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean that time when\u2026 when he couldn\u2019t sit down for two weeks?\u201d Hoss asked having been quietly listening. He remembered having to help Hop Sing pull his brother\u2019s pants and long johns off while they waited for the doctor to arrive that day. The young boy laid on his stomach over Hoss\u2019 legs while the larger boy rubbed circles upon his back to comfort his brother. Hop Sing pressed towels against the fleshy part of the backside of the boy\u2019s lower anatomy to stop the flow of blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Still struggling to regain his composure and accept what he had been told, Ben slowly led the way upstairs; he took a deep breath before entering the bedroom of his youngest son. He wanted to believe, but couldn\u2019t allow his heart to be hurt yet again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing the door open, Ben called, \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still asleep, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was evident to the men who entered the room that the youth was totally exhausted because he had not woke as Adam had stripped off the boy\u2019s clothes and placed him into a nightshirt. Hop Sing quietly moved about the room, picking up the soiled articles, his eyes never straying far from the still figure in the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben carefully sat down on the edge of the bed and placed his hand over the boy\u2019s heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben whispered. \u201cMy God, Joseph\u2026\u201d Tears freely flowed down Ben\u2019s face as he gazed upon his sleeping son. Looking to his eldest, he asked, \u201cHow? Where?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story, one that I\u2019ll tell you and Hoss\u2026 later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, what\u2019s wrong with him? Will he be okay?\u201d Ben asked as he turned from one son to look at the family\u2019s physician.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince Adam found him, I\u2019ve been the third doctor to examine him. He\u2019s suffering from malnutrition and exhaustion, and some long-term abuse. It probably would have been better had Adam delayed his trip to bring him home, BUT I understand why Adam brought him home when he did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Hoss called to his brother as he sat on the other side of the bed and took his little brother\u2019s hand into his own. \u201cIs he\u2026 Does he remember us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe remembers\u2026 he remembers having a family, but you have to understand something\u2026\u201d Adam thought long and hard about how to say what needed to be said, \u201cIn the two years he\u2019s been gone he\u2019s lost his grasp on a lot of English. I picked up some school books while in Mill City and I worked with him whenever we stopped\u2026 Just don\u2019t get upset with him if he doesn\u2019t speak properly. He got quite frustrated last night with me, but as Paul stated back at his house\u2026 he\u2019s exhausted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring what his brother was trying to say, Hoss needed to know more about Joe, \u201cDid he recognize you right away?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think he did\u2026 in a way\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, he\u2019s been shot! This is a gunshot wound!\u201d declared Ben as he had pushed away his son\u2019s bangs to caress the boy\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026 it\u2019s just a graze. He did suffer a concussion due to being shot, Adam said he spent a considerable amount of time unconscious. Aside from all he\u2019s been through, with proper sleep and nourishment, I think the worst is over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonorable Doctor,\u201d Hop Sing voiced, \u201cI feed boy good food, nourishing food.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you will, but for the foreseeable future, most of what he should eat needs to be soft food, easily eaten without putting a lot of stress on his stomach. From the condition he is in, he\u2019s not ate regularly nor a lot at any time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI take good care of Lit\u2019le Joe, boy grow healthy, Hop Sing take care of him,\u201d the Oriental stated as he bowed deeply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he will. With all of us looking after him,\u201d Ben stated, tears unashamedly falling down his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it would be best to let the boy sleep,\u201d Paul suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to leave him,\u201d Ben announced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen he\u2019s sleeping, Hop Sing can stay with him. I think you need to hear what Adam has to say. Please, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss followed Adam and Paul down the stairs, took seats and made themselves comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam proceeded to tell his family of how he found Joe, and how it happened that the boy came to be shot. He told of the animosity he encountered while caring for Joe as part of the wagon train. As the afternoon wore on, he told of why he decided to ride for home as they had, and why it took longer than he\u2019d originally thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

An exhausted Adam looked his father directly in the eye and stated, \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa, I just reacted\u2026 I didn\u2019t know it was Joe until I turned him over. I just saw an Indian with a knife. Pa, you know I wouldn\u2019t have shot him had I known he was Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It took Ben a while to take in and understand all that Adam had told them. Taking the time to think long and hard, Ben finally spoke, \u201cSon, you had no way of knowing. Had he been an Indian and not your brother, you very well could have been killed; you had to react as you did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI almost killed my brother\u2026 I can\u2019t forgive myself Pa\u2026 I was out there looking for him\u2026 I should have known that he could have been there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how were you supposed to know that he would be a part of the attack? Do you have the knowledge of foresight? Adam, you found Joe. You brought him home\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBrother, it don\u2019t matter how ya found him or that ya accidentally shot him. What matters is ya found him. Maybe God was out there protectin\u2019 him, because I know you wouldn\u2019t a just creased him if he\u2019d a been a real Indian. He\u2019s home\u2026 You\u2019re home\u2026 We\u2019re a family again and that\u2019s the way were gonna stay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay for family,\u201d Hop Sing offered from the top of the stairs, looking directly at Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the men looked up, they stood when they saw Joseph Francis Cartwright being carefully supported by the ever faithful man. The boy silently mouthed, \u201cHome\u201d as he looked down at the room and people he remembered.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Next Story in the Restoring the Heart of the Ponderosa Series:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Part II<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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\n Reviewer: Jo<\/span>
\n Date: 01 Feb 2014 08:18 am Title: Restoring the Heart of the Ponerosa<\/span><\/p>\n

Wow! I really enjoyed your wonderfully woven tale…I had to sit and read the entire saga as I found myself riveted by your descriptions, dialogue and spot on depictions of the characters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please, please tell me you are going to write the next story in the same wonderful way only this time from Joe’s perspective?<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks for sharing your story!<\/span>
\n Author’s Response:<\/span><\/p>\n

Jo, thank you for the enthusiastic response. And yes, Part Two is in the works and I’ve already written chapters 16 – 24 and am currently writing chapter 25.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: Lizette Anonymous [Report This]<\/span>
\n Date: 20 Jan 2014 12:49 pm Title: Restoring the Heart of the Ponerosa<\/span><\/p>\n

Wonderful heartwarming story!<\/span>
\n Author’s Response:<\/span><\/p>\n

Lizette, Thank you for the compliment and for taking time from your day to read. Your review is much appreciated.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: Belle Signed [Report This]<\/span>
\n Date: 13 Jan 2014 08:08 pm Title: Restoring the Heart of the Ponerosa<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a sweeping, emotional story. I akways love a happy ending and am glad that this worked out well for all!<\/span>
\n Author’s Response:<\/span><\/p>\n

Belle,<\/span><\/p>\n

I’m glad the emotions came through for you; our boys bounced around a lot as they tried to accept what happened and sought justice. As for the happy ending, Joe is ‘ome’ with those who love him. Thank you for reading and leaving a review!<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: sklamb Signed<\/span>
\n Date: 13 Jan 2014 02:25 pm Title: Restoring the Heart of the Ponerosa<\/span><\/p>\n

Gripping story that deals with issues many writers about the settlement of the West prefer to sweep under the carpet. Your research and attention to detail show clearly, but I most enjoyed the glints of real character, such as Gus’s toast to “Judge Gearity’s horse!” Many thanks!<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response:<\/span><\/p>\n

SKLAMB,<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for accepting the issues of the time as part of my story. I wasn’t sure how well they would be accepted, but coming from you, I’m breathing a huge sigh of relief. As for the toast, you can thank a comment made by Krystyna for inspiring me. I kind of dropped Yancy hotter than a baked potato, which was wrong considering how vital he was to getting the Cs the information they so needed. So, I expanded the scene of Adam meeting with his friend in Mill City and that ultimately led to the addition of the toast, which I felt was quite fitting – the toast and why they were toasting Judge Gearity’s horse. \ud83d\ude09<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for taking time from your day to read my story and to leave a review – many thanks, too!<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: dmc824 Anonymous<\/span>
\n Date: 12 Jan 2014 05:53 pm Title: Restoring the Heart of the Ponerosa<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a wonderful story! I’m so glad Joe made it “ome!” I would love a follow-up to see how Joe is doing.<\/span>
\n Author’s Response:<\/span><\/p>\n

DMC824,<\/span><\/p>\n

From your response it is evident you enjoyed my story. Thank you for reading and leaving a review. Yes, we all are glad Joe made it ‘ome’.<\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span>
\n Reviewer: Laurie Anonymous [Report This]<\/span>
\n Date: 12 Jan 2014 08:09 am Title: Restoring the Heart of the Ponerosa<\/span><\/p>\n

#1!<\/span>
\n Author’s Response:<\/span><\/p>\n

I’m sorry if I kept you up past your normal bedtime, but I’m not sorry that you chose to read to the conclussion. Hope you were able to catch a nap on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: Laurie<\/span>
\n Date: 12 Jan 2014 01:55 am Title: Restoring the Heart of the Ponerosa<\/span><\/p>\n

Excellent! Thanks!<\/span>
\n Author’s Response:<\/span><\/p>\n

Laurie,<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for either<\/span><\/p>\n

1) spending your Saturday night, loosing some sleep to read my story through to its conclusion before turning in for the night or<\/span><\/p>\n

2) waking in the middle of the night and deciding if you can’t rejoin those of us in the land of slumber, checking out the latest stories posted or<\/span><\/p>\n

3) enjoying your early Sunday morning across the big pond by reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Note the time stamp of Laurie’s review 1:55 am Indiana time.)<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Story Tags: Adam Cartwright, <\/span>Ben Cartwright, <\/span>comancheros, <\/span>homecoming, <\/span>Hop Sing, <\/span>Hoss Cartwright, <\/span>Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, <\/span>kidnap, <\/span>Paul Martin<\/p>\n

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

Summary: Circumstances bitter Adam\u2019s homecoming, setting him and his family on a personal quest to restore the heart of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Rating: T \u00a0 (46,330 words)<\/p>\n

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