{"id":2276,"date":"2004-08-22T01:11:35","date_gmt":"2004-08-22T05:11:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2276"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:29","slug":"good-samaritan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2276","title":{"rendered":"Good Samaritan (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0F<\/strong>inding someone camping on the Ponderosa leads to a traumatic ordeal for Joe and Adam. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0(10,025 words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

Good Samaritin<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam,\u201d Joe called, softly. \u201cCome look at this.\u201d He pointed down the slope from where he sat on his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Adam asked, maneuvering his temperamental chestnut gelding up beside Joe\u2019s pinto gelding. Sport, Adam\u2019s horse, put his ears back and pulled a face at Cochise, Joe\u2019s horse, but Cochise was used to his stable mate\u2019s antics and simply ignored him. Adam curbed his mount\u2019s desire to bite. \u201cWell, what d\u2019ya know?\u201d he mused, rhetorically, looking down at a camp fire with someone sleeping beside it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuests,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cThink we ought to go down and say hello?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely,\u201d Adam nodded. \u201cIt would be rude not to.\u201d The brothers grinned at each other and turned their horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Joe Cartwright had been out looking at timber that day and were now having a leisurely ride home, enjoying the warm fall sunshine. The leaves were spectacularly colored and just starting to drop. The air was warm, but the wind held a cold edge, reminding the brothers that winter was on its way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do you think?\u201d Joe asked as the horses picked their way down the hill. \u201cPotential nester or someone passing through?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImpossible to tell,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cBut we\u2019ll find out in a few minutes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The camp site was quite simple, with just the small fire, the horse tethered a little distance away and the sleeping roll. Joe and Adam dismounted, and warily went across. Both were somewhat surprised that the man sleeping there hadn\u2019t been wakened as they approached.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, mister,\u201d Adam said, quite loudly, but there was no response. \u201cHey!\u201d he repeated, but again, there was no visible response. Exchanging a look with Joe, Adam went over to crouch by the man. He pulled the bedroll back and gasped. \u201cHe\u2019s been shot!\u201d he declared. \u201cJoe, get the canteen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hurrying back to the horses, Joe snatched up his canteen and turned. He froze, for another man had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and had Adam in a strangle hold, with a gun pointing at his head!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSlow an\u2019 easy, kid,\u201d the man warned. \u201cPut down the canteen an\u2019 drop yer gun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe did as he was told, his eyes riveted to Adam, who seemed to be dazed. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019 want anythin\u2019,\u201d the man replied. \u201cMe an\u2019 ma partner there was jist passin\u2019 through. But you fellas jist had ta come an\u2019 be nosey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our land,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWe wondered what you were doing here.\u201d He looked at Adam. \u201cAre you all right, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied, but his voice was hoarse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you chose the wrong time ta wonder, kid,\u201d the man replied. \u201cMe an\u2019 ma partner is jist gonna mosey on along when he\u2019s feelin\u2019 a mite better, an\u2019 ya ain\u2019t gonna stop us, ya understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d Joe asked, his mouth dry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d be easy enough ta kill ya,\u201d the man replied. \u201cBut that might git messy, an\u2019 the law\u2019s already behind us. I\u2019ll need ta think on this a while.\u201d He smiled and Joe thought that a shark\u2019s smile would be warmer. \u201cGit that rope off\u2019n yer saddle, kid, an\u2019 bring it here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe asked, but his only response was a tightening of the choke hold on Adam. Immediately, Joe did as he was told.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive the rope ta this fella,\u201d the man ordered, as Joe hesitated in front of him. \u201cAnd then turn round, git down on yer knees an\u2019 put yer hands behind ya.\u201d He shook Adam. \u201cAn\u2019 yer gonna tie his hands an\u2019 feet, real tight, ya understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Adam agreed, quietly. He looked at Joe. \u201cDo as he says, Joe,\u201d he advised. He met his brother\u2019s eyes, willing Joe to see sense. They were too vulnerable to risk trying anything at that moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a hard look at the man holding a gun to his brother\u2019s head, Joe did as he was told, turning round and kneeling, placing his hands behind his back. He felt the rough hemp loop round his wrists and automatically tightened his muscles. But that ploy was not to go unnoticed and he received a swift kick in the backside. \u201cRelax yer muscles, kid, an\u2019 don\u2019 try anythin\u2019 like that again, or this fella gits it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth, Joe forced himself to relax as much as he could and allowed Adam to tie his hands. The rope was secure, but not too tight. However, there was no way Joe would be getting free any time soon. He felt the rope winding around his ankles, drawing his feet tightly together. The end of the rope was dropped onto Joe\u2019s legs and a hand gave him a push, forcing him onto his side.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glaring furiously at his captor, Joe was forced to watch as Adam went over to his horse, retrieved his rope and was subjected to the same treatment. \u201cSatisfied?\u201d Joe snarled and the man came over to look down on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost,\u201d agreed the other, nodding. He went over to look at his friend, and then casually picked up Joe\u2019s canteen to give him some water.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were going to help him,\u201d Joe told the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing the good Samaritan, huh?\u201d The man smiled. \u201cWell, ya know what they say; no good deed goes unpunished.\u201d He laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do with us?\u201d Adam asked. His calm voice belied his discomfort. His head was throbbing where he had been struck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell now, I don\u2019 know ezzactly,\u201d the other replied. \u201cWe can\u2019t go on until Bert is ready to travel, an\u2019 he ain\u2019t well right now. As I said, the law is after us, so ya might be useful ta keep around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we\u2019re not home tonight, someone will come looking for us,\u201d Joe threatened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d The man\u2019s indifference set Joe\u2019s teeth on edge. \u201cThat meant ta worry me, kid?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I was on the run, it\u2019d worry me,\u201d Joe shot back. \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it matter ta ya?\u201d He shook his head. \u201cBoy, ya sure talk a lot, kid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging as well as he could, given his position, Joe replied, \u201cNo, it doesn\u2019t matter. The law will catch up with you anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kneeling by Joe, the man gave a wolfish smile. \u201cThey ain\u2019t caught up with me yet, kid. An\u2019 I don\u2019 intend them ta, either. Ya ain\u2019t the first ta help me out by stickin\u2019 around, an\u2019 I don\u2019 suppose ya\u2019ll be the last, neither.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you mean to kill us?\u201d Joe asked and was pleased that there was no quiver in his voice. \u201cIs that what you\u2019re wanted for; murder?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn, kid, but ya got a big mouth!\u201d the man growled. \u201cNa, Bert an\u2019 me\u2019s wanted fer bank robbery. It jist so happens that the bank we robbed in Carson City had a clerk with a good aim, an\u2019 he got Bert. But I got him. I couldn\u2019t have anyone shootin\u2019 Bert an\u2019 gettin\u2019 away with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you kill him?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging indifferently, the man replied, \u201cProbably. I hope so.\u201d He saw the disgust on Joe\u2019s face and laughed. \u201cSo ya think ya\u2019re better than me, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never murdered anyone, or robbed a bank,\u201d Joe replied. Adam winced. Joe should have kept his mouth shut!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBet you never had anyone in the position yer in either, kid,\u201d he retorted. \u201cYa should a kept yer mouth shut.\u201d Grabbing the extra rope that was attached to Joe\u2019s bonds, he pushed Joe over onto his stomach and hog-tied him. Joe struggled grimly throughout, but there wasn\u2019t much he could do. He refused at first to open his mouth for the gag, but a savage backhand slap dazed him enough to allow the man to pry his mouth open, shove in a bandanna and tied another one around his head. Standing, the man looked down on him. \u201cPerhaps ya\u2019ll learn yer lesson now,\u201d he commented and walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe.\u201d Adam deliberately kept his voice soft, not wanting to attract any more unwanted attention. \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Horribly uncomfortable, but knowing there was nothing Adam could do to help him, Joe had little choice but to nod. He lifted an eyebrow questioningly, the only way he could ask Adam if he was all right. Joe didn\u2019t know how much of a blow his brother had taken, but it had to have been pretty bad for Adam to have been overpowered like that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay,\u201d Adam replied, the brotherly telepathy working. \u201cIt\u2019s not that bad.\u201d He screwed his head around to watch their captor, who was crouching by his unconscious buddy. Something about him was familiar to Adam, but his head was pounding and he couldn\u2019t get his brain into gear.<\/span><\/p>\n

At that moment, the man rose, wondered over to look gloatingly down at Joe before he disappeared from sight. Immediately, Joe began to work at his bonds, knowing that it was probably useless. His muscles were already aching from their cramped position. Adam worked his, too, but his ropes were much more tightly tied than Joe\u2019s were. He soon slumped back, exhausted, as the pain from his head got worse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing Adam slumped down dejectedly, Joe renewed his efforts, but all he had to show for them was abraded skin on his wrists when his strength gave out. He rested his head on the ground, breathing noisily through his nose. Adam had his eyes closed, Joe noted worriedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

That was how they were still lying when their captor came back. Adam\u2019s eyes opened briefly and the man\u2019s name came to him \u2013 Ted Thatcher. Adam had seen the wanted poster in Roy Coffee\u2019s office a few short days before. It had just come in and Roy was perusing it. Adam had looked at it interestedly, never dreaming that he would meet the men in question. However, knowledge didn\u2019t give him any more chance of escape than ignorance had.\u00a0And they say knowledge is power<\/em>, Adam thought, ruefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cComfortable?\u201d Thatcher asked Joe and laughed at the black look of enmity that Joe gave him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d Adam said, softly. \u201cPlease untie him.\u201d He wouldn\u2019t ask for himself, but he would beg for his little brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it to you?\u201d Thatcher asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my brother,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cPlease, he\u2019s in pain like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYer brother, huh?\u201d Thatcher mused, suddenly looking thoughtful. \u201cThat\u2019s ma brother over there.\u201d He pointed to the man by the fire. \u201cAn\u2019 I don\u2019 think he\u2019s gonna make it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Adam murmured. \u201cWe tried to help him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah, don\u2019 go all soft on me,\u201d Thatcher snapped. \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll let him loose from the hogtie. But if he annoys me\u2026\u201d He didn\u2019t finish his threat, but he didn\u2019t need to. Both Adam and Joe understood him well enough. Thatcher leaned down and untied his handiwork, freeing Joe\u2019s feet from his hands, but leaving the gag in place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensing that it wouldn\u2019t be wise to push it, Adam contented himself with a \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The hours ticked past as they lay there, watching Thatcher tend to his injured brother. It was obvious to them all that he wasn\u2019t going to make it and somewhere about dusk, he died quietly between one breath and the next, without ever regaining consciousness.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was no outpouring of grief. Thatcher simply drew the blanket over his brother\u2019s face and rose to his feet. With one last, long look at his brother\u2019s body, Thatcher walked away into the darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instantly, Joe began to wrestle with his bonds again, but the knots were as tight as ever and his muscles were sore from the enforced inactivity. When Thatcher returned some time later, Joe and Adam were still his prisoners. Adam was dozing lightly, something that he had been doing on and off all afternoon and evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta git some sleep,\u201d Thatcher commented, and dragged Joe over to a tree, where he looped the rope around it several times and tied it off. He did the same to Adam, causing Joe to seethe. His brother wasn\u2019t going anywhere. Couldn\u2019t the man see that Adam was concussed?<\/span><\/p>\n

Unconcerned by the black looks Joe was sending his way, Thatcher went back to the fire, threw on a few more sticks of wood, then lay down, wrapping himself in his bedroll. Judging by his snores, he was asleep in moments, leaving the Cartwrights to stare into the darkness, wondering what the next day held for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Come morning, Joe was sore, cold and tired. He had slept a little, but the discomfort of his position kept him from reaching a really deep sleep and the cold crept into his bones. He wondered if anyone would come looking for them that day, but doubted it. They had not been sure when they were going to get home and it might be yet another day before the alarm was raised. Would they still be alive then?<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing against the hideous dryness in his mouth, Joe looked across at Adam, who seemed to still be asleep. Joe vowed to do everything he could to make sure that Adam was all right.\u00a0 It was an odd position for them, Joe mused. Usually, it was Adam who was protecting Joe, as he had the previous evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

A stirring by the fire dragged Joe\u2019s attention away from his brother and he looked at their captor covertly. Joe still didn\u2019t know his name, as Adam had not told him the previous night. Joe wondered what would happen to them, as Thatcher looked over at Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSleep well?\u201d he asked, ironically, and laughed. \u201cGuess ya must be gettin\u2019 good an\u2019 thirsty \u2018bout now, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Much as he hated to admit it, Joe was parched. He nodded reluctantly. He desperately wanted to pee, too, but he was in no rush to tell this man that!<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Thatcher wasn\u2019t a complete monster, and he set about untying Joe from the tree. Before long, he had Joe\u2019s ankles tied in a sort of hobble, that allowed Joe to take small steps, and then he retied his hands in front of him before taking out the gag. \u201cHere,\u201d he said, and handed Joe a small cup of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t nearly enough to slake Joe\u2019s thirst entirely, so the youngest Cartwright took his time, holding the water in his mouth for long moments before swallowing it. Even though it was stale and flat, the water was the best that Joe had tasted. Then Thatcher allowed Joe the privacy to pee, knowing that he wouldn\u2019t go anywhere without Adam and hobbled the way he was. When Joe was finished, Thatcher made Joe sit down, then tied his bound hands to his thighs, so Joe couldn\u2019t attempt to free himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rousing Adam took long enough to worry Joe immensely. However, he was eventually sitting up and allowing himself to be tied in a similar way to Joe. He managed to smile across at his brother, but Joe thought Adam looked dreadful. His brother was pale and had huge circles under his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t got enough grub ta feed ya,\u201d Thatcher told them, as he cooked his breakfast. \u201cAn\u2019 I got a long ways ta go. Ya fellas\u2019ll have ta go hungry today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do with us?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t takin\u2019 ya with me, if\u2019n that\u2019s what yer worried about,\u201d Thatcher replied. \u201cI found a place to stash ya last night. Someone\u2019ll find ya there \u2013 eventually.\u201d He saw the look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cSay one word, kid, an\u2019 I\u2019ll blow yer brother\u2019s head off. That please ya better?\u201d The gun was in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Subsiding, Joe shot a look at Adam. He couldn\u2019t take a chance with Adam\u2019s life. They had no choice but to go wherever they were taken. Once they were alone, Joe vowed that he would manage to free himself and Adam and get them both safely home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, the little camp site was tidied up and only Bert\u2019s body remained. Thatcher seemed have blocked it out of his mind, for he made no effort to either take his brother along or bury him. He simply went about his business as though the corpse was not lying there.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he was ready to go, Thatcher tied up Cochise\u2019s and Sport\u2019s reins and set them loose. He untied the Cartwright\u2019s hands from their thighs and tied the ends of the rope to his saddle horn. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he urged and mounted.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was immediately clear that Adam wasn\u2019t entirely steady on his feet and Joe did his best to support his brother with his bound hands. It was difficult and they both tripped over their hobbles repeatedly. Joe found it particularly hampering, as he tried to help Adam too, and he fell his whole length a number of times. At first, Thatcher stopped at once to allow Joe time to get to his feet, but after a while, he dragged Joe several feet before stopping.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they at last came to a halt, both Cartwrights were exhausted. Joe was filthy, with scraped, bleeding places here and there. Adam\u2019s head throbbed mercilessly and he thought he might be sick. He leaned unsteadily against Joe when they stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is it,\u201d Thatcher said and gestured towards a cave entrance, partially blocked with fallen rocks. \u201cI\u2019m gonna leave ya here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hope flared through Joe\u2019s heart. This wouldn\u2019t be too hard to get out of, he thought. He fought to keep a smile from crossing his face. They would be home by nightfall!<\/span><\/p>\n

Dismounting, Thatcher untied Adam\u2019s rope from the saddle horn and led him over to the cave. The rubble came to about waist high and there was no way Adam could climb over it wearing the hobble. That didn\u2019t deter Thatcher. He simply dragged Adam over the rough stones.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Joe cried in protest. \u201cDon\u2019t do that! He\u2019s already hurt!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, kid!\u201d Thatcher snarled as he gave Adam a vicious shove from the top of the pile. Adam vanished soundlessly into the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll pay for that!\u201d Joe vowed. \u201cWhatever it takes, I\u2019ll hunt you down and you\u2019ll pay for that!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Furious at Thatcher\u2019s cavalier treatment of Adam, Joe threw himself at his captor as he returned. He used his bound hands to smash at Thatcher\u2019s face, but to no avail. The slack in the rope wasn\u2019t enough to allow him to fight freely, and Thatcher had few problems throwing Joe to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Undaunted, Joe launched himself at Thatcher again, but this time the other man stepped sideways and hammered his gun down on Joe\u2019s head. Joe went down and out.<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t feel anything as he was dragged across the ground, up the rocks and thrown into the cave. He didn\u2019t hear Adam call his name as Thatcher followed Joe into the cave and bound his hands behind his back, viciously knotting the rope around Joe\u2019s elbows, too. As a last piece of nastiness, Thatcher gagged Joe once more, kicked Adam for good measure and left.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The first thing that Joe became aware of was hands scrabbling at the back of his head. He moaned as pain hammered through his skull. He only remembered where he was and what was going on as Adam finally managed to loosen the gag. Joe spat out the wad of cloth in his mouth. \u201cThanks,\u201d he breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Adam asked, anxiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Joe assured him. His head was throbbing, but Joe was determined to keep that from Adam. He tried to lift his head, but a combination of the pain and the position of his arms stopped him. The strain across his shoulders was horrendous. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me sit up,\u201d Joe requested and he was soon sitting by Adam. \u201cIs there any chance you could work on these knots?\u201d Adam\u2019s hands were still tied in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cBut I can\u2019t really feel my fingers too well.\u201d He began to fumble at the ropes.<\/span><\/p>\n

It soon became clear that Adam wasn\u2019t going to be able to untie the knots, and neither of them had their knives any more. \u201cGuess we\u2019ll have to do it the hard way then,\u201d Joe remarked as cheerfully as he could. \u201cYou rest, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He wormed his way across the cave until he came to the wall, where he sought around for a sharp edged stone. He eventually found one, and began to slow, laborious up and down movement to fray the ropes on the stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took what seemed like hours and Adam was sound asleep by the time the strands parted and Joe\u2019s hands were at last free. He had to sit rubbing his hands for quite some time to get the circulation going again before he was able to tackle the rope on his feet, but at long last, he was finally free again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grasping his stone, Joe stumbled across to Adam, discovering various small aches and pains on the way. \u201cAdam?\u201d he said, quietly, as he began to work the ropes. \u201cAdam, can you hear me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam mumbled, slowly wakening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s me, big brother. I\u2019ll soon have you free and then we can get home.\u201d Joe worked diligently and soon Adam was free. \u201cCome on, Adam, I\u2019ll help you up.\u201d Joe was relentlessly trying to remain cheerful, but although Adam didn\u2019t normally talk as much as Joe, he was abnormally silent, even for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I can do this,\u201d Adam quavered, as Joe dragged him towards the entrance. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Adam pushed his brother away as he leaned over and was comprehensively sick.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assessing his brother, Joe realized that Adam was in no condition to walk home. Joe fought with his own stomach for a few minutes, for he felt quite queasy himself. He finally mastered his sickness, for the time being, and helped Adam sit down again. \u201cYou rest here, Adam and I\u2019ll go for help,\u201d Joe proposed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou aren\u2019t any better than me,\u201d Adam observed, seeing how pale Joe was and the huge lump that had risen on his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe denied. \u201cI\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t dare linger, for Joe really didn\u2019t feel any better than Adam. But he had vowed to get his brother home safely and that was exactly what he was going to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The first priority for Joe was to find some water. He had nothing to carry water in, but he thought if he drank his fill, it would temporarily quieten his stomach, which was rumbling and gurgling. Perhaps the cold water would help his headache, although Joe didn\u2019t really think so. He blinked sweat out of his eyes, wondering why he was sweating so much when the wind was cool.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing roughly where he was allowed Joe to guess where the nearest stream was, but it took him much longer than he expected to walk there and he was quite disturbed to see that it was afternoon when he reached it.\u00a0So much for getting home tonight<\/em>. Joe stumbled to his knees by the stream and dipped his face into the cool, refreshing water. His thirst was over powering, and Joe drank and drank, knowing he shouldn\u2019t, but unable to stop himself. When he had finally drunk his fill, Joe dunked his head into the icy cold water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing back to his feet, Joe set off once more, heading towards home. He knew now that he was facing another night outside without the right equipment, but there was nothing he could do about it. Perhaps, if he was very lucky, he might come across one of the line shacks, but Joe wasn\u2019t hopeful. He would have to detour to find a shack and time was of the essence.<\/span><\/p>\n

He had been traveling perhaps half an hour after leaving the stream when the first of the cramps hit. One minute, Joe was walking along at a steady pace, the next, he was curled over, gasping at the pain that gripped his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was only the first of many cramps. The second one hit a few minutes later, just about the time Joe had regained his breath and walked a few steps. This time, he vomited too, the water he had drunk coming back up. Over and over again Joe retched, until there was nothing left to come. Even then, he suffered through some dry heaves before he was able to stop, and he was slightly alarmed to see some blood when he wiped his mouth. It was just a broken blood vessel in his throat, caused by the violent vomiting, but Joe didn\u2019t know that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing himself to his feet, Joe staggered on a few steps, one arm wrapped gingerly around his mid-section. He was sweating profusely now, and his headache was worse than ever. Lights danced on the edge of his vision, and everything was blurry. Another cramp struck, forcing Joe to his knees once more. He moaned aloud, curling over in the hopes that this would help the pain, but it made no difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a time \u2013 it seemed like forever to the distressed young man \u2013 the cramp eased. Panting, Joe gradually relaxed his body, becoming aware that he was lying on his side on the grass. With a shaking hand, he wiped sweat from his brow, and then pushed himself upright. His head swam alarmingly, and Joe blinked owlishly as he looked around. \u201cDamn, what\u2019s wrong with me?\u201d he muttered to himself. He couldn\u2019t bring his vision into focus at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubbing his eyes, Joe blinked again, but it made no difference. He still couldn\u2019t focus. \u201cDon\u2019t matter,\u201d he told himself. \u201cI gotta get help for Adam. Get on your feet, Cartwright!\u201d He struggled to his feet and squinted at his surroundings to determine which direction he should be going in. Decided, he set off, his pace noticeably slowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The cramps set in ever more frequently and Joe was soon spending longer and longer lying on the ground in a daze while he tried to deal with the pain. Each time he \u2018recovered\u2019, he pushed on a bit further, but he was finding it harder and harder to keep going.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up suddenly, Joe realized it was almost dark. He could barely make out any of the landscape around him. \u201cGotta find shelter,\u201d he muttered. He thought he saw some shrubby trees up ahead, and decided they would do. Drawing on what was left of his reserves of strength and courage, Joe stumbled on.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was only when the ground gave way beneath his feet that Joe realized that he must have strayed from his intended course. The shale slope was familiar territory to him, but it lay south of the route he\u2019d been following in his mind. But there was no time to think of that. Joe\u2019s feet were moving of their own volition and he lost his precarious balance, landing on the already moving slope going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next thing he knew, Joe was tumbling head over heels down the slope. A cry, drawn from his own lips, was the last thing he heard as pain consumed him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cMr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d Ben replied, turning round to look at Fred. \u201cWhat is it, Fred?\u201d Fred had been with the family a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I jist seen Mr. Adam and Little Joe\u2019s horses,\u201d he ventured, doubtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh good,\u201d Ben replied, missing what Fred was trying to say completely. \u201cI thought they\u2019d be coming home today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa don\u2019t understand, sir,\u201d Fred persisted. \u201cI seen the horses, but they was alone, grazin\u2019 in the pasture jist down the road.\u201d He pointed in the general direction and Ben turned away from the corral where he had been looking at Captain, their prize stallion. The horse had been lame a few days before and Ben was checking to make sure that his leg was healing properly.<\/span><\/p>\n

A small thread of alarm wormed its way through Ben\u2019s stomach. \u201cYou\u2019re sure the boys weren\u2019t anywhere around?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Fred replied. He bit his lip. \u201cThe reins was all tied up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet Hoss,\u201d Ben instructed. \u201cMeet me down there. Tell him to bring provisions and the wagon. Hurry!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Fred agreed and ran over to his horse. Ben mounted Buck and set him into a gallop.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat d\u2019ya think, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked, as he looked at his brothers\u2019 horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019ve run into trouble of some kind,\u201d Ben replied, grimly. \u201cFred, take the horses back home, please. We\u2019re going to look for them. You ready, Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReady,\u201d Hoss agreed, climbing onto the wagon seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

They knew the general direction that the brothers had intended to travel, but beyond that, their only real hope of finding Adam and Joe lay in luck.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Wakening suddenly, Adam blinked and looked around. It was hours since Joe had left to get help and Adam was now beginning to feel a bit better. He wished he had tried harder to get Joe to stay with him, so they could go on together when they were both feeling a bit better. Rising, Adam went outside the cave to get some fresh air and wondered about setting off for home. Finally, he decided against it, because he knew Joe would bring help directly to the cave and it would be foolish to set off for home, miss his rescuers and cause a panic. But the enforced sitting and waiting didn\u2019t please Adam. He finally set off to get himself some water and he also managed to find some late berries growing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even so, time ticked past horrendously slowly. Although feeling a good bit better, Adam was still suffering the effects of a mild concussion and he found himself falling asleep again in the late afternoon sunshine.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was cold when he woke and he looked round, startled to find that it was almost dark. The sun was setting and he was in the shade. Adam shivered, wrapping his arms around his body and knew he would have to collect some wood for a fire and go back to the shelter of the cave. He did so slowly, feeling his head reeling as he bent down.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took a few minutes to get the fire going, but Adam was grateful for its warmth. He sat just inside the cave entrance, watching the flames create dancing shadows on the walls. Had Joe reached safety? Even walking, he should have got home by now, Adam reasoned. Rescue should come in the morning. Sighing, he decided that he might as well give in to the waves of sleep that were threatening to overwhelm him. Lying down, he snuggled as close to the fire as he dared and closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

A sound outside a moment later made him sit up, straining to hear. Just as he thought he\u2019d imagined it, the shout came again. \u201cAdam! Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d he cried, scrambling to his feet. \u201cPa! Over here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben\u2019s horse hove into view and a few moments later, Adam was safe in his father\u2019s arms, with Hoss grinning at him as he got down from the wagon seat. \u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a bit of a headache, but I\u2019m fine apart from that,\u201d Adam assured him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Ben asked and the smile left Adam\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Joe had sent you,\u201d he replied, slowly. \u201cHe left here hours ago to get help.\u201d Adam looked helplessly at his father and brother as the implications sank in. \u201cI knew I shouldn\u2019t have let him go!\u201d Adam cried. \u201cBut he told me he was all right! Why did I believe him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d Ben instructed his oldest son. \u201cAnd tell me what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, in fits and starts, Adam told the story. Ben and Hoss exchanged grave looks when Adam stopped talking. They hadn\u2019t seen Joe at all on the way and it was only because Hoss had seen the tracks that they had found Adam at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s nothing we can do tonight,\u201d Ben said, finally. \u201cIt\u2019s too dark. We\u2019ll have to look for Joe in the morning. Hoss, get the blankets and food from the wagon. I think Adam is probably hungry.\u201d He smiled gently at his oldest son. \u201cAdam, stop blaming yourself. You couldn\u2019t have stopped Joe from going, short of tying him up again. We\u2019ll find him. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But as the night wore on, Ben slept very little, worry for his youngest son disturbing his sleep. Where was Joe?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Groaning, Joe lifted his head. It was dark and he couldn\u2019t see further than a few feet in front of him, but he knew not to move. Just lifting his head had caused the shale slope he was lying on to shift under him. Joe had no desire to be carried down the hill and into the small river at the bottom. Drawing in a deep breath, Joe took stock of his situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was lying on his stomach, with his feet higher than his head. He carefully lifted his hand to his head and probed gently. The ache remained and Joe could feel some rough areas under his fingertips that flared with pain as he touched them. So he had hit his head \u2013 again. Moving his legs caused pain to shoot up into his back, but Joe didn\u2019t think his legs were broken. It was difficult to be sure, as he didn\u2019t dare move them too much, in case he started another landslip. He knew he was lucky that he hadn\u2019t gone into the river already.\u00a0 Sighing, he twitched his arms. His left arm worked well enough, but his right wrist hurt. After a little gentle poking, Joe decided it was just a sprain.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was really no other choice but to stay where he was until daylight, but Joe wasn\u2019t enthralled with the idea of spending the night there. He pillowed his head on his arms, and thought that at least the stomach cramps had quit.<\/span><\/p>\n

The thought had barely passed through his mind when his stomach cramped painfully. Joe gasped, and drew his legs up slightly. The cramp was less severe than some of the earlier ones, but it was still bad enough. Joe instinctively tried to curl into a ball, and it took him several moments to realize that he was moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Desperately, he reached out to grab something \u2013 anything! \u2013 that would slow his descent, but there was nothing stable to hold onto. Slowly at first, then ever faster, Joe slid inexorably down the slope.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The second awakening was worse than the first. This time, Joe could feel the blood trickling down his face and he was soaked to the skin, lying face up in the river. Everything hurt and when he tried dragging himself out of the water, he failed. His body simply had no strength left.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shivering helplessly, Joe simply lay there, thankful that his head was above the water, but tormented by the cold and by the pains that occasionally shot through his legs and back and the relentless stomach cramps that threatened to double him over and pitch him headfirst into the water. Joe knew that if that happened, he would drown. Once more, he made an attempt to drag his body from the river, but again he failed and slumped down, exhausted.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he grew colder, Joe slipped in and out of consciousness and by dawn, he was no longer truly aware of his surroundings. The cold was sapping his dwindling strength faster and faster and even the sun, when it peeked above the distant horizon, couldn\u2019t provide him with warmth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was dying.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Dawn saw the other Cartwrights up and getting ready to move. Adam was the only one of them who had slept properly. Hoss and Ben had spent large tracts of the night gazing into the darkness, worrying about Joe. Adam\u2019s head injury, minor though it was, kept him asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI found some tracks, Pa,\u201d Hoss told Ben. He pointed. \u201cCould be Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat aren\u2019t you telling me?\u201d Ben asked, seeing that Hoss couldn\u2019t meet his eyes. \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Reluctantly, the big man met Ben\u2019s eyes. \u201cI followed \u2018em a fer a bit,\u201d he admitted. \u201cAn\u2019 whoever it was ain\u2019t too good. They\u2019d bin sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cCome on, Adam, let\u2019s get you into the wagon.\u201d He tried not to hurry his oldest son, but his anxiety had communicated itself to the others and Adam scrambled into the wagon as fast he could.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relinquishing Buck to Hoss, Ben got into the wagon seat and they set off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The tracks were tricky to follow, as they didn\u2019t go in anything approaching a straight line. They wavered and wandered all over the place. The evidence that whoever they were following was unwell was plain to them all and the anxiety grew.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then they came to a place where the wagon couldn\u2019t go. Hoss got down from Buck and followed the tracks on foot. Silently, Ben and Adam waited. Adam took a drink from the canteen, for he was still feeling the effects of not enough water the previous day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d The shout startled them both, but not as much as the sudden crashing noises that indicated Hoss was running towards them. \u201cPa!\u201d Hoss appeared from between the trees. \u201cI seen him! Quick!\u201d He mounted Buck and spurred the gelding towards the river.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perplexed, hoping, but disquieted by the look on his middle son\u2019s face, Ben whipped up the team, and followed as quickly as he dared. As they broke into the open, Ben couldn\u2019t see any sign of Joe at all. Hoss didn\u2019t hesitate to point out his brother. He simply raced Buck to the river\u2019s edge and threw himself from the saddle. It was only then that Ben saw Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

A ragged gasp from behind Ben told him that Adam had seen his brother, too, but Ben had eyes for no one but Joe at that moment. He drew the wagon to a halt and jumped down to kneel by Joe on the bank where Hoss had just laid him.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a horrid instant, Ben thought Joe was dead. Then he detected the almost imperceptible rise and fall of Joe\u2019s chest and his fingers sought Joe\u2019s wrist to feel his pulse. \u201cHe\u2019s alive!\u201d Ben exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBarely,\u201d Hoss grunted. He grabbed the blankets from the back of the wagon as Ben began to strip off Joe\u2019s soaking clothing. Joe was so cold that he was no longer shivering. His flesh was tinged slightly blue and his fingers and toes were all wrinkled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before long, Joe was warmly wrapped in blankets and Hoss carried him to the back of the wagon. Adam climbed down and made his way up to the wagon seat, feeling guilty that he had allowed Joe to go off alone to get help. \u201cIs he badly hurt?\u201d he asked, as Hoss hitched Buck to the back of the wagon and Ben pillowed Joe\u2019s head on his lap.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like it,\u201d Hoss nodded. He jerked his head to the slope above them and for the first time, Adam saw the signs of someone sliding down it. \u201cLooks like he might have broke his legs,\u201d Hoss went on. \u201cAn\u2019 maybe his arm, too. His head\u2019s bin knocked about, as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my fault,\u201d Adam lamented.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo its not!\u201d Ben denied. \u201cJoe will be fine when we get him home and warmed up.\u201d Ben crossed his fingers and said a prayer that Joe would be fine. He could feel a little warmth creeping back into his son\u2019s body and he pulled off his coat and draped that over Joe, too. Joe had not moved, nor made a sound since they had found him. Ben was more worried than he cared to admit. There were dark bruises all over Joe\u2019s body and Ben was terrified that the bruises indicated broken ribs, which might cause more injuries. The blood on Joe\u2019s head might indicate a fractured skull. Even though he didn\u2019t want to think of what might be wrong with Joe, Ben couldn\u2019t stop his mind enumerating each possibility. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get him home!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The journey seemed interminable. Ben kept his place on the wagon to allow Hoss to ride for the doctor. Adam protested that he could have done it, but Ben wasn\u2019t having any of that. \u201cYou were hurt, too,\u201d he chided Adam. \u201cAnd I need you to sit with Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By now, Joe was warmer, but he still hadn\u2019t regained consciousness. Occasionally, he mumbled something, or groaned when the wagon hit a bump, but apart from that, he had shown few signs of life. Ben was unable to articulate his worry, even to himself. To admit to his fears would be to validate them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cradling Joe\u2019s head in his lap, Adam found himself praying hard. Joe had been injured going to get help for him. He was the older brother. He should have insisted that Joe stay and they could have made for home together. He knew Joe had had a bad knock on the head \u2013 a worse knock than he, Adam, had had. Yet Joe had somehow been able to pull himself together and set off for home. Where had that protective instinct come from?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWake up, Joe!\u201d Adam begged in an undertone. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to wake up!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At last, the ranch came into view and Adam breathed a sigh of relief. Fred and a couple of other hands came to help the Cartwrights get into the house and to tend to the team. Ben carried Joe inside and laid him carefully on the bed. Then there was nothing else they could do but wait.<\/span><\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t have to wait for long. Paul Martin appeared a short while later and set about examining Joe with a grim expression on his face. \u201cJoe\u2019s got a sprained wrist,\u201d Paul began, pointing to Joe\u2019s right hand. \u201cAnd a head injury, as you knew. I\u2019m pretty sure he\u2019ll have a fairly bad concussion, but until he\u2019s conscious, I won\u2019t know how bad it is. His right leg is broken just below the knee and his left ankle is broken. Apart from that, he\u2019s still rather cold. Could we get hot bricks up to help him warm up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing is already heating them,\u201d Ben told him, his voice flat. \u201cPaul\u2026Joe will be all right, won\u2019t he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d his friend replied, soberly. \u201cBut he\u2019s had a couple of good wallops on the head, Ben and you know the dangers as well as I do.\u201d At that moment, Hop Sing arrived with the hot bricks, which were tucked at Joe\u2019s feet and by his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a time, there was silence, as Paul worked on Joe\u2019s injuries. But after a while, Joe began to groan steadily and Ben moved closer, reaching down to brush the curls off Joe\u2019s head. \u201cJoe?\u201d he questioned, softly. \u201cCan you hear me, son? Open your eyes, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He continued to coax Joe to waken and at last he was rewarded as Joe\u2019s eyes slowly opened and he looked blearily at Ben. He seemed confused. \u201cAdam\u2026\u201d he breathed. \u201cAdam\u2026 hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, son,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cAdam\u2019s just fine. We found him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Joe breathed and his lashes dipped again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot so fast, young man!\u201d Paul chided him. \u201cYou can\u2019t go back to sleep. Joe, look at me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe opened his eyes again. He licked his dry lips and Ben looked at Paul for permission before he gave Joe some water. As the youth started to gulp it eagerly, Paul hastily reached over to stop him. \u201cNot too fast, Joe, you\u2019ll be sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Blinking, Joe forced a question. \u201cIs that why\u2026 I was sick\u2026 before?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe explained. Paul nodded soberly. He didn\u2019t like to tell Joe the danger he had been in. \u201cYou were lucky those cramps weren\u2019t any worse,\u201d he told him. \u201cThat was the wrong thing to do, Joe, and I\u2019m sure you realize that now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was so thirsty,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Paul agreed. \u201cBut drinking too much too quickly is bad for you. Did you have blurred vision and start sweating?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe agreed. He had started to nod, but the movement made his head spin and he was nauseous enough already.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were lucky,\u201d Paul reiterated. \u201cYou could have done more than just chill your stomach.\u201d He bent closer to Joe to look into his eyes and he asked a few more questions. \u201cWell, your concussion isn\u2019t as bad as I had feared,\u201d he concluded. \u201cJoe, next time, wait to be rescued.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben shook his head as he caught Joe\u2019s eye. \u201cJoe doesn\u2019t know what the word \u2018wait\u2019 means,\u201d he joked, relief flooding his soul as he realized his son would be all right.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As soon possible, Adam insisted that Roy Coffee be brought to the ranch so that Adam could tell him who it was that had held them captive. He explained to Roy about Bert Thatcher dying and Ben had already sent someone out to reclaim the body. There was already a wanted poster out for Ted Thatcher and Roy promised to wire to the neighboring towns to alert everyone that he was in the area. Roy didn\u2019t think Thatcher would stay around, since the bank clerk had indeed died, but you never knew.<\/span><\/p>\n

But somehow that didn\u2019t seem enough to Adam. He pestered Roy to get a posse together and only backed down when Roy got annoyed enough to involve Ben in the argument. \u201cTell him, Ben!\u201d Roy insisted. \u201cIts bin too long! There ain\u2019t no tracks left ta follow!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRoy\u2019s right,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAdam, the time to track Thatcher with a posse was the day he left you and Joe in that cave. It\u2019s been almost a week now. There are no tracks to follow and he\u2019s long gone from here!\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cYou sound like Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not that bad!\u201d Adam retorted, startled by the comparison.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo?\u201d Ben questioned and Adam reluctantly smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d he allowed, ungraciously. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right. But it\u2019s so frustrating!\u201d Adam spun around and started pacing. \u201cHe shouldn\u2019t be able to just get away with this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cBut he\u2019s bin gone a week, Adam, an\u2019 we looked fer him, an\u2019 don\u2019t let anyone tell ya otherwise. We looked all over fer him and there were no sign anywhere.\u201d He sighed. \u201cThere ain\u2019t no more I can do, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adam\u2019s frustration was destined to go unrelieved. Thatcher seemed to have disappeared. Joe made a quick recovery from his injuries, but it was a few months before he was back to work. By then, they were into the quiet months of the winter, which allowed Joe more opportunity to rest when he felt he needed to, without worrying about the work falling behind. Ben was pleased and relieved to see his son making such a good recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

By spring, no one would ever have known that Joe had been so badly injured. He was as energetic as ever, relieved to be out of the house after a winter cooped up by snow storms. It was with a feeling of mild relief that Ben waved all three of his sons off as they headed for Sacramento to negotiate a deal with the cattle buyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The trip there was uneventful and they checked into their hotel just before a major rainstorm hit. They went to sleep that night listening to the rain battering off the windows and woke to the same sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a rotten day,\u201d Joe grumbled over breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019ll get a bit wet,\u201d Adam replied impatiently. \u201cSo what? We get wet often enough at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t mean to say I have to like getting wet, does it?\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cI hate getting wet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh stop moaning,\u201d Adam snapped. \u201cWe\u2019re all in the same boat here.\u201d The two brothers glared at each and Hoss heaved a martyred sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n ya two are gonna fight, I\u2019m gonna knock yer heads together,\u201d he warned them. \u201cAin\u2019t none o\u2019 us likes gettin\u2019 wet, but there ain\u2019t nuthin\u2019 we can do ta change the weather.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Adam conceded and Joe nodded. \u201cJoe, you go on over to the Cattle Association offices and I\u2019ll meet you there when I\u2019ve dropped the bid into the railroad offices. Hoss\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Hoss sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll go an\u2019 check on the horses an\u2019 git provisions for goin\u2019 home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can do the negotiating if you want,\u201d Joe protested, not wanting his middle brother to feel left out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo way!\u201d Hoss declared vehemently. \u201cI ain\u2019t doin\u2019 that! You two is more than welcome ta it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you\u2026!\u201d Joe cried, as he realized that Hoss had been teasing them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grinning, Hoss rose to his feet and put one hand on Joe\u2019s head, keeping his mock-irate little brother at arm\u2019s length. Adam watched them tussle for a minute before they both gave up, grinning, and resumed their seats. The other patrons in the dining room were watching them, either with disgust or amusement. \u201cAre you quite finished?\u201d Adam asked, trying to sound disapproving, but neither brother rose to the bait.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we\u2019d better go if\u2019n ole Adam here\u2019s gettin\u2019 sarcastic,\u201d Hoss confided to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Joe agreed and the brothers left the hotel in complete amity, something that hadn\u2019t been the case a short time before. Adam wondered how Hoss always knew just what to do to break up a potential quarrel between him and Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

They went their separate ways, with Adam going over to the railroad office and Joe heading further down the street to the Cattle Association offices. The rain was keeping people off the streets, so Joe didn\u2019t have to do too much dodging of ladies with umbrellas, but the town was still busier than Virginia City. As he walked, Joe mused about how easy it would be to blend into the crowd in a town as big as Sacramento. It was something of a novel thought and Joe was still pondering it as he went into the offices of the Cattle Association.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took a moment for him to realize who the other man in the room was, and as it sank in, Joe made a belated grab for his gun. But he was too late, and he found himself looking into the barrel of a .45, and the man holding it was none other than Ted Thatcher.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought sure I\u2019d never see ya again, kid,\u201d Thatcher drawled. \u201cDrop that gun belt real slow an\u2019 put yer hands up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d Joe asked, as he slowly did as he was told.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grinning tightly, Thatcher replied, \u201cI\u2019m robbin\u2019 these here offices. Plenty money kept in the safe back there, kid. Is some o\u2019 it yours?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring the question, Joe\u2019s eyes turned to the door that hid the inner office. What would he find if he went in there? Bodies? He swallowed against the dryness in his mouth. \u201cHave you killed them?\u201d he asked and was pleased to hear that there wasn\u2019t a quiver in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey ain\u2019t dead yet,\u201d Thatcher replied. \u201c\u2019Course, that don\u2019t mean they won\u2019t die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow what?\u201d Joe wanted to know. \u201cAre you going to kill me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood question,\u201d mused the other. \u201cI ain\u2019t decided.\u201d He gave Joe a wolfish smile. \u201cI enjoyed makin\u2019 ya squirm last time we met,\u201d he added. \u201cPerhaps I\u2019d like ta do that again.\u201d He reached into the pocket of his shabby coat and Joe heard metal jingling against metal. Thatcher pulled something from his pocket and threw it at Joe. \u201cPut those on, kid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Instinctively, Joe caught the object and discovered that it was handcuffs. He looked up to meet Thatcher\u2019s eyes and saw the cruel killer looking back at him. At that moment, Joe knew that Thatcher wanted him to refuse, so he could shoot Joe dead. Gritting his teeth, Joe clasped the first metal bracelet around his wrist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, you learned your lesson real well, kid!\u201d Thatcher sneered. \u201cNow, fasten yer hands behind ya. Turn around so\u2019s I can see ya doin\u2019 it. I don\u2019t trust ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t trust me?\u201d Joe gasped. He was shaken by the man\u2019s audacity and sheer cheek. Nevertheless, he did as he was told and turned around, fastening the other cuff so his hands were behind his back. \u201cSatisfied?\u201d he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d Thatcher replied, and came over to tighten the cuffs. Joe bit back a wince as the cold metal bit into his skin. Did Thatcher really think that he was going to get out of those cuffs? He whirled Joe around and studied his helpless captive for a moment before dropping his gun into his holster.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow what?\u201d Joe asked again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d Thatcher invited him, indicating a sturdy, straight-backed chair. As Joe did what he was told, Thatcher took down the velvet cords that were decorating the curtains in the room. Moving behind Joe, he used one to tie Joe\u2019s already bound hands to the back of the chair and then swiftly knelt to bind the young man\u2019s ankles together. Rising, he looked with satisfaction on Joe\u2019s fury and frustration. Then he drew a bandanna from his pocket and another from around his neck. Joe recoiled as far as he could, but he couldn\u2019t get far enough away to escape the other man and a couple of backhand slaps left him too dazed to resist and Thatcher soon had Joe gagged, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now completely satisfied, Thatcher turned to head for the door just as it began to open. Joe let out a warning yelp that got no further than his teeth, but Adam didn\u2019t need Joe\u2019s warning. The first thing he saw as the door opened was his little brother, bound and gagged, and any further warning was superfluous. Adam drew his gun and dived into the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caught by surprise, Thatcher let off one wild shot, which missed entirely, and made a dive for Joe. Adam checked himself, not willing to risk shooting in Joe\u2019s direction, just in case he missed. He advanced further into the room, looking as menacing as Joe had ever seen him. \u201cPut your hands up!\u201d Adam ordered Thatcher. \u201cIt\u2019s all over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo its not!\u201d Thatcher declared and grabbed at Joe, who wrenched himself out of the grip on his jacket. Infuriated, Thatcher swung his gun round and hit Joe with the barrel on the side of the head. With a grunt, Joe collapsed in his seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking advantage of his quarry\u2019s distraction, Adam threw himself across the remaining space between them and tackled Thatcher around the waist, bearing him to the floor. The fall sent small rivers of pain through Adam\u2019s bad back, but he ignored them as best he could, wrestling for control of Thatcher\u2019s gun.<\/span><\/p>\n

From somewhere above and behind him, Adam heard a shout, but he ignored it, concentrating on the man beneath him. The fight was beginning to go against Adam when a hand reached down and grabbed Thatcher\u2019s arm. Moments later, another arm appeared from the other side, and took control of the gun. A third set of hands helped Adam to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly exhausted, Adam leant heavily against Hoss, who was supporting him. \u201cYa all right, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked, worriedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Adam panted. \u201cJoe?\u201d He blinked the sweat out of his eyes and looked at his younger brother. Joe was still bound and gagged, but he was moving his head slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Galvanized by the sight, Adam shrugged off Hoss\u2019 hands and hurried over to remove the gag from Joe\u2019s torn mouth and to begin working loose the cords that bound him. \u201cJoe?\u201d he called. \u201cJoe? Wake up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Groggily, Joe\u2019s eyes drifted open and he peered blearily at Adam. \u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d he muttered and winced. \u201cMy head,\u201d he breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay still,\u201d Adam advised him. \u201cYou got quite a crack from that pistol.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThatcher,\u201d Joe murmured and started to struggle against the handcuffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Joe, stay still an\u2019 let me git these things off ya,\u201d Hoss chided him. \u201cHow\u2019m I meant ta do that if\u2019n yer wrigglin\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d Joe asked, squinting at his brother. \u201cHow\u2019d you get here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood question,\u201d Adam noted, helping his brother sit up as Hoss finally released the handcuffs, thanks to the key the sheriff was carrying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard someone shoutin\u2019 in the street that they\u2019d heard shots comin\u2019 from here,\u201d Hoss explained, gently taking Joe\u2019s head in his hands to look more closely at the red\/purple bruise growing on his temple. \u201cI followed the sheriff an\u2019 when I saw ya were both in trouble, I jist stepped in ta help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone all right here?\u201d the sheriff asked, coming over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Joe needs to see a doctor,\u201d Adam replied, before Joe could draw breath to say that he was fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the people in there?\u201d Joe asked, gesturing towards the inner office. \u201cAre they\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll probably be all right, in time,\u201d the sheriff replied. \u201cI\u2019m afraid they\u2019ll have priority over you in the doctor stakes, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind,\u201d Joe mumbled, which brought laughter to both his brothers\u2019 lips. \u201cWhat?\u201d Joe demanded, looking at them with as much indignation as he could muster through the thumping of his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSo Thatcher is behind bars and facing a hanging,\u201d Adam concluded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow odd that you should meet him in Sacramento,\u201d Ben muttered. \u201cJoe, are you sure you\u2019re all right?\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuite sure,\u201d Joe replied, firmly. He knew that the bruise on his head was at its most colorful, but his headache was gone at last. \u201cI feel fine, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben replied. He glanced at Adam. \u201cAre you satisfied now?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cIt\u2019s a relief to know that Thatcher isn\u2019t wondering around out there somewhere.\u201d He smiled at Hoss. \u201cI don\u2019t remember when I was last so glad to see Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou weren\u2019t the only one what wanted ta see him behind bars,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI wanted that too, fer what he done to ya and Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes you think,\u201d Joe mused. \u201cNo wonder those men in the bible story of the Good Samaritan didn\u2019t want to help the man beaten by robbers. Who knew what might have befallen them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd will you follow their example from now on?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cPass by on the other side?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I couldn\u2019t, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, slightly impatiently. \u201cI don\u2019t regret going to help. That\u2019s not just the way you brought us up, it\u2019s the way I am. If someone needs help, I\u2019ve got to offer it and do what I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do know that,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAnd I\u2019m very proud of all my boys.\u201d He gave them all a smile. \u201cNow, tell me, what kind of price did you get for the cattle in the end?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At once, Joe sat up a bit straighter and a grin spread over his handsome features. \u201cPa, they were so grateful that we\u2019d stopped Thatcher getting away with the money that they gave us a really great deal!\u201d he cried enthusiastically. \u201cYou\u2019ll never believe it\u2026\u201d he went on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled to himself. Joe\u2019s heart was in the right place, but he didn\u2019t let that get in his way when making a good business deal, he thought wryly. But when Joe mentioned how much they were getting per head, he forgot his thoughts about Joe taking advantage of the Cattle Association.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood work, son!\u201d Ben declared. \u201cWhy, that\u2019s the best price we\u2019ve ever had!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTold you so!\u201d Joe crowed to his brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Finding someone camping on the Ponderosa leads to a traumatic ordeal for Joe and Adam.<\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0(10,025 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":12352,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1837,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AdamJoeHP7.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5278,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5278","url_meta":{"origin":2276,"position":0},"title":"The Squirrel Incident (by Born in the USA)","author":"Born in The USA","date":"April 30, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0With Hoss and Joe away, Adam has to take care of his brother's chores. And gets a little 'surprise' along the way. 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The end of everything--or is it? No KAOS in this story. 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Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0 599 The Wheelchair Series The Wheelchair She Left","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Springtime-Vignettes.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7636,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7636","url_meta":{"origin":2276,"position":5},"title":"Standoff (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Two brothers, one killer, and only one way to end the standoff. 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