{"id":2371,"date":"2013-04-22T09:54:57","date_gmt":"2013-04-22T13:54:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2371"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:14:11","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T17:14:11","slug":"hindsight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2371","title":{"rendered":"Hindsight (by Dodo)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Written for the November ‘missing scene’ challenge.\u00a0\u00a0 Taken from The Legacy.\u00a0 What happens after Joe leaves Ben to chase after the poacher?<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span> K+\u00a0 Word Count: 4418<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou get along Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you don\u2019t want me to go with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I\u2019ll be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch yourself Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving him a final look of concern, Joe turned his horse and rode off as instructed to join up with Adam and Hoss at the roundup camp where his brothers had been branding cattle for the past few days. But for some reason he couldn\u2019t quite put his finger on that final conversation echoed in Joe\u2019s mind as he followed the familiar meandering trail which wound its way downwards through the grassy hills of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

With a niggle of disquiet in the pit of his stomach he had a bad feeling about leaving his father to follow the tracks of the poacher they\u2019d discovered that morning, and he was sorely tempted on more than one occasion to turn around and retrace his tracks. However, despite his misgivings Joe ignored his feeling of foreboding and continued to ride down the gentle slope until after reaching the edge of a lush and fertile meadow he stopped at a fast flowing stream.<\/p>\n

While he allowed his horse to drink his fill Joe heard the shrill trilling song of a meadowlark as it echoed across the valley and for a split second he mistook it for the faint and very far away sound of gun shots. Quickly looking back and with his left hand on his holster Joe scanned the terrain behind him as if looking for a sign of unusual movement or the flash of sunlight on a rifle barrel. But nothing stirred for miles around except a faint wind in the trees and a bird soaring effortlessly into the sky.<\/p>\n

Joe smiled to himself as he leaned forward and patted Cochises\u2019 warm neck. \u201cLooks like I\u2019m letting my imagination run away with me this morning. It\u2019s a good job there\u2019s no one around to see me as nervy as this, eh boy?\u201d he whispered into the flickering ears. Then gathering the paint\u2019s reins securely into his hands Joe waded his horse through the cold clear water and pushed on.<\/p>\n

It was early afternoon when he arrived at the makeshift camp where the branding fire was burning and where his brothers had been working with a small crew of ranch hands for nearly a week.<\/p>\n

Reigning in his horse at the corral Joe watched as one of the cowhands drove in a wide-eyed heifer calf and Adam expertly wrestled it to the floor. He then dragged it over to the fire where Hoss was waiting to press the mark of the Ponderosa iron into its young hide. The gate was quickly reopened and bawling pitifully the shocked animal was turned loose and allowed to rejoin its mother amongst the herd of over a thousand prime beef milling around in preparation for being driven to the vast grassy pastures to the south of the ranch.<\/p>\n

Breathing hard and covered in dirt, Adam took off his sweat-rimmed Stetson and wiped a hand across his forehead. He then noticed the new arrival watching him. \u201cWell if isn\u2019t number three son come to say hello,\u201d he joked wearily as he walked over, slapping his hat against his dust covered thigh as he picked up a canteen of water from the floor. \u201cAny chance you were thinking of staying around to lend a hand Joe? An extra pair of hands would probably see all the branding done by the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam unscrewed the top and took a long swallow.<\/p>\n

Joe casually hooked a leg over the saddle horn. \u201cSeems for an old fella number one son has been doing just fine without me,\u201d he grinned back cheekily. \u201cBut I daresay I could spare some of my valuable time to help if you really need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss ambled slowly over, his cheery face though covered in perspiration wreathed in a welcoming smile. \u201cGood to see you little brother but if I didn\u2019t know better I\u2019d say you\u2019d been tryin\u2019 to avoid callin\u2019 on us and offering your services until you knew all the hard work was finished and the brandin\u2019 was just about done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey don\u2019t forget I\u2019ve been busy doing all your chores at home for the past week!\u201d Joe cried back with mock indignation. \u201cReckon after the list Pa made out for me you two have had the easy part of the deal!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed. \u201cYou think? I\u2019m beginnin\u2019 to wonder if them there matches weren\u2019t tampered with before we got to choose who stayed at home in a nice warm bed and who came here to sleep on the cold hard ground in a bedroll!\u201d<\/p>\n

With just the wickedest of knowing smiles forming on his face Joe said nothing; his silence enough to prove Hoss right in his theory.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. He should have known his little brother had managed to rig the result to his own end. He passed the canteen over to Hoss who took a swig, swilled the water around his mouth and spat it out. He then took another mouthful and swallowed it down.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo where\u2019ve you been till now Joe?\u201d Hoss asked as he wiped a sleeve across his mouth. \u201cMite late in the day to come visitin\u2019 isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s grin faded as his expression suddenly grew sombre. \u201cI would have been here sooner but we were riding up in the hills when Pa found a couple of freshly shot deer left to rot up there. Looks like a poacher had been at work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA poacher?\u201d Hoss\u2019 gentle eyes were angry now and he let out a curse. \u201cWe ain\u2019t been troubled with their sort for a long while. Any idea where this good-for-nothing went?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cWe found fresh tracks which couldn\u2019t have been more than a few hours old at the most.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so you and Pa followed them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head towards his elder brother in reply. \u201cPa decided to go on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised a surprised eyebrow. \u201cYou mean you let Pa go alone to follow this trigger-happy trespasser?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing a slight sense of critical incredulity in his voice Joe instantly bristled and glowered as he straightened in the saddle. \u201cI didn\u2019t want to but I had no choice,\u201d he informed. \u201cI offered to stay with him but Pa told me to come and help you two and said he would go find him by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam let out a loud sigh of exasperation and looked at his brother as if he were a fool. \u201cJust what were you thinking Joe? You should have insisted on staying with Pa. It\u2019s plain madness to leave him up there man-hunting alone without someone around to cover his back!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flashed angrily. \u201cDon\u2019t you think I didn\u2019t realise that!\u201d he cried, his temper rising. \u201cBut what was I supposed to do? Refuse to leave Pa\u2019s side? Hog tie him and bring him back if he didn\u2019t agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearly stressed out Adam nodded. \u201cIf that\u2019s what it takes to make Pa see sense\u2026.yes!\u201d he shouted in reply louder than he\u2019d intended.<\/p>\n

Pushing his hat firmly on Adam then turned as if to move away but paused, taking a moment to allow some of the tension in his body to drain away. He looked back and shook his head sorrowfully. \u201cSorry Joe. I had no call yelling at you like that,\u201d he admitted with a sigh of regret. \u201cIt\u2019s been five long days and I\u2019m tired, cow stained, bruised and not in the best of moods. So just forget what I said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Relaxing a little as well Joe accepted his apology with a silent nod then watched as Adam walked back to the centre of the corral to await the next calf being cut from the herd.<\/p>\n

Joe continued to stare bleakly at him, accepting to some degree he deserved his brother\u2019s outburst. On reflection it had been the wrong thing to do. He shouldn\u2019t have agreed so willingly to leave their Pa alone in such a potentially dangerous situation. What had he been thinking?<\/p>\n

Hoss noticed his miserable expression. \u201cDon\u2019t be fretting yourself too much little brother. Adam didn\u2019t mean any harm in what he said or the way he said it. It\u2019s just with him wantin\u2019 to finish this brandin\u2019 on time he\u2019s about worn himself to a frazzle over the past few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe exhaled a deep breath. \u201cI realise that. But in some ways Adam\u2019s right. I should have stood up to Pa and told him I was staying to help him whether he liked it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss took another long swig of water. \u201cReckon that\u2019s easier said than done sometimes,\u201d he continued thoughtfully. \u201cWe all know how Pa can be real stubborn when he wants to be, especially when he thinks we don\u2019t trust him to manage things on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

A look of understanding passed between them. \u201cYou\u2019re right there brother,\u201d Joe agreed with a tight smile as he dismounted.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned back. \u201cBesides, Pa\u2019s managed to take care of himself all these years, so why should today be any different?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, but for a moment was tempted to admit to the strange feeling of unease about his father\u2019s safety that had gnawed at his insides that morning. However, unwilling to alarm unduly and for no good reason he remained silent.<\/p>\n

Oblivious to Joe\u2019s internal dilemma Hoss placed the canteen back on the floor then stretched out his arms and yawned loudly. \u201cCome on then little brother. Time to get some work done,\u201d he ordered good-naturedly.<\/p>\n

Joe removed his jacket and unbuckled his gun-belt and hung them both over the saddle horn. Then blowing out his cheeks in anticipation of the hard work now in store he climbed over the rails of the corral. And with thoughts of his father and poachers pushed to the farthest corner of his mind he placed a hand around his brother\u2019s broad shoulder and headed with Hoss towards the branding fire.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The rest of the afternoon went quickly and smoothly and it wasn\u2019t far off sundown when at long last the branding was finished. Happily handing the herd over to several of the most trusted Ponderosa ranch hands to drive the cattle to summer pasture, Adam, Hoss and Joe finally made their way home.<\/p>\n

With thoughts of hot baths and cold beers on their minds, they were all in a cheery mood as they dismounted and tied up their mounts on the hitching rail in front of the house. But just as they made to walk inside a riderless horse, noticeably lame, limped into view.<\/p>\n

Confused at its sudden appearance the three men rushed across the yard towards their father\u2019s buckskin. Hoss knelt down and stroked a gentle hand down the bloodied right shoulder and front leg then looked up. \u201cBuck\u2019s been shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShot?\u201d Two voices echoed the word in shocked surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the bullet just grazed his flesh,\u201d Hoss informed, a grim look forming on his face. \u201cAnother inch and he wouldn\u2019t have been so lucky.\u201d He patted the exhausted horse with a soothing caring hand but Adam and Joe sensed seething anger in his voice. \u201cWho\u2019d have done such a thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face hardened, eyes glinting with contempt. \u201cMust have been that poacher Pa was tracking,\u201d he murmured, clenching his fists and wanting to smash something in his frustration. Then a thought came to him. \u201cYou reckon Pa could have been thrown?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned. The thought worried him. \u201cMost likely Joe. Even old Buck would have been spooked pretty bad when he was hit,\u201d he assured him, and taking hold of the reins slowly led the injured animal into the barn and secured him in his stall.<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe stood in the doorway and watched without comment as Hoss loosened the cinch and unsaddled Buck. Then quickly forking out a quantity of hay and oats into the manger and after making sure water was available, Hoss rejoined his brothers.<\/p>\n

Adam looked down and expelling a short surprised breath motioned towards the saddle now lying on the floor of the barn. \u201cThe scabbard\u2019s empty,\u201d he observed in a harsh dry voice; their father\u2019s favourite rifle with the silver monogrammed stock noticeably missing.<\/p>\n

Following his gaze Joe caught sight of something wet and glistening on the side of the pommel. Tentatively he moved closer and bent down, wiping his fingers across the curved leather; the significance of the sticky substance causing a chilling dread to creep over him. \u201cIt\u2019s blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stared down at Joe\u2019s red stained hand. Shaken rigid at the sight he took a deep swallow. \u201cThat poacher must have shot Pa as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam froze, his heart pounding heavily as anguish stirred within him. A long silence followed then he could sense a pair of hazel eyes staring at him, glazed with a combination of fear and despair. \u201cDo you think Pa\u2019s dead Adam?\u201d Joe asked in a tone so low it could barely be heard.<\/p>\n

Unable to find his voice for a moment Adam fought hard with all his strength to keep his emotions in check. He wanted to sound positive\u2026but failed. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he finally responded. \u201cI really don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was not the answer the youngest Cartwright wanted to hear. With remorse etched into his features Joe wiped his soiled palm across his pants. \u201cYou were right Adam. I shouldn\u2019t have left Pa. If he\u2019s been killed then I\u2019m the one to blame.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam eyed his brother sympathetically. \u201cYou\u2019ve got nothing to blame yourself for Joe,\u201d he quickly told him. \u201cYou weren\u2019t to know what was going to happen and it could have been any one of us with Pa this morning and placed in the same position.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded in agreement. \u201cAdam\u2019s right Joe. \u2018Sides just cause there\u2019s blood on the saddle don\u2019t mean Pa\u2019s been\u2026.don\u2019t mean he\u2019s\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable finish his sentence Hoss took a deep breath. \u201cIf we make a move now we\u2019ll have a couple of hours of light left to do some searchin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam considered for a moment, but the decision was already made when Joe abruptly brushed passed them both without a word or backward glance and made his way towards the hitching rail.<\/p>\n

Without protestation his brothers followed.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

They rode hard and in silence with Joe leading the way until he eventually slowed down after reaching the spot where he\u2019d last seen their father. For a moment they all stared at a couple of fully grown deer lying dead on the ground; the tell-tale sign of a poacher\u2019s wasteful slaughter.<\/p>\n

Adam cursed under his breath at the senseless killing as Joe pointed up the hill. \u201cPa headed off in that direction towards Oak Draw.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the fading light of early evening Hoss used his tracking skills to scan the ground and soon saw what he was looking for. \u201cThere\u2019s Buck\u2019s tracks over here. I\u2019d recognise them anywhere with that broken chip on his hind shoe. While we\u2019ve still got some light they should be easy enough to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n

They continued for a while, silence hanging between them as they made a slow and methodical search of the trail; each of them dreading what they might find around every bend. But there was no sign of a body or the missing rifle.<\/p>\n

Eventually Hoss pulled Chubb to a stop and pointed down. \u201cBuck veers off that way, but there\u2019s been another horse here as well\u2026small hoofed animal.\u201d He scanned the terrain again then continued. \u201cLooks like the tracks are heading up the end of the Draw. There\u2019s plenty of cover there, so if that poacher had any sense at all that\u2019s where he\u2019d have set up camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing it was not only a couple of miles away but a good place for an ambush Adam instinctively pulled out his Colt and spun the barrel. Satisfied all was in working order he re-holstered his gun. Hoss and Joe copied his lead and did the same. \u201cReady?\u201d he asked when they\u2019d finished.<\/p>\n

Adam heard no reply but in the shadows of the darkening landscape two heads moved up and down towards him. However he couldn\u2019t fail to notice a veiled wildness in his little brother\u2019s eyes\u2026.vengeance clearly on his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cWe don\u2019t know if Pa is dead or if this poacher had anything to do with his disappearance. Just bear that in mind if we come across him, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Fighting against the red-rage in his body that welled up like a volcano about to erupt, Joe remained silent as if he hadn\u2019t heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026did you hear what I said?\u201d Adam repeated. \u201cWhoever this poacher is he might be innocent of shooting Pa. So we\u2019ve got to give him a chance to explain himself. But if he did the shooting we need to talk to him, ask him if Pa is alive somewhere. And if not\u2026.well we\u2019ve got to get him to tell us where he\u2019s left Pa\u2019s body. There\u2019s enough gullies around here to bury an army and we\u2019d never stand a chance of finding him otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still there was no reaction as Joe failed to respond again, just sitting motionless in his saddle while the fingers of his left hand flexed in instinctive anticipation.<\/p>\n

Exasperated Adam leaned over and caught hold of Joe\u2019s wrist, tightening a vice like grip hard around it. \u201cThis fella\u2019s no good to us if he\u2019s been riddled with bullets. We can\u2019t question a dead man. Do you understand what I\u2019m saying Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaken out of his trance like state the wisdom of Adam\u2019s words penetrated the wall of reprisal in Joe\u2019s mind. He forced his gaze to meet that of his brother and after a brief moment he nodded.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged a silent anxious glance, and then with a joint feeling of apprehension the three men slowly moved off towards Oak Draw.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Darkness had by now all but obscured the track. However they smelt the smoke from a burnt out fire long before it came into view and homed in on the camp. Tying their horses to a small clump of dense brush they walked cautiously towards it, guns held tightly in their hands. But there was no one in sight when they arrived; the place was deserted.<\/p>\n

With their Colts slipped back into holsters, Adam and Joe then waited patiently as they watched Hoss look around a copse of trees in the pale glimmer of moonlight. \u201cAlong with the one we\u2019ve tracked, there\u2019s been at least another two shod horses tied up here,\u201d he eventually told them.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s throat was tight and dry. \u201cSo that lone poacher wasn\u2019t alone,\u201d he broke in bitterly. \u201cIt never occurred to me and Pa there\u2019d be others with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss continued looking around then let out a gasp as if he couldn\u2019t believe what he was seeing, and with his corn-blue eyes narrowing quizzically he squatted down by a large boulder. \u201cThose are Buck\u2019s tracks, plain as day. But how come they\u2019re back up here? Last time we saw them he was heading in the other direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam absently poked his boot into the lukewarm ashes then out the corner of his eye noticed something odd at the edge of the fire. Bending down he picked it up. \u201cThese weren\u2019t no ordinary poachers,\u201d he told them as he stared at a small piece of scorched cloth that had clearly come from a man\u2019s shirt. Hoss and Joe moved to his side and read the label.<\/p>\n

Joe spat out the words. \u201cHuntsville Prison.\u201d His voice was chillingly calm as he then stated the obvious. \u201cThree horses\u2026three convicts. Pa wouldn\u2019t have stood a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 eyes were now stricken at the thought. Had their worst nightmare come true after all? He cleared his throat. \u201cYou reckon they\u2019re escaped prisoners or just been let loose after servin\u2019 their time Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe spun round and stared at him. \u201cWhat does it matter Hoss!\u201d he snapped angrily as he faced his brother head on. \u201cAll that matters is those three good for nothings have high-tailed it out of here after murdering our Pa. So what are we waiting for? The longer we stand around talking about it the more miles they\u2019re putting between us!\u201d<\/p>\n

He began to move away but anticipating his reaction Adam checked him with a raised hand. \u201cJust stop to think for a minute Joe,\u201d he said in a curt tone. \u201cThere\u2019s no way we can follow any tracks in the dead of night. We\u2019d be just going around in circles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing anguish and a streak of recklessness was spurring him on Hoss placed a hand on his little brother\u2019s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. \u201cI know how you\u2019re feelin\u2019 Joe. You want to get your hands on these men as soon as you can. We all feel the same. But it would be just plain foolish and far too dangerous to go trackin\u2019 around in this terrain in the dark. And deep down you know it too, don\u2019t you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breathing heavily and with his fists clenched, Joe fought through his rage until he realised the sense of his brothers reasoning. \u201cYeah, I know it,\u201d he finally admitted.<\/p>\n

With an air of despondency now clearly about him, Joe removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair as he moved away a few paces; his back to his brothers and his shoulders slumped. \u201cPa\u2019s dead because of me,\u201d he said in a voice croaking with emotion. \u201cThis is all my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss flashed him an impatient glance. \u201cJoe. Adam\u2019s already told you you\u2019ve got nothing to blame yourself for. You were just following Pa\u2019s orders as any one of us would have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

With his conscience now pricking his insides like a festering sore Joe shook his head. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand Hoss. I had this feeling deep down Pa was heading for trouble the moment I left him, but instead of turning around and following my gut instinct I just kept going.\u201d He wiped a hand across moistened eyes. \u201cGuess it\u2019s a decision I\u2019ll always regret but I\u2019m going to have to live with for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a heavy silence for a few moments; Adam and Hoss not sure how to respond. Eventually the elder Cartwright moved forward to stand by Joe\u2019s side. \u201cWith the benefit of hindsight it\u2019s easy for anyone to recognize they made the wrong decision and should have done things in a different way Joe,\u201d Adam told him in a kindly tone. \u201cBut in your case if you had gone back who\u2019s to say it would have made any difference anyway? If all three of these men were in a killing mood you could have been shot just as easily with Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

As his brothers eyed him, Joe pondered thoughtfully for several seconds until at long last the weight of guilt pressing down heavy on his shoulders lightened significantly. \u201cNever thought of it that way. Reckon you could be right Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss flapped a hand towards him. \u201cDamn right he is, so stop feeling sorry for yourself little brother,\u201d he chastised, though his voice was noticeably soft and his eyes flashed caringly. \u201cThe only man who\u2019s to blame is the one who pulled the trigger on our Pa. So we don\u2019t want to hear no more about you holdin\u2019 yourself responsible for somethin\u2019 you had no control over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his thanks at their understanding with the slightest flicker of a smile forming on his face though his eyes showed no humour. \u201cSo what do you suggest we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his bristling chin thoughtfully as his mind raced. \u201cFirst we could go back to the ranch and collect Pa\u2019s saddle,\u201d he finally responded. \u201cThen we take it into town to show it to the Sheriff as proof of what\u2019s been happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused and flicked a gaze between his brothers. \u201cDoes that sound all right with you two?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no indication of dissent so Adam continued. \u201cRoy might have heard if there\u2019s been a break out from Hunstville and if not can find out who\u2019s been released in the past few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou reckon Roy will set up a posse to go after them?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Adam answered with a nod. \u201cKnowing the way Roy works he\u2019s bound to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even through his misery Joe gave a wry smile. \u201cAnd as law abiding citizens are we going to join this lawfully led posse Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was an eerie silence for a few moments; the memory still vivid in their minds as eldest and youngest Cartwright recalled the time when they\u2019d last been members of a posse a few years before.<\/p>\n

On that occasion it had rapidly turned into a hanging posse as their neighbours took it upon themselves to be judge, jury and executioner while chasing across the desert after three men accused of murder. And they may well have been successful if it wasn\u2019t for the fact Adam and Joe decided to put their own lives at risk to make sure the last man left alive and the self-confessed killer, was returned to jail to face a legally recognized trial.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Joe asked again.<\/p>\n

Decisively Adam shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he said quietly but very distinctly. \u201cWe can rest up until first light then return here alone to follow the tracks. We\u2019ll find the men who shot Pa by ourselves. We won\u2019t need no posse\u2019s help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s inference was clear; they would settle the score their own way. So agreeing wholeheartedly and feeling no need to contradict him his two brothers said nothing; a need for revenge bonding all three men in a way they\u2019d never before thought possible.<\/p>\n

For this time circumstances were different; this time it was personal.<\/p>\n

With the decision made Hoss turned on his heel. \u201cYou two wait here while I go fetch the horses,\u201d he said, his usually gentle voice now noticeably pitiless and cold as he disappeared into the darkness.<\/p>\n

Joe watched him walk away then exchanged a meaningful glance with his elder brother. And for a moment it was as if their thoughts were one as they silently contemplated the course of action they\u2019d agreed to follow.<\/p>\n

Would they end up going against all their father had taught them about right and wrong and take the law into their own hands when they found his killer?<\/p>\n

Both Adam and Joe inwardly sighed and wondered.<\/p>\n

Only time would tell.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0Written for the November ‘missing scene’ challenge.\u00a0\u00a0 Taken from The Legacy.\u00a0 What happens after Joe leaves Ben to chase after the poacher?<\/p>\n

Rated: K+\u00a0 Word Count: 4418<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,61,40],"tags":[14,17,16],"class_list":["post-2371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-missing-scene","category-challenges","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-61-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1619,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Pdvd_028.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12911,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12911","url_meta":{"origin":2371,"position":0},"title":"The Stranger – A Missing Scene (by Jenny G)","author":"Gwynne & JennyG","date":"January 11, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 What followed when Roy released Little Joe from jail. Rating:\u00a0 K+ (1,130 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 1x, https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 1.5x, https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1740,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1740","url_meta":{"origin":2371,"position":1},"title":"The Letter (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"April 20, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Hoss has a very important message to impart.\u00a0 A missing scene from The Stillness Within.\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 K (775 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Hossb.jpg?fit=444%2C339&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12133,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12133","url_meta":{"origin":2371,"position":2},"title":"Frightened Beyond Reason (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"June 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12914,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12914","url_meta":{"origin":2371,"position":3},"title":"The Lady from Baltimore – A Missing Scene (by Jenny G)","author":"Gwynne & JennyG","date":"January 11, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A missing scene for the episode. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (900 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Missing Scene"","block_context":{"text":"Missing Scene","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=61"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/A-Tangled-Web_Lady-From-Baltimore.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/A-Tangled-Web_Lady-From-Baltimore.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/A-Tangled-Web_Lady-From-Baltimore.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14039,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14039","url_meta":{"origin":2371,"position":4},"title":"Stranger in the Night (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"March 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A Bonanza Gothic poem written for the 2017 \"Once Upon A Midnight Dreary\" challenge honoring the birthday of Edgar Allen Poe. Rating: K+ \u00a0 (251 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/The-Robe-e1410283539118.jpg?fit=627%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/The-Robe-e1410283539118.jpg?fit=627%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/The-Robe-e1410283539118.jpg?fit=627%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12120,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12120","url_meta":{"origin":2371,"position":5},"title":"Blundered Seduction (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"December 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Caught with his pants down and in a compromising situation by the one person he'd least likely want to find him as such, Joe learns three valuable lessons; no one ever died of embarrassment, chose your friends carefully, and being 16 and still a virgin is nothing to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2371"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}