{"id":2515,"date":"2004-06-16T23:03:57","date_gmt":"2004-06-17T03:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2515"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:35","slug":"into-the-darkness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2515","title":{"rendered":"Into the Darkness (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>When a stranger arrives in town with a business proposition for Ben, he won’t take no for an answer. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(10,825 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

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0Into the Darkness<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The knife pricked into his ribs once more as he hesitated. \u201cGo on!\u201d growled his captor. \u201cI said, move!\u201d This time, he shoved his prisoner and Joe Cartwright stumbled forward a few paces. He desperately didn\u2019t want to go any further into the darkness of the old mine, but he knew he had no choice. Donner, his captor, would not hesitate to kill him on the spot and Joe desperately wanted to live, if only to use his last breath to condemn the man who threatened him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Had it not been for the man carrying the lantern, the darkness would have been impenetrable. Joe was not afraid of the dark, but he was uneasy nonetheless. He knew that when the lantern was taken away, he would see nothing. The complete absence of light would prevent the development of night vision and Joe would have only his thoughts for company.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some distance into the mine, Donner said, \u201cThat\u2019s far enough, Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping, Joe knew that if he was going to try to escape, now was his last chance. He whirled and kicked out at the man standing behind him, but although he caught Donner in the groin, he had forgotten about the lantern-bearer, a man whose name Joe did not know. This man simply crashed his gun butt down on Joe\u2019s unprotected head and the youngest Cartwright collapsed to the floor, his head reeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dimly, he was aware of something being fastened around his ankles, but his body wasn\u2019t taking commands from his brain right then and he couldn\u2019t move. The manacles around his wrists were checked and he heard Donner laugh. \u201cGet out of that, if you can!\u201d he sneered and kicked Joe heavily in the side. Joe groaned and curled up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then he heard footsteps leaving and by the time he could persuade his eyes to open again, Joe was completely alone in the dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWho is he?\u201d Ben asked, and Joe shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSaid his name is Donner and that he\u2019d like to meet with you to discuss a \u2018proposition\u2019.\u201d Joe made a wry face. \u201cHe didn\u2019t say it in so many words, Pa, but he sure made it clear that he didn\u2019t want to do business with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Noticing that Joe didn\u2019t look particularly upset by this, Ben joked, \u201cWell, why speak to the monkey when you can talk to the organ grinder?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, ha ha,\u201d Joe joked back, but he couldn\u2019t prevent the smile crossing his face. \u201cYou\u2019re very funny, did you know that, Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have my moments,\u201d Ben agreed. Sobering, he got back down to business. \u201cDid he give any indication about when he wanted to talk to me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHe did say he\u2019s staying at the International House and that you can reach him there, but he stressed sooner rather than later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid he indeed?\u201d Ben murmured, not liking the sound of that. It made it seem as though Donner\u2019s time was more important than Ben\u2019s and to Ben, that didn\u2019t bode well for a future relationship. \u201cWell, I\u2019m out here and he can as easily come here as I can go into town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you might feel like that,\u201d Joe agreed, his eyes glinting mischievously. \u201cSo I told him you could be found here at the ranch most days, although I couldn\u2019t guarantee you would be at your desk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben knew he ought to scold Joe for being rude to Donner, but in truth, he didn\u2019t blame Joe for replying like that and so he contented himself with a small frown at his son. \u201cIf he\u2019s around the next time I\u2019m in town, I\u2019ll speak with him. If not, well, it wasn\u2019t that important.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought, too,\u201d Joe murmured. He knew Ben wasn\u2019t really annoyed with him. \u201cI gotta get back to work, Pa,\u201d Joe continued. \u201cSee you at supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, see you then,\u201d Ben agreed, absently. As Joe left the house, Ben found himself wondering about the mysterious business man who had spoken to Joe earlier that afternoon. What did he want? And why did Ben have such an uneasy feeling about it?<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cDonner?\u201d Adam repeated. \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t heard of him. Why do you ask?\u201d He had just come in from work and had taken off his gun belt and laid it on the credenza by the front door, as they usually did.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe stopped Joe in town,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cTold Joe he had a proposition for me, but didn\u2019t say what. When he told Joe I could find him at the hotel, Joe told him\u00a0he<\/em>\u00a0could find\u00a0me<\/em>\u00a0here!\u201d Ben laughed. \u201cI feel exactly the same way myself, I must admit. He wants to talk to me, so why should I go chasing after him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill\u2026\u201d Adam murmured, not wanting to say he thought Joe had been very rude to say that.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think Donner wants?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cPerhaps he wants me to invest in a business venture or perhaps he\u2019s interested in buying a herd from us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to go and see him?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if he hasn\u2019t shown up here first, and only if I actually have to go into town anyway,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cWe\u2019re busy enough without extra trips to town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you should make the time to go and see him,\u201d Adam mused. \u201cI\u2019m curious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo am I,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cBut not that curious. It can wait, Adam. I\u2019m not looking for further investments right now.\u201d Ben\u2019s tone was quite final and Adam knew that he would have to curb his curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

But it didn\u2019t have to be curbed for long. The next morning, a man rode out from town with a note for Ben, inviting him to supper at the hotel that evening, and signed \u2018Donner\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna go?\u201d Joe asked, at lunch, when Ben told them the news.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I\u2019d better,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIt would be rude not to. I don\u2019t have anything else on this evening. And then I\u2019ll know what he wants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs the invitation just for you?\u201d Joe asked, hopefully, wanting to know what the mysterious Mr. Donner wanted. After all, he had met the gentleman in question, which was more than Ben had done!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is, why?\u201d Ben replied, absently. He glanced at Joe, who colored slightly and shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just asking,\u201d he muttered belligerently, when he saw both his brothers looking at him speculatively. \u201cI was curious, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure you were,\u201d nodded Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe guessed that,\u201d Hoss smirked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring this by-play, Ben rose. \u201cI\u2019ll be gone when you boys get back from work,\u201d he reminded them. \u201cHop Sing will have supper waiting for you as usual.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave a good time,\u201d Joe muttered as he left.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The ride into town was pleasant and uneventful and Ben arrived in good time for his supper invitation. He asked at the reception desk and the clerk told him that Mr. Donner was waiting in the dining room for him. \u201cBig blond haired man wearing a dark suit,\u201d the clerk advised. \u201cYou can\u2019t miss him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Ben replied and went into the dining room.<\/span><\/p>\n

The clerk was right, Ben saw, as soon as he entered. The gentleman that Ben was looking for was indeed a big blond man, standing at least as tall as Hoss, although he wasn\u2019t quite as strongly built. He rose as Ben entered, clearly having been told what Ben looked like. Ben smiled and went over. \u201cMr. Donner? I\u2019m Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease sit down,\u201d Donner replied and seated himself again. \u201cThank you for coming. I had hoped you might have come to see me yesterday.\u201d The reproof was clear in Donner\u2019s voice and his tone was rather cold and stiff.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was otherwise occupied,\u201d Ben answered, keeping any signs of defensiveness out of his voice. After all, he had nothing to be defensive about. \u201cWhat can I do for you now that I\u2019m here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve ordered supper, it will be served momentarily,\u201d Donner evaded. \u201cWould you like wine? I\u2019ve ordered a rather nice bottle of red.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat will be fine, thank you,\u201d Ben replied, amused at the man\u2019s efforts to keep control of the evening. If he hadn\u2019t already been that way inclined, this show of dominance would have pushed Ben towards refusing whatever was on offer. He liked to be an equal partner in a venture, not dominant and certainly not subordinate.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he took a sip of the fine wine, nodding appreciatively, Ben studied his host more closely. He guessed Donner\u2019s age to be about 35, a year or two older than Adam. His thick blond hair fell boyishly across one eye, but there was nothing boyish in his face. His eyes were cold and grey. Ben instinctively didn\u2019t trust him.<\/span><\/p>\n

For his part, Donner had been returning the scrutiny. \u201cI was told that the young man to whom I gave the original message was your son,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cJoe is my youngest son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI trust the boy passed it on,\u201d Donner went on, not quite asking a question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cJoe told me about it when he came in. What can I do for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, Ben had to wait as the meal was brought to the table. He was pleased to see that it wasn\u2019t some over-sauced fancy dish, but a good honest steak with all the trimmings. Across the table, Donner had some sort of fish, drowning in a pale-colored sauce. Ben took a bite of his steak and found it to be as excellent as he had expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it good?\u201d Donner asked. \u201cI believe the supplier is local.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thank you,\u201d Ben responded, smiling. \u201cAnd the supplier is local. I\u2019m the supplier. This is Ponderosa beef.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost anyone else, in that situation, would have laughed and the ice would have been broken. But Donner apparently didn\u2019t see the humor and just nodded. Ben stifled a sigh. This looked like it would be a long evening. He wondered how long he would have to sit there before he could decently make a move.<\/span><\/p>\n

At last, Donner broached the reason that Ben was there. \u201cMr. Cartwright, I believe that you are a very wealthy man and that you have a diverse number of business interests. Is this correct?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m certainly involved with a few companies,\u201d Ben replied, cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for investors to join with me in opening up a new gold mine,\u201d Donner announced, with a hint of self-importance in his voice. \u201cOf course, all profits and losses would be divided according to the number of shares you buy. I will be the majority stockholder, but I would be prepared to offer you all of the remaining 35% of my mine.\u201d He tried a smile, but Ben thought it didn\u2019t look right on his face, as though the man\u2019s muscles were unused to the action.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is the mine?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cHave you had it assayed? Is it a new venture? Have you bought it from someone who has got all he can out of it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see you\u2019ve had some experience of mining, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Donner commented, disapprovingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben nodded, not adding anything more to the statement. Two could play cat and mouse games, he thought. He waited patiently for the answers, already knowing that he was going to refuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI inherited the mine from my uncle,\u201d Donner said, finally. \u201cHe didn\u2019t work it to its full capacity, which I am about to do now. I have the assayer\u2019s report in my hotel room and I can assure you, sir, that you won\u2019t be disappointed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But that information was more than enough for Ben. \u201cYou\u2019re Tom Breyer\u2019s nephew?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou inherited the Breyer mine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Narrowing his cold grey eyes, Donner regarded Ben with suspicion. \u201cYou know of this mine?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone around here knows of the Breyer mine,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cTom worked that mine hard and although he got out quite a quantity of silver, he never saw a trace of gold. He closed the mine down when the silver became too hard to get out. You might get some silver out of there, Mr. Donner, but you won\u2019t find any gold, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d Ben rose and thrust out his hand. \u201cThank you for supper and it was a pleasure to meet you.\u201d He wondered why he felt obliged to tell this social lie. It hadn\u2019t really been much pleasure at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean you\u2019re not going to invest?\u201d Donner demanded, ignoring Ben\u2019s hand. \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause the mine is played out, and I am not interested in throwing money down a hole in the ground. Good evening, sir.\u201d Ben knew it would be pointless to stay and argue and he didn\u2019t want to create any more of a scene that they already had created. He started to walk across the dining room.<\/span><\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t taken more than one step when a hand fell on his arm and swung him around. \u201cI\u2019m warning you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Donner hissed quietly. \u201cIf you don\u2019t invest in this mine, you\u2019ll regret it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A pang of disquiet shot through Ben, but he didn\u2019t show it. Instead, he looked down at the hand on his arm. \u201cLet go, Mr. Donner,\u201d he ordered, his tone quiet and reasonable. \u201cI am not going to invest in your mine. Good evening.\u201d Ben shook the hand off his arm and left, quietly seething.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe threatened you?\u201d Adam echoed. \u201cDid you tell Roy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t bother Roy,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cWhat was the point? He hadn\u2019t done anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Adam allowed. \u201cI wonder if he has had any assaying done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cI think he just wanted my money. I don\u2019t think for a minute that he\u2019s actually going to re-open the mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a waste of an evening for you,\u201d Joe commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe company wasn\u2019t up to much,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut the steak was good.\u201d They all grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

By next morning, Ben had dismissed his anger at Donner\u2019s attitude and decided to just forget about the whole meeting. He was pretty sure that Donner would, somewhere, find someone who was willing to invest in his mine, for there might still be enough silver in it to make some money from it. What Ben didn\u2019t know was why Donner had decided to choose him as an investor and why he had become so annoyed when Ben refused. However, he shrugged it off as unimportant and life went as usual on the ranch.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Friday night, Joe, Hoss and Adam went into town. It had been a long week, and apart from Joe\u2019s brief excursion to town earlier in the week, none of them had been off the ranch. They hitched their horses outside the Silver Dollar and went into the saloon, relishing the noise and bright lights.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll buy the first round,\u201d Adam offered. \u201cBut after that, you\u2019re on your own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, big brother,\u201d Joe grinned and leaned against the bar to survey the crowd as Cosmo got them their beers. His eyes widened as he spotted a familiar face in the crowd and he excitedly swung round to tell his brothers. \u201cYou\u2019ll never guess who\u2019s here,\u201d he teased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWho?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuess,\u201d Joe urged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, dagnabit, Joe, we ain\u2019t never gonna guess,\u201d Hoss sighed. \u201cJist tell us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDonner,\u201d Joe responded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d Hoss responded, instantly turning to survey the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make it so obvious!\u201d Joe hissed, tugging on Hoss\u2019 sleeve. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be casual like.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring his younger brother, Hoss continued to look round. \u201cWhere is he, Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the corner by the stairs,\u201d Joe replied resignedly. He met Adam\u2019s amused look and shrugged. He might have known that Hoss would look round at once. It was the same thing he most likely would have done in Hoss\u2019 shoes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fellar with the blond hair?\u201d Hoss asked, finally realizing he was staring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe sighed. \u201cWhyn\u2019t ya just go over there and speak to him, ya big lug? You couldn\u2019t have made it any more obvious that I was talking about him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStop being so dramatic,\u201d Adam scolded, picking up his beer and taking a drink. He turned to lean his elbows against the bar and surveyed the patrons, nodding and calling greetings to a few friends. His gaze simply skimmed over Donner, but Adam knew that he would remember the man\u2019s face. \u201cSo that\u2019s Donner,\u201d he commented softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Joe could reply, his friend Mitch Devlin came into the bar and Joe abandoned his brothers to go and sit with his friend. It was only a matter of minutes before the table where Joe and Mitch were sitting was surrounded by young men and saloon girls. One redhead was already sitting on Joe\u2019s lap.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow does he do that?\u201d Hoss wanted to know. Adam simply shrugged. He turned round to lean more comfortably on the bar and chat to Cosmo the barman.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the corner, Donner watched the Cartwright brothers closely.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As the evening progressed and the crowd became rowdier, the Cartwrights forgot all about Donner. Joe and his friends were involved in a light-hearted poker game, Hoss was deep in conversation with an acquaintance and Adam was yawning. He had met with some of his friends, but he was now beginning to feel tired and he decided to head for home. Going over to Hoss, he put his hand on his brother\u2019s broad shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m going home,\u201d he said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa feelin\u2019 all right?\u201d Hoss asked. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cI\u2019m just a bit tired. Are you coming now, or waiting for a bit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come with ya,\u201d Hoss decided. \u201cI\u2019ll jist tell Joe an\u2019 I\u2019ll meet ya outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Adam agreed and strolled outside. He was crossing to the hitching rail when he heard a groan from the alley at the side of the saloon. Pausing, Adam wondered for a minute if he\u2019d imagined it, but then the sound was repeated. \u201cHello?\u201d Adam said, cautiously going closer. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another groan was his only answer and he took another few steps closer. A man was slumped against the wall, clutching his ribs. Concerned, Adam went closer and put his hand out to touch the man. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The answer he got was not the one he was expecting. The \u2018injured\u2019 man made a miraculous recovery and grabbed Adam\u2019s arm, yanking the surprised Cartwright towards him, while at the same time, he threw a powerful punch to Adam\u2019s face. Caught off guard, Adam reeled back, but the grip on his arm allowed his attacker to haul him back and sink another punch into his gut. Curling over, Adam was completely unprepared for the fists that hammered down on the back of his neck and as he tumbled into darkness, he vaguely heard Hoss\u2019 voice shouting, \u201cHey!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHey!\u201d Hoss shouted and charged into the alley with Joe at his heels.<\/span><\/p>\n

At once, Adam\u2019s attacker turned and fled. \u201cI\u2019ll get him!\u201d Joe cried and raced off, leaving Hoss to bend anxiously over Adam, who was out cold.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Hoss knelt by his brother and shook his shoulder gently. Adam groaned and after a moment or two, his eyes flickered open and he looked blearily at Hoss. \u201cAdam?\u201d Hoss repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c \u2019m all right,\u201d Adam mumbled. He moved to sit up and Hoss helped him, supporting him gently until he saw that Adam was able to support himself. \u201cWhere\u2019d he go?\u201d Adam asked, looking round.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat way,\u201d Hoss replied, pointing. \u201cLittle Joe went after him.\u201d Hoss looked intently at Adam. \u201cWho was he? What\u2019d he want?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam replied, wryly. He wiped away blood from his nose. \u201cI heard him groaning and I thought he\u2019d been attacked. He didn\u2019t say anything, just lit into me.\u201d He rubbed his stomach reflectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan ya stand?\u201d Hoss asked and when Adam nodded, he helped his older brother to his feet. Hoss brushed some dirt off Adam\u2019s black clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n

It suddenly dawned on them both that Joe had been gone for some time. Adam glanced at Hoss uneasily. \u201cShouldn\u2019t Joe be back by now?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReckon so,\u201d Hoss agreed unhappily. \u201cYa gonna be all right ta come lookin\u2019 fer him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied, grimly. His stomach started to throb as he began walking and the bleeding, which had almost stopped, started up again. Adam took the bandanna from his pocket and held it against his nose as he followed after Hoss, allowing his younger brother to take the lead.<\/span><\/p>\n

But although they searched high and low, they found no trace of Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Racing after Adam\u2019s assailant, Joe wasn\u2019t really concentrating on where the chase was taking him. All he wanted was to catch the man and find out why he had attacked Adam. Joe was by far the faster runner and he was gaining on the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing over his shoulder, the man seemed surprised to see Joe so close and ducked into an alley. Joe knew he should be cautious, but he still charged recklessly into the alley. Almost instantly, he tripped over a rope that was drawn taut across the alley at knee height and he crashed to the ground. Two people jumped onto his back and before he could regain his breath, Joe found his hands manacled behind him and a gag tied tightly across his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Struggling uselessly, Joe was dragged to his feet where he glared at Donner. \u201cYoung Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Donner purred. \u201cWhat a pleasure. All mine, of course. I\u2019m so looking forward to renewing our acquaintance, and that of your father. He was extremely foolish not to do business with me. But I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll change his mind now he knows what\u2019s at stake \u2013 your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Glaring furiously, Joe made an attempt to throw himself at Donner, but the accomplice prevented the move. He drew a knife and grabbed Joe tightly, and put the knife against Joe\u2019s throat. Donner smiled. \u201cDon\u2019t forget, Joe, that your father has two other sons. I don\u2019t need to keep you alive. I can easily kill you and take one of the others as my hostage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Next moment, as though to add emphasis to the threat, Joe heard Hoss\u2019 anxious voice calling his name. \u201cJoe! Where are ya, boy? Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the knife at his throat, Joe struggled to free himself, feeling a couple of sharp nicks. He froze when Donner drew his gun and laid it against Joe\u2019s temple. For several long moments, their gazes locked and Joe could see that Donner would cheerfully blow his brains out and not feel any remorse at all. Joe didn\u2019t want to die, but it was fear for his brothers\u2019 safety that made him keep still, not fear for his own life. He didn\u2019t want either of them to be in the position he was currently in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing Joe\u2019s capitulation, Donner turned round to look back out of the alley. He could see Hoss and Adam stop in the middle of the street. \u201cJoe?\u201d Adam called.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shockingly, Donner fired and Adam toppled to the ground. As Hoss instinctively ducked, drawing his gun, Donner shouted, \u201cLet that be a warning! I have your brother. Tell Ben Cartwright that if he wants his son back alive, he\u2019ll meet me at tomorrow noon at Indian Falls, alone!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you!\u201d Hoss shouted. \u201cLet Joe go!\u201d He looked in anguish at Adam, who was ominously still. His only answer was another shot that made him shield his injured brother from harm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet\u2026 Joe,\u201d Adam whispered, but Hoss still hesitated a moment longer. When Adam forced the words out again, he jumped to his feet and ran over to the alley. But he was too late. Joe and his abductors were gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The journey away from Virginia City was unpleasant for Joe, lying flat in the back of a wagon, his face to the rough boards and a knife pricking in his ribs the whole way. Wherever they were going was quite some distance from town and Joe was stiff and sore when the wagon wheels eventually stopped turning.<\/span><\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t much to see. The landscape was draped in shadows, unrelieved by the lack of moonlight. Joe could make out the hills against the starlit sky, but that was about all. As Donner hauled Joe to his feet, the other man lit a lantern, instantly killing any night vision Joe had been developing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Mr. Cartwright, we\u2019ve arrived at our destination,\u201d Donner mused, pulling the gag from Joe\u2019s mouth. \u201cYou can shout for help as much as you like; there\u2019s no one around here to come to your rescue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need money to restart my mine,\u201d Donner answered, as though Joe were very dim. \u201cYour father is the richest man in Nevada. He can afford to help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut there must be other men you could ask,\u201d Joe objected. \u201cYou could have had several partners.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father\u2019s name will open a lot of doors for me,\u201d Donner replied. \u201cWith his help, I can become governor, a senator or even President of the United States of America. With his help, the sky\u2019s the limit!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gazing at him in bemused wonderment, Joe forgot for a moment that he was this man\u2019s prisoner. \u201cYou don\u2019t need Pa\u2019s help to do that,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cAnyone can stand for election.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be stupid, boy!\u201d Donner snapped. He glared at Joe. \u201cI have a past. The only way I can do these things is if I have someone helping me, showing everyone that my mistakes were just youthful transgressions. Your father\u2019s reputation for honesty will do this for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does this have to do with the mine?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour father will invest a lot of money in this mine,\u201d Donner replied. \u201cAnd then, when he\u2019s in very deep, he\u2019ll discover, tragically, that the mine is played out and in fact is derelict, and has been for many years. Sadly, both he and I were led astray by my mine supervisor and I only discovered this when you are killed in the disaster that shows the mine is unsafe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe could scarcely breathe. Donner, he now knew, was mad. Completely deluded. Did he really think this hair-brained scheme of his would work? And with a pang, Joe remembered seeing Adam fall to the ground. Donner was crazy enough to kill until he got what he wanted. Joe knew that Ben would move heaven and earth to get him back, especially with Adam already hurt. Would Donner really hold him prisoner until he was on the way to being US president?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, Mr. Cartwright, its time to show you to your new accommodations.\u201d He gave Joe a shove.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo this is how I happen to be in the mine when it collapses,\u201d Joe sneered. \u201cI\u2019m already a prisoner there!\u201d Joe knew where the Breyer mine was located and now knew where he was and how he could get home. There was just the small matter of the manacles around his wrists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Donner backhanded him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caught unawares, Joe stumbled. Donner was no longer being even pseudo-polite. \u201cYou\u2019ll do as you are told, Cartwright, or I\u2019ll kill you like I killed your brother!\u201d he hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raising his head, Joe glared back. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll see you hang for that, Donner!\u201d he shot back. \u201cIf it\u2019s the last thing I do, I\u2019ll make sure you hang!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Enraged, Donner punched Joe in the face once, then again. Blood ran down Joe\u2019s chin from his split lip, but he wasn\u2019t cowed. He tried to head butt Donner, but the older man avoided him easily and smashed his fist into Joe\u2019s ribs. As Joe curled up, Donner simply pushed Joe to the ground and planted his foot in the middle of Joe\u2019s back. He ground the heel of his boot into Joe\u2019s kidneys. Joe writhed with pain, but he was determined not to cry out.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a moment, Donner hauled Joe to his feet and Joe once more felt the knife pricking in his ribs. \u201cI\u2019m going to really enjoy killing you,\u201d Donner breathed malevolently in Joe\u2019s ear. \u201cNow move, or I\u2019ll kill you where you stand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The knife pricked into his ribs once more as he hesitated. \u201cGo on!\u201d growled Donner. \u201cI said, move!\u201d This time, he shoved his prisoner and Joe stumbled forward a few paces. He desperately didn\u2019t want to go any further into the darkness of the old mine, but he knew he had no choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Had it not been for the man carrying the lantern, the darkness would have been impenetrable. Joe was not afraid of the dark, but he was uneasy nonetheless. He knew that when the lantern was taken away, he would see nothing. The complete absence of light would prevent the development of night vision and Joe would have only his thoughts for company.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some distance into the mine, Donner said, \u201cThat\u2019s far enough, Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping, Joe knew that if he was going to try to escape, now was his last chance. He whirled and kicked out at the man standing behind him, but although he caught Donner in the groin, he had forgotten about the lantern-bearer, a man whose name Joe did not know. This man simply crashed his gun butt down on Joe\u2019s unprotected head and the youngest Cartwright collapsed to the floor, his head reeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dimly, he was aware of something being fastened around his ankles, but his body wasn\u2019t taking commands from his brain right then and he couldn\u2019t move. The manacles around his wrists were checked and he heard Donner laugh. \u201cGet out of that, if you can!\u201d he sneered and kicked Joe heavily in the side. Joe groaned and curled up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then he heard footsteps leaving and by the time he could persuade his eyes to open again, Joe was completely alone in the dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWh-what?\u201d Ben stuttered, as Hoss charged into the ranch house in the early hours of the morning and woke his father with the dreadful tale of woe. \u201cBut who did it?\u201d he asked, befuddled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss admitted. He sat down and dropped his head into his hands. \u201cI never saw anyone. I jist heard his voice an\u2019 it didn\u2019 sound familiar ta me.\u201d He looked miserably at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is any of this your fault?\u201d Ben demanded. \u201cYou have nothing to be sorry for, Hoss. Now tell me again; how is Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was hit in the side, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cBut it were jist a flesh wound. Paul says he lost a bit o\u2019 blood, but he\u2019s gonna be jist fine. He didn\u2019 want me ta bring him home tonight, cos he were plumb wore out, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get dressed and go in,\u201d Ben declared, but Hoss jumped to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s the middle o\u2019 the night!\u201d he protested. \u201cAdam\u2019s doin\u2019 jist fine an\u2019 it won\u2019t do ya no good ta go off in the dark like this.\u201d He patted his father\u2019s arm. \u201cGet some more sleep an\u2019 wait till morning\u2019. Tomorra might be a long day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d Ben admitted, although he felt rather guilty. He really should be by Adam\u2019s side. \u201cI doubt if I\u2019ll sleep, though.\u201d He looked more closely at Hoss. \u201cYou look done in, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right when I git some sleep,\u201d Hoss admitted. They both went to bed, but Hoss was the only one who slept soundly. Ben dozed, wakening often, his dreams fragmented and disturbing. He rose with the first light of dawn, feeling profound relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Adam replied, impatiently, although he felt as weak as a kitten and was finding that standing up straight was beyond him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally satisfied that Adam wasn\u2019t lying to him \u2013 too much! \u2013 Ben relaxed marginally. He was still worried to death about Joe and he was beginning to suspect that the person he was going to meet was Donner. It seemed very unlikely that there was anyone else wandering around who would kidnap Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAny word about Joe?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI\u2019ll need to leave soon to get to Indian Falls on time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa ain\u2019t goin\u2019 alone!\u201d Hoss declared, stoutly. \u201cI\u2019m gonna go with ya!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Ben protested, but this time it was Adam who spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe discussed it last night,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cHoss will follow you, Pa. We have to assume that your life is in danger, too, not just Joe\u2019s, and we aren\u2019t willing to let you go alone. I know you don\u2019t want to involve Roy in this, but it\u2019s foolish to go alone.\u201d He saw Ben draw breath to protest and spoke before he could do so. \u201cPa, its settled. Hoss is going, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re putting Joe\u2019s life at risk,\u201d Ben replied, his voice barely audible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis life is already at risk,\u201d Adam responded, just as soberly. He didn\u2019t want to mention that they didn\u2019t even know if Joe was still alive. However, he could see that fear in Ben\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d better go,\u201d Ben muttered, looking at the clock. He put his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be just fine when you bring Joe home safe and sound,\u201d he replied. \u201cI\u2019ll wait here for you, Pa.\u201d He smiled as he saw his father and brother out of the door, but he couldn\u2019t keep up the fa\u00e7ade when he was alone. He was desperately worried about all his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The darkness was completely impenetrable. Joe could feel it weighing down on him as time ticked past. It felt as though the rock walls were pressing in on him. Every now and then, he could hear a fall of rocks and debris. The whole mine seemed to creak. It was terrifying.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, Joe tugged against the chains on his ankles. The irons themselves had no length of chain between them; they were welded tightly to each other, so Joe couldn\u2019t move his legs apart. The irons were attached to a chain that was somehow attached to the wall. With his hands tightly manacled behind him, Joe found it difficult to trace down the end of the chain. He could only twist round so far.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pain and exhaustion eventually claimed Joe and he fell into a restless sleep. He awoke with a startled cry as a shower of rocks fell onto his legs. They weren\u2019t heavy enough to do more than bruise him, but it brought home to Joe just how precarious his position in the mine was and made him more determined to somehow get out of there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth, Joe began to pull his legs sharply away from the wall behind him. The first tug told him that the chain was not very long, but he hoped that would be all for the better. The links must have been cut to this specific length and he knew that each chain had a slightly weak spot in it. All he had to do was exploit that weakness. Joe didn\u2019t allow himself to think that the chain might be brand new and the weak spot negligible.<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t know how long he spent tugging at the chain, or how many times he had to stop to rest his aching legs. All Joe knew was that he had to keep going; he had to break free. He bravely bore the pain of the fetters rubbing his ankles raw, even through the protective covering of his boots.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he could no longer force his legs to tug against the chains, Joe was covered in sweat and breathing raggedly. He closed his eyes to rest for a minute and sleep swept over him. It would be many hours before he woke again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

There was nobody at Indian Falls when Ben arrived. He dismounted stiffly and stretched his back. For the hundredth time, he wondered how Joe was. Would Donner have Joe with him? Ben certainly hoped so.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was just beginning to think that nobody was going to come when he heard hooves. Donner rode into sight and a short distance behind him, another man pulled up his horse and glanced all around. Ben knew that he was making sure Ben had come alone and Ben hoped Hoss was well out of sight. \u201cDonner,\u201d Ben said, flatly. \u201cI thought it might be you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad not to disappoint you then,\u201d Donner replied and Ben quelled the urge to wipe the superior grin off the other man\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Joseph?\u201d Ben asked<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomewhere secure,\u201d Donner smirked. \u201cYou\u2019ll get him back \u2013 eventually.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Ben demanded angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt means you\u2019ll get him back when I am ready to let you have him back. Until then, Cartwright, you\u2019ll do as I say, or your sons will pay, starting with Joseph. Didn\u2019t Adam\u2019s problem last night teach you anything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou shot Adam?\u201d Ben whispered. He took a step forward, but froze when Donner\u2019s companion cocked his gun. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo show both you and Joe that I meant what I said. I could have killed Adam last night, but I didn\u2019t. However, I have Joe and I will kill him if you don\u2019t do as I say. And if I kill Joe, I\u2019ll simply take another of your sons, until you either do as I ask or have no sons left. Either way, I\u2019ll get what I want in the end.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Ben asked, knowing that he couldn\u2019t gamble with his sons\u2019 lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need your money to invest in my mine,\u201d Donner replied, smugly. \u201c$5000 ought to do for a start. I expect you to bring to my hotel this evening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for that, will I get Joe back?\u201d Ben asked, pretty sure he knew the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot for\u00a0this<\/em>\u00a0$5000,\u201d Donner answered. \u201cBut maybe the\u00a0next<\/em>\u00a0$5000. We\u2019ll have to see what happens.\u201d He easily read the fury in Ben\u2019s dark eyes and laughed. \u201cNow, Mr. Cartwright, be careful. Any displays of petulance will add time to Joe\u2019s incarceration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn your hide!\u201d Ben whispered, but he knew he had no choice. \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll get your $5000!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent,\u201d Donner responded. His smile reminded Ben of the cat who\u2019d got the cream. \u201cBring it to my suite at 7pm.\u201d He remounted his horse. \u201cYou\u2019d better wait here until I\u2019m gone, or your son will pay the penalty, do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCrystal,\u201d Ben growled. He watched as Donner rode off and then he slowly mounted Buck. He wondered where Hoss was as he rode back towards town. When there was no sign of him, Ben hoped that Hoss was following Donner.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Wakening wasn\u2019t a pleasant experience for Joe. He wasn\u2019t exactly cold, but he did feel slightly chilled. The air in the mine was stale and the sweat from his exertions had dried on him, leaving him feeling chilled. The floor of the mine was damp, too. It was very unpleasant. But it was when he tried to move that Joe discovered the cost of trying to get free. His legs muscles were horribly stiff and sore and moving caused the fetters to chafe against the raw skin on his ankles. Joe\u2019s shoulders were stiff from having his arms manacled behind his back and his wrists were abraded where the metal had rubbed the skin away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once more, Joe tried to trace down the end of the chain that kept him captive, but it was buried under the rubble that had fallen previously. Joe bit his lip. The thought of tugging the chain again was daunting. For many minutes he lay there, longing for a drink, wondering if it was day or night and suppressing the urge to scream. The darkness seemed to get more and more oppressive, as though it was physically pushing him into the ground. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to do it!\u201d Joe scolded himself aloud, and flinched at the \u2018dead\u2019 sound of his voice. It was the first inkling he\u2019d had that shouting for help wouldn\u2019t do him any good, even if by some miracle someone came into the mine looking for him. The knowledge that he was really on his own, in this desperate situation, crushed him. Joe blinked back tears of despair. He couldn\u2019t afford to think negative thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later, Joe couldn\u2019t even guess how long he lay there, trying to make himself move. Time no longer had any meaning for him, although his stomach told him he had missed a few meals. At long last, Joe began to tug on the chain, and blanked his mind, concentrating on the rhythm he had created.<\/span><\/p>\n

He had to get free.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

To Hoss\u2019 intense disappointment, Donner and his friend didn\u2019t go to wherever they were holding Joe. Instead, they took a roundabout route back to Virginia City. Hoss diligently followed them all the way, hoping right up until the last moment that they would lead him to his missing brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weighed down by his crushing disappointment, Hoss made his way back to Doc Martin\u2019s, where he found Ben pacing the room looking anxious and Adam asleep. \u201cPa,\u201d he said, softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Relief colored Ben\u2019s tones. He took a couple of quick steps across the room to throw his arms around his largest son and hugged him close. \u201cI was so worried about you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Hoss responded. He hated to have to tell Ben the news, but there was no way to soften the blow. \u201cPa, they didn\u2019 go nowhere near Little Joe. Donner jist came back here ta town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The hope that had been in Ben\u2019s eyes was extinguished. He turned away from Hoss, but not in time to hide his expression. Wordlessly, Hoss put his hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder, giving comfort the only way he knew how. Ben patted Hoss\u2019 hand, but didn\u2019t say anything for a long moment. Then he drew in a deep breath and stood straight again. \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll get the money. Hoss, perhaps you could have a word with Roy? I think that later on, we might want to go and have a look at the Breyer mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Admiring his father\u2019s fortitude, Hoss nodded. \u201cSure thing, Pa. How\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, thank you,\u201d Adam responded, drowsily. He blinked a couple of times, then focused on their faces. \u201cNo luck?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI met Donner, who wants money from me,\u201d Ben replied, bitterly. \u201cHe\u2019s going to keep Joe until such times as he\u2019s got every penny he can get. He said that if I didn\u2019t pay up, he could kill Joe and take one of you two and he admitted shooting you, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There really weren\u2019t any words that expressed Adam\u2019s feelings. He was angry, upset, worried. He wanted to get Donner and beat the living daylights out of him for putting his whole family under such stress. He wanted to leap to his feet and somehow rescue Joe and the knowledge that he was too weak to do that frustrated him. He remained silent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to the bank,\u201d Ben announced and walked out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s taking this really hard,\u201d Adam muttered. He pushed himself to a sitting position, wincing as he did so. \u201cHe\u2019s so worried about Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t we all?\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI really hoped Donner would lead us right ta Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault,\u201d Adam consoled Hoss. \u201cAnd the idea was good.\u201d He moved, trying vainly to find a comfortable position. \u201cDid Pa say something about Roy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants me ta speak ta Roy an\u2019 tell him what\u2019s goin\u2019 on,\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cGuess I\u2019d best do that. Ya\u2019ll be all right alone, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Adam assured him. He watched Hoss leave, and fervently wished that he was well enough to help in whatever Ben planned to do to find Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cThe Breyer mine?\u201d Roy echoed. \u201cI didn\u2019t think old man Breyer had any relations.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cWell, ya never know, do ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Impatiently, Hoss shook his head. \u201cRoy, he\u2019s got Joe!\u201d Hoss repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard ya, Hoss,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cBut I\u2019m tellin\u2019 ya what I think. Jim Hawkins, who was foreman o\u2019 the Breyer mine, is in town right now. I seen him down at the Silver Dollar not more\u2019n an hour ago. He\u2019d be the fella ta take ya round that mine, now. He\u2019d know it like the back o\u2019 his hand. Me an\u2019 Clem\u2019ll come along ta arrest this Donner fella. But it\u2019d be better if\u2019n ya make sure ya can find Joe an\u2019 git out o\u2019 the mine yerselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood thinkin\u2019, Roy,\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll go find this Jim Hawkins an\u2019 meet ya back here later.\u201d He hurried out of the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Deciding his first port of call was Doc Martin\u2019s, to up-date Ben and Adam, Hoss headed in that direction. He was relieved to find Ben was back from the bank, but it was also apparent that all was not well between the patriarch of the Ponderosa and his eldest son. They were glowering at each other, although Ben\u2019s looks were definitely the blacker of the two. \u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour idiot brother wants to come with us,\u201d Ben replied, shortly. \u201cLess than 24 hours after he was shot!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Hoss nodded and had to bite his lip to stop an inappropriate laugh escaping.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d echoed Ben. \u201cIs that all you can say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down, Pa,\u201d Hoss soothed. \u201cAdam ain\u2019t completely stupid. He knows he cain\u2019t sit on a horse fer that long yet, don\u2019t cha, Adam?\u201d he added challengingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course I do,\u201d Adam responded, somewhat testily, not sure if he should be amused or annoyed to find himself referred to as \u2018not completely stupid\u2019. \u201cI meant going in a wagon.\u201d As Ben glared at him anew, Adam added the clincher. \u201cJoe might not be in any fit state to ride home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The anger drained out of Ben\u2019s face to be replaced by worry. Adam hastened to dispel it. Worrying his parent hadn\u2019t been his intention. \u201cPa, I\u2019m not suggesting that Joe\u2019s hurt. But he\u2019s bound to be exhausted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While Ben digested this, Hoss explained that Roy and Clem would be on hand to arrest Donner later. \u201cI\u2019ll git hold a Jim Hawkins,\u201d he concluded.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time that day, Hoss could see hope in Ben\u2019s eyes. \u201cThank you, son,\u201d he said, simply.<\/span><\/p>\n

The door opened and the town physician, Dr Paul Martin, came in. He was a close personal friend of Ben\u2019s as well as the family and town doctor. \u201cHello, Ben,\u201d he cried. \u201cCome to relieve me of my patient at last?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn a way,\u201d Ben responded, wryly and Adam knew that he would get to go along on the rescue mission. As Ben explained things to Paul, Adam listened quietly, not wanting to jeopardize his chances by speaking out of turn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Paul agreed, cautiously. \u201cAs long as Adam rests until its time to go and promises to stay in the wagon all the time, I don\u2019t see a problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll git a wagon, too,\u201d Hoss offered. \u201cAn\u2019 if anyone asks, I\u2019ll tell \u2018em its fer ol\u2019 Adam here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is true,\u201d Ben reproved, mildly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd less of the \u2018old\u2019 thank you very much,\u201d Adam added.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

How long had it been? Joe wondered. His legs felt like they weighed a hundred tons each and he was no longer sure he could make them work. His abused muscles trembled constantly. Joe felt quite sick with exhaustion. He didn\u2019t think he would ever get free now. The lack of water was telling on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

One last try<\/em>, he thought. As he brought his legs up towards his chest, there was another fall of rocks on his feet. A strangled scream escaped Joe\u2019s parched lips as pain rocketed through his body. It took several minutes to realize that he was lying curled up on his side, the opposite side from the one he had been lying on throughout his captivity and in a position he hadn\u2019t been able to achieve before. He was free!<\/span><\/p>\n

Free was, of course, a relative term. Joe\u2019s feet were still firmly attached to each other, even though the combination of the falling rocks and Joe\u2019s determined tugging had snapped a weak link in the chain. His hands were still manacled behind his back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing himself into a sitting position, Joe drew in as much of the stale, dust-laden air as he could and concentrated on threading his body through his manacled hands until they were finally in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The physical and emotional relief of achieving this position sapped Joe\u2019s strength for a few minutes and he simply lay there, rolling his shoulders to try and ease the stiff muscles. Then he gingerly felt down his legs, wincing as he touched what felt like a bleeding gash across his shins. After a moment or two of tentative exploration, Joe became aware that his eyes were squeezed tight shut as he concentrated on what his fingertips were telling him. Joe had to laugh. There he was sitting in the dark with his eyes shut!<\/span><\/p>\n

But the laughter didn\u2019t last. Joe might be in a better position, but he seemed to be bleeding quite a bit and he couldn\u2019t walk. He was already exhausted and had no idea in which direction the mine entrance lay. He had partially freed himself, but now he had no idea which way to go. He put his head down and closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Lifting his head abruptly, Joe suddenly felt more alert. Was that a current of air? Or was it his fevered imagination running away with him? No \u2013 for there it was again!<\/span><\/p>\n

Galvanized by hope, Joe began the laborious task of dragging his exhausted body towards the source of that elusive breath of air.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Looking at Donner\u2019s smug, smiling face as he entered the hotel room, Ben found himself repressing a desire to throttle the man. He swallowed down his rage, conscious of his audience eavesdropping outside the door. \u201cHere\u2019s the money, Donner,\u201d he muttered. \u201cHow much more do you want before I get my son back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA further $5000 tomorrow will be another step on the road,\u201d Donner replied. \u201cWith $10,000, I\u2019ll be able to start hiring the men I need to reopen my mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd will you return Joe tomorrow?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cWhat guarantee do I have that Joe is alive and unharmed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have my word,\u201d Donner replied. \u201cIf that isn\u2019t good enough, perhaps I could give you something of Joe\u2019s to convince you. Would a finger suffice?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Ben gasped in horror, the door behind him opened and Roy and Clem burst in, guns drawn. \u201cDon\u2019t move, Donner,\u201d Roy warned. \u201cYou\u2019re under arrest!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But Donner wasn\u2019t the type to do what he was told. He dragged a derringer from his jacket pocket and fired wildly at Ben, Roy and Clem. All three of them ducked. The bullet went wide, but it gave Donner a moment to dive for the window.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t!\u201d Ben roared and leaped across the room, grappling Donner around the waist. Donner turned and punched Ben heavily on the shoulder. Ben wondered why neither of the lawmen was coming to his assistance when he heard a shot fired behind him. He threw a desperate punch at Donner and managed to clip the man\u2019s chin. Donner sagged back, and then Clem appeared, grabbing Donner firmly by the arm. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Ben asked getting to his feet rather shakily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis fella appeared,\u201d Roy explained. He rose from where he had been kneeling by a man Ben recognized as Donner\u2019s companion from earlier that day. \u201cHe tried ta shoot me.\u201d The man was obviously dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was with Donner earlier,\u201d Ben told him, and Roy nodded knowingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, you,\u201d Roy said to Donner as Clem dragged him across the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll never get your son back, Cartwright,\u201d Donner hissed malevolently. \u201cNever!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaken despite himself, Ben hoped fervently that they were right in assuming Joe was in Breyer\u2019s mine. He followed the others down the stairs and found Hoss and Adam outside waiting for him. Another man was mounted and waiting beside the wagon. Hoss and Adam both looked remarkably grim. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked, his heart suddenly in his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Jim Hawkins, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied, gesturing to the man on the horse. \u201cHe says the mine was in a right bad way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Raising his eyes to meet Hawkins\u2019, Ben saw the other man nod. \u201cIt\u2019s true, I\u2019m afraid, Mr. Cartwright. A lot of the mine was flooded and the bit that wasn\u2019t was in a bad state. Old man Breyer hadn\u2019t spent the money to shore it up right an\u2019 the roof were unstable in lots of places.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019d better hurry,\u201d Ben declared and climbed onto the wagon seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

There was a rock right in the middle of his back and no matter how Joe tried to move, he wasn\u2019t managing to shift it at all. He coughed, expelling some of the dust from his lungs, but the air was thick with the tiny particles and each cough only succeeded in dragging yet more dust into his airways and Joe coughed until he thought he would choke. Eventually, the cough subsided and Joe lay there, feeling too pulped to move.<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest rock fall had partially buried Joe. The rock on his back was preventing him from moving very much and his legs were buried to his knees. For the first time, Joe admitted to himself that he wasn\u2019t going to get out of this predicament alone. He was so hot and so thirsty. Would anyone find him before he died?<\/span><\/p>\n

In the depths of despair, Joe found that he was too dehydrated to even be able to cry.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It was almost dark when they arrived at the mine. Adam was exhausted, but he didn\u2019t dare admit it to Ben. He helped them light the lanterns, then was forced to sit and wait while Ben, Hoss and Hawkins ventured into the mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The search of the mine was time consuming, but Hawkins was thorough and obviously knew every nook and cranny. The air in the mine was stale and as they went deeper in, it became warmer, too. \u201cCan we call for Joe?\u201d Ben asked, but Hawkins shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d he declared, firmly. \u201cThe roof is too unstable for sudden noises. There aren\u2019t many more places left to look,\u201d he added, sounding discouraged. \u201cThese other tunnels are all collapsed.\u201d He paused for a moment, clearly thinking deeply. \u201cLet\u2019s try down here. There\u2019s a large open area where lots of tunnels converge. They might have taken Joe there.\u201d He set off purposefully, with Ben and Hoss following along behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

They hadn\u2019t gone much further when Hawkins stopped. Ben peered around the man and saw a fall of rocks partially blocking the way. But that wasn\u2019t what had caused Ben to catch his breath, Hoss saw as he looked over Ben\u2019s shoulder. Joe was lying there, partially buried. \u201cJoe!\u201d Hoss breathed and he and Ben pushed past Hawkins to kneel by Joe\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben coaxed. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d He ran his hand through Joe\u2019s hair and was relieved to find only one small lump on his head. But Joe was warm; very warm. \u201cJoe?\u201d There was no response. Ben looked up at Hoss. \u201cCan you move those rocks? We\u2019ve got to get him out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me help,\u201d Hawkins offered and put his lantern down on the floor. Ben watched them for a moment, then returned his attention to Joe, who groaned as the rock was moved from his back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben repeated and this time, Joe stirred. His eyes slit open and he immediately let out a cry of pain, slamming them shut again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben cried, anxiously. \u201cWhat is it, son? Are we hurting you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe light!\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cHurts!\u201d He tried to raise one hand to shield his eyes, but the effort was too much for him. However, the movement drew Ben\u2019s attentions to the manacles around Joe\u2019s wrists, and he was instantly furious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Joe,\u201d Ben murmured. He moved the light slightly, so it no longer shone in Joe\u2019s face, and tried to coax his son to open his eyes again. Joe did slit them open for a moment, but the light seemed very bright to him after over 24 hours in complete darkness and he allowed his eyes to shut. He was so tired, but he knew he wouldn\u2019t sleep again while the rocks were being moved from his legs. Everything hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n

At last, the rocks were cleared and they saw for the first time that Joe\u2019s ankles were fettered together. A small length of chain hung from the fetters. Ben\u2019s face was grim as he spotted them. But he had other, more pressing concerns. \u201cJoe, can you feel your legs?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe breathed through gritted teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

That was a relief, for Ben could be fairly sure that Joe\u2019s back wasn\u2019t broken. However, they couldn\u2019t leave Joe there, for the roof above them was very unstable. \u201cWe\u2019re going to carry you outside, Joe,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but it\u2019ll hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo it,\u201d Joe breathed. He gritted his teeth again, preparing for the pain, but it still caught him unawares and he slid gratefully into the waiting blackness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It was a slow journey back to the ranch as Adam fed Joe small sips of water. Hoss had ridden off to get the doctor and they knew that somehow or other they had to get the chains off Joe when they got home. In the light from the lanterns, they could see how pale Joe was and the raw skin on his wrists. There was blood caked into both his pants legs and Ben didn\u2019t disturb the material to examine the injury. There would be time enough for that later. First priority was to get Joe home.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the wagon rumbled to a halt in the yard, Ben hurried to get some tools and apologized to Joe before he began working on the shackles. Joe once more slid off into unconsciousness and Ben was quite glad, for he knew the pain it must be causing his son as he hammered the unyielding metal.<\/span><\/p>\n

At length, Joe was free once more, and Ben moved to help Adam into the house, but Adam insisted that he could manage alone, so Ben carefully gathered Joe into his arms and took him inside. Hop Sing had already started the water boiling and he hurried ahead of Ben to open doors and turn down the blankets on Joe\u2019s bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Ben started to take off Joe\u2019s filthy clothes, Joe\u2019s eyes flickered open. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered, squinting in the light. This time, it wasn\u2019t quite as painful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re home, Joe and you\u2019re free,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry if I hurt you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Joe assured him. He tried to oblige Ben by moving his arms and legs, but he felt too exhausted to make much effort and gave Ben an apologetic look. \u201cSorry,\u201d he whispered. \u201cNot much help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cYou just rest.\u201d He smiled at Joe, who smiled back, sighed deeply and closed his eyes once more. Within a few minutes, Joe\u2019s breathing had evened out and Ben knew that he slept.<\/span><\/p>\n

He woke again as Paul Martin came in, accompanied by Roy Coffee. Once more, Joe\u2019s temperature, which had dropped slightly when he was first rescued, had begun to climb. Paul examined him closely, paying close attention to Joe\u2019s eyes, and to the gash that ran across both legs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s been lucky,\u201d he finally said. \u201cHe\u2019s very badly bruised, but there\u2019s nothing broken. But this gash on his legs and the welts on his wrists and ankles are all infected. I\u2019ll clean them up, but they will need watching. Joe, I don\u2019t want you walking at all, all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed, listlessly. He was too tired to walk, he thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Paul worked, Roy asked Joe what had happened to him. Joe told the story in fits and starts, concluding with his fortuitous escape and Ben and Hoss finding him. Everyone had listened in appalled silence and Ben\u2019s dark eyes were wide with horror. He stayed close by Joe, holding his son\u2019s hand to lend comfort, offering water whenever Joe faltered. By the end of the recitation, Joe was almost beyond thought. He barely felt the painkiller that Paul shot into his thigh and slid off into sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he wakes up, give him something light and liquid to eat,\u201d Paul suggested. \u201cI\u2019ll come back tomorrow and see him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll git back, too,\u201d Roy agreed. \u201cWhen Joe feels stronger, perhaps we can git a statement from him then. But we have enough to send Donner away, even if\u2019n Joe don\u2019t want ta testify.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Downstairs, Adam and Hoss were both waiting in an agony of impatience. Adam looked exhausted and Paul immediately declared, \u201cBed for you, Adam!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Joe?\u201d Adam demanded and so the story was told once again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHawkins says he\u2019ll testify,\u201d Hoss told Roy. \u201cAn\u2019 I\u2019ll testify, too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood ta know, thanks, Hoss,\u201d Roy replied. He and Paul left.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get you to bed, Adam,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can manage, Pa,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cBut what I can\u2019t figure out is why Donner did all this. Did he really think there was gold in that mine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut gold does strange things to men\u2019s minds. Come on; let me help you up at least.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, Adam accepted Ben\u2019s help. He lay down to sleep, knowing that he could at last relax, since Joe was finally safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Over the next few days, Joe slept a lot as his body recovered from the trauma it had been through. The infections hung on stubbornly, but at last Paul was able to get on top of them and Joe finally began to feel slightly better. He and Adam spent quite a bit of time together, since Adam was unable to do anything strenuous around the ranch and they tried mightily to puzzle out Donner\u2019s reasoning.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the evening of the first day that Joe had managed to stay awake all day, Ben came in to get him settled for the night. Joe was looking pensive and Ben wondered what was wrong. \u201cAre you all right, Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHow do blind people keep track of day and night? I was completely turned around in there and I was only in the dark for about a day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou had nothing to use to give you other clues,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cNo noises of any kind, bar the falling rocks, no activities going on. It must have been very hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I might go mad,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cAnd I thought I wouldn\u2019t get out of there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t an answer to that, and Ben just rested his hand on Joe\u2019s arm. After a minute, Joe looked at Ben and smiled. \u201cI don\u2019t think I ever thanked you for rescuing me,\u201d he mentioned. \u201cThanks, Pa. I couldn\u2019t have held out much longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just sorry it took so long to find you,\u201d Ben replied. The memory of the last few days would stay with him for some time, he knew.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt least you did find me,\u201d Joe persisted. He brushed the back of his hand over his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy life wouldn\u2019t be complete without you boys,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cAnd I would search to the ends of the earth until my dying day if it meant bringing any one of you home safely again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the best, Pa,\u201d Joe told him. He smiled sleepily as Ben colored. \u201cGood night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, son,\u201d Ben murmured. His hand strayed, unbidden to brush the curl back from Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s even breathing soon told Ben that his son slept peacefully, but Ben stayed by his bedside for a while longer, drinking in the sight that he had feared he would be deprived of. At last, he rose and went down to join his other sons in front of the fire. He was thankful that Adam was recovering well from the shooting and that Hoss had been there, stalwart and reliable through the whole crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Working as a family, they had gone into the darkness, and come out into the light once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 When a stranger arrives in town with a business proposition for Ben, he won’t take no for an answer.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(10,825 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":5963,"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],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1813,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Moon-Blind.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3993,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3993","url_meta":{"origin":2515,"position":0},"title":"Nod or a Wink (by Writing Woman)","author":"Writing Woman","date":"April 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Hoss struggles to understand why a woman is gunned down on the streets of Virginia City. Rated:\u00a0T \u00a0WC \u00a0750","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":2515,"position":1},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7343,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7343","url_meta":{"origin":2515,"position":2},"title":"Stubborn (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"March 30, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0WHIB\/WHB to \u201cThe Ride\u201d \u00a0 Ben remembers his first argument with a three-year-old Adam.\u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0WC 650","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\/2016\/01\/vlcsnap-2015-12-13-01h47m48s177.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/vlcsnap-2015-12-13-01h47m48s177.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/vlcsnap-2015-12-13-01h47m48s177.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/vlcsnap-2015-12-13-01h47m48s177.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2707,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2707","url_meta":{"origin":2515,"position":3},"title":"Grief (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"February 4, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A short piece reflecting on life after Hoss died. Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0 (950 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/serious-Hoss.jpg?fit=269%2C298&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5392,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5392","url_meta":{"origin":2515,"position":4},"title":"The Ballad of Ben Cartwright (by ansinico)","author":"ansinico","date":"May 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0l have put my own words to the\u00a0air of an Irish drinking song, \u00a0'The Wild Rover' also called 'No Nay Never' \u00a0l hope you like it. 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