{"id":2700,"date":"2004-08-14T22:34:03","date_gmt":"2004-08-15T02:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2700"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:29","slug":"my-kingdom-for-a-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2700","title":{"rendered":"My Kingdom for a Horse (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0Joe is determined to own the bay stallion. Is he willing to pay the price to do so?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(10,650 words)<\/p>\n

Behind the Picture series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Behind the Picture<\/a>
\nMy Kingdom for a Horse<\/a><\/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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0My Kingdom for a Horse<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Joe,\u201d Kyle McKenzie cried, smiling at the young cowboy. \u201cHow\u2019s the hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll healed,\u201d Joe replied, cheerfully. \u201cJust as good as new.\u201d Joe had been the subject of a malicious group of men who had deliberately misunderstood something they had seen, had kidnapped Joe, and sparked a lynch mob into almost killing Joe\u2019s brother Adam. Joe had broken his thumb while freeing himself and had been more than relieved to get the plaster off a few weeks later.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to hear it,\u201d McKenzie grinned and after a few more words, they parted company, McKenzie heading back to his stable and Joe to his horse, ready to ride home.<\/p>\n

But Joe\u2019s mind didn\u2019t leave McKenzie entirely as he rode home from town. When the trouble had happened, the Cartwrights had been examining a new stallion McKenzie had just bought. It was a handsome bay animal, but it appeared to have a nasty temper. Joe had been very taken with it, and had gone back to look at the horse several times. Now, he found himself wondering if the stallion had been sold. He hadn\u2019t heard about it, but that meant nothing. He had been laid up at home for weeks, so he could easily have missed the news.<\/p>\n

For a minute, Joe was tempted to turn around and find out, but he knew that Ben was waiting for the letter Joe had just collected and getting home late would mean a long lecture about responsibility. The letter, with luck, would contain a signed contract for Ponderosa timber that would keep them busy for the next eight weeks or so. They had been expecting the letter for several days now and the waiting hadn\u2019t improved Ben\u2019s temper.<\/p>\n

Dismounting at the hitching rail in the yard, Joe wasn\u2019t in the least surprised to find Ben hurrying out of the door. He hid a grin as Ben demanded, \u201cWell? Has it come?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a flourish, Joe produced the letter, and did grin as Ben literally snatched it out of his hand. He finished hitching his horse to the rail as Ben ripped open the envelope and began to read. Patting Cochise, Joe looked at Ben and saw at once that it was bad news.<\/p>\n

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

Glancing up from the letter, Ben favored Joe with the black look he really wanted to give to the writer of the letter. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get it,\u201d he growled. He crumpled the offending missive in his hand and stalked off into the house.<\/p>\n

Making a wry face, Joe followed him. \u201cDoes it say why not?\u201d he asked, as he caught up with Ben in the study alcove.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben snapped, giving Joe another hard glare. \u201cDon\u2019t you have work to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe replied, uncertainly. \u201cYou told me this morning that after I\u2019d collected the mail, you\u2019d tell me what you wanted me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo and tell the timber crews that they won\u2019t be wanted after all and can leave as soon as they\u2019ve finished this contract.\u201d Ben opened his desk drawer and drew out a ledger, which he thumped down onto the desk. Joe decided to make himself scarce, although he was seldom the person who dealt with the timber crews. However, today was clearly not the day to argue with Ben. He left quietly.<\/p>\n

The ride out to the timber camp and back would make him late for supper, but Joe wasn\u2019t too worried about that in the meantime. Supper was bound to be a quiet meal, what with Ben in a tearing rage. Joe wondered if this timber contract had been more important than he had been led to believe. When they had decided to bid for the job, Joe could clearly remember Ben saying it didn\u2019t matter if they didn\u2019t get it. What had changed now? Or was Ben just furious at being beaten by a better bid? Either way, Joe was in no mood to get home quickly.<\/p>\n

As he had expected, the timber crews took the news quietly. Joe mounted up again and turned Cochise for home, reflecting that he had ridden more than his share of miles that day. Cochise was as eager to get back as Joe was to stay away, and so they got home slightly sooner than Joe had anticipated. He tended to his horse as he had been taught, had a quick wash-up at the horse trough and went inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere have you been?\u201d Ben barked as he went in. \u201cSupper is over!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was at the timber camp,\u201d Joe shot back, irritated, since Ben himself had sent him up there. \u201cIt\u2019s not exactly next door, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019d forgotten,\u201d Ben apologized, but he still sounded annoyed. Joe exchanged a glance with his brothers and realized that they had had to bear this all through supper.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome, eat,\u201d Hop Sing, the diminutive Chinese cook\/housekeeper, ordered and Joe did as he was told, for the lovely smells coming from the kitchen had whetted his appetite.<\/p>\n

He ate in suffocating silence. Ben gazed sightlessly into the fire. Hoss set out the checkers board and amused himself building piles with the pieces and Adam opened a book. However, Joe was sure neither of his brothers was engrossed in what he was doing, as they were both glancing surreptitiously at Ben every now and then.<\/p>\n

Joining the others by the fire, Joe started to play checkers with Hoss, but his mind wasn\u2019t really on the game. He wondered what he could say to distract Ben and then knew. \u201cPa, do you remember that bay stallion McKenzie had?\u201d he asked, casually.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about it?\u201d Ben grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he ever sell it?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, obviously thinking that this would be the end of the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if he ever broke it,\u201d Joe mused, casually jumping three of Hoss\u2019 pieces on the board. Hoss, who had been concentrating like mad, glared at Joe. He\u2019d hoped his brother\u2019s inattention would allow him to win this game.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he never did,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no reason,\u201d Joe answered, innocently. \u201cI just wondered, that was all. I bet he\u2019s about ready to give that stallion away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you before,\u201d Ben said, warningly. \u201cI\u2019m not buying that stallion. With a temper like that, he could easily pass it on! Now listen to me for a change!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t ask you to buy him!\u201d Joe responded indignantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cA good thing for you!\u201d Ben growled. \u201cTake your mind off that horse! I forbid you to have anything to do with it, do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

It might not have been a good time for Joe to challenge Ben, but it had definitely been the wrong tone for Ben to use with Joe. He rose, suddenly furious. \u201cIn case it has escaped your notice,\u201d he said, each word coldly intent, \u201cI am an adult and I will do as I think fit.\u201d He began to walk steadily across the room. \u201cGood night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben snapped, but Joe didn\u2019t stop. He mounted the stairs and didn\u2019t look back.<\/p>\n

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

It didn\u2019t take long for Hoss to make himself scarce and that left just Adam and Ben. Adam put his book down and Ben gave him a dark look. Undaunted, Adam asked, \u201cAre you going to tell me what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think something is wrong?\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Adam considered. \u201cYou\u2019ve been snapping at everyone since we came in, you and Joe have just had words and you barely ate anything for supper. Is it the timber contract?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben grunted. For a moment, he thought about keeping the bad news to himself, but then decided against it. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get that contract and the letter advised that they would not be considering bids from outside\u00a0 California in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so bad?\u201d Adam asked, calmly. \u201cWe don\u2019t need this contract, do we? You said we didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rubbing his hands over his face, Ben sighed. \u201cNo, we don\u2019t\u00a0need<\/em>\u00a0it,\u201d he agreed. \u201cBut the herd didn\u2019t sell as well as we expected. That bout of grass sickness, or whatever it was, cut the numbers of healthy cattle we had by a large number.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re not in trouble, are we?\u201d Adam persisted. \u201cNot unless you\u2019ve been doing some creative figuring with the books.\u201d He smiled as Ben looked at him.<\/p>\n

Forced to admit it, Ben smiled, too. \u201cNo, we\u2019re not in trouble,\u201d he agreed. \u201cBut I was foolishly counting on this contract \u2013 and perhaps others from the same firm \u2013 to provide us with some extra \u2018padding\u2019.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cI know; I got this all blown out of proportion. I was counting it as a certainty, when I shouldn\u2019t have been.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPadding \u2013 as you put it \u2013 never goes wrong,\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cBut we\u2019re doing all right, Pa.\u00a0 Yes, the herd didn\u2019t do as well as usual, but it would take more than one bad year to put us under.\u201d As Ben nodded, Adam leaned forward. \u201cI remember those early days, too, you know,\u201d he added. \u201cI know why you feel you want the extra money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRemembered nerves,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cWhen we were living hand to mouth when we first got here. I wanted to provide you all with a home and security.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gesturing to the house around them, Adam remarked, \u201cIt looks to me like that\u2019s what we\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, but feeling rather foolish all the same, Ben said, \u201cThank you, son.\u201d He made a face. \u201cI guess I\u2019d better apologize to Joe and Hoss tomorrow, hadn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably a good idea,\u201d Adam agreed. He rose leisurely. \u201cGood night, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Next morning, Ben swallowed his pride and apologized to both Joe and Hoss, explaining that he had been taking his disappointment out on them, and both forgave him immediately. Breakfast was a much more peaceful meal than supper had been and Hop Sing was quite gratified to discover that his family hadn\u2019t lost their appetites completely, as he had feared the previous night.<\/p>\n

But the peace didn\u2019t last. \u201cWhy were you asking about McKenzie\u2019s stallion?\u201d Ben asked Joe, as he headed towards his desk and Joe was strapping on his gun belt.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I wanted to know,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful horse, Pa and I think it\u2019s got a lot of potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPotential or not,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cI refuse to pay good money for a killer!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that the horse is a killer!\u201d Joe objected. \u201cBesides, with the right handling\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get this straight,\u201d Ben said, flatly. \u201cI\u2019m not buying that horse, Joe, and I don\u2019t want to see it on my place. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Staring at his father, Joe bit down on his anger, but he couldn\u2019t keep it from his face. His nostrils flared. \u201cI understand,\u201d he replied. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t ask you to buy the horse, Pa. But don\u2019t worry; you\u2019ve made your feelings very plain.\u201d Snatching up his hat, Joe jammed it onto his unruly curls and shot another glare at his father. \u201cVery plain indeed!\u201d He stormed out of the door and slammed it resoundingly behind him.<\/p>\n

In the yard, Adam and Hoss exchanged a speaking glance. Hoss shook his head slightly, indicating that he wasn\u2019t going to be the one asking Joe what was wrong. Shrugging, Adam went over. \u201cJoe, I want you to work over at\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care where you want me to work!\u201d Joe snapped. He snatched the reins of his pinto gelding and did his usual, effortless swing mount into the saddle, and dug his heels into the pinto\u2019s sides. Cochise broke into a canter before Joe even had his feet in the stirrups. They vanished around the side of the barn with one last flick of Cochise\u2019s black tail.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Hoss. \u201cThat went well,\u201d he commented sarcastically. \u201cWhat do you suppose happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss admitted, \u201cbut I ain\u2019t gonna ask Pa, neither!\u201d He mounted Chubb, wishing that he could do a swing mount and rode out more slowly.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, but seeing the wisdom in his brother\u2019s words, Adam mounted Sport, also wishing that he could do the swing mount. Until Joe had done it for the first time, it had never occurred to Adam that you could mount a horse any way but the conventional ways and he had been highly frustrated to discover that he just didn\u2019t have the knack for it. Nor was Sport the kind of horse to stand patiently while he tried to master it. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he suggested to his horse and they rode away.<\/p>\n

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

Inside, Ben stood gazing at the closed door. He didn\u2019t know if he should go after Joe or not, but the sound of hoof beats told him he\u2019d left it too late. Ben wasn\u2019t entirely sure why Joe was so angry. Surely the boy could see that he, Ben, was just anxious about his safety around that hellion stallion? Having almost lost Joe to another wild stallion once before, Ben was in no rush to repeat the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll come round,\u201d Ben consoled himself, but there was a trace of doubt in his voice. The only predictable thing about Joe was his unpredictability! He could well hold the grudge for hours.<\/p>\n

Sitting down at his desk, Ben tried to lose himself in his work, but he wasn\u2019t successful.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHi, Joe,\u201d Kyle McKenzie called as Joe pulled Cochise to a halt by the corral. \u201cWhat brings you by here?\u201d He grinned. \u201cNot that I\u2019m not pleased to see you, you understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning back, Joe replied, \u201cI believe you! Actually, Kyle, I came to ask you about that stallion. Have you still got it?\u201d He glanced into the corral where the stallion had been the last time he had seen it, but it was inhabited by a handful of half-grown mustangs. Joe assessed them with an experienced eye.<\/p>\n

Narrowing his eyes, McKenzie looked keenly at Joe. \u201cI thought your Pa didn\u2019t want that horse on account of his temper?\u201d<\/p>\n

Meeting the other man\u2019s gaze, Joe replied coolly, \u201cI\u2019m not my Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding silently, McKenzie surveyed Joe. He could see that Joe was annoyed, but was sure it wasn\u2019t with him. There was certainly something going on, and McKenzie wasn\u2019t going to get in the middle of it, but Joe was a grown man, and if he wanted to buy the stallion, McKenzie wasn\u2019t going to stop him. \u201cYeah, I\u2019ve still got him. He\u2019s down at my other place, outside of town. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much do you want for him?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201c$100,\u201d McKenzie replied, promptly.<\/p>\n

Joe laughed. \u201cGood try,\u201d he congratulated the older man. \u201cBut no way. I\u2019ll give you $25.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c$25?!\u201d yelped McKenzie. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be joking! That\u2019s a prime horse!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you haven\u2019t been able to sell him for over 12 weeks,\u201d Joe pointed out. \u201cThe longer you have him, the less chance you have of getting rid of him \u2013 unless you can find someone to break him for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou interested?\u201d McKenzie returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in breaking him for you,\u201d Joe smiled.<\/p>\n

Smiling also, McKenzie wished that he was dealing with Ben Cartwright. For all that Ben was wily and experienced, he didn\u2019t quite have the knack of haggling for horses the way Joe did. Joe made up his mind how much he was willing to spend and he was immovable in his resolve. And McKenzie really wanted rid of the stallion. He was fed up of being bitten or kicked at. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said, abruptly tiring of the game. \u201c$25 and he\u2019s all yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaching into his shirt pocket, Joe got out the money. He had been prepared to go as high as $50 to get the horse, but no further. \u201cSay, Kyle, you got a lot of horses down on your other place right now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a couple of weanlings,\u201d Kyle replied. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s real busy around our place for a horse like that. I\u2019d like to work him where it\u2019s quiet. Can I bunk at yours for a few days?\u201d Joe kept his face down as he counted the money and kept his voice casual.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be a real big help to me, Joe,\u201d McKenzie replied. \u201cI\u2019m waiting for a man to come through with some horses and he\u2019s been held up. If you could keep an eye on those weanlings for me till I get there, that would be great! Help yourself to the grub that\u2019s there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe grinned.<\/p>\n

Joe took Cochise\u2019s rein and started to mount, but McKenzie put out his hand. \u201cBe careful?\u201d he suggested and Joe\u2019s grin widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better believe it,\u201d Joe agreed, mounted and rode off.<\/p>\n

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

The stallion was every bit as handsome as Joe had remembered. He stabled Cochise and then went to lean on the corral, watching the horse, as the horse was watching him. The first order of the day was a name, Joe decided. Names were important. \u201cCaptain,\u201d Joe said, softly, and the horse pricked its ears.\u00a0Well, that was easy,<\/em>\u00a0Joe thought.\u00a0Captain it is<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Sliding between the rails, Joe went into the corral. Captain stamped his foot warningly, but Joe made no move to approach him. Instead, he stood at the side of the corral and looked the horse over, carefully avoiding making eye contact.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for the horse to start pacing restlessly. Yet Joe still didn\u2019t approach it. He could see the long, lean muscles and the odd scar on the coat. Wherever Captain had come from, he had seen a bit of life, Joe reflected. He was already a mature horse, which didn\u2019t bode well for Joe\u2019s chances of breaking him the conventional way. And that was why Joe was trying out this new method.<\/p>\n

It was a remarkably short time before the horse was right over beside Joe. Slowly, Joe allowed himself to make brief eye contact before slowly lifting his hand to the bay face that was so close to him. His fingers touched the silky skin and Captain bit him on the arm.<\/p>\n

Yelping out a cry of pain and surprise, Joe reacted immediately and smacked Captain hard on the nose. The horse startled, broke his contact with Joe\u2019s arm and ran off. Grasping his bleeding arm with the opposite hand, Joe cursed silently. But he couldn\u2019t allow a bite to hinder his plan. Picking up the coil of rope at his feet, Joe moved into the centre of the corral and started Captain trotting around the perimeter.<\/p>\n

In about 100 years time, Joe\u2019s method would be called by the erroneous name of \u2018horse whispering\u2019. It was nothing of the kind; horse whispering supposedly entailed supernatural powers. Joe was just keeping the horse busy, not allowing him time to think while he became used to Joe\u2019s presence. Joe knew horses \u2013 knew them so instinctively that he sometimes wondered if he was part horse himself. He knew that when a horse was nervous, it was best to give him something to think about, so he couldn\u2019t concentrate on what was scaring him. It was an old trick, but it worked every time.<\/p>\n

And it worked with Captain, for soon the big stallion was relaxed and \u2018mouthing\u2019, a sure sign that he wanted to become friends. Joe stopped urging the horse round and let him come to a stop. After a few moments, Captain\u2019s head dropped and he began to come towards Joe. Joe carefully ignored him, until the horse was right beside him. Then, he gently lifted his bitten arm and stroked the animal. This time, Captain accepted the caress.<\/p>\n

Satisfied, Joe allowed the horse to follow him around for a while, then he gave him one last pat and left him alone for the day. Tomorrow, he would repeat the exercise, and then start on saddling Captain. Once the stallion accepted the tack, then Joe\u2019s work would really begin.<\/p>\n

Feeling quite pleased with his progress so far, Joe went inside to clean up his bitten arm.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhere is he?\u201d Ben fretted as darkness fell and there was still no sign of Joe. \u201cI\u2019m going to murder that boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

Exchanging a glance, Adam and Hoss both made faces. \u201cPa, however we may feel about it, Joe is an adult,\u201d Adam reminded his irate, worried father. \u201cAnd whatever he\u2019s doing, there\u2019s nothing we can do to stop him, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he worked for anyone else, they\u2019d have fired him for going off like that this morning,\u201d Ben retorted sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam agreed, placidly. He found it slightly strange to be cast as Joe\u2019s defender, when he was almost as angry with Joe as Ben was. \u201cBut you can\u2019t fire him from the family, can you? Lord knows, I\u2019ve wanted to enough times when he\u2019s pulled another outrageous stunt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe ain\u2019t that bad,\u201d Hoss spoke up. \u201cHe jist gits an idea in his head an\u2019 there ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 anyones can do ta shift it, I reckon.\u201d He looked at Ben. \u201cAn\u2019 Joe can look after hisself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben fretted. \u201cBut I can\u2019t help worrying. I still don\u2019t really know why he blew up at me this morning and I wanted it sorted out tonight.\u201d He sighed deeply and Adam repressed a longing to do his youngest brother physical harm for worrying Ben. \u201cYou don\u2019t think he really wanted me to buy that horse, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat horse?\u201d Adam asked, having rather lost the conversation for a minute while he imagined torturing Joe into apologizing. He knew it would never happen, but sometimes\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one that Kyle McKenzie tried to sell us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s entirely possible,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cJoe was very taken with it. I haven\u2019t seen him so taken with a horse since\u2026\u201d He allowed his voice to trail off, but Hoss finished the thought for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince he tried ta break Satan,\u201d he concluded heavily.<\/p>\n

Satan. The big skewbald stallion had almost cost Joe his life and none of the family were happy about Joe\u2019s continued relationship with the horse, even if it was at a distance now, and even if Satan had once saved Joe\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always horses,\u201d Ben muttered, a combination of pride and resignation in his voice. Marie had been the same; horses had been a great source of joy to her and Ben had often had his heart in his mouth while watching his wife riding some recalcitrant horse. With her death had come the desire to prevent Joe riding if at all possible, but the little boy was a natural horseman and it was impossible to keep him away from the horses and Ben had gradually accepted this.<\/p>\n

But still, there was always, in Ben\u2019s heart, a small piece of him that was terrified that Joe would be killed working with the horses. And he was honest enough to admit to himself that this was why he had reacted so badly when Joe mentioned the stallion. Ben swallowed, suddenly afraid that Joe was already hurt and he didn\u2019t know where his son was. \u201cIn the morning,\u201d he announced, seeing the sympathy and understanding in his sons\u2019 eyes, \u201cI\u2019m going to go into town and talk to Kyle McKenzie. He might know where Joe is.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cI keep forgetting that you boys are grown up,\u201d he apologized.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cAnd most of the time we don\u2019t really mind, do we, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah,\u201d the big man agreed, blushing. \u201cIt can be right nice, knowin\u2019 yer here at home, waitin\u2019 fer us ta come in.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Ben spoke to Hoss, Adam allowed his thoughts to drift. He was still angry with Joe for worrying them and knew he would have a few choice words to say to his youngest brother when they found him. But he had to admit \u2013 reluctantly \u2013 to a sneaking sympathy with Joe. He had bucked against Ben\u2019s authority a few times himself, tired of being treated like a child when he was a man. And it must be harder for Joe, he acknowledged. Not only did he have a father who forgot he was an adult, but he had two older brothers who often forgot the same fact.<\/p>\n

Maybe he would give Joe the chance to explain before he tore a strip off him, Adam mused as he prepared for bed. Or there again, he thought, as he pulled the covers up round his shoulders, maybe he wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

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

Joe\u2019s arm was stiff and sore come morning, but he wasn\u2019t worried by it. He had had bites before and knew this wouldn\u2019t be the last. He made himself some coffee and wolfed down a few biscuits he found in a tin and then went out to start working with Captain again.\u00a0 He felt a twinge of guilt when he thought about his family. He knew Ben would be worried about him, but he was determined to show that he hadn\u2019t made a rash decision in buying this horse, even if his father didn\u2019t approve.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an adult,\u201d Joe reminded himself. \u201cJust once, I\u2019d like to show them all that.\u201d And then he shook his head, for he knew his behavior was childish. Yet he couldn\u2019t bring himself to go home. Now that he was set on this course of action, Joe was determined to see it through to the end.<\/p>\n

Going over to the pasture, Joe visually checked that the weanlings were all right, and then, his conscience eased, he went over to the corral, collecting an old saddle and bridle that he had seen in the barn the previous day.<\/p>\n

Captain met him at the corral gate, and Joe felt a rush of satisfaction. The horse snorted when it saw the strange accoutrements in Joe\u2019s arms and dodged to the other side of the corral to stand there, snorting and pawing the ground uneasily. Joe ignored him, hanging the tack over the corral rail. The then went back to the barn to fetch a saddle blanket, and when he came out, he was pleased to see that Captain was smelling them, obviously intrigued.<\/p>\n

As Joe came into the corral, Captain came over to greet him and Joe stroked the horse\u2019s neck. However, when the wild streak re-asserted itself, and Captain made a lunge at Joe with his teeth, Joe knew that his work was just beginning for the day. He dodged the nip and once more smacked the horse firmly on the nose, signaling that that action was undesirable. He knew that it wouldn\u2019t be long before the intelligent beast made the connection between the bite and the sore nose.<\/p>\n

Picking up his lasso, Joe walked to the middle of the corral and soon had Captain circling round him. He worked the horse steadily and it wasn\u2019t long before he had Captain back in the middle of the corral, nuzzling his shoulder affectionately.<\/p>\n

Bringing the bridle to the barrel he had placed in the middle of the corral, Joe sat down and began to adjust the buckles. Until the bridle was on, he wouldn\u2019t know if it fitted properly or not, but he was sure the cheek pieces wouldn\u2019t be long enough. Captain dodged away at the unfamiliar smell of the leather, but after a few minutes, curiosity got the better of him and he was soon over, shoving his nose into Joe\u2019s hands. Smiling, Joe stroked him, and went on adjusting the bridle.<\/p>\n

Now, Joe felt he was ready for the next stage, and he held his hands out to the horse, holding the bridle openly. Had he really won Captain\u2019s trust? Would the wild stallion allow him to slip the metal bit between his teeth?<\/p>\n

Cautiously, the horse smelt the leather, then, feeling Joe\u2019s smell on it, he relaxed and shook his head. Joe stepped up to the horse\u2019s left hand side, rearranged his grip on the bridle and laid the bit flat on his left hand. With his right hand over Captain\u2019s nose, he gently encouraged the stallion to open his mouth by inserting his thumb into the space between his back teeth. With the ease of long practice, Joe drew the bit into Captain\u2019s mouth and quickly slipped the headpiece over his ears.<\/p>\n

The bridle was too big, but Joe didn\u2019t count that as a problem. The bit wouldn\u2019t fall out of Captain\u2019s mouth and it would stay on as the big horse decided what to make of this new development. He swiftly fastened the necessary straps, patted the sleek neck and stepped back slightly.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Captain was quiet, chewing at the strange thing in his mouth. But it wasn\u2019t going away and the stallion didn\u2019t like it. He reared, shaking his head wildly and Joe was spattered with foam from his mouth. That didn\u2019t worry Joe. He knew that it was just the unaccustomed feeling of the bit that caused that. Horses with good mouths always played with the bit when it was first in their mouths and then chewed a few times once it was removed. It showed that they didn\u2019t have hard mouths.<\/p>\n

Crashing back to earth, Captain took the time-honored way of escaping something new and ran. He ran round and round the corral, but the strange thing in his mouth didn\u2019t go away. Joe turned with the horse, always keeping him in sight and that very familiarity helped calm the horse until he was trotting, then walking, then turning into Joe once more, this time seeking reassurance.<\/p>\n

Joe was glad to give it. He petted the horse and talked a mile a minute while doing so. Joe had always spoken to his horses and swore that they understood better when he told them what was going on. His brothers scoffed at him, but Joe wasn\u2019t worried about that. His methods worked for him, and he\u2019d sometimes heard Adam and Hoss trying it out for themselves.<\/p>\n

The next step was the saddle blanket and saddle. Joe made sure that Captain was relaxed and ready for more learning, and soon had the blanket in place. For a while, they played a game where Joe put the blanket on and Captain took it off again. By then, the horse had completely forgotten about the bit in his mouth.<\/p>\n

Finally, Joe put the saddle on. Captain stood still, his ears back and his head turned to see what was going on. Joe petted him again while he drew up the cinch enough that the saddle would stay on, but not enough that Captain would start bucking instantly. When the horse realized that this contraption was on to stay, he showed his disapproval by nipping at Joe once more \u2013 although he was careful enough not to catch his master \u2013 and set off, bucking his way across the corral.<\/p>\n

But the saddle was heavy and Captain wasn\u2019t used to weight on his back. He soon calmed down and once more returned to Joe, who praised him. When the horse was once more relaxed, Joe tightened the bridle straps so that the bit fitted properly into Captain\u2019s mouth and tightened the cinch a bit more. He then led the horse around for a while until he figured that Captain had done enough.<\/p>\n

As he untacked the horse, Joe reflected that the next day would see the real challenge; he would ride Captain for the first time. Delighted with the progress so far, Joe went off into the house to find something to eat. He realized, with a shock, that he had been working the horse all day and it was almost supper time. He had missed lunch entirely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was worth it,\u201d Joe told himself aloud and started to cook some eggs.<\/p>\n

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

For all that he meant to go into town and track Joe down that day, somehow, Ben never got the chance. Nothing actively went wrong on the ranch, but nothing seemed to run quite as smoothly as it ought and before Ben knew quite where he was, the day had gone and he had not managed to get into town to track down Joe.<\/p>\n

As they sat down to supper, Adam and Hoss could see how despondent Ben was. Joe\u2019s empty place seemed to be more obvious than ever. Ben glanced at it more than once and Adam had a mad desire to throttle Joe for putting their father through such anguish. Why couldn\u2019t the boy ever hold onto his temper? And then he caught himself up.\u00a0That<\/em>\u00a0was exactly why. He was thinking of Joe as a boy, and he wasn\u2019t; Joe was a man grown. Adam well remembered his own battles to prove himself a man and thought that in many ways, Joe had taken a less provocative course. He had, typically, gone off to do whatever it was he thought would prove his manhood.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow,\u201d Ben stated, wearily, \u201cI am going into town, come hell or high water!\u201d<\/p>\n

It was like a proclamation handed down from on high. No one who heard him doubted that Ben meant every word.<\/p>\n

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

Next morning, Joe was eager to begin. Today, he would ride Captain.<\/p>\n

The horse was waiting for him in the corral and came over to meet Joe. He accepted the bridle and saddle without turning a hair and stood quietly, mouthing the bit, while Joe strapped the saddle into position. Now was the moment, Joe thought and felt his heart beat quicken. He knew it was important to remain calm, for horses were sensitive creatures and could pick up on feelings and emotions. Drawing in a deep breath, Joe put his foot into the stirrup and mounted.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Captain seemed to draw his body together, the instinctive fear of the horse for a predator jumping onto his back. Joe tightened his muscles, preparing for Captain to buck and spoke soothingly, smoothing one hand down the silky bay neck in front of him, the other hand tightly clutching the saddle horn.<\/p>\n

But it was an unnecessary precaution. Captain slowly relaxed and Joe put his heel to his horse. The horse moved forward, and Joe verbally praised him, patting his neck. For the next hour, Joe worked the horse, teaching him the commands from foot and rein that the horse would need for the rest of his working life. Captain was intelligent and learned quickly.<\/p>\n

The job was done. Joe dismounted, untacked the stallion and gave him a little grain. And now, Joe thought, putting away the old saddle and bridle he had borrowed from the barn, he would have to go home and face the music. Joe knew there would be a row. He knew that what he had done was foolish, but he didn\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n

Fetching Cochise\u2019s tack, Joe put it onto Captain, and mounted up. He rode back to town, intent on showing Kyle that the stallion was not as intractable as everyone thought. A smug grin affixed itself to Joe\u2019s face and he was unable to chase it away as he rode nearer and nearer town.<\/p>\n

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

Dawn had seen Ben Cartwright sitting at the table having breakfast and he had been out of the house and heading towards town less than an hour later. As had become commonplace over the last two days, anxiety and anger warred for the upper hand in his emotions. One minute he wished Joe was young enough to be spanked and the next, he was fearing that his son was lying somewhere with a broken bone.<\/p>\n

On his arrival in town, Ben was thwarted in his desire to speak to Kyle McKenzie, who was busy in his office with a client. Unable to stand still, Ben went to various places in town, enquiring if Joe had been seen and was slightly dismayed to discover that he hadn\u2019t been in town at all.<\/p>\n

Discouraged, Ben headed back to McKenzie\u2019s corral and was amazed to see Joe riding towards him, leading Cochise! Ben blinked, and finally admitted that Joe was riding the wild stallion.<\/p>\n

A bubble of pure anger burst in Ben\u2019s heart and his anxiety was completely subsumed. He strode towards his son, even more infuriated by the smug grin on Joe\u2019s face and he didn\u2019t wait for Joe to dismount, just yanked him from the saddle.<\/p>\n

At once, Joe\u2019s grin vanished and he struggled to keep his feet as Ben kept an iron grip on his arm. \u201cJust where have you been, young man?\u201d Ben bellowed. \u201cDon\u2019t you care that I\u2019ve been worried about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you have,\u201d Joe replied quietly, keeping a tight grip on his own temper. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry about that. But look, Pa! I broke the stallion!\u201d He patted the horse\u2019s neck and Captain, who had suddenly developed an affectionate streak, nuzzled Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might have broken your neck, too,\u201d Ben hissed. \u201cAnd none of us would have known! We had no idea where you were. I told you I wasn\u2019t going to pay good money for that horse!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t!\u201d Joe shot back, no longer caring about keeping his temper. \u201cI paid good money for him! He\u2019s mine, not the Ponderosa\u2019s!\u201d Joe snatched his arm out of his father\u2019s grip and turned away, his mouth set in a grim line.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now you think you can just waltz back into your life as though nothing had happened, do you?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cYou\u2019re going to present me with a fait accompli and expect me to be happy about it? I\u2019ll have to pay for its feed and keep now you\u2019ve bought it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t worry, Pa,\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cIf the money worries you that much, I\u2019ll pay for his keep myself. Or else I\u2019ll find myself another job, where they won\u2019t object!\u201d<\/p>\n

All at once, Ben realized how stupid he was being. He grabbed Joe\u2019s arm again. \u201cJoe, wait! I didn\u2019t mean that! I was just angry, and worried about you.\u201d He stopped and swallowed the tears that rose in his throat. \u201cI allowed my anger to take control and I shouldn\u2019t have done that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I shouldn\u2019t have gone off without telling you,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cBut you weren\u2019t listening to me, Pa. You were just telling me flat out what I was and wasn\u2019t to do. I\u2019m not a child any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cAnd I\u2019m not proud of myself, believe me. But I was afraid for you, Joe. Yes, you\u2019ve broken the stallion, but you don\u2019t know how he\u2019ll react with other horses or on the ranch. You have a special gift with horses, son, and while you may be all right with this horse, how do we know others will be, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we don\u2019t,\u201d Joe admitted stiffly. \u201cBut I think he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben could see Joe wasn\u2019t going to back down on this one. \u201cI suppose we\u2019ll find out soon enough, won\u2019t we?\u201d he replied and Joe knew than that Ben wanted him home \u2013 as if he\u2019d ever really doubted that fact. He fell into his father\u2019s arms and the two hugged.<\/p>\n

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

Joe\u2019s return home wasn\u2019t altogether greeted with relief. Like Ben, Hoss and Adam\u2019s initial reaction was relief that Joe was safe, but it was quickly replaced by anger \u2013 at least on Adam\u2019s part. Hoss had decided that life was too short for anger and when he saw the horse Joe was riding, he was so proud he nearly burst the buttons off his shirt. \u201cDang, Joe, if\u2019n that ain\u2019t a handsome horse!\u201d Hoss exclaimed and Joe grinned at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is!\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cHoss, meet Captain.\u201d Hoss held out his hand and the horse smelt his hand briefly before allowing Hoss to fondle his muzzle.<\/p>\n

Unable to forgive Joe just like that, Adam watched disapprovingly from a few feet away and Joe felt his pleasure at being at home draining away. Ben still hadn\u2019t completely thawed either, but Joe could understand that. But he wasn\u2019t so pleased to find Adam displaying a parental attitude towards him. Adam wasn\u2019t his father \u2013 just his oldest brother \u2013 and Joe wasn\u2019t prepared to take a lecture from him.<\/p>\n

The cold shoulder treatment continued until Joe was alone in the barn, taking care of the horses. Adam came in and stood leaning against one of the loft supports, looking the horse over silently. Joe glanced at him, then returned to brushing down the horse, determined not to speak until Adam spoke first.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you think he was worth it,\u201d Adam commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was worth breaking,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cWorth making Pa angry and worried? Nothing is worth that, Adam. But that\u2019s between Pa and me. It\u2019s got nothing to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is typical of you, Joe,\u201d Adam retorted. \u201cYou only think about yourself. Didn\u2019t it occur to you that Pa might think you were lying hurt somewhere when you didn\u2019t come home? We had no idea where your childish running away had taken you. We might never have found you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt did occur to me,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve already apologized to Pa. I\u2019m sorry if you were worried, but I\u2019m not going to justify myself to you. I\u2019m an adult, Adam and I am responsible for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll remember that the next time something happens to you and I have to save your bacon,\u201d Adam snapped, knowing full well that he didn\u2019t have the right to say that to Joe, but relieving his anger the only way he could.<\/p>\n

As Adam left the barn, Joe rested his head against Captain\u2019s side. He had known his actions would be frowned upon, but he hadn\u2019t quite expected anything like this. Resolutely, he squared his shoulders. He had brought this down on himself and would have to bear the consequences.<\/p>\n

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

It took a while for the bad feeling in the house to completely go away. Joe worked Captain as thoroughly as he worked any new horse and the stallion took to the work like a natural. It gave Joe a lot of pleasure to see the horse that everyone had said was too wild to be broken working like any other horse.<\/p>\n

Except for the fact that nobody else would ride the stallion. Joe gradually became aware that Ben never mentioned the horse even obliquely and Adam made disparaging comments about it. Hoss would have liked to have ridden Captain, but the horse was just too small for him. However, Hoss quickly became aware that Captain was a forbidden topic of conversation and fell into line with Ben and Adam. Joe became sullen and withdrawn until he was barely talking to the others.<\/p>\n

Finally deciding that he had had enough of this behavior, Ben used the moving of the herd from one pasture to another to pair himself with Joe so that they could talk. Joe scowled noticeably when he heard the pairing, but kept any comments to himself. He was riding Captain that morning, so that Cochise would be fresh for the pushing of the herd that afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s take the high country,\u201d Ben suggested and Joe nodded, allowing Captain to stretch out in his very showy trot ahead of Ben on Buck.<\/p>\n

Following on behind, Ben had his first close look at the horse since the day that Joe had almost fallen into the corral. The bay coat shone with good health and it looked as though there was more muscle under the coat than there had been. Ben wondered if his prejudice against the horse was partly because of the results of Joe falling into the corral. There was no denying that Captain was a good looking animal.<\/p>\n

They worked steadily throughout the morning, the tension between them easing as the work took priority in their minds. It was nearing noon when Ben pulled Buck to a halt and dismounted, loosely tethering the buckskin horse to a tree. \u201cLet\u2019s have a break,\u201d he told Joe.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe dismounted, too, and tethered Captain a little distance from Buck. He hesitated for a minute before going over to sit with Ben. \u201cHave a drink?\u201d Ben offered, pretending not to notice Joe\u2019s hesitation. It hurt him and he mused over why there was a distance between them of a sudden.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we\u2019ve got the strays from here?\u201d Joe asked, having slaked his thirst.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cWe haven\u2019t found any for almost an hour, and we\u2019ve been all over.\u201d He took a deep breath, then forced himself to say it. \u201cYou and Captain make a great team, Joe. You were right; he does seem to be a good horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the unqualified praise that Joe was looking for. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try him?\u201d he suggested, casually. \u201cRide him back to the remuda and see what you think of him?\u201d<\/p>\n

For an instant, Ben was going to refuse. But he saw the look in Joe\u2019s eye and knew that if he turned down this chance to ride the stallion, his relationship with his youngest son would be forever altered. He had doubted Joe\u2019s judgment all along, he realized, even when confronted with the proof. He had always trusted Joe\u2019s judgment before and he knew that this challenge was Joe\u2019s way of telling his father he had had enough. Either Ben rode the horse, or Joe would end up leaving.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, thanks,\u201d Ben agreed, casually. He took another drink to hide his thoughts from his all-too-perceptive son. He was shocked to find he was actually nervous. \u201cWell, let\u2019s go,\u201d he suggested, before he could change his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed and rose fluidly. Ben clambered to his feet and together they walked across to the horses. Joe untethered Buck and turned him around, checking the cinch before he got on. Ben did the same to Captain, briefly fondling the horse\u2019s nose. He was pleasantly surprised that he didn\u2019t get nipped, although, come to think of it, the horse hadn\u2019t nipped anyone since the very first day Joe started working with him.<\/p>\n

With one hand on Buck\u2019s saddle, and the other loosely holding the reins, Joe watched as Ben swung himself onto Captain\u2019s back. Although Joe thought the horse looked slightly startled at the change of rider, he stood quietly, just turning his head to sniff Ben\u2019s boot thoughtfully. Joe smiled. Captain had just passed the first test with flying colors \u2013 not that he was surprised. He knew that the horse was well schooled.<\/p>\n

Turning Captain, Ben urged the horse forward, trying out various commands. Joe still stood, waiting and watching. He began to grin proudly as Ben put Captain through a series of tight turns and the horse moved smoothly for him.<\/p>\n

At last, Ben turned back to Joe and grinned at him. \u201cJoe, this is a seriously good horse and I\u2019m sorry I ever suggested otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll forgive you,\u201d Joe replied, lightly, although the words had serious intent. Father and son grinned at each other. Joe started to mount.<\/p>\n

Joe had his foot in the stirrup, his other foot off the ground, and his balance at its most precarious when Buck suddenly reared. There was an ominous rattle from under his hooves and the horse twisted away, throwing Joe to the ground. He twisted as he landed, thanks to the awkwardness of his stance and landed almost directly under Buck\u2019s dancing hooves!<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben cried and saw the snake rearing up, the rattle increasing in volume as the snake prepared to strike its helpless victim!<\/p>\n

Snatching up his gun, Ben fired at the snake, knowing the risk he was taking; knowing that his bullet might well hit Joe and not the snake. But his aim was true, and the snake arched backwards. The sound of the shot echoed from the hills around them and Buck fled.<\/p>\n

But Ben wasn\u2019t concerned about Buck at that moment. His main worry was Joe. Had he killed the snake in time? Had Joe been bitten? He leapt off Captain\u2019s back and raced towards Joe, instinctively hanging onto the reins. Captain followed willingly.<\/p>\n

Kneeling by Joe\u2019s side, Ben could see his son\u2019s green eyes were open, but glittering with pain. \u201cJoe, did it bite you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 not sure,\u201d Joe breathed. He clenched his teeth and groaned as another spasm of pain shot through him. \u201cBuck\u2026 stood on\u2026 me.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shaft of fear shot through Ben. \u201cWhere?\u201d he asked, with admirable calm.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Joe replied, his right arm fluttering weakly across his torso on the left side. \u201cAnd\u2026 my arm.\u201d He coughed and a spasm of pain shot across his face.<\/p>\n

Fearfully, Ben pulled away Joe\u2019s jacket and shirt. Joe winced and bit his lip, losing color dramatically. Ben could see why. A huge, livid bruise was spreading across his abdomen, changing color, darkening, even as Ben watched. Schooling his face \u2013 too late \u2013 Ben attempted to hide the seriousness of the injury. But Joe wasn\u2019t fooled. \u201cIt\u2019s bad, isn\u2019t it?\u201d he breathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may not be as bad as it looks,\u201d Ben replied. It might not be serious internal bleeding, he told himself. It might just be severe bruising. \u201cLet me see your arm.\u201d He turned his attention to Joe\u2019s arm and saw at once that the forearm was broken in a couple of places. Joe\u2019s hand was already swelling and Ben knew he had to try and align the bones at once, or Joe would lose the use of his hand. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d he began, but Joe interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever it is\u2026 just do it!\u201d he panted. He had bitten through his bottom lip, and Ben\u2019s heart skipped a beat, thinking for a moment that it was blood from Joe\u2019s lungs or stomach.<\/p>\n

Steeling himself for the ordeal to come, Ben grasped Joe\u2019s hand and braced his upper arm as best as he could. Taking a deep breath, he pulled and Joe let out a strangled cry and slumped down, unconscious. Ben kept up the pressure and felt the bones moving. He didn\u2019t know if it would be enough, or if he had just made things worse, but it was all he could do. He would have to get Joe to safety.<\/p>\n

Looking at Captain, Ben wondered how on earth the horse would cope with having them both in the saddle, but he was about to find out. So far, the horse\u2019s temperament had stood them in good stead, but he was still a novice and this might be too much for him. However, Ben had no choice; he had to get Joe to medical attention as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

Ben bent, lifted his son into his arms and carried him to the horse.<\/p>\n

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

They were a good way back to the remuda when Adam and Hoss came into view. Ben\u2019s arms were aching from supporting Joe\u2019s dead weight. Joe had been drifting in and out of consciousness for the whole time, groaning steadily and Ben\u2019s heart was in his mouth. But his other main concern had proven to be as reliable as it was possible for a horse to be. Captain had stood like a rock while Ben put Joe into the saddle and then scrambled up behind him. He had walked as obediently as Ben could have desired and the patriarch of the Ponderosa was finally realizing just how special this horse was, and cursing his stupidity in not trusting Joe\u2019s judgment before. He just hoped he would have a chance to tell Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened, Pa?\u201d Adam demanded. \u201cOh no! Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a rattler,\u201d Ben explained, while Hoss carefully took Joe from Ben. \u201cBuck was spooked and trampled Joe as he ran away. Joe\u2019s arm is broken in a couple of places and he\u2019s got a huge bruise on his side. I think there might be internal bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go and get the doc,\u201d Adam responded, casting another anxious look at his younger brother. \u201cThe boys should meet you at the track with the wagon, Pa.\u201d He turned Sport and kicked his gelding into a run.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, the wagon was waiting for them at the track, and willing hands loaded Joe into it. Ben was terrified that they had moved Joe too much, but he had no other choice. Joe could not lie on a cold hillside and wait for the doctor. Ben tethered Captain to the back of the wagon beside Chubb and gave the horse a grateful pat before he scrambled in to sit by Joe, holding his son\u2019s uninjured hand.<\/p>\n

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

It was a long, anxious journey home. Joe opened his eyes a couple of times, but he didn\u2019t seem able to respond to Ben\u2019s questions. The dreadful bruise continued to spread, discoloring all of Joe\u2019s abdomen and Ben could clearly see the point where Buck\u2019s hoof had struck. The shape was unmistakable.<\/p>\n

They arrived in the yard at almost the same time as Doc Martin. There was no sign of Adam, but Ben knew that Sport had done a whole morning\u2019s work before he was ridden into town and Adam would be taking his time coming home, putting his horse\u2019s welfare first, even though he was anxious about Joe.<\/p>\n

The unconscious man was moved to his bed and Ben gently removed his clothes. Paul bent over Joe, examining him carefully, felling all along the bruised abdomen, seeking for something that Ben couldn\u2019t guess. \u201cHas he been like this all along?\u201d he asked, straightening abruptly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was talking before I moved his arm,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHis hand was swelling badly and I was afraid\u2026\u201d He stopped, for Ben knew that Paul didn\u2019t approve of people trying to set bones.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I haven\u2019t checked his arm yet, but his hand looks ok to me, so I think you did the right thing there. But did he wake after that?\u201d asked the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few times,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut we were on the horse and in the wagon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a groan from the bed and Paul immediately turned back to Joe. \u201cJoe? Can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe asked, his voice barely more than a breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Pa is here,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cBut I\u2019m not him!\u201d He smiled, relieved that his patient seemed to be aware. \u201cJoe? Don\u2019t go back to sleep now, I need you to tell me where it hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverywhere,\u201d Joe grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpecifically,\u201d Paul chided gently.<\/p>\n

Once more, Joe\u2019s good arm fluttered over his abdomen, and Paul once more gently felt around the area bearing the horseshoe mark. Joe winced quite a number of times and bit his lip fiercely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Ben enquired, concern lining his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe good news is, I don\u2019t think there\u2019s actually any internal bleeding,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cHowever, there might be a small bleed and I want to keep a sharp eye on Joe over the next 12 hours. But he has been relatively stable, from what you said, Ben, and so I\u2019m leaning on the side of optimism here.\u201d He smiled back at Ben and began to feel gently up Joe\u2019s swollen, misshapen arm. His face was grim as he straightened. \u201cOn the other hand, Joe\u2019s arm is a mess. It\u2019s broken in at least three places and I\u2019ll have to set them. I can\u2019t put on a cast until the swelling is down, so I\u2019d appreciate it if you could get me a couple of bits of wood for a splint.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill I\u2026have use of\u2026my hand\u2026after?\u201d Joe asked. Even the doctor\u2019s feather-light touch had sent rivers of agony up his injured arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Paul replied, cautiously, and saw Joe blanch. \u201cThe injury is severe, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe whispered. His eyes sought Ben\u2019s and Ben responded at once, leaning over the bed to brush the hair back from Joe\u2019s forehead. Paul wondered how many times he had seen that very gesture.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be all right, Joseph,\u201d Ben whispered, knowing that he shouldn\u2019t make rash promises, but unable to help himself. He saw Paul leave the room and assumed that he was going to get the sticks for splints, but he didn\u2019t ask. All he knew was that he had the precious time with his son that he had hoped for and knew he must set things straight between them. \u201cJoe, I have an apology to make,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou?\u201d Joe asked, clearly surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben nodded. \u201cI have to apologize for the way I treated you over Captain. I was wrong about that horse, Joe; completely wrong. He is everything you said he was, and more. I shouldn\u2019t have been so down on your judgment, Joe. You know horses and that is why I put you in charge of the horses for the ranch. I think I was afraid because of what happened with Satan. I should have trusted you more. I\u2019m sorry. Can you forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI shouldn\u2019t have gone off like that,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cPlease, forgive me, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cAlways, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Weeks of hurt and misunderstanding melted away as though they had never been. Ben held Joe\u2019s hand, too afraid to hold him properly in case he hurt him, and that was how Paul, Hoss and Adam found them a few minutes later.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is going to help me here, Ben,\u201d Paul told him. \u201cAnd you\u2019re going to go downstairs with Adam and have something to eat and drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed, seeing that he was out numbered. \u201cI\u2019ll be right downstairs if you need me,\u201d he told Joe, who smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe replied. His eyes tracked Ben as his father walked to the door, and then he sighed, wincing almost immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere goes,\u201d Paul said, and applied the chloroform.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThe horse is that good?\u201d Adam asked, skeptically.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat good,\u201d Ben reiterated, sipping his coffee. The brew was strong and bitter and warmed him through. \u201cJoe was right and I was wrong to doubt him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Adam murmured, thoughtfully. \u201cBut Joe behaved very badly over it. He shouldn\u2019t have run away like that; he should have come to you and sat down and discussed the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there\u2019s the root of the problem, I think,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you mean?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what you\u2019d do, Adam,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cBut Joe isn\u2019t you and he took more direct action. You know Joe; act first and think later. This was a prime example of that. He was sorry he worried us, but he had to show me that his judgment was correct. I refused to see the evidence in front of my face and so caused us weeks of misery. Joe was right \u2013 I do sometimes treat him like a child. I need to remember \u2013 we all do \u2013 that Joe is an adult.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence while Adam thought this through and Ben\u2019s thoughts returned to the room above them, where Joe lay sleeping under the influence of drugs. Adam could see that Ben was right. \u201cI guess I\u2019d better look at this wonder horse for myself,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cTake him out for a ride. I think you\u2019ll be pleasantly surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Over the next twelve hours, someone was always with Joe. Paul had a couple of hours sleep in the spare room in preparation for being up all night. Joe came round from the anesthetic and was immediately able to wriggle his fingers, although it hurt. The breaks had been serious, but not as severe as Paul had first thought.<\/p>\n

The vigil wore on, with everyone taking a shift and getting some sleep. Joe lay deathly still, deep in a drugged sleep. Paul didn\u2019t want him to move about at all if possible and this was the best way to give him rest.<\/p>\n

But when at last the dawn came, the bruising had not spread and Paul pronounced the danger of internal bleeding was over. The relief was overwhelming and Ben had to wipe away a tear. Paul set off for home, telling Ben that Joe would gradually wake up over the course of the day as the drugs wore off. He left some pain relief, knowing that Joe would need it for the next few days and promised to get back out to check on Joe later.<\/p>\n

Now that Joe was out of immediate danger, Adam and Hoss went out to the barn to look at Captain. The big bay greeted them enthusiastically and Adam went to get his saddle while Hoss fed Captain a bit of liquorish.<\/p>\n

The ride that Captain gave Adam was one of the best he had ever had. The horse was ultra-responsive to the bit and behaved impeccably throughout. Adam had to admit he was impressed. If Joe\u2019s new method of breaking horses got this result, Adam was all for it, although he had rubbished the idea before. He realized he would have a lot of humble pie to eat.<\/p>\n

And so it was, when Joe woke again later that day, Adam was sitting with him. \u201cHi,\u201d Joe breathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awake at last,\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cGood. How do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSore,\u201d Joe responded truthfully. He hurt too much to lie.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa will be up with your medicine soon,\u201d Adam told him. \u201cJoe, I have an apology to make.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Joe asked, uninterestedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI rode Captain today,\u201d Adam confessed. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve never ridden a nicer horse. Joe, I\u2019m sorry I was so nasty to you about him. I was angry that you\u2019d gone off and worried us. I thought it was just a childish trick to get your own way with Pa. I\u2019m sorry. You were right; he is quite a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d Joe responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, its not,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cJoe I was jealous of you. I was jealous that you saw something in that horse that I hadn\u2019t. I shouldn\u2019t have been. I want you to forgive me, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t often that Adam ate humble pie like that and Joe was touched. \u201cI forgive you,\u201d he answered. He moved fractionally and caught his breath. When he opened his eyes again, Adam was watching him worriedly. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe assured his brother.\u00a0As all right as I can be<\/em>, he thought, ruefully. \u201cSo you like my horse, then,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019My kingdom for a horse\u2019,\u201d Adam quoted and Joe winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cRichard III,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cAct 5 scene 4.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know that?\u201d Adam asked, frankly astounded as Joe freely admitted he didn\u2019t like Shakespeare.<\/p>\n

Grinning cheekily, Joe replied, \u201cIt\u2019s about a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s about a horse?\u201d Ben asked, coming into the room and smiling as he saw Joe awake.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only bit of Shakespeare Joe remembers is about a horse!\u201d Adam complained.<\/p>\n

Listening with half an ear to Adam\u2019s explanation, Ben thought that Shakespeare had it wrong. He wouldn\u2019t have given his kingdom for a horse, but he would willingly have given it for any of his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe questioned, seeing Ben\u2019s mind was far away.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben looked down at Joe. The best news he could have had was that Joe was going to be better. \u201cThe doctor says you can have something to eat. Let\u2019s get you sitting up a bit, shall we? Then we won\u2019t get soup on the pillowcases.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe caught Adam\u2019s eye and they both began to laugh, remembering one famous occasion that Joe was looking after Adam, who had hurt his back* and the pillowcases hadn\u2019t survived!<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make me laugh, it hurts,\u201d Joe wheezed, but he couldn\u2019t repress another giggle as Ben and Adam helped him sit up.<\/p>\n

At that moment, Ben was convinced that all would be well.<\/p>\n

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

*\u00a0\u201cLove Will Tear Us Apart<\/a>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>by Claire<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0Joe is determined to own the bay stallion. Is he willing to pay the price to do so?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(10,650 words)<\/p>\n

Behind the Picture series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":13918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1811,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Black-Stallion.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3828,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3828","url_meta":{"origin":2700,"position":0},"title":"Who Kidnapped Joseph Cartwright? (by lolo1999)","author":"lolo1999","date":"April 26, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Annie, Sarah, and Katie kidnap Little Joe while he's on business. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (875 words)","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":3790,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3790","url_meta":{"origin":2700,"position":1},"title":"Christmas Surprise (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"September 26, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Written originally for Bonanza Gold, here is a little tale of a surprise at Christmas, funnily enough! 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Their only hope ... shelter. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K (1,390 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\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5293,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5293","url_meta":{"origin":2700,"position":3},"title":"The Paiute Pony (by Cinderella)","author":"Cinderella","date":"April 30, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A short story of how Cochise and a new friend came to Joe. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,190 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\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":2700,"position":4},"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":6617,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6617","url_meta":{"origin":2700,"position":5},"title":"August Moon (by Rider)","author":"Rider","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Little Joe Cartwright celebrates his 21st birthday with his family on the Ponderosa Ranch. Rated:\u00a0K+ (830 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\/04\/B_TLCSJoe1-1-1.jpg?fit=395%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2700","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\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2700"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2700\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}