Synopsis:\u00a0 Little Joe is walking in his sleep\u2026what\u2019s going on?
\nRating:\u00a0 PG-13
\nWords:\u00a0 17,900<\/p>\n
Sleepwalking<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cDo ya see it? DO YA!?\u201d Stubby shouted anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t see it!\u201d Hal snapped back in a snide tone. \u201cI don\u2019t see nothin\u2019. It\u2019s too damn dark and the hole’s too narrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell how about the rope? Do ya see the rope? Coop, tied it off just below the opening,\u201d Stubby pressed. \u201cLook harder, it\u2019s gotta be there!\u201d He urged with growing anger.<\/p>\n \u201cNo it ain\u2019t GOTTA be there! It otta be there but it ain\u2019t gotta.\u201d Hal shouted. \u201cAnd I done told ya, I don\u2019t see nothing, no rope, no nothin\u2019!\u201d Hal growled, only to hear his partner Stubby sigh disgustedly. \u201cWell if ya think ya can do better, then be my guest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine! Git out the way,\u201d Stubby said as he laid down to peer into the opening of the hole. The hole was a narrow ventilation shaft the led down to a larger cavern that was once part of a mine. The cavern was criss-crossed with rickety support timbers, but miners had even mined above the old timbers, leaving room to stand on the old beams. The bottom was covered with a few feet of stagnant water. The vent shaft was the only way to the cavern as the main mine was shut down years before after a cave in.<\/p>\n \u201cWell here\u2019s the rope, you idiot,\u201d Stubby said smugly, but as he pulled up the rope he became worried, it was too light to be supporting their treasure. He shot a troubled look to his partner. He pulled the rope from the hole and held the frayed end up for Hal to see.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gone!\u201d Hal stated the obvious.<\/p>\n Stubby grabbed the end of the rope and cursed, \u201cDamnit! Some bodies took the money!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Hal agreed, \u201cbut nobody knewed it was here,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n \u201cThat kid, that kid knew it was here!\u201d Stubby shouted his anger. \u201cStupid Coop and his bright ideas\u2026 \u2018Let\u2019s take that kid\u2026he might come in handy\u2019\u201d Stubby mocked their former leader.<\/p>\n \u201cThe kid, oh, come on\u2026\u201d Hal started to argue the logic of his friends\u2019 thinking, but was cut off.<\/p>\n \u201cWell who else?\u201d Stubby yelled.<\/p>\n Hal took the rope and held it up to Stubby\u2019s face so the frayed ends were obvious, \u201cIt mighta just fell to the bottom. The rope coulda worn through over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr the kid coulda took it\u2026but it don\u2019t matter, either he\u2019s gonna give it back or he\u2019s gonna get out of there. I\u2019ve waited too long to come away empty handed now!\u201d He bellowed out his frustrations. \u201cYa remember that kid\u2019s name?\u201d He shot a questioning look to Hal.<\/p>\n \u201cYa, his name was, Cartwright, Joe Cartwright.\u201d Hal said<\/p>\n ********************************************<\/p>\n It was Sunday morning in Virginia City. The town was relatively quiet, but church services had just concluded and the town folk began spilling out into the street. Over at the stage depot the mid-morning stage was arriving and the lone passenger was stepping out of the coach. The middle-aged gentleman smiled and patted his rib cage as he filled his lungs with the clean mountain air. The looked up and down the street searching the faces of the town\u2019s folk for someone he might know. A huge smile graced his face as his eyes fell on Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n \u201cBen, Ben Cartwright!!!\u201d The man called down the street.<\/p>\n Ben looked toward the direction of the voice and he studied the man walking toward him. At first, Ben was puzzled and he looked at his two older sons to see if they recognized the man. It was obvious they didn\u2019t by the shoulder shrugs he got to his unspoken query.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s that, Pa?\u201d Little Joe asked curiously, but no one answered him.<\/p>\n Ben smile cordially at the man and then his eyes lit-up with recognition as he slapped his thigh and let out a joyful greeting, \u201cWell by golly, Jake Kelly,\u201d Ben exclaimed as he grasped the man\u2019s outstretched hand and shook it vigorously. \u201cBy Golly,\u201d Ben said again happily, \u201cHow are Jake? It\u2019s surely is good to see you again, is Madeline with you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no she not. She\u2019s at home. I was traveling on business out to San Francisco and I promised myself I\u2019d stop in Virginia City on my way home, so here I am.\u201d Jake Kelly answered, his face beaming with a huge smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I\u2019m glad you did. Can you come to the house for supper?” Ben asked hopefully. \u201cI\u2019d love a chance to catch up with you my old friend\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was surely hoping you\u2019d ask, Ben,\u201d Jake replied glancing to the young men standing with Ben. \u201cThese men can\u2019t be your little boys, Ben?\u201d Jake asked with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cYes they can,\u201d Ben, answered as he turned to Adam and clasped him on his shoulder. \u201cYou remember Adam, of course. He\u2019s a college graduate now.\u201d Adam blushed slightly and extended his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Kelly, it\u2019s good to see you again sir. It\u2019s been a long time.\u201d Adam said politely.<\/p>\n \u201cYes it has Adam, too long. Well congratulations are in order. Did you get that degree in architecture or engineering\u2026or perhaps both?\u201d He asked with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth,\u201d Adam replied with a grin. Jake Kelly had been a big supporter of Adam\u2019s dreams of college and urged him follow his passion.<\/p>\n \u201cWell good for you son! I\u2019m sure Ben must be very proud of you. I knew you\u2019d do well. I think we left Virginia City shortly after you left for the college. And it\u2019s Jake now, please,\u201d Jake said.<\/p>\n Adam smiled at the compliment,\u00a0\u201cThank you, Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake Kelly turned toward Hoss, \u201cThis strapping young man must be Hoss. All grown up now I see. You must be of tremendous help to your father, I\u2019m sure. \u201d Jake beamed with happiness as he shook Hoss\u2019 hand, he was happy to see friends again.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss handles all the cattle operations for us now, Jake. He has quite the aptitude for dealing with the stock,\u201d Ben said with pride.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways has as I recall,\u201d Jake agreed with a smile. Hoss blushed slightly at the praise.<\/p>\n \u201cWell now, we have Adam and Hoss, so this must be Little Joe,\u201d Jake said as he patted Little Joe on the back of his shoulder. \u201cBut you\u2019re not so little any more are you Joe? My goodness you\u2019ve grown-up. Last time I saw you, you were no higher than your Pa\u2019s knee. How old are you now, Joe?<\/p>\n Joe beamed as someone finally noticed he was getting bigger and not a little kid any more. \u201cI\u2019m fourteen now sir,\u201d he answered proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cFourteen!?!?! Well I\u2019ll be. It didn\u2019t seem like eight years had past until I got a look at these son\u2019s of yours, Ben. A fine lot they are Ben, you must be very proud of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I am. They keep me on my toes and keep me young,\u201d Ben said with fatherly pride.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung,\u201d Jake laughed pointing to Ben\u2019s hair. \u201cSo where did all that snow on the roof come from then? This one still giving you fits,\u201d Jake said again patting Joe on his shoulder.<\/p>\n Everyone, except Joe, joined in the laughter as memories of Ben\u2019s old friend, Jake Kelly, came flooding back.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Kelly sure has your number Joe,\u201d Hoss laughed. \u201cOh the stories we could tell you about my little brother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face clouded as he thought they were laughing at him. Ben saw the storm brewing and was quick to interrupt to defuse the boy\u2019s temper. \u201cJoseph has added his share of gray hair to my head, but then each of the boys can claim their share, right boys?\u201d Ben defended his youngest trying to head off an outburst and it worked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat may be, Ben, but I recall my last day or so in town were full of worry thanks to your youngest,\u201d Jake said.<\/p>\n \u201dOh?\u201d Adam asked with interest. There was nothing he liked better than to see his youngest brother squirm and stories of his antics always produced squirming. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve heard this story.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell I remember. I think you\u2019d only been away at college for a few months.\u201d Hoss started to explain and Adam looked to his father with an unspoken question.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I wrote you about this Adam,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cYou\u2019d only been gone a little while and I didn\u2019t want you to think we couldn\u2019t manage,\u201d Ben paused and turned to his old friend, \u201cJake, we were going over to the hotel for dinner, please join us then we can all head back to the ranch for a late supper and you can spend the night,\u201d Ben extended the invitation, knowing he would enjoy a day with an old friend.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I\u2019d like that Ben, just thinking about Hop Sing\u2019s cooking makes my mouth water, but I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll need to return to town later tonight, unfortunately I have to catch the early stage in the morning.\u201d Jake said with regret.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then we\u2019ll make the most of the day.\u201d Ben said with his usual positive attitude.<\/p>\n The group settled into their table in the restaurant and Adam returned the conversation back to the story about Joe that he\u2019d not heard. \u201cSo what was it my little brother did to cause so much worry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t remember doing anything to worry folks, Pa?\u201d Joe defended himself.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never do, do you shortshanks?\u201d Hoss asked with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cHa Ha, very funny.\u201d Joe snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cNow settle down Joe, this was along time ago I\u2019m not surprised you don\u2019t remember. In fact, you didn\u2019t remember much of what happened then either,\u201d Ben soothed.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd so\u2026\u201d Adam prompted earning him a \u2018look\u2019 from Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd so,\u201d Ben continued, \u201cit was also a Sunday and we had just finished with church. We were standing around outside talking when someone came running down the street yelling FIRE.\u201d Ben began the story and Jake jumped in.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fire was in my freight warehouse and apparently the entire building was involved before anyone noticed. So all the men took off in run toward the fire, we were afraid we\u2019d lose the whole block. Hoss came along too, to handle the water pump, but Joe stayed behind with Madeline.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get to go?\u201d Joe asked indignantly.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, you were only six years old, son,\u201d Ben said gently.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Joe said sheepishly.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on,\u201d Adam said, intrigued.<\/p>\n \u201cWell we had our hands full with the fire,\u201d Ben started again but Jake quickly took over and told the story in animated fashion. \u201cWe must have fought that fire for hours. When we finally got it knocked down and I started to get a look at the remains of my warehouse I realized that the safe had been broken into and a shipment of gold coins was missing. Oh, I tell you I couldn\u2019t believe it. The warehouse was lost, plus our home which was next door and a few other buildings. It was a real mess. We assumed the fire was set to cover up the robbery. But it didn\u2019t matter, with the warehouse gone; I was ruined in Virginia City. By the grace of God, Madeline and I were packed and ready to leave that next afternoon on a trip to St. Louis. So at least we had some personal belongings. So I decided we\u2019d just take that trip and start over in St. Louis,\u201d Jake paused in his story telling to take a drink of water.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head in disbelief, \u201cI can\u2019t believe you didn\u2019t write me about this. I remember Pa saying you\u2019d moved on, but he never said why. This is unbelievable,\u201d Adam started but was interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cOh but it gets worse,\u201d Jake started again. \u201cMadeline was beside herself with worry about the business and my fighting the fire that she didn\u2019t pay close enough attention to your little brother so as you can imagine, Joe being Joe, he wandered off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaturally,\u201d Adam said and Joe scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cBy time we realized Joe was gone, we figured he could have been gone for hours. We had no idea which way or where he went. We were all exhausted from fighting the fire, but we knew we had to find the boy, so we started to search the town.\u201d Again Jake paused for a drink and Ben took up the story.<\/p>\n \u201cWe searched all over town and I was frantic. By nightfall we still had no clue and I became convinced that who ever set the fire and stole the gold must have taken Joe as a hostage. I was sick with worry. I sent Hoss to spend the night with Hop Sing who was visiting at his father\u2019s and we continued to search the town. By morning I was fit to be tied. Roy had been urging me to take Hoss home, get some rest and then return with the hands to continue the search. I finally agreed and we went home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell where were you?!\u201d Adam asked Joe who also sat spellbound by the story.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t remember any of this.\u201d Joe stated apologetically.<\/p>\n \u201cWell that\u2019s what you said then, too,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cAfter searching for nearly 18 hours, Hoss, Hop Sing and I drove into to the yard to find Joseph curled up and sleeping on the rocking chair by the door.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell where had he been all day?\u201d Adam asked again.<\/p>\n \u201cWe never did find out, did we Joseph?\u201d Ben replied and Joe just shrugged his shoulders. \u201cSo you never found out where he was? How did he get to the ranch?\u201d Adam pressed.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, never did find out and he must have walked all the way back. I figured in the time he was gone he could have made it. And at that point I was just happy to have him back safe and sound,\u201d Ben answered.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what happened to the gold?\u201d Adam asked Jake.<\/p>\n \u201cWe never did find it or the robbers. Roy made an investigation, but nothing came of it. There were no witness, no clues, no trail\u2026it was pretty hopeless. But once we knew Joe had been found and his disappearance had nothing to do with the robbery, Madeline and I took the stage east and we left Virginia City and all our problems behind. I started over in St. Louis and thank the Good Lord, I\u2019ve done well.\u201d Jake concluded.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head in disbelief, \u201cLeave it to you little brother. You had the whole town in a uproar and you\u2019re home asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t do nothing,\u201d Joe stated defiantly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never do,\u201d Adam said sarcastically.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, now that\u2019s enough, it was a long time ago and of no consequence now\u2026so Jake tell me how Madeline is and\u2026.\u201d Ben turned the conversation, and the old friends talked throughout the meal, until Ben wiped his mouth again and concluded, \u201c\u2026so let\u2019s head back to the Ponderosa and relax before supper. Joseph, please run down to the livery and bring the surrey back here,\u201d Ben said with a smile, knowing how much Joe loved to drive the rig. \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d was the excited reply from his youngest.<\/p>\n Outside the livery, Hal and Stubby stood just looking around. They had spent the most of the midday in the saloon and were now feeling the effects. \u201cWell where\u2019d ya figure we outta start asking around?\u201d Hal asked softly. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Stubby said disgustedly, \u201cIffin we get too nosey folks\u2019ll start a wonderin\u2019,\u201d he finished. Just then Joe ran by and into the stable.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you\u2019d get a look at that kid that just went by?\u201d Hal asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNa. Why?\u201d Stubby questioned.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just looked kinda familiar, like it could be the kid wez lookin\u2019 fer; older o\u2019course, but maybe\u2026.\u201d but before he could finish Stubby was through the doors of the livery and staring at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gotta be him,\u201d Stubby whispered to Hal and continued, \u201cBig mop a hair and them eyes, yeah it\u2019s him,\u201d his voice trailed off as he moved from Hal over to Joe.<\/p>\n Joe was adjusting the harness on the horses when he felt a hand grab his upper arm. \u201cHey,\u201d he shouted, \u201clet go, you\u2019re hurting me,\u201d the fearless boy demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll let go when I\u2019m good and ready sonny, now yous got something that belongs to me and I want it. And I want it now,\u201d Stubby demanded.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes grew wide at the man\u2019s demands and the smell of alcohol on his breath, he had no idea what the man was talking about. \u201cI\u2019m sorry mister, I don\u2019t have nothing of nobodies, I swear. I don\u2019t even know you.\u201d Joe tried to explain as he twisted from the man\u2019s grasp and jumped up into the surrey.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you know me boy, you mighta forgot jist now, but you think about it, and it\u2019ll come to ya. And when it does you\u2019ll know I\u2019m gonna get back what\u2019s mine,\u201d Stubby hissed, wagging his finger at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cReally mister, you must have me mixed up with some other kid,\u201d Joe said trying to mask his fear. \u201c I gotta go, my Pa\u2019s waiting for me,\u201d Joe added hoping the man would step aside so he could drive the buggy out.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you can go for now kid, but mark my words, I\u2019ll get back what\u2019s mine, boy,\u201d Stubby stated coldly.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you do mister,\u201d Joe called back to the man.<\/p>\n Hoss was walking down the street as Joe approached. \u201cWhat took you so long, Shortshanks? I was just coming to help ya. Pa wants to get home,\u201d Hoss said climbing into the surrey giving Joe a frustrated look.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry Hoss, There were a couple of drunks in the barn and they were talking crazy. Trust me I got outta there as quick as I could,\u201d Joe explained.<\/p>\n \u201cYou alright?\u201d Hoss asked concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, lets go,\u201d Joe said as he flicked the reins.<\/p>\n \u201cAlrighty then, drive on driver,\u201d Hoss said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n Back in the barn the two men watched as Hoss and Joe drove down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cWell was that him, ya figure?\u201d Hal asked.<\/p>\n \u201dYa it was him, he just don\u2019t remember, so were gonna have to remind him,\u201d Stubby said snidely.<\/p>\n \u201cWell it don\u2019t wonder he can\u2019t remember, Coop gived him so much of that joy juice, just so as he would forgit,\u201d Hal explained.<\/p>\n Stubby rolled his eyes and growled, \u201cWell he remembered enough to go back and take my money!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur money!\u201d Hal corrected. \u201cAnd ya don\u2019t know he took it,\u201d He added.<\/p>\n \u201cHe took it! Oh he took it, all right!\u201d Stubby yelled as he turned and walked back to the saloon.<\/p>\n **************************************<\/p>\n The lively group returned to the Ponderosa and the remainder of the day and evening was spent in conversation, as the group relived other memories, and traded tales about life in St. Louis and life on the Ponderosa. Everyone had stories to tell, even Joe, as the happy group laughed and talk well into the night. Finally Jake declared it was time to return to town.<\/p>\n \u201cWell it certainly was good to see you again Jake, please give my best to Madeline and next time you\u2019re in the area on business, take a few days out for pleasure and come to stay with us,\u201d Ben said warmly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do that Ben. We can\u2019t have another eight years pass without seeing one another again. Thanks again for your hospitality and I\u2019ll keep in touch, this time.”<\/p>\n \u201cYou do that,\u201d Ben said, as he shook is friends\u2019 hand. \u201cJoseph, say good night and good bye then it\u2019s off to bed for you, it\u2019s late son,\u201d Ben added when Joe look like the was going to argue. But he just rolled his his eyes and did what he was told. \u201cAdam and Hoss will see you to town Jake, now you boys drive carefully,\u201d Ben instructed.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss shared a look and a chuckle knowing their father would always worry about his sons.<\/p>\n As they headed out the door Adam smiled and explained to Jake, \u201cPa\u2019s still an old mother hen.\u201d<\/p>\n The older man grinned and laughed, for he knew Ben Cartwright well.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s my prerogative, now get,” Ben said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cBye Ben,\u201d Jake said one last time as the surrey headed out of the yard.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know he\u2019ll be waiting up for us when we get home,\u201d Hoss said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019ll claim he was just up reading,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you boys wouldn\u2019t want it any other way,\u201d Jake said knowingly.<\/p>\n \u201dNo we wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Adam and Hoss answered together.<\/p>\n *************************************************************<\/p>\n As the boys predicted, Ben was sitting in his favorite red leather chair with a book across his lap as they came in the house. His head was resting on the back of his chair and his eyes were closed. Adam and Hoss each smiled at the sight of their father as they removed their gun belts and closed the door. Ben stirred at the sound of the door closing. \u201cOh hello boys, I was, um, reading and just took a moment to rest my eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Pa,\u201d Adam said with a soft chuckle as he moved over toward the fireplace.<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat and asked, \u201cDid Jake get settled at the hotel all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup, no trouble at all, Pa,\u201d Hoss answered as he sat down on the settee.<\/p>\n Then a noise on the stairs drew all their attention. Joe was walking quietly down the stairs and he stopped on the landing. He turned toward the great room and said, \u201cStop! You\u2019re using up all the good air!\u201d Then he turned and went back up stairs.<\/p>\n Ben, Adam, and Hoss all looked at each other confused and after a moment of silence, Hoss chuckled and said, \u201cWhat in tarnation was that? What was he talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, I\u2019d better go see if he\u2019s alright,\u201d Ben said as he moved toward the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he all right?\u201d Adam asked when his father returned moments later.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he\u2019s in bed, sound a sleep, with bed clothes and pillows all over the floor just as usual. I wonder what that was all about?\u201d Ben said with a shake of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHe must have been having a dream or somethin\u2019,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess,\u201d Ben agreed confused but not overly concerned as they had all experienced nightmares with Joe, then after a moment added, \u201cWell I\u2019m off to bed, you boys coming?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup, I\u2019m tuckered out\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cMe, too, oh and Hoss?\u201d Adam called to Hoss as he climbed the stairs. Hoss paused and looked back toward his brother, \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t use all the good air up there,\u201d Adam said barely able to control his laughter. Ben and Hoss joined in the laughter as they all headed to their rooms.<\/p>\n ***********************************************<\/p>\n The next morning Ben, Adam and Hoss were seated around the breakfast table when Joe came bounding down the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben bellowed from across the room. \u201cSlow down before you fall down those steps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry Pa,\u201d Joe said, but he was already at the bottom. Joe soon took his seat and began to spoon some bacon and eggs onto his plate.<\/p>\n Hoss looked at Joe and then to Adam. He winked at Adam, and then he spoke between bites, \u201cSay Joe,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh,\u201d Joe asked peering up from his plate to see the looks his brothers were sharing and the laughter they were trying to suppress. \u201cWhat?\u201d He said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo did you get enough good air last night little brother?\u201d Hoss said laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, we didn\u2019t use it all did we, Joe?\u201d Adam added his laughter building, until both he and Hoss were roaring.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Joe asked with a frown, he was starting to get mad that his brothers were laughing at him. \u201cWhat they talkin\u2019 about, Pa?\u201d shouted over the laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right now boys,\u201d Ben said with a chuckle, but he quickly cleared his throat, he didn\u2019t want Joe to think he was laughing at him too, but it was hard to control the tickle in the back of his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, are you laughing at me too?!\u201d Joe asked incredulously. \u201cI don\u2019t even know what\u2019s so funny!\u201d Joe said as he leaped out of his chair and pounded his fists on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry son. But you were very entertaining last night.\u201d Ben tried to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cEntertaining?\u201d Joe asked as he plopped back into his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cYup, you was havin\u2019 some kind of dream last night, Joe and ya walked right down them steps and told us to stop, cause we was usin\u2019 up all the good air,\u201d Hoss said his voice full of laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, you\u2019re funnin\u2019 me. I don\u2019t talk in my sleep,\u201d Joe argued.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wasn\u2019t just talkin\u2019 little brother you walked all the way down here and then turned around and went back up,\u201d Hoss continued to laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you were sleepwalking Joe,\u201d Adam stated, more composed.<\/p>\n \u201cNo I wasn\u2019t,\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cI ain\u2019t never done that before,\u201d he added his anger growing. \u201cI ain\u2019t hungry,\u201d he said shoving his plate away. \u201cI\u2019m gonna go do my chores,\u201d he said as he left the room in a huff.<\/p>\n \u201cWell ya done it last night little brother,\u201d Hoss shouted with laughter as Joe slammed the door.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough Hoss, finish your breakfast and then go help Joe. When you\u2019re done with the barn chores you and Joe go look for strays and no more about last night. Understood,\u201d Ben stated, his composure restored.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir and I\u2019ll apologize to him first thing,\u201d Hoss said<\/p>\n When Ben and Adam were alone, Ben asked his son, \u201cSo you think that\u2019s what Joe was doing last night, sleepwalking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so Pa. I remember a fellow who went to college with me and he used to sleepwalk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery night?\u201d Ben asked astonished.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not every night, only before an exam. He\u2019d walk into every room in the dormitory and ask each of us for a pencil.\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy only then?\u201d Ben asked curious.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said it was something he did all his life when he was worried or upset. I guess the anxiety of tests made him do it,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWell Joe has nothing to be worried or anxious about. Has he said anything to you or Hoss maybe?\u201d Ben asked with a touch of concern in his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he hasn\u2019t spoken to me, but if there is something bothering him, maybe he\u2019ll confide in Hoss today,\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what could have caused his walk last night?\u201d Ben asked his thoughts out loud.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know Pa. We both know Joe\u2019s always been sound sleeper, but he\u2019s had his fair share of nightmares, maybe this is just part of that. But whatever it is I\u2019m sure its nothing to worry about,\u201d Adam suggested hopefully trying to ease his fathers mind.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so, I certainly hope so\u2026well let\u2019s get to those books, shall we,\u201d Ben said as he ushered his eldest toward the study.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter you, sir,\u201d Adam replied with a smile and a grand sweeping gesture.<\/p>\n *****************************************************<\/p>\n Later that evening found the Cartwrights in familiar positions, Ben and Adam were in their favorite chairs reading and Hoss was sitting on the settee braiding some rawhide. Joe had been sent to bed an hour or so earlier. The evening was chilly and a storm was building outside. Hearing the wind picking up outside, Ben spoke up, \u201csounds like a storm is brewing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cI wonder if we\u2019ll have any other entertainment tonight,\u201d he added with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I don\u2019t know, but if we do, I don\u2019t want you boys teasing him about it tomorrow,\u201d Ben said sternly. \u201cWe don\u2019t need him in a foul temper tomorrow, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Closing his book, Adam stood up and stated, \u201cI think I\u2019ll head up and get a new book. I\u2019ll peek in on sleeping beauty while I\u2019m up there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben said with a smile.<\/p>\n Coming back downstairs, Adam smiled and said \u201cI think the show will be confined to his bedroom tonight, he appears to be having one heck of a dream.\u201d Ben raised his eyebrows in a questioning fashion so Adam continued. \u201cHe\u2019s all over his bed and sounds like he\u2019s having a whole conversation with someone, but it\u2019s all mumbled.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShucks,\u201d Hoss said in mock disappointment.<\/p>\n Ben replied with a look and said, \u201cThat\u2019s enough Hoss, something must be bothering him for him to be having a nightmare\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know it\u2019s a nightmare, Pa,\u201d Adam tried to soothe his father\u2019s worries, but he was concerned too and the look his father gave him told him he was also worried. \u201cBut, I left his door open so we could hear him,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Adam\u201d Ben said again and Adam gave him a slight nod of his head.<\/p>\n Once again the three men settled into their positions and the only sound in the room was the crackling from the fireplace. The men stirred from the silence by a sound from outside. Each man looked up as if to listen more sharply and again they heard something.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like a branch is banging on the roof,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cCould be, let\u2019s go check,\u201d Ben stated. \u201cWe might need to cut it back before it does any damage to the house. Ben added.<\/p>\n Ben pulled open the door and each pulled in a sharp breath as the cold air and biting wind hit their skin. \u201cDadburnit, it got cold,\u201d Hoss, stated the obvious as he stopped just outside the door.<\/p>\n Adam pulled his brother along by the elbow, \u201cCome on let\u2019s get this over with so we can get back by the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben walked out into the yard past his sons and chuckled as the boys complained, \u201cAll it takes is a little cold, to bring out the whiner in you boys, maybe I should go wake Joseph. That boy likes the cold, in fact\u2026Oh my God!\u201d Ben cried as he looked up to the roof, expecting to see a branch hitting the house, but the sight before him filled his heart with terror. There on the edge of the roof stood Joseph clad only in his nightshirt that whipped in the wind.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss were a few steps behind their father when he cried out and they hurried to his side to see what caused him to stand in a frozen stare.<\/p>\n Hoss was horrified as Joe teetered on the edge of the roof, \u201cJoe\u201d he whispered in fear. Adam leaped into action and ran back into the house, up the stairs and to Joe\u2019s room in just a few seconds. As Adam climbed out the window, Joe weaved back and forth and spoke, \u201cNo, NO I don\u2019t want to! It\u2019s too dark. It\u2019s too dark! I want my Papa!\u201d He cried. Ben and Hoss watched terror struck as Adam slowly made his way toward the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here Joseph,\u201d Ben called to him but Adam motioned with his finger to his lips for quiet. And he quietly put his hands on his brothers shoulders and turned him back toward the window and guided him back into his room and over to the bed. As his sons climbed in the window, Ben made a beeline toward the house, with Hoss on his heels. Both men ran up the stairs. By time Ben got to Joe\u2019s room Adam had the boy back into his bed.<\/p>\n Ben sat down next to the bed and took his son\u2019s hand in his and spoke to his other sons. \u201cI\u2019m going to sit with him for few minutes, I\u2019ll be down soon. Pour some brandy.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam led Hoss back down stairs and they waited in worried silence for their father. About a half hour later, Ben came slowly downstairs. He reached for his brandy as he sat down. He sipped the liquid slowly as Hoss spoke. \u201cI ain\u2019t never been that scared. I\u2019m sorry I laughed at him, Pa.\u201d Hoss said apologetically. \u201cDid ya hear him? He sounded like a little kid\u2026callin\u2019 ya Papa and all,\u201d Hoss added bewildered.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all laughed son, but this isn\u2019t funny anymore. He could have been killed if he fell off that roof,\u201d Ben stated with a shutter. \u201cI\u2019m going to talk to Paul tomorrow and see what he has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s never been able to help the kid with his nightmares, Pa. I don\u2019t see what he can do.\u201d Adam said cynically.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I have to do something, but first thing first. I\u2019m going to put him in my room with me tonight. Hoss you get a hammer and nails and nail that window closed. He won\u2019t be going out that window again,\u201d Ben said firmly, then he paused and sipped the rest of his brandy. He studied the empty glass for a moment and turned hopefully eyes to his eldest son. \u201cDid your college friend ever stop, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked up into his father\u2019s eyes and sadly dashed that hope he saw reflected there as he replied, \u201cNot as far as I know. Eventually we all just started leaving pencils on our night tables at exam time and he\u2019d just walk around collecting them. But this seems different from that, Pa. This started all of a sudden with Joe, and he\u2019s done different things each time and said different things, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dLet\u2019s hope Paul has some answers for us,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n ****************************************<\/p>\n \u201cWell did ya find anything out?\u201d Stubby asked from his perch by the campfire. He and Hal had set up camp a ways outside of Virginia City and had been quietly trying to gather information.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that kid in the livery was the kid we\u2019re lookin\u2019 fer. He still lives around here at that same spread about 20 miles south of town. I think it\u2019s called the Ponderosa,\u201d Hal started to explain as he grabbed a cup of coffee. \u201cThey\u2019s got a lot of money near as I can tell\u2026\u201d he had more to say but was cut off by Stubby.<\/p>\n \u201cWell they\u2019d better not be living high on the hog on my money, is all I can say.\u201d Stubby growled. \u201cLet\u2019s check out this Ponderosa tomorrow and see if we can spot the kid. I\u2019m getting\u2019 tired of waitin\u2019! I wish I knew where Coop was and whether or not he\u2019s still alive, so I could kill him\u2026so much for easy money\u2026his easy money scheme has taken over eight stinkin\u2019 years.\u201d<\/p>\n **********************************************<\/p>\n \u201cHi Ben, is this a social call or are you needing my services?\u201d Doctor Paul Martin asked with a friendly smile.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a professional call I\u2019m afraid. I have a problem, or I should say Joseph has a problem,\u201d Ben stated hesitantly unsure as to how to explain what\u2019s been happening with his youngest.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Paul said with a chuckle, \u201cWhy am I not surprised.\u201d But when Ben didn\u2019t return his smile, Paul changed his tone. \u201cIs it something serious, Ben? Is his sick?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s ill, but something\u2019s wrong. Only he doesn\u2019t seem to notice it,\u201d Ben spoke in riddles.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you start from the beginning,\u201d Paul tried to get Ben to organize his thoughts.<\/p>\n So Ben relayed the odd happenings of the last few evenings. \u201c\u2026so like I said, the first time it was funny and even funnier the next morning when Joe didn\u2019t even know he\u2019d done it. But last night was anything but funny and again this morning he wasn\u2019t even aware that he stood teetering on the edge of the roof\u2026\u201d Ben paused and shuttered at the memory. \u201cI\u2019m afraid of what he might do next,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you said he spoke like he was having a conversation with someone, but his voice was different.”<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hoss pointed it out. His voice sounded like that of a young child. He even called out \u2018Papa\u2019 and he hasn\u2019t called me that for years. It gave me shivers,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Adam\u2019s right. It sound like sleepwalking and some severe instances I\u2019d say. It\u2019s curious that it\u2019s started all of a sudden. Has anything unusual happened to him lately?\u201d Paul asked searching for answers.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing out of the ordinary,\u201d Ben assured the doctor. \u201cWhat do you think, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to observe him doing this. I\u2019ll tell you what. How about I come out for a late dinner tonight and then just wait with you and see if anything happens. If need be I\u2019ll stay the night. Perhaps I can talk to him while he\u2019s asleep and see if we can learn anything. Before I come out, I\u2019ll do a bit of research and send a few wires to colleagues and see if I can learn anymore about sleepwalking and how to deal with it. Try not to worry, Ben. It may disappear as quickly as it appeared,\u201d Paul tried to encourage his old friend. But he knew telling Ben Cartwright not to worry about his sons, especially Joe, was like telling the sun not to shine.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope it does before he hurts himself. I\u2019ll see you tonight,\u201d Ben shook the doctor\u2019s hand as he left.<\/p>\n ********************************<\/p>\n \u201cEvening Ben, boys\u201d Paul called as he pulled into the yard. He climbed down from his buggy and looked around. Adam walked over to the doctor and shook his hand and responded to the unasked question.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2019s not around, Pa let him go fishing so we\u2019d all have time to talk. What did you find out?\u201d Adam asked abruptly.<\/p>\n \u201cLet go inside and have some coffee,\u201d Ben suggested and ushered the doctor into the house.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks Ben, unfortunately, I didn\u2019t find out to much that\u2019s encouraging. Sleepwalking is not that unusual in children, but most are outgrowing it by Joe\u2019s age, not just starting. Likewise talking while sleepwalking is not unusual either, but generally it\u2019s incomprehensible muttering or the use of words they\u2019d never use awake, not conversations like Joe seems to be having. Most cases report episodes once a month or so, not night after night like Joe. His case is most puzzling, but then again that seems normal for Joe. He never does anything the easy way,\u201d Paul concluded.<\/p>\n \u201cSo now what?\u201d Ben queried anxiously, he had hoped the doctor would have had more to offer.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we wait and watch, but don\u2019t hover over him. We don\u2019t want to alert him to our concerns,\u201d it was all Paul could offer.<\/p>\n All the Cartwright sighed\u2026waiting was one thing they all hated.<\/p>\n Six hours later, a long day was catching up with the weary men. Hoss was nodding off on the settee and Adam was struggling to concentrate on his book. Ben and Paul were fighting sleep over the chessboard. Joe had been sent off to bed a few hours before and so far had not stirred. Finally Ben stood and stretched. \u201cYou boys should go on to bed. No sense in all of us sitting here, he may just sleep through he night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to ask me twice. I\u2019m for bed,\u201d Hoss said with a yawn.<\/p>\n \u201cMe too, but call us if anything happens,\u201d Adam said as he headed for the stairs clasping Hoss on the shoulder. \u201cLet\u2019s go brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoy it sure is cold up here. Your window open Adam?\u201d Hoss asked innocently.<\/p>\n Immediately, Adam quickened his step, as he spoke, \u201cNo! You sure you nailed Joe\u2019s window shut?\u201d He asked as he hurried to Joe\u2019s room. The door had been left open so the family could hear if Joe stirred, but as Adam peered into the room, his stomach dropped. The bed was empty, yet the window was closed. \u201cHoss,\u201d Adam called as he moved down the hall \u201cJoe\u2019s gone, check the other rooms see whose window is open. Pa! Pa!\u201d Adam called as he headed back down the stairs. \u201cPa, Joe\u2019s not in his room!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?! We didn\u2019t hear anything. Is he upstairs?\u201d Ben asked as he moving toward the door. Hoss came bounding down the stairs calling out his report, \u201cPa\u2019s window was open, but I didn\u2019t see Joe on the roof.\u201d<\/p>\n The frantic group quickly headed out the door and turned back to look on the roof. Hoss was the last one out and looked across the yard. \u201cLook,\u201d he cried. \u201cThe barn doors open.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no, could he have ridden off?\u201d Ben cast a worried look to the doctor afraid what might happen to his son, if he\u2019d ridden off while sleepwalking.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on,\u201d Adam called as he ran across the yard; he slowed as he reached the entrance and looked inside. \u201cHis horse is still here, Pa,\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you see him in there?\u201d Ben asked as he too stood in the barn entrance, flanked by Paul and Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d came the quick reply from Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then where is he?!\u201d Ben asked in frustration, waving his hands out and glancing briefly upward. It was from that random glance that something caught his eye and Ben slowly looked up into the rafters of the barn. What he saw caused his heart to freeze in terror. \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben whispered. There over the main floor of the barn some 25 feet above stood Joe on the support rafters of the barn. All the men heard Ben\u2019s whisper and looked up to follow Ben\u2019s stare. For a few moments they were all paralyzed by fear, and it was Joe\u2019s voice that broke the spell.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to play anymore,\u201d was the pitiful cry in a childlike voice. \u201cI want to come up. Me scared I\u2019m gonna fall! I don\u2019t like the dark! I want my Papa,\u201d Joe cried. \u201cPlease! Please! I\u2019m gonna fall!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh dear God, he\u2019s going to fall,\u201d Ben said in hushed tones.<\/p>\n Adam squeezed his father\u2019s arm and spoke softly, \u201cI\u2019ll get him Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe careful Adam, don\u2019t startle him, if he wakes abruptly, he could lose his balance and fall,\u201d Paul warned.<\/p>\n Hoss stood frozen as he watched his little brother standing on the rafters, then, as Adam moved toward the ladder, Hoss sprang into action. He quickly he began raking hay from the stalls toward the center of the barn. He worked as fast as he could and paused only for a moment when he caught a glance from his father. \u201cIn case he falls,\u201d he explained sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cBen,\u201d Paul caught Ben\u2019s attention, \u201ctry talking to him; see if he\u2019ll answer questions about the situation he thinks he\u2019s in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure I should talk to him? Last night Adam thought I should keep silent,\u201d Ben asked softly, unsure what was the best thing to do.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we have to try, Ben,\u201d Paul assured him.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Ben said hushed then spoke louder to his son, \u201cJoseph,\u201d he call upward. \u201cJoseph, Papa\u2019s here and you\u2019re not going to fall. Joseph, how did you get their son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna come up now, please PLEASE!\u201d Joe shouted. \u201cI don\u2019t wanna play no more. It\u2019s too dark. I\u2019m gonna fall. No, no get away from there. Stop, your using up all the good air,\u201d Joe continued to cry out, not hearing his father.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not listening to me, he\u2019s not making any sense now\u2026he wants to come up, but he\u2019s afraid he\u2019s going to fall,\u201d Ben said sadly, not taking his eyes off of his sons. Adam was slowly making his way toward his brother. Ben looked on, he had two sons in danger: one painfully aware of the peril and one oblivious to all around him.<\/p>\n Adam made his way to the edge of the loft where the rafter came to intersect. He quickly developed a rescue plan. He needed some rope. He tied one end of a rope around his chest under his arms and the other end to the rafter, just in case. Then tied a second rope to the rafter as he\u2019d done his own. He took the second end and made a slipknot loop which he slung over his shoulder. His plan was to get the second rope tied around his brother, a rope burn under his arms would be far better than plummeting to the floor of the barn, he reasoned. Adam sat down on the rafter, straddling it. He clutched the beam between his muscular thighs, then leaned forward resting his palms on each edge; then he slowly inched his way across the narrow beam toward his brother.<\/p>\n Ben watched with a strange mixture of pride and horror. He was so proud of Adam with his quick thinking in coming up with a plan and his selfless devotion that drove him to save his brother; and he was horrified for Joseph so unaware of the danger he was in.<\/p>\n \u201cEasy, son, be careful,\u201d Ben whispered so softly only Paul, standing right next to him, could hear.<\/p>\n Adam was only a foot from Joe and Ben was about to exhale a breath in relief when Joe spoke again, \u201cNO!\u201d he shouted. \u201cI done told ya, I don\u2019t wanna play now I\u2019m gonna come up!\u201d he cried tears rolling down his face and he started to move losing his balance.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s arms flailed about as he tried to steady himself, but he started to fall and he pitched forward. Then everything seemed to happen at once\u2026Ben shouted out \u201cNO!\u201d as Joe fell from the beam striking his head as he fell. Adam saw his brother weave and he lunged forward till he was laying chest down on the beam, he frantically reached his hand out but all he could grab was a handful of nightshirt. Joe hung in his shirt, unconscious, dead weight in Adam\u2019s hand, as Adam cried out in a strangled breath, \u201cJoe, Joe wake up buddy, help me, OH GOD\u2026grab my arm JOE\u2026.I\u2026.I\u2026.can\u2019t hold you\u2026.the shirt\u2019s ripping.\u201d Desperately Adam tried to reach his other hand under the beam to grab hold of Joe, but he couldn\u2019t maneuver. He could just hold on for dear life.<\/p>\n Ben was climbing the ladder as he called out to his son, \u201cHang on Adam, hang on I\u2019m coming, I\u2019m coming son.\u201d But as Ben reached the top of the ladder he heard a rip, followed by a terrified, \u201cOh God!\u201d and then a thud. In a few fast strides, Ben was to the edge of the loft and instinctively he knew to look down, and saw Joe lying in the middle of the pile of hay Hoss had created. He just stared down watching Hoss and Doctor Martin tend to Joe. Then he looked over to Adam who was still on the beam holding a handful of nightshirt and he was the picture of misery. He had tears rolling down his face as he apologized to his father. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa! I tried\u2026I tried to hold him.\u201d Ben quickly cut him off to assuage his son\u2019s guilt, \u201cI know Adam, you did all you could, and it wasn\u2019t your fault, let\u2019s get down to your brother now. Be careful son.\u201d Ben guided Adam off the rafter by gently pulling on the rope, then the two quickly returned to the barn floor.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is he Paul?\u201d Ben asked anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was lucky he was unconscious Ben, that and the hay probably saved his life. Miraculously, I don\u2019t see any injuries from the fall. The only problem seems to be from when he hit his head on the beam. Looks like he could use a few stitches on that gash and he probably has a slight concussion. Let\u2019s get him inside and I\u2019ll take a proper look,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n Warily, Paul descended the stairs to the great room \u201cWell he\u2019s going to have quite a headache when he wakes up, that\u2019s for sure. But I think he\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d He surveyed the room and took in the solemn faces gathered around the fireplace. \u201cWe were lucky this time,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, this time. But what about next time?\u201d Adam asked with tension in his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re fine the rest of the night. But I left Hop Sing with him, just in case. We certainly can\u2019t take any chances,\u201d Paul explained with a definite emphasis on any<\/em>. \u201cHe needed about 10 stitches in that gash and he has a concussion but it\u2019s relatively minor.\u00a0 But he needs to spend the next couple of days in bed. Honestly Ben, this sleepwalking has me puzzled. It\u2019s not like any of the cases I\u2019ve read about or tended. But then again I\u2019ve not tended many sleepwalkers and certainly none that have resulted in injury like Joe\u2019s,\u201d Paul paused and looked at the tired group and continued, \u201cBut we\u2019re not going to solve this problem tonight. Let\u2019s all get some sleep. I think we\u2019re going to need our rest in order to keep that boy in bed tomorrow. Come on Ben,\u201d Paul said reaching out to take Ben\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cSleep!!\u201d Ben thundered. \u201cHow could I possibly sleep! My son wanders around in his sleep and just plummeted from the barns rafters and you want me to go to sleep!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, calm down,\u201d Adam tried to penetrate his father\u2019s angry outburst. \u201cPaul\u2019s right, Joe\u2019s going to be fit to be tied in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpecial since he probably won\u2019t remember what happened. He hasn\u2019t recalled any of the other incidents, has he? Ben?\u201d Paul asked<\/p>\n \u201cNo, No he hasn\u2019t,\u201d Ben agreed and sighed deeply his voice tight with concern, \u201cWhat are we going to do? Next time he might kill himself.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul studied the distraught father. He had hoped to get some rest before tackling this problem with Ben, but he knew Ben wouldn\u2019t let it go, not after what happened earlier. So the doctor took a deep breath and started to list off his suggestions, \u201cThe first thing we have to make sure of is that he\u2019s not alone when he\u2019s asleep. One of you should plan on bunking in with him. I\u2019d also move him downstairs, no sense in taking any chances that he might climb out onto the roof again. We might also put bells on the doors and windows that lead out of the bedroom they\u2019d work like an alarm should he start walking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it! That\u2019s all we can do?\u201d Hoss said sharply. \u201cWatch him and rig up cow bells\u2026it don\u2019t seem like we\u2019re doin\u2019 much to help fix this for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI agree with Hoss, I think the answer lies with why he\u2019s doing this\u2026\u201d Adam started but Paul interrupted, \u201cI agree too, Adam but until we figure out the why of this, we can only try to prevent him from getting hurt,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAny more,\u201d Ben said sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, any more, and if any of you have any idea as to why this has sprung up all of a sudden, I\u2019d be more than happy to discuss it with you,\u201d Paul said in frustration. \u201cBen,\u201d Paul started again he was working on an idea, something he remembered from his research on sleepwalking\u2026 \u201chave you told Joe much about what he\u2019s doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not really, I mean, after that first night, we sort of teased him a bit,\u201d Ben explained and Hoss hung his head shamefully, \u201cbut he got angry, so we dropped it. Then after that second time, I was so worried and I didn\u2019t know what to do, that\u2019s when I came to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI kinda did,\u201d Hoss admitted softly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou kinda did what?\u201d Adam asked tentatively.<\/p>\n \u201cI kinda told him some of what he done, ya know being on the roof \u2018n all,\u201d Hoss said, his voice full of regret. He continued, \u201cI was feelin\u2019 bad about teasin\u2019 him, so I was kinda treatin\u2019 him with kit gloves. He got mad and wanted to know what was goin\u2019 on. So I told him what he done. I\u2019m sorry, Pa. I didn\u2019t know ya didn\u2019t want us to. I didn\u2019t make it worse for him did I?\u201d Hoss asked in pleading tones, the last thing he wanted was to make the situation any worse for his little brother.<\/p>\n \u201cNo I don\u2019t think so Hoss, in fact it may paved the way for further discussions,\u201d Paul reassured him in a kindly fashion.<\/p>\n \u201cI think tomorrow, once he\u2019s feeling better we need to talk to him. Explain to him further what he\u2019s been doing and watch his reactions. If something is troubling him deep in his mind, perhaps hearing all the details may bring it out in the open,\u201d Paul ventured.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh? What are ya talking about doc?\u201d Hoss questioned his guilt easing.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, one of the articles I\u2019ve read on sleepwalking points to the sleeping mind dealing with problems the awake mind has yet to recognize. Much of Joe\u2019s sleeping behavior seems to point toward that. Let him rest most of the day, I\u2019ll come back late tomorrow and we\u2019ll talk with him, but be sure and wait for me, I want to monitor his reactions. Now let\u2019s get some rest. Ben, why don\u2019t you sleep in with Joe the rest of the night?\u201d Paul added needlessly, everyone knew Ben would be sleeping in with Joe that night.<\/p>\n **************************<\/p>\n \u201cWell good morning sleepy head. You sleep well?\u201d Ben said too cheerfully from the chair he\u2019d pulled up to the bed to watch his boy sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning Pa,\u201d came the mumbled reply from Joe. \u201cWhat you doing in here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell you had a rough go of it last night, so I thought I\u2019d stay with you. How are you feeling?\u201d Ben asked casually, not wanting to have to explain yet what happened.<\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d Joe gave the standard Joe Cartwright explanation.<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Ben questioned with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cWell maybe a bit of a head ache,\u201d Joe conceded but if he were truthful it was quite a lot more than a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cPaul left some headache powders for you. You can have one after breakfast,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d Joe said firmly, he had no desire to even think about food.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but I\u2019ll bring up something light, you need something on your stomach before you get the medicine,\u201d Ben said with a smile but Joe responded by rolling his eyes. An action he quickly regretted as the movement intensified his headache and caused him to wonder.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to me, Pa?\u201d He asked softly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou had a little accident last night, but you need to rest now. We\u2019ll talk about it later. I\u2019ll go get your breakfast,\u201d Ben tried to answer his son\u2019s question, yet be vague as to not further upset the boy. Ben turned to leave the room.<\/p>\n \u201cI did it again, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Joe beseeched his father, tears filling his eyes.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s mind raced\u2026how should he answer the boy?\u2026 tell him the truth?\u2026put him off?\u2026.What was the best way to go?<\/em> He simply went with his heart, which as he stared at his son, ached for him\u2026so he gently said, \u201cYes,\u201d he paused to let that information sink in and then continued. \u201cDo you remember?\u201d he asked as he sat down on the bed and gathered the frightened boy in his strong arms.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but Hoss told me I did it before,\u201d he said as the tears rolled down his cheeks. \u201cHe said I was standin\u2019 out on the roof like an ole hoot owl in the night. Why Pa, why is this happening to me?\u201d Joe cried out for an explanation from the man he thought knew everything.<\/p>\n Ben felt woefully inadequate as a parent as he had no explanations to offer his child. \u201cI don\u2019t know son, but we\u2019ll figure it out. You\u2019re not alone in this and we\u2019re going to help you. But you need to calm down; you don\u2019t want to make yourself sick. You took a pretty good knock to the head, so let\u2019s settle down,\u201d Ben soothed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat how I hurt my head? Wondering around in the night. Did I fall down the stairs or crash into the wall?\u201d Joe asked bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I said we\u2019ll talk all about it later. Doctor Martin will be back to check you over later today and if he says your head is better, then we\u2019ll talk all about last night. Now you eat and rest,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut,\u201d Joe tried to press his father.<\/p>\n \u201cNo buts Joseph. In this house we follow doctors orders and he said you rest. So rest,\u201d Ben said with mock anger as he gently pushed his son down into the pillows. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back with your breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n *************************************<\/p>\n Hidden on a hill in the trees near the ranch house, Stubby and Hal studied the house and yard below.<\/p>\n \u201cWell there don\u2019t seem to be any hands around. And someone left earlier, but since then I ain\u2019t seen nobody,\u201d Hal laid out all he\u2019d seen, then asked a question. \u201cWho\u2019d we figured be around again?\u201d<\/p>\n Stubby sighed angrily, \u201cHow many times I gotta tell ya. They\u2019s got that Chinaman, the old man, the man in black, the big un, and the kid. We\u2019ll take out the Chinaman, grab the kid and use the others to get him to do what we want. Plus if we take \u2018em all we don\u2019t have to worry about anyone going for help,\u201d he explained smugly, very proud of himself and his plan.<\/p>\n Hal shuddered at the thought of \u2018taking anyone out\u2019 and voiced his concerns. \u201cI ain\u2019t never kilt anyone Stubby, can\u2019t we just tie-up the Chinaman and hide \u2018em somewheres?”<\/p>\n Again Stubby sighed in disgust, \u201cFine! I don\u2019t care what you do with \u2018em, but you\u2019d better make sure he don\u2019t get away. All I want is that kid and my money! Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n *****************************<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss were seated at the table as their father cam down the stairs. \u201cMorning Pa,\u201d they called out.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning Boys,\u201d he answered and then he started to shout for Hop Sing, \u201cHop S\u2026\u201d but he was cut off as the little man hurried from the kitchen with a tray containing scrambled eggs and toast. \u201cHop Sing have breakfast for my Little Joe.\u201d He interrupted his boss. Hop Sing wanted to bring the boy his breakfast and sit with him for a while. Ben seemed to realize this and said \u201cWell your Little Joe said he wasn\u2019t hungry, so do your best, he needs to eat, oh and Hop Sing, he was upset\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo worry Hop Sing take good care,\u201d he nodded repeatedly and moved up the stairs.<\/p>\n ***************************************<\/p>\n Hal and Stubby entered the house through the kitchen door and moved quietly toward the dining room. With guns drawn they burst into the dining room. Stubby was quickly behind Ben and held his gun to his head. Hal was behind Adam and had his gun pointed at Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201dGood morning folks. Now don\u2019t anyone talk or move, cause if ya do we\u2019ll shoot the other two. Now my friend here is gonna tie ya up. You first Blackie,\u201d Stubby said to Adam. \u201cGit them arms behind ya or I\u2019m gonna shoot the old man.\u201d Adam did as he was told and his wrists were tied tightly behind his back. \u201cYou next Chubbie,\u201d Hoss put his hands behind his back and opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when Stubby cocked his pistol. \u201cI said don\u2019t talk, unless acourse ya want me to shoot the old man here.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss remained silent, but his eyes darted from Adam to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay you next old man.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben quickly did as he was told as so not to put Adam and Hoss in danger. He hoped the men would just rob the house and leave his family alone. He had no idea what they had in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay good deal, now all we need is the Chinaman and the kid. Where are they Chubbie? I want that kid!!!\u201d Hoss was mortified. How could he respond? This was sheer torture\u2026Joe and Hop Sing or Adam and Pa\u2026<\/em>his mind raced with indecision.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better speak up Chubbie,\u201d Stubby said as he and Hal pointed the loaded weapons at Ben and Adam. But before Hoss could respond, Hop Sing came down the stairs chattering loudly\u2026 \u201cLittle Joe eat good for Hop Sing, he good boy.\u201d He moved down the stair and finally looked toward the dining room as he reached the landing. \u201cWhat going on? What men want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight now we want you Chinaman,\u201d Stubby barked and he moved over toward Hop Sing and punched him in the face. Hop Sing was down and out. \u201cTie \u2018em up Hal and dump him the spring house, hurry back. We\u2019ve got work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Hal made quick work of Hop Sing and returned to Stubby a few minutes. Stubby continued to issue orders. \u201cOkay, you keep a gun on these gentlemen, if anyone as much as twitches, shoot \u2018em. I\u2019m gonna find the kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam sent knowing looks to Ben. Ben realized they were all in agreement they had to do what they could to protect Joe, who seemed to be the reason these men were here. \u201cPlease,\u201d Ben pleaded. \u201cPlease leave him alone, he\u2019s not well. Take whatever you want, take me, but leave him alone, he\u2019s just a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up old man!\u201d Stubby sneered at Ben. \u201cI\u2019ve waited eight years. Eight years! Now that kid\u2019s gonna give me what\u2019s mine or he\u2019s gonna die trying.\u201d Ben sat stunned, as Stubby stormed the stair in search of his prize. Ben was horrified at what he\u2019d heard. He had no idea what this man was talking about, but some how it involved his son. His injured, vulnerable baby, and yet he was helpless and unable to protect him. It ate at his soul. Ben closed his eyes at the muffled shouts he heard coming from upstairs. After a moment he was unable to stop himself and he moved to rise. The motion only brought Hal\u2019s gun toting fist down on his shoulder with a verbal reproach. \u201cMove again old man and I\u2019ll shoot your boys\u2026I mean it.\u201d Ben hung his head and fell into his chair. The shouting from upstairs was ringing in his ears. As Stubby\u2019s voice continued to fill the air, Hal took that as sign to continue with the plan. He raised his gun and fired into the ceiling, causing each man at the table to flinch. The next sound they heard was Joe screaming \u2018NO\u2019, over and over again. Hal laughed at the child\u2019s cries, and gleefully told the stunned Cartwright about this part of Stubby\u2019s plan. \u201cHah, that\u2019s priceless ain\u2019t it\u2026Stubby knowed the kid wouldn\u2019t tell what he done with the money, so he told me to fire off a shot after he\u2019d been up there a bit\u2026ya see he told the kid\u2026\u201d Hal paused to laugh out loud, \u201c\u2026he told the kid one of yous\u2019d would git shot if he didn\u2019t tell. I tell ya that Stubby\u2019s a smart one\u2026now that he\u2019s done heard that shot, I bettcha that kid\u2019s singing like a song bird.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stared at Hal as if he was a two-headed beast. His eyes were smoldering with anger and he struggled against his bonds earning himself another crashing blow to his shoulder. \u201cI done told you to sit still, don\u2019t make me shoot anyone for real,\u201d Hal snarled.<\/p>\n After minutes that seemed like hours, Stubby appeared on the stairs dragging Joe behind him. Joe was pale, his eyes red and swollen from crying and his face was set in a grimace that spoke of the pain in his head, but when he saw his family he heaved a huge sigh of relief. \u201cHe didn\u2019t take it Hal\u2026I was pretty sure, but once you fired that shot, I was real sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what are we gonna do now,\u201d Hal asked. Ben exchanged anxious glances with Adam and Hoss as the outlaws discussed their options. Each man was worried about the others safety should they try to escape and there was special concern for Joe who was visibly ill after his interrogation.<\/p>\n \u201cI done told ya, since the kid ain\u2019t got it, it must be in that hole so that\u2019s where we\u2019re going, all of us,\u201d Stubby explained as he stood in the great room pressing his hard fingers into Joe\u2019s shoulder and it appeared that was the only thing keeping Joe upright.<\/p>\n \u201cAlrighty now folks we go for a little walk. After you Old Man, Blackie, Chubbie, let\u2019s go. Don\u2019t worry, me and the kid will be right behind you,\u201d Stubby laughed as he issued his orders\u2026his plan was working.<\/p>\n ************************************<\/p>\n Ben walked along with his hands tied in front of him now and he was tethered to a long rope tied to Hal\u2019s saddle horn. Flanking him on each side was Hoss and Adam each tied in a similar fashion. Farther ahead of them rode Stubby with Joe in the saddle in front of him.<\/p>\n \u201cCan either of you get a good look at your brother?\u201d Ben asked his voice tight with concern.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cMe neither,\u201d Hoss echoed.<\/p>\n \u201cI pray he\u2019s okay, he didn\u2019t look at all well back at the house,\u201d Ben sighed in despair.<\/p>\n \u201cWell at least that Stubby\u2019s keepin\u2019 the pace slow, that might help Little Joe some Pa,\u201d Hoss said hoping to buoy his father\u2019s spirits.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Ben said with a smile, he knew Hoss was trying to ease his mind and he appreciated the effort, but he knew that fast or slow on horseback was no place for a boy with a head injury. He prayed they\u2019d reach their destination soon, but he also worried what would happen when they got there.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you figured any of this out yet, Pa?\u201d Adam asked as he tried to piece together the scant details he\u2019d heard.<\/p>\n \u201cNear as I can tell, something must have happened eight years ago and these stupid people somehow think Joseph is involved,\u201d Ben started to outline what they knew.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Adam agreed, \u201cand they also think Joe either took whatever it is or knows where it is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa don\u2019t think it could have any thing to do with Mr. Kelly\u2019s gold?\u201d Hoss said in a questioning voice. \u201cRemember Pa, we were just talking about it the other night. That happened eight years ago. Roy never did find it, or who took it,\u201d Hoss ventured. \u201cAnd Joe was missing that day\u2026you even thought at the time he might have been kidnapped\u2026maybe he really was. That\u2019s why these men think Joe knows where the gold is, because he was there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut why didn\u2019t he tell me then, why can\u2019t he remember now?\u201d Ben countered the seemingly logical explanation.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know Pa\u2026\u201d Adam started but stopped when they all heard the unmistakable sounds of vomiting.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn it boy, that\u2019s disgusting. Get off a\u2019here,\u201d Stubby yelled. Hal stopped and everyone watched as Stubby dumped Joe from the saddle as the boy continued to retch.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease let me go to my son!! I told you he\u2019s ill.\u201d Ben begged as he pulled on the rope, desperate to get to his son. Hal studied the worried father and figured it couldn\u2019t hurt to let him tend the kid. After all they needed Joe\u2019s help and if he was too sick they couldn\u2019t use him.<\/p>\n \u201cJust you old man and make it quick\u2026clean him up and give him a drink and like I said make it quick,\u201d Hal explained as he untied Ben\u2019s rope from the horn and moved the group nearer to Joe. Ben was allowed to move around to Joe while Adam and Hoss were told to stay back.<\/p>\n Ben took the proffered canteen and used his neckerchief to cleanup his son while he spoke softly to the boy. \u201cIt\u2019s alright Joe. Take deep breaths and try to relax. Your Pa\u2019s right here.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up into his father\u2019s eyes and tried to reassure him and not have him fuss over him. \u201cI\u2019m okay now, Pa.\u201d After taking a small drink he quickly asked his father, \u201cAre you all right? Adam and Hoss, too? I thought he shot you,\u201d he croaked out.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all fine. Don\u2019t you worry about us. We\u2019ll all get through this. Don\u2019t worry, we will\u2026\u201d he was trying to reassure Joe that they had a plan, even thought they didn\u2019t but Hal cut him off.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough old man, get back over here,\u201d Hal called out and tugged the rope attached to Ben\u2019s bound hands. Ben stumbled away but shot Joe a look that Joe knew too well, \u2018Please do what you\u2019re told<\/em>\u2019. Joe smiled at his father and Ben felt a touch of relief, his son got his message, little did Ben know Joe had already been given that messages and a strong motivation.<\/p>\n \u201cGet over here kid,\u201d Stubby called to Joe \u201cWe\u2019re almost there, and don\u2019t you puke on me again kid or you\u2019ll be sorry,\u201d Stubby threatened.<\/p>\n The group continued to walk for the remainder of the morning. The slow pace and methodic plodding of the horse lulled Joe to fitful doze on the horse, much to Ben\u2019s relief. Ben prayed the rest would help restore Joe and give him strength for what ever awaited them.<\/p>\n ********************************************<\/p>\n \u201cWell here we are folks\u2026everybody enjoy the walk?\u201d Stubby spoke rhetorically at the tired group and started to shake Joe. \u201cWake up kid,\u201d he yelled needlessly loud in Joe\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n Startled, Joe tumbled from the horse.<\/p>\n Stubby looked down on him and laughed. \u201cNeed a rest kid? Well ya rest up while we\u2019z get your family settled and you remember what we talked about whilst we was at the house, now ya hear,\u201d he laughed at Joe, who sat stunned on the hard ground.<\/p>\n Joe remembered all too well what Stubby told him at the house. Stubby and Hal thought Joe had some gold and they wanted it back. He tried to tell him he didn\u2019t know what they were talking about, but Stubby slapped him and told him he did. Stubby also told him that his family was downstairs with guns pointed at them and if he didn\u2019t cooperate they\u2019d be killed and it would be his fault. Joe was told he needed to do what he was told and not put up a fuss, because if he did and his family tried to help him they\u2019d get shot. Joe was consumed with fear for his family. He knew that just him being a prisoner was enough to make his Pa and brothers react, let alone if he were sick and put in further danger. He knew he had to be strong, stronger than he was on the trail. He had been so worried when he got sick that his father would be killed for coming to his aid. No matter what, he had to do what these men wanted; his Pa and brother\u2019s lives depended on him.<\/p>\n Hal untied the Cartwrights from the horse and retied their hand tightly behind their backs and settled them under a tree before finally binding each man at the ankles. Each was feeling the effects of the long walk and immobilized hands. They were exhausted and consumed with fear for each other and Joe. The outlaws were purposely keeping Joe separated from the others.<\/p>\n Once they were left alone Hoss spoke up, \u201cWhat do you suppose he told Joe at the house? He looks terrified and why are they keeping him apart from the rest of us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what they told him for sure but I think they are using us to get him to what they want,\u201d Adam ventured<\/p>\n \u201cCould be, but I\u2019m more worried for your brother\u2019s health. That ride was hard on him. He looks terrible. We need to get him to a doctor,\u201d Ben said with concern.<\/p>\n \u201cI agree, but we can\u2019t do much trussed up like this. While they\u2019re distracted over there we could take them if we can get free. Hoss is there any play in your ropes?\u201d Adam asked as he worked anxiously to loosen the rope on his wrist.<\/p>\n \u201cNope, but I\u2019ll keep workin\u2019 \u2018em,\u201d Hoss grimaced as he worked the ropes and they bit into his arms. Ben, too was trying to loosen his bonds, but it was slow going all the way around as they tried to be discreet.<\/p>\n \u201cHey one of \u2018em is headin\u2019 toward Joe,\u201d Hoss said with fear in his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay kid,\u201d Stubby started as he pulled Joe to his feet. \u201cYa remember any of this at all?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe slowly shook his head no, and quickly regretted the movement as the world started to tilt and he swayed. He would have ended up back on the ground but for Stubby\u2019s tight hold on his arm. But Stubby either didn\u2019t notice or didn\u2019t care, but the Cartwrights did and Ben did and called out.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave him alone!! Can\u2019t you see his sick!\u201d His voice was deep and commanding and tight with anger.<\/p>\n \u201cShut up old man, I can still kill those other boys of yours if you don\u2019t watch that mouth, at that right kid?” Stubby yelled back jerking Joe back and forth.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay Pa, really\u201d Joe called trying in vain to sound fit.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on kid,\u201d Stubby instructed as he led Joe to the narrow opening. Hal tied a rope tightly around Joe\u2019s chest and he and Stubby positioned him over the hole, preparing to lower him in.<\/p>\n \u201cIt must be some kinda hole. They\u2019re gonna send Joe down into a hole, Pa!\u201d Hoss cried softly his voice a mixture of anger and horror as he quickly looked to his father and brother, then back at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing? LET HIM GO,\u201d Ben pleaded for his son.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do it, let him be, I\u2019ll go!\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n \u201cSHUT UP!!\u201d Stubby yelled as he grabbed his gun and fired in the general direction of the Cartwright.<\/p>\n \u201cNO!!,\u201d Joe screamed jerking around to see if anyone was hit. Again he sagged against the grasp of Hal and Stubby this time in relief when he saw his family was all right.<\/p>\n \u201cIffen a grown man woulda fit, we wouldn\u2019t need this kid,\u201d Hal stated more calmly.<\/p>\n Again Joe call to his family, \u201cI\u2019m okay, it\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cartwrights watched in terror as Joe was lowered into the hole.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s mind with racing, he couldn\u2019t believe what was happening to his family. They were all prisoners of these crazed gunmen. But Joe<\/em>?\u2026he thought, Why did they want Joe? Could Adam and Hoss be right? Is this about an eight-year-old gold heist? Had his son been a victim of these men eight years ago and he never knew? Why here? Is the gold here? Is that why they sent his son into this hole? What was down there?<\/em> But most importantly: How would they get away?<\/em><\/p>\n Stubby lowered Joe into the hole and Hal split his attention between the hole and the Cartwrights. Hal saw they were working the ropes and moved over toward them. \u201cTrying to loosen my handy work are ya?\u201d He said as he bent Ben forward and adjusted the ropes, tightening them more. He repeated the task on both Adam and Hoss, leaving the Cartwright angry and frustrated. Hal was excited to be so close to getting the gold and his excitement loosened his tongue and he stared to talk. \u201cIt ain\u2019t no us trying to get away or jumpin’ us. Nobody\u2019s leavin\u2019 here till we git our gold. We thought the kid mighta took it, but Stubby don\u2019t think so now, so it\u2019s gotta still be in that old mine down there. That there vent shaft is the only way in so nobody else coulda stole it. That\u2019s why we needed the kid, he got it in there for us before, so we figured he could jest get it out. We had tied it off after the kid hid it, so we\u2019z could just pull it out, but the rope rotted. It mighta fell into the water at the bottom of the mine. I jest hope the kid remembers where he put it. Stubby\u2019ll keep him down there till he finds it. From the smell of it, the airs not fit and that waters probably stagnant, so it\u2019s gotta smell pretty bad down there.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss hung his head and tears filled his eyes as he imagined what his brother was dealing with. He raised his head and the Cartwright\u2019s all shared knowing glances, finally they were getting some answers. None that put their minds to ease, but at least they knew.<\/p>\n A call from the hole drew Hal back to the opening, \u201cDon\u2019t lean over the hole, I can\u2019t see and you\u2019re using up all the good air!\u201d Joe shouted up defiantly.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch your mouth boy and get lookin\u2019,\u201d Stubby shouted down as he fed more rope into the hole.<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Adam called urgently but Ben was concentrating on Joe so Adam turned to Hoss, \u201cHoss, did you hear that, Joe told him to stop using up all the good air.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey yeah, just like the other night!\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cCould all this be connected to Joe\u2019s sleepwalking?\u201d Adam asked and then continued his train of thought. \u201cHe started sleepwalking that night after Jake\u2019s visit, maybe hearing that story about the fire and robbery stirred up some old memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould be\u2026that makes some sense\u2026Ya know that was the day, it took Joe so long to get the buggy and I went to get him. He told me he ran into some drunks in the livery and they thought he had something that belonged to them. You think it was these two yahoos?\u201d Hoss added another piece to the puzzle.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet it was Hoss, and that chance meeting and Jake\u2019s story brought it all back to him, except only in his sleep,\u201d Adam reasoned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, what are you two talking about\u2026\u201d Ben started to ask a question but was cut off from another cry from the hole.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t find it! I\u2019m gonna fall! I want to come up!\u201d Joe cried out his voice shaky.<\/p>\n \u201cYou keep lookin\u2019 damnit! If you don\u2019t find it right quick, I\u2019m gonna start shootin!\u201d Stubby yelled down the hole.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! I\u2019ll keep looking, PLEASE NO!!!!\u201d Joe screamed out and Ben felt his heart lurch. His son had taken the burden for their safety squarely on his shoulders and should something happen to him, Adam or Hoss, Ben was sure Joe would never recover.<\/p>\n \u201cI need some more slack in the rope if I\u2019m gonna look further,\u201d Joe yelled out and again Ben felt his stomach roll as he wondered what was facing his son.<\/p>\n \u201cThere ain\u2019t no more,\u201d Stubby called down to Joe. \u201cJust take the rope off and keep lookin\u2019, then you can come back to it when you found it,\u201d he commanded.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d Joe yelled. \u201cI\u2019ll fall, just tie more on the end,\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n Silence fell over the group as Stubby straighten up and stretched his back by the hole then he inhaled deeply trying to calm himself. He failed. He motioned to Hal to keep his gun on their captives. Hal approached the group and whispered to the men, \u201cAny of you make so much as a peep, and I\u2019ll shoot the other two. Got it?\u201d Hal turned and nodded at Stubby who raised his gun and shot into the air and then yelled loudly down to Joe, \u201cDO IT AND DO IT NOW!!!\u201d Gut wrenching sobs wafted up from the hole and filled the air. Joe was certain the evil man had killed his pa or brothers. None of the Cartwrights dared to speak fearing the consequences to the others so each was left to hear Joe\u2019s suffering.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t make me shoot again, kid!\u201d Stubby taunted Joe viciously as the boy sobbed. Joe didn\u2019t know he\u2019d shot harmlessly into the sky.<\/p>\n Down in the hole Joe shook from sobs as he slowly eased the rope from around his chest to continue the search as Stubby demanded. It was hopelessly dark. The light from the hole opening gave very little light and Joe could only search by using his hands and feet to feel around. Now he had to face that task without the reassurance of the rope to keep him from falling. Slowly he inched his way around the support beams of the old mine cavern. His movements were slow and his reflexes dulled both by his head injury from the night before and now by the crushing grief he felt. As he fumbled along the beams he tried to focus on the quest for the gold and saving the rest of his family, but the beams were narrow and some were slick with mold and moss.<\/p>\n While Joe searched, things were happening around the camp. Sheriff Coffee and his deputies were taking positions around the group. Sheriff Coffee was looking for an opportunity to catch the outlaws off guard and not further danger the Cartwright. He was confused and concerned, Hop Sing had told him all the Cartwrights had been kidnapped, but he could only see Ben, Adam and Hoss. Where was Little Joe<\/em>? Again his eyes tracked the area searching for Little Joe. He stopped when he heard the child cry out. He looked to Ben and saw the worried father\u2019s eyes glued to spot Stubby and Hal were crouched down by. Roy listened. Joe had slipped and fallen from the beam and in a scene reminiscent of the night before he clung to the beam. \u201cHelp!\u201d He cried out. \u201cHelp me, I\u2019m slipping, I can\u2019t hold on\u2026.\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n Immediately Ben leaped to his feet and shouted, \u201cMY GOD MAN! He\u2019s going to fall, do something, Let me help my son.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s pleading was the diversion Roy needed and he motioned to his men to storm the camp. \u201cHold it right there,\u201d Roy yelled to Stubby and Hal. \u201cYou’re surrounded throw you guns down,\u201d Roy ordered.<\/p>\n Stubby made a move to raise his gun, but Roy was faster and shot the weapon from his hand, leaving Stubby clutching his wounded hand to his chest.<\/p>\n Ben was running toward the hole his hands still tied behind him, as Roy subdued the outlaws. Ben was shouting to Roy or anyone who\u2019d listen. \u201cWe need a rope, quickly now we have to help Joseph. Joseph, Joseph, hold on son, Pa\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem was gathering all the rope from their horses, while other deputies were untying the Cartwrights. Immediately, Ben threw himself on the ground near the holes\u2019 opening and pulled up the rope to tie other onto the end, but he stopped short as he heard Joe call out again, \u201cPa, Pa help me!! PAAAAAAAAAAA!\u201d<\/p>\n As the last cry faded away the sound of a splash rocketed out of the hole and snapped Ben\u2019s head up. \u201cMy God he\u2019s fallen into the water,\u201d Ben cried as Hoss and Adam joined him at the hole.<\/p>\n \u201cJOE, JOSEPH!\u201d Ben called repeatedly into the hole as Adam and Hoss fed the new lengths of rope down toward their brother and the seconds felt like hours as they waited for a reply. Finally they were rewarded by a faint voice calling out \u201cPa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben repeated \u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa? Pa is that you? Are you all alright?\u201d Joe called out hopefully. \u201cI thought he\u2019d shot you. Are you sure you\u2019re all okay?\u201d He asked again.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, son, please try and grab the rope. Can you find it? Please son, try,\u201d Ben urged his son.<\/p>\n \u201cI found it,\u201d Joe yelled to his father, relieved he found the gold.<\/p>\n \u201cGood son, Good, now tie it around you,\u201d Ben instructed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u201d Joe answered softly, his head was throbbing again and he was unsure if he would throw up again or not, but he did as his father told him and he tied the pouches of gold coins to his belt. Then he felt the rescue rope tickle the top of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, son, we\u2019ll pull you out,\u201d Ben told him, thinking Joe had the escape rope tied around his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d Joe called out, \u201cLet me get this rope around me first,\u201d Ben turned sad eyes to his sons and Roy, and whispered, \u201cHe\u2019s not thinking clearly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry Ben, Paul is waiting for us at the house,\u201d Roy assured.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m ready Pa,\u201d Joe called to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Ben called to Joe and then turned to his older sons and directed them. \u201cSlow and easy boys.\u201d<\/p>\n They started to pull steadily on the rope and the weight surprised Adam and Hoss. \u201cHe must really be water logged,\u201d Hoss ventured.<\/p>\n \u201cReally,\u201d Adam agreed and he was going to say more when they heard Joe throw up again.<\/p>\n Quickly Ben called out to reassure his son, \u201cHang on now Joe, you\u2019re almost here. Take deep breaths, relax, son\u2026..\u201d The words were meant to comfort, and they were all the worried farther could do at the moment. But soon his son\u2019s dark curls poked from the top of the hole. Ben gently pulled his son from the hole and gathered him in his strong arms. As he hugged the boy to his chest he felt something bang into his side. Looking down he saw bags attached to Joe\u2019s belt. He picked it up and it jangled.<\/p>\n Joe looked up into his father\u2019s face and gave him a weak smile, \u201cI found it,\u201d he said softly then he passed out, his head injury and anxiety getting the better of him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s mine!\u201d Stubby yelled, still trying to claim the gold even though he was in the sheriff\u2019s custody.<\/p>\n \u201cThat ours!\u201d Hal corrected him.<\/p>\n \u201cYah, Yah, whatever, okay, it\u2019s ours,\u201d Stubby argued. \u201cThe time limit\u2019s runned out on that gold heist, so it\u2019s ours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe, maybe not. But it don\u2019t matter none. You fella\u2019s are facing a lot of time on four counts of kidnapping and the way I see it, it\u2019s a matter of finders-keepers and as near as I can tell, Little Joe here found it,\u201d Roy explained the facts as he saw it.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy,\u201d Ben interrupted, \u201cI need to get Joseph home now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course Ben, we\u2019ve got a wagon about half a mile down the road. Hoss, you go get it, you can take my horse,\u201d Roy said and then added again, \u201cPaul is waiting at the ranch, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up to Roy with grateful eyes and murmured, \u201cThanks.\u201d Roy gathered up the gold coins from Ben and said, \u201cI\u2019ll just hold on to these till we can get this all sorted out.\u201d Then the Sheriff turned to Clem and the other deputies, and asked, \u201cYou think you boys can get this trash into the jailhouse? I want to go with Ben back to the ranch and get some statements.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing Sheriff,\u201d Clem assured the lawman. \u201cCome on you two,\u201d he said to his prisoners with authority and a shove toward the horses.<\/p>\n \u201cTake care and I\u2019ll be back later,\u201d Roy stated dismissing his men and the prisoners then turning to Ben. \u201cHow\u2019s Little Joe doing, now Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure, Roy,\u201d Ben answered as he sat on the ground rocking his son back and forth. \u201cHe had a concussion before this nightmare even started and he\u2019s been sick a few times this morning. I hope that fall into that stagnant water didn\u2019t do him any more harm.\u201d Ben sat holding Joe until Hoss returned with the wagon. Then with speed and gentleness the group moved the boy into the wagon and headed to the ranch and the healing hands of Doctor Martin.<\/p>\n *****************************************<\/p>\n Ben stayed with his son while the doctor examined him. \u201cHe seems so out of it Paul, is he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s had a rough go of it without question. That once mild concussion is now a bit more serious from all the harsh treatment today, but I feel certain with the proper rest, he\u2019ll be fine. He may have some pretty nasty headaches for a while, but again they should pass. I\u2019ll leave some more headache powders for you.\u201d Paul explained in detail, because he knew Ben would accept no less and he paused to see his reaction. What he saw was a mixture of parental worry, concern and guilt.<\/p>\n \u201cTry not to worry Ben. He\u2019s going to be fine, really,\u201d Paul tried to reassure his friend. But he saw the way Ben was looking at his son, and knew there was more there than he had seen before when the child was sick. \u201cWhat is it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been through so much\u2026those animals put our safety on his shoulders\u2026they made him think he was responsible for what ever happened. He must have told me two or three times he\u2019d thought he\u2019d gotten one of us shot.\u201d Ben poured out his frustrations and concerns with tears in his eyes while clutching Joe\u2019s hand. Then turning his tear streaked face to the doctor Ben asked quietly, \u201cAre you sure he\u2019ll be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n Paul moved to his friend and turned to Hop Sing, \u201cHop Sing will you stay with Joe? He should sleep for a while, but if he wakes call me immediately. Otherwise I\u2019ll be back to check him in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing stay, watch carefully,\u201d the caretaker said.<\/p>\n Paul led Ben into the hallway and placed his hand on his shoulder. \u201cBen, you and I both know no matter what those men had or hadn\u2019t said to Joe, he, just like any of your boys, would have put your safety and the safety of his brothers ahead of his own,\u201d Paul said firmly yet with a gentle tone. Then added with a smile, \u201cThat boy\u2019s a Cartwright, through and through and in part, that means he loves his family, specially his pa. Now lets go downstairs and get you a brandy, we need to discuss how we\u2019re going to handle that boy\u2019s recovery. He\u2019s never given us an easy time in that area and this time we\u2019re going to need a plan. Now come on.\u201d As Paul had been talking he had been leading Ben toward the stairs and they were descending the staircase as he finished speaking. Anxious eyes greeted the men as they moved toward the brandy. Unwilling to wait for the doctor to offer a report, Hoss spoke up, \u201cWell Doc, Pa how\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Doctor Martin turned to explain all the while ushering Ben into his red leather chair. \u201cHe\u2019s not feeling too well at the moment, but he\u2019ll be fine with the proper rest. He\u2019s sleeping right now and he\u2019s going to want and need a lot more. That\u2019s where the problem comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n Immediately Ben shot forward in his chair, \u201cWhat! What problem? You said he\u2019d be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow calm down Ben. He will be fine\u2026with the proper rest. And as I said he\u2019s going to want to sleep quite a lot from that concussion and THAT, my friend will only exacerbate our original problem. We can\u2019t have him up sleep walking in his condition. He could do himself some permanent injury.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben fell back against his chair and heaved a loud sigh and asked, dejectedly, \u201cWhat do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been discussing that Pa.\u201d Adam began. \u201cRemember Paul, you said the root of Joe\u2019s sleepwalking lay not in what he was doing, but why he was doing it?\u201d Paul nodded his head and arched an eyebrow; clearly Adam must have a theory. \u201cWell, while we were being held by those men, Hoss and I listened to Joe. Don\u2019t you remember Pa, when they had him in that hole, the things he said?\u201d Ben furrowed his brow and thought back to that afternoon, he had been so intent on his son that he hadn\u2019t focused on what he actually said. He just heard the tone and terror not the words.<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t wait for his father to answer; he wanted to push ahead with the explanation. But Hoss jumped in, \u201cYeah, Pa the things Joe was saying was just like what he was saying that night on the roof and then that next night in the barn\u2026remember, and yeah that thing about the good air too, Pa!\u201d Hoss explained excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Hoss and I figured,\u201d Adam tried to explain calmly, \u201cis that those two, Hal and Stubby, were involved eight years ago at Jake Kelly\u2019s. And when Joe disappeared that day, those men really did take him and they used him to hide the gold down in that hole. They came back, now, to get the gold but couldn\u2019t find it so they figured they needed Joe again. That\u2019s why they came here today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut what about the sleepwalking,\u201d Roy chimed in intrigued by the entire theory.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the sleepwalking is in response to seeing Jake Kelly after all these years. Plus we were talking about the fire and robbery, and then Joe saw and talked to those men in the livery. Yet for some reason he couldn\u2019t remember or didn\u2019t want to remember so it all came out in his sleep, just like his nightmares, but this time it was sleepwalking.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Martin jumped into the story here, \u201cThis all makes perfect sense really, Joe\u2019s subconscious mind took over where his conscious mind couldn\u2019t remember and everything surfaced during these sleepwalking episodes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you think that with everything that happened today, he somehow confronted these memories that he\u2019s done sleepwalking?\u201d Ben asked hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cIt very well could be, Ben.\u201d Paul suggested with a slight nod of his head. \u201cI still think we need to have someone will him all the time until we have a chance to discuss this with him. Just to be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n *************************************<\/p>\n Joe slept soundly through the night, with no sign of nightmares or sleepwalking. Paul checked on him occasionally, waking him to check the status of the concussion. By mid-afternoon the next day, Joe was feeling a bit better and staying awake for longer periods. Paul felt he could discuss what happened with out any undo effect.<\/p>\n \u201cWell sleepy head, how are you feeling?\u201d Ben asked tenderly as Adam, Hoss and Roy gathered around his bed. Paul and Ben had taken position at the head of the bed on either side, one to offer comfort and the other for medical care should the child need it while telling his story.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa. Are Adam and Hoss okay? You too, Pa?\u201d Joe asked again fearfully.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re fine Joe,\u201d Adam chimed in.<\/p>\n \u201cWe sure are little brother,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face lit up as his eyes found each of his brothers. \u201cBoy I\u2019m sure glad! I was worried they\u2019d hurt you. They said they would, if I didn\u2019t do what they said. I was sure scared I\u2019d mess up and get you all hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you worry none about that now, Shortshanks. You did great and we\u2019re all fine,\u201d Hoss assured his little brother.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, you feel up to telling the whole story to Sheriff Coffee?\u201d Paul asked, he didn\u2019t want Joe to tire himself out before Roy could get a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Joe said enthusiastically. \u201cI remember everything now, Pa,\u201d Joe said grinning at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine son, but you take it slow and if you need to rest, we can do this later,\u201d Ben said as he stoked his son\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cNo I\u2019m fine, Pa, really. I remember the whole thing now!\u201d Joe said getting excited, again. \u201cEven all that stuff from along time ago. Ya know with them robbers and all\u2026and, and, and\u2026I was with \u2018em,\u201d Joe rattled on wide-eyed his voice raised in excitement.<\/p>\n Roy pulled a pencil from his vest and started to make notes, but paused raising his hand to stop the boy, \u201cOkay, now Joe slow down, son. I\u2019ve gotta be making some notes here, so you\u2019re gonna need to start at the beginning and go slow, so I can get the details. Now starting back with the warehouse fire, who was involved, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI remember the leader guy, his name was Coop. He seemed real nice\u2026at first.\u201d Joe started to tell all he remembered and he looked apologetically at his father, as he continued. \u201c I kinda got bored with those ladies, so I went for a walk. I met Coop near the saloon,\u201d Joe said as he cringed from his fathers\u2019 glare, but he continued. \u201cCoop asked me what I was doing and I told him I was going for a walk\u2026\u201d Joe launched into his memory:<\/p>\n \u201cWhere you going kid,\u201d Coop asked in a friendly voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going for a walk,\u201d Joe replied confidently.<\/p>\n \u201cAll by your self?\u201d Coop asked again, looking around for anyone who might be with the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cYup, I\u2019m pretty grown up ya know,\u201d Joe declared.<\/p>\n \u201cOh I could tell that,\u201d Coop said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatcha doing just hanging around,\u201d Joe asked. \u201cWhy ain\u2019t ya helping with that big fire? My Pa and brothers are.\u201d He added proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell that really isn\u2019t my kind of work\u2026I\u2019m more of a treasure hunter kind of guy,\u201d Coop said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cTreasure Hunter!\u201d Joe exclaimed. \u201cAre you a pirate?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell I just might be,\u201d Coop said laughingly, \u201cand I was just about to meet my friends and go bury some treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHidden treasure, Oh Boy!!! Can I come?!!\u201d Joe asked excitedly. \u201cI love to play pirate! I\u2019m real good too! Do ya have swords and a pirate boat? Can I come, please!\u201d<\/p>\n Coop kept looking around checking to see if anyone was watching them. \u201cWell, I guess I could take on a first mate, but first thing we\u2019re going to need is a bottle. Wait here a moment matey.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes grew wide at the mention of a bottle, but being called matey and the lure of a good pirate game made him wait. Coop was only gone a second and returned with two bottles and he held them up for Joe to see. \u201cOne for you and one for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Joe flinched at the sight of the bottles and spoke up quickly. \u201cMy pa don\u2019t let me drink yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry none mate, it\u2019s sarsaparilla, but we\u2019ll pour it into this here flask so the fella\u2019s think you\u2019re a tough ole pirate.\u201d Coop explained to Joe and the little boy was bursting with excitement. But what Joe didn\u2019t see was that Coop mixed the whiskey with the sarsaparilla and the mixture was more whiskey than sarsaparilla. \u201cWell here\u2019s to ya mate,\u201d Coop said as he handed Joe the flask. Joe took a long drink and started to cough. That tastes kinda funny!\u201d He said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt our special pirate brew\u2026good huh?\u201d Coop said encouragingly.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose,\u201d Joe answered still coughing. \u201cAre we going to bury the treasure now?\u201d Joe asked hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cSure mate let\u2019s go. You can ride with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe paused in his story and gave a big yawn and unwillingly closed his eyes. \u201cI think that\u2019s enough for now Joseph,\u201d Ben said as he settled Joe down in his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m all right Pa,\u201d Joe said stubbornly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I think you\u2019ll be more all right after a nap. Then you can tell us more. Now sleep,\u201d Ben said firmly.<\/p>\n Hop Sing entered the room and quietly said, \u201cLunch ready. All go eat, Hop Sing stay with boy.\u201d<\/p>\n As Roy and Paul shared lunch with the Cartwrights the conversation naturally revolved around the story Joe just told.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no wonder Joe couldn\u2019t remember anything back then. He was probably so full of whiskey, he\u2019s lucky to have survived,\u201d Adam said grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like it was a chance meeting but that Coop figured he could use Joe as a shield or a hostage,\u201d Roy suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cSo he just preyed on a little boy, using him in some sick game. That\u2019s just sick!\u201d Hoss shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy, what do you suppose happened to this Coop person? Any idea who he might be?\u201d Ben asked worried that yet another tormentor from the past might return to harm his child.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t be sure Ben. But once I get back to the office I\u2019ll check into it.\u201d Roy shrugged one shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy, how\u2019d you end up finding us today?\u201d Curiosity had been eating at Adam all day.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m responsible for that,\u201d Paul announced. \u201cI was worrying about Joe so I came back early. I found breakfast still on the table and no one around. I knew immediately something was wrong. I knew Ben Cartwright wouldn\u2019t willingly take his sick child from his bed. I looked around and found Hop Sing. I went for Roy right away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe trail was pretty easy to follow\u2026two horses and three men on foot\u2026couldn\u2019t have been any easier had you left directions,\u201d Roy chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, they weren\u2019t too worried about bein\u2019 followed,\u201d Hoss stated.<\/p>\n \u201cWell they should have been,\u201d Roy said, \u201cbut we\u2019re lucky they weren\u2019t. If they\u2019d been smarter, we might not have found you in time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shuttered involuntarily at the thought.<\/p>\n ************************************<\/p>\n After a short nap, Joe was ready to continue his story and his audience reassembled in his room.<\/p>\n \u201cWe rode out to that spot where we were yesterday and there were a lot more men there,\u201d \u201cHow many Joe? Did you catch any names?\u201d The sheriff asked, wetting his pencil tip on his tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there was maybe five or six and two of \u2018em were Hal and Stubby. But I don\u2019t know who the others were or what their names were. I\u2019m sorry, Sheriff Coffee,\u201d Joe said sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s okay, Joe, just tell us what you do remember,\u201d Ben reassured his son.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know what they\u2019d done back in town, I really thought we were gonna play a game, but..it kinda got scary once we got to that hole. Coop changed\u2026he got mad when they couldn\u2019t get the coins to stay where he wanted \u2018em. That\u2019s when told me he wanted me to go into the hole and hide the treasure. I didn\u2019t want to,\u201d Joe paused and added in a hushed tone, \u201cYa know I kinda didn\u2019t like the dark when I was a kid. And it was dark in that hole.\u201d Ben smiled and gave Joe a comforting hug as he continued. \u201cThe rest was a lot like what happened at the hole the other day. That\u2019s when it all came back to me. All of a sudden while I was in that yucky water I could just remember everything,\u201d Joe said proudly, but with another yawn.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did great son, but more rest for you now. Hoss, will you sit with your brother for a while, please,\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSure Pa.\u201d Hoss said with a smile.<\/p>\n Gathering again in the great room the small group sipped coffee and reflected on all that they\u2019d learned.<\/p>\n \u201cBen, I would seem to me that Adam\u2019s theory is sound. The trauma of the kidnapping helped to jar loose all these old memories in Joe\u2019s mind and I\u2019d venture a guess that we\u2019ve seen the end of the sleepwalking. Let\u2019s keep an eye on him and see what the next few nights bring,\u201d Paul stated with authority.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what happens to the gold coins, now Roy?\u201d Adam asked curiously.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I gotta do a bit of investigating. But it seems pretty certain that it\u2019s the gold from Jake Kelly\u2019s warehouse,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cAnd if the statute of limitations has run out on that robbery, technically the gold would belong to whoever found it. So I figure that\u2019d be Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell I know I speak for Joe when I say if that is Jake\u2019s money and I think we all know it is, then it should go back to him,\u201d Ben said firmly. \u201cIt would be a good excuse to get him to come back for that visit, if he had to come claim his property,\u201d Ben added with a smile.<\/p>\n *****************************************<\/p>\n A week later, life around the Ponderosa had returned to normal and as evening grew into night, Ben, Adam and Hoss had taken their usual positions around the great room and Joe had gone off to bed an hour or so earlier. Each was finally at ease as the events of the past week were behind them. Joe was nearly completely recovered from his ordeal and had experienced no further episodes of sleepwalking. Ben, Adam and Hoss were all looking forward to a peacefully evening and a good nights rest. The comfortable silence was broken as Joe slowly moved down the stairs. Ben, Adam and Hoss all looked up at the soft noise of feet on the stairs. Hoss\u2019 mouth fell open as he stared and mumbled \u201cAh-oh\u201d.<\/p>\n Adam reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose as he slowly shook his head and added \u201cNot again\u201d.<\/p>\n Ben rose quickly from his red leather chair and he moved silently toward Joe. Joe stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked around the room noting the concerned faces of his family, finally Joe broke the uncomfortable silence, \u201cWhat? Can\u2019t a fella get a drink of water around here?\u201d he asked his face glowing from his brilliant smile.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben bellowed, \u201cYou scamp, you scared the life out of me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too, short shanks, I figured you was walking in your sleep, again,\u201d Hoss interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cNope just thirsty,\u201d Joe giggled, holding up the water pitcher from his room.<\/p>\n \u201cWell come on then, let\u2019s get you some cool water,\u201d Ben chuckled grabbing Joe by the nape of his neck and moving him toward the kitchen with a light swat on his behind.<\/p>\n As Hoss watched his father and brother head into the kitchen, he asked, \u201cDo ya think we\u2019ve seen the last of Joe\u2019s sleepwalking, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so Hoss, but you never know with Joe,\u201d Adam said with a shrug of his shoulders, he was silent for a moment and added with a slight shake to his head, \u201cCan you imagine what would happen if he starts this again while we\u2019re on a cattle drive or out with a posse somewhere someday\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked stricken, as the recent memories came flooding back, \u201cYa don\u2019t think that could happen do ya?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not Hoss? Who knows what else is hidden in that kid\u2019s head,\u201d Adam said flatly.<\/p>\n **********************************<\/p>\n \u201cI done told ya that kid would end up with my money,\u201d Stubby growled in low tones from the back of the prison wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cNo ya didn\u2019t. Ya said he had OUR money, or that he took OUR money, or he\u2019d get us OUR money\u2026but ya never said he\u2019d end up with OUR money,\u201d Hal corrected.<\/p>\n \u201cSHUT UP, will ya just SHUT UP!!! Stubby yelled out in frustration.<\/p>\n \u201cWell it don\u2019t matter none now no how. By time we get out\u2026.\u201d Hal lamented. He and Stubby had been found guilty of kidnapping and were heading to the territorial prison.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, don\u2019t you worry none. I\u2019ll get my money or I\u2019ll be takin\u2019 it out of that kid\u2019s hide. You mark them words,\u201d Stubby said ominously, as the wagon came to an abrupt halt<\/p>\n \u201cOUR money,\u2026.\u201d Hal corrected again, as the wagon\u2019s steel door was pulled open by the guard.<\/p>\n \u201cTechnically I\u2019d say it was my money.\u201d The guard said with a sneer.<\/p>\n \u201cCOOP!\u201d Stubby shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that really you?\u201d Hal said disbelievingly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n July 2003<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u201cI asked him over and over where he had been and he always said he couldn\u2019t remember, just that he\u2019d gotten bored with the ladies and went for a walk. And if I recall correctly, even a trip over my knee for wandering off didn\u2019t jog your memory.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJoe explained.<\/p>\n