{"id":2990,"date":"2014-04-24T18:21:41","date_gmt":"2014-04-24T22:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2990"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:13:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:13:27","slug":"believe-in-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2990","title":{"rendered":"Believe In Me (by frasrgrl)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>Things seem to be happening to Joe. Is he losing his mind, or could there me another explanation?<\/p>\n

Word Count: 41,575\u00a0\u00a0Rated:<\/span> K+<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Believe In Me<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A little history lesson on this story. You can skip this part if you want it doesn’t affect the story at all. It’s Just a note on how this monstrosity started.<\/p>\n

Back on Bonanza World I was doing a WIP called Under the Influence <\/a>and at one point there was a call for some JAM immediately. I didn\u2019t have any planned JAM, and I warned everyone to be nice or they\u2019d get a cliffhanger. I think what followed was a threat to my dog Shadow. As a result the following was written as tongue-in-cheek. It was both a cliffhanger and JAM.<\/p>\n

Fair warning, this has not been beta\u2019s or anything. It is exactly as it was originally posted. In fact I had to go back and pull it from the thread because I wrote it in a post and nowhere else.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Joe was angry, very angry when he rode away.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t that boy listen to reason?\u201d Adam grumbled. \u201cIf he would only listen to one of us maybe he could see what he\u2019s doing. Running away is not the way to solve problems.\u201d With a sigh Adam turned Sport in the direction his brother had gone. \u201cIf I don\u2019t catch him now he\u2019ll never come home again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the devil? And I don\u2019t mean the Strouds!\u201d Adam saw where Joe\u2019s tracks veered off the main road and headed towards Wolf Ridge.<\/p>\n

Wolf Ridge was one of the steepest places in the area, worse than Eagle\u2019s Nest. Parts of the trail were very narrow, with a sheer drop down to the canyon below.<\/p>\n

Adam continued following the tracks. \u201cWhy would Joe go up here? He hates it here. It absolutely terrifies him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trailed narrowed and Adam slowed Sport. The peaceful quiet was shattered by a wolf howling. Startled by the noise, Sport reared up. Unprepared Adam fell to the ground and right over the side of the cliff. As he fell he was able to grab hold of a branch of a tree that was growing out of the face of the cliff. Adam was now literally hanging from the side of a cliff.<\/p>\n

\u201cHELP!\u201d Adam yelled. \u201cSOMEONE, ANYONE, PLEASE, HELP ME!\u201d<\/p>\n

From the side of the cliff Adam hanging on for dear life. He continued to call for help. His arms were starting to ache and his hands were sweating. It was everything he could do to hang on.<\/p>\n

Adam looked down at the abyss below and swallowed hard. \u201cPLEASE HELP ME!\u201d he screamed. \u201cGod, now I know how Joe feels. I swear if I get out of this alive, I\u2019ll never, ever give him a hard time, in any way what so ever, about his fear of heights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Remember you swore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up and saw Joe\u2019s head peaking over the edge of the cliff.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust hold on, Older Brother, we\u2019ll get you out of this mess that you got yourself into.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe disappeared from sight. Adam started to grow anxious. \u201cHurry, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost done, Adam. Just hold on\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hands were starting to slip, he was now hanging by his finger tips. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here,\u201d Joe called as his head appeared once again. \u201cI tied knots into the rope for you. I\u2019m going to toss it down, grab it and we\u2019ll pull you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe threw the rope down Adam lost his grip on the tree. \u201cJJJOOOOEEEEE!\u201d<\/p>\n

To be continued…………..<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This didn’t go the way I thought it would. It was meant to be all tongue in cheek like the trial was, but it took a drastic turn. I hope you all don’t mind a little side trip every so often. Like I said, I’m bored.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam reached, his life depended on it. That rope was the only thing between him and death. Adam reached for the rope, willing himself to grab hold of it. There it was, the last knot. Adam caught hold with his right hand and immediately brought his left around and grabbed hold of it, just above the last knot, the knot that save him from slipping right down the rope and into the abyss. I could kiss you right now, Joe. His body jerked to a sudden stop, but Adam held tight.<\/p>\n

Joe watched his brother\u2019s hands slip off the branch. He watched him start to fall. \u201cGRAB THE ROPE, ADAM! GRAB THE ROPE!\u201d Joe screamed. When Joe saw the rope jerk and Adam hanging from the bottom of it, a surge of relief, stronger than any other emotion Joe had ever felt, surged through his body, making him feel weak. But he couldn\u2019t indulge himself right now. Adam was still in danger.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo, Cooch! Pull, Boy!\u201d Joe called to his faithful horse. Cochise started to walk slowly away from his friend, in order to pull the rope. Cochise knew he had to go slow, or the man his friend loved would fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a little more, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam slowly made his way up, when he reached the top he was able to find a foothold and push himself over and away from the edge of the cliff. Adam sat on the ground trying to catch his breath and calm the fear he felt. He looked up, expecting to see his brother, the brother he owed his life to, sitting next to him. When Adam didn\u2019t see him there, he looked around and found Joe still at the edge of the cliff.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t answer him, in fact he didn\u2019t even move a muscle. Adam went over to him and squatted down. \u201cCome on, Joe.\u201d Still no response. Adam put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and could feel the tremors. He looked closely at Joe\u2019s face and saw the stark terror on Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t take his eyes off the drop below him. He was frozen in fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s okay. Come on, back away. Adam guided his brother away from the edge. \u201cThat\u2019s it, take it slow and easy.\u201d When he had Joe far from the edge he put his hand under Joe\u2019s chin and gently raised his face until he could see Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, it\u2019s over now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam saw the tears shimmering in Joe\u2019s eyes and then spill over.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe gasped. His breathing was harsh and ragged. He was trying to catch his breath, but his heart was pounding and he felt like he wouldn\u2019t ever be able to breathe again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, Joe. It\u2019s okay, we\u2019re safe.\u201d Adam pulled Joe into his arms and held him tight, as unrelenting fear shook Joe\u2019s whole body. Adam could hear him gasping for air. \u201cSsh. Relax, Joe. Breathe, Little Buddy. It\u2019s all over,\u201d he whispered in Joe\u2019s ear. Adam continued to whisper to Joe, trying to comfort him, just as he had done in the days after Marie\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

The tremors slowed, then faded away, Joe\u2019s breathing evened out as Joe was finally able to get control of himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you doing up here, Adam?\u201d Joe asked once he pulled away from his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was following you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Adam, as if he had lost his mind. \u201cFollowing me? Why would you think I came up here? I hate this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour tracks led up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey couldn\u2019t of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour tracks were on the ground. It couldn\u2019t have been anyone else. No one\u2019s been up here in ages.\u201d<\/p>\n

Realizing what Adam had done, Joe started laughing. \u201cDid those tracks have a notch in them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they were plain, ordinary tracks. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t Hoss tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed even harder. \u201cHe notched Cochise\u2019s shoes, so the two of you could find me easier. You were following Hoss\u2019 tracks. He was just up here a couple days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to get him. I can\u2019t believe he didn\u2019t tell me about Cochise. \u201cThen what were you doing up here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw Sport come running down, so I followed his tracks and found you. Oh, and Cochise has a hold of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, you\u2019re scared of this place. Why would you do something like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re my brother, and I thought you were in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Joe, how could you even get near the side, let alone do all that you did?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think, I just did. I heard you yelling and all I could think was that you needed me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Joe with pride shining in his eyes. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mention it, you would do the same for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo I wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe squeaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said no, I wouldn\u2019t do the same for you.\u201d Adam almost laughed at Joe\u2019s crestfallen look.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe asked. He was completely devastated by Adam\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, you would never be stupid enough to get yourself into such a predicament.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! You swore you wouldn\u2019t make fun of me anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not, Little Brother. I\u2019m making fun of myself. I\u2019ll also promise you one more thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how long it takes, no matter what I have to do, I swear I will get even with Hoss for this.<\/p>\n

Both brothers sat near a steep cliff laughing hysterically.<\/p>\n

\u201cDang, Adam, don\u2019t you know any better than to be a cliff hanger?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cI guess that teaches me to demand something from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This is where it should have stopped. But I was told more than once that I should make it into a full story. I took up the challenge. Why? I have no clue, it was a moment of total insanity. How I came up with what I did to build around this part still baffles me, and even worries me.<\/p>\n

Believe in Me started on Bonanza World and concluded at my new home, Bonanza Brand. I do hope that this one isn\u2019t a disappointment to anyone. I\u2019ll not put into writing how I really feel about it, let\u2019s just say I think it\u2019s taken me a year to finally put it in the library.<\/p>\n

All that being said, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

The front door swung open with a bang, announcing the arrival of the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Joe yelled as he hung up his hat, and pushing the door closed with his foot, resulting in another loud bang.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, would you please<\/em> stop slamming that door,\u201d Ben scolded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe said a bit sheepishly. He had been told this same thing ever since he was old enough to close a door, but it just wouldn\u2019t sink into the overly exuberant Joe Cartwright. He removed his gun belt, rolled it up and after placing it on the credenza, went over to where his father sat at his desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Joe greeted when he approached Ben\u2019s desk, a brilliant smile lighting up his face and his eyes glittering with the happiness he felt. Seeing Adam sitting in front of the desk his smile grew even bigger. \u201cHey, Big Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled at Joe\u2019s enthusiasm. He watched his youngest son and could see the energy in him that demanded to be released and the passion he had for life. That boy\u2019s like a wild horse in an open meadow, running full out, taking every bit of joy and excitement that life has to offer.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat has you so wound up, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up at his brother and shook his head. He\u2019s like a puppy bouncing all over the place and never taking anything serious.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI got the horses done,\u201d Joe announced, pride and satisfaction resonating in his voice. \u201cAnd a week early, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood and clapped Joe on the back. \u201cThat\u2019s great, Joe. I\u2019m proud of you, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about time. Those horses should have been done days ago,\u201d Adam admonished.<\/p>\n

The smile faded from Joe\u2019s face, and hurt replaced pride in his eyes. He swallowed hard trying to force down the lump in his throat. \u201cI\u2026 I guess you\u2019re right, Adam.\u201d He stepped away from Ben\u2019s touch. \u201cI\u2019m gonna go get cleaned up.\u201d It took all of Joe\u2019s self-control to walk up the stairs instead of letting his temper get the better of him. Just last night he had been warned about it, and Joe wasn\u2019t in the mood for another lecture.<\/p>\n

Ben had watched the interaction between his youngest and oldest sons and was concerned by Adam\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, is something bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

When Adam turned to face his father his mask was firmly in place. \u201cNo, Pa, nothing\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wasn\u2019t about to tell his family about Louise. He felt like a fool as it was, if his family ever found out what had happened, he\u2019d feel like an even bigger fool.<\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t read anything on Adam\u2019s face, nothing to indicate that there was a problem. Ben marveled at the difference between Adam and Joe. Adam rarely betrayed his feelings unless he wanted to, whereas Joe was an open book. Every emotion, good or bad, was right there in front of you as clear as could be.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPositive. If you\u2019ll excuse me, Pa, I\u2019m going to get cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched him climb the stairs and sighed. There\u2019s no use in borrowing trouble, it\u2019ll come out when he\u2019s ready, or it\u2019ll just blow over. Hopefully, it\u2019ll be soon,<\/em> Ben mused to himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember, Joe, I want the tack room cleaned out and the corral fence repaired. Once that\u2019s done you can join Hoss and help round up the strays so he can move the herd later in the week,\u201d Ben instructed while each of them strapped on their gun belts.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it, Pa. Tack room, fence, then Hoss,\u201d Joe repeated his assignments before he grabbed his hat and followed Hoss out the door, with Ben and Adam following them out. Buck and Sport were already waiting and both men mounted and rode out of the yard.<\/p>\n

As Hoss saddled Chubb, Joe gathered the various items strewn around the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate cleanin\u2019 the tack room,\u201d Joe groused. \u201cWhy can\u2019t everyone put things away where they belong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe, why can\u2019t you put things away?\u201d Hoss chuckled while he led Chubb out of the stall.<\/p>\n

Joe shot a sheepish smile at Hoss. \u201cI guess I do forget to put things away, sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes?\u201d Hoss guffawed. \u201cHow about all the time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t forget all the time,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

Hoss cocked his head to the side and stared at his brother, but didn\u2019t say a word.<\/p>\n

Joe started to squirm. \u201cOkay, most of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 booming laughter could still be heard as he rode away.<\/p>\n

Hauling the items he had collected into the tack room, he dropped them on to a table. He surveyed the room and sighed. \u201cI guess it wouldn\u2019t be so bad if I did put things away when I used them.\u201d<\/p>\n

He started untangling bridles and reins, hanging them up, organizing the grooming tools and putting away the bottles of liniment and tins of saddle soap. He picked up the various tools and placed them where they belonged. Once done he looked around at his handy work and smiled. \u201cEven Adam can\u2019t complain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned at the thought of his oldest brother. For weeks now Adam had been coming down on everything Joe did, no matter how hard he tried Adam always found him lacking, and he made sure Joe, and everyone else, knew about it. They couldn\u2019t even be in the same room together without something being said to set the other off. Joe knew their father was about at the end of his rope with the two of them, but he didn\u2019t know what to do to resolve the situation.<\/p>\n

He shook his head trying to get rid of the depressing thoughts and grabbed what he needed to make the repairs to the corral, saddled Cochise and headed out. He ground tied Cochise in the shade of a tree and walked around the corral, inspecting the fence, and found that there were about a dozen places that needed to be repaired. Pulling on his gloves he set to work pulling off the old boards and replacing them with the new ones that had been delivered earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

He was about half way done when he stood and stretched the kinks out of his back. Over in the other corral the horses that he had finished breaking the day before were milling about. Joe walked over and leaned against the rails and watched them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMighty fine job we did,\u201d he said, a satisfied smile gracing his face.<\/p>\n

A black gelding separated itself from the others and made its way towards Joe, and snorted when it reached him, Joe held out his hand, palm up, to the horse, allowing it to move closer and nuzzled his palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou about wanted to kill me yesterday and today you\u2019re my best friend?\u201d Joe laughed while rubbing the velvety nose offered to him. His smile grew as he remembered how hard it was to gentle this particular horse. \u201cYou sure gave me some ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a sigh he gave the horse a final pat on the neck and turned away. \u201cI best get back to work if I want to finish today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan it get any hotter?\u201d Joe mused as he looked up at the hot July sun. He removed his hat and pushed back the damp curls that had fall down across his forehead before going back to work.<\/p>\n

Joe finished replacing the last of the boards and stacked the old ones off to the side, to be collected later in the week, before mounting up and riding out to join Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see Ralph chasin\u2019 that one through the brush, Joe?\u201d Hoss asked as he and Joe led their horses into the barn later that day.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it sure led him on a merry chase,\u201d Joe chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that calf ended up herdin\u2019 Ralph back instead of the other way \u2018round.\u201d<\/p>\n

The brothers continued to joke and tease about their day while they took care of their horses for the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to hear you diddo some work today, Joe,\u201d Adam interrupted from the doorway of the barn.<\/p>\n

Automatically Joe tensed at his brothers words, he had to make a conscious effort not to snap at the comment. \u201cOf course I did, Big Brother, I\u2019ve been workin\u2019 hard all day, haven\u2019t I, Hoss?\u201d Joe smiled at Adam as he waited for Hoss\u2019 confirmation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure has,\u201d Hoss attested. \u201cHe\u2019s been workin\u2019 real hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the barn door. \u201cReally?\u201d he drawled. \u201cI could have sworn Pa assigned you some yard chores to do before you joined Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re you gettin\u2019 at, Adam?\u201d The smile was gone from Joe\u2019s face and his hackles were now up like a she-wolf defending her pups.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean<\/em> you didn\u2019t touch the tack room,\u201d accused Adam. \u201cI do have to give you credit, you did do the corral fence, and actually did a decent job for once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did the tack room!\u201d Joe strode over to the room looked in and frowned in bewilderment. The room was neat and orderly, nothing was out of place, but something was different about it, but he couldn\u2019t put his finger on what it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I<\/em> did the tack room,\u201d corrected Adam.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when it hit Joe like a ton of bricks, and it became very clear what was different in the tack room. It was the exact, precise way everything was arranged\u2026 The way Adam would arrange the room.<\/p>\n

Joe spun around and glared at Adam. \u201cWhat?! Wasn\u2019t the way I did it good enough for you? Just because I\u2019m not compulsive like you, doesn\u2019t mean there was anythin\u2019 wrong with the room. It was clean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood enough? Clean? You didn\u2019t even touch the room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, it couldn\u2019t have been that bad, he was workin\u2019 on it when I left. I\u2019m sure He did a good job with it,\u201d Hoss tried to assure his brother.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Hoss and smiled, while Adam looked at him in disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe it. Hoss, why can\u2019t you just\u2026\u201d Adam broke off and could only stare at his brothers. \u201cWhatever you say.\u201d \u00a0He turned on his heel and walked out of the barn, shaking his head in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did clean that room, didn\u2019t you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did, Hoss, every last bit of it. There wasn\u2019t anythin\u2019 out of place when I left for the corral.\u201d Joe grabbed his saddlebags and pulled out the tools he\u2019d used earlier. \u201cThe only things that are missin\u2019 right now are these.\u201d He held the tools up for Hoss to see. \u201cAnd I\u2019m putting them away right now.\u201d Joe walked into the tack room and returned the tools to their proper places. \u201cI didn\u2019t bring them back earlier because I thought it was best to get out there to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled at his brother and thumped him on the back, causing Joe to stumble forward a few steps. \u201cAnd I sure did appreciate the help.\u201d He sniffed the air and smiled. \u201cSmells like Hop Sing made chicken and dumplin\u2019s. Let\u2019s go clean up, I\u2019m starving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s new?\u201d Joe teased and ducked the swipe that was aimed at his head.<\/p>\n

Amidst laughter and teasing, the bothers headed for the house, the whole episode with the tack room completely forgotten.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

The next morning while they were having breakfast, Ben finished handing out the work assignments for the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Joe, the wood box needs to be filled and we need some kindling. I want you to do that, then you can go to town for the mail and the supplies that Hop Sing needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled at the mention of a trip to Virginia City. He was sure he could fit in a beer or two while he waited for the supplies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be happy to, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you would, Little Brother,\u201d Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m sure hope you can do better there than you did with the tack room,\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

Both Joe and Hoss glared at their older brother and Ben lowered his paper to look at all three of his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that, Son?\u201d Ben questioned. He had heard Adam say something, but didn\u2019t catch the words.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh nothing, Pa. I was just thinking about a letter that I\u2019m expecting from Sam Boone.\u201d Even though he was irritated with Joe for not doing his work, he didn\u2019t want to get into it with his father or brothers this early in the morning.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head while he wiped his mouth and laid his napkin on his plate. \u201cI\u2019m going to go see Matt Montgomery about that bull he just got. It\u2019s supposed to be from some excellent stock. If I like what I see, we just might invest in one or two for the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having their assignments for the day, each man went their separate way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe spent most of the morning chopping wood and stacking it. He not only filled the wood box as asked, but he also stacked a fair amount next to it, and filled the chest inside the house and the one in Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen with kindling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that should be more than enough to keep Hop Sing happy for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe went back into the house and bounded up the stairs to wash some of the sweat off and change into a clean shirt before heading to town.<\/p>\n

As he hitched the team to the wagon, Joe smiled thinking how cold that cold beer was going to taste on such a scorcher of a day.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Joe stopped the wagon in the yard and hopped down. Grabbing a sack of flour, he swung it over his shoulder and headed for the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Hop Sing, I got your supplies,\u201d Joe yelled when he entered the kitchen, and dropped the flour on the floor next to the pantry.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came up from the cellar as Joe came back in with another sack. He stood in the doorway glaring at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe asked his eyes darting to the sack he had already brought in. \u201cI put it where you always want it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHumph! No have time for foolish, little boy who no do what he told.\u201d Hop Sing turned around and went back down to the cellar, leaving a very confused Joe standing by the kitchen door with the sack still slung over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d he called out, but there wasn\u2019t an answer.<\/p>\n

Joe sat the sack on the floor next to the other one and was just going out the door when he heard footsteps entering the kitchen. \u201cHi, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFinish unloading the supplies, Joseph, then I want to have a word with you.\u201d Ben turned and started to leave the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs somethin\u2019 wrong, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnload the supplies, Joseph,\u201d Ben repeated and left the room.<\/p>\n

Joe could tell by the look on his father\u2019s face and his tone of voice that he wasn\u2019t happy. He pulled his hat off and ran his fingers through his hair in confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph? What did I do? He can\u2019t be mad about the beer, I only had two and I\u2019m not late. Besides, how could he know?\u201d Joe wondered before shrugging his shoulders and heading back outside to finish unloading the wagon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once Joe had placed the last item in the kitchen, he took care of the wagon and stabled the horses before going in to see what Ben was so upset about.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, you wanted to see me, Pa?\u201d Joe asked hesitantly when he approached Ben\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did, Joseph.\u201d Ben put his pen down and leaned back in his chair and silently observed his son.<\/p>\n

Joe started to squirm under Ben\u2019s intense glare. Although he knew he hadn\u2019t done anything wrong, Ben\u2019s silence was making him uneasy.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, What\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d Joe finally asked when he couldn\u2019t take the silence any longer.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you have a nice time in town?\u201d Ben asked in a deceptively soft voice.<\/p>\n

Joe paused, taking the time to consider the question and his response. He wasn\u2019t sure what Ben was looking for, but he did know that he wasn\u2019t happy about something, so he decided that the whole truth was the best course of action.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir. I, uh, had a couple of beers while I waited for Mr. Schone to get the supplies ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you telling me it took all day to get the supplies?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll day?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cNo, Pa, it only took about an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn hour?\u201d Ben asked, a touch of icy steel lacing his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir, an hour,\u201d Joe gulped. Shifting from foot to foot, he was starting to feel uneasy even though he didn\u2019t know where Ben was heading with his questions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do with the rest of your time in town? A poker game perhaps? Or was it a pretty girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Joe was completely confused now.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were in town all day, Joseph! I want to know what you did,\u201d Ben demanded, his anger starting to penetrate into his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa, I was only there long enough to get the supplies then I came straight home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben suddenly pushed back in his chair, stood and came around the desk to stand in front of his son. \u201cThen where were you all day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, Pa. I-I was doing my c-chores before going to town,\u201d Joe stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd would those chores include the wood I asked to have done?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? I did what you told me to,\u201d Joe claimed. His temper was starting to rise at the insinuations that were being made.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe I told you to fill the wood boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I did,\u201d Joe snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will watch how you speak to me, Young Man.\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I did do it.\u201d Joe walked over to the fireplace and flipped open the lid of the chest that stood there to show that it was filled with kindling. \u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may have taken care of the kindling, Joseph, but I told you to not only chop the wood, but to also stack it. When I came home the wood was chopped, but it was all over the place.\u201d Ben informed his son, coming to stand in front of him once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe squeaked. \u201cI filled the wood box. In fact, I stacked extra next to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed in frustration. \u201cReally? It didn\u2019t look that way when I came home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe now went on the defensive and his voice started to rise with each word. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talkin\u2019 about, Pa. I chopped the wood and stacked it just like you told me to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a step closer to Joe and put his hands on his hips. \u201cJoseph, you are not too old for a trip to the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took an involuntary step back and looked away from the anger blazing in Ben\u2019s eyes. His fists were clenched by his side, and he was breathing hard as he fought for control of the anger that was rearing its ugly head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a little boy anymore, Pa.\u201d Joe declared through gritted teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why are you acting like one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not. I did everything you told me to. If the wood was all over the place like you said, then someone else did it. I stacked it,\u201d Joe proclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why would someone do something like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026\u201d Ben started.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stacked it!\u201d Joe\u2019s temper was at the boiling point and he knew that if he didn\u2019t get it under control he would regret it,, in more ways than one. \u201cI got chores to do.\u201d Joe spun on his heel and hurried to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, get back here!\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n

Joe stopped with his hand on the door latch. \u201cI can\u2019t, Pa. If I do we\u2019ll both regret it.\u201d He pulled the door open and walked out, slamming it closed as he left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe was in the barn grooming Cochise when Hoss walked in, leading Chubb. Joe never turned or even acknowledged his brother\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s with you?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d was the only thing Joe said as he continued the long, soothing strokes of the brush down the pinto\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t look like nothin\u2019 to me. Looks more like somethin\u2019s eating at you,\u201d Hoss observed. \u201cYou may as well spit it out, Little Brother.\u201d He led Chubb into his stall and started unsaddling him.<\/p>\n

Joe paused in mid stroke and stood looking at the brush in his hand. \u201cPa said I didn\u2019t do my chores this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Hoss prodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what? That\u2019s it, there\u2019s nothin\u2019 else,\u201d claimed Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you do \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned and looked his brother in the eye. \u201cYes, I did them,\u201d he enunciated. \u201cI did my chores just like he told me to, then I went to town for the supplies and came right home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you did \u2018em, why\u2019s Pa mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCuz he said when he came home the wood wasn\u2019t stacked, said it was all over the place.\u201d Joe took a deep breath before continuing. \u201cI swear, Hoss, I stacked the wood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen how did it end up all over?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe said in frustration.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou telling me the truth?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe answered disheartened.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Little Brother, I believe you. I just don\u2019t know what to say about it.\u201d Hoss finished with Chubb, and with a final pat on the horses neck walked out of the stall. \u201cIf you\u2019re done brushing all the hair off that nag of yours, let\u2019s go see what Hop Sing has for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably bread and water for me,\u201d Joe muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go on, Hoss, I ain\u2019t hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t hungry, Hoss. I\u2019ll be in later.\u201d Joe turned back to Cochise and resumed brushing him.<\/p>\n

Hoss stood there watching him. He could tell by the slump of Joe\u2019s shoulders that the boy was hurting. He knew Joe always took it pretty hard whenever he and their father had an argument. Hoss shook his head and started to walk out of the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelievin\u2019 me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny time, Little Joe.\u201d Hoss smiled at his brother before walking out of the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Hoss came into the house Ben turned from where he had been gazing into the fireplace. \u201cHoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Hoss greeted as he walked over and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table by the fireplace and took a bite out of the crisp, juicy piece of fruit.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see your brother outside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe?\u201d Hoss knew which brother his father was referring to without even asking. It was always like this when the two had an argument. \u00a0\u201cYeah, he\u2019s out in the barn.\u201d Hoss answered and took another bite.<\/p>\n

Before Ben could say anything else, Adam walked in. \u201cPa, Hoss,\u201d he greeted. \u201cWhat\u2019s with Joe? He just offered to take care of Sport for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomethin\u2019 has to be wrong with him, for him to offer to help you out, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no, but it\u2019s just\u2026 Well, not normal,\u201d Adam stated. Especially with how things have been lately.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss started laughing and slapped Adam on the back, nearly knocking him off his feet. \u201cMaybe not to you, Older Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDinner ready, come eat,\u201d Hop Sing called as he placed the last dish on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, go get your brother,\u201d Ben instructed and turned towards the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Pa,\u201d Hoss hedged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked turning back to his middle son.<\/p>\n

\u201cThing is, he said he ain\u2019t hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not hungry? You go out there and tell him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Pa, let him be,\u201d Hoss interrupted. \u201cIf you make him come in, all he\u2019s gonna do is push his food around his plate, and all that\u2019s gonna do is make you and Hop Sing mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben considered Hoss\u2019 words for a minute and realized his son was right. \u201cWhen did you get to be so smart?\u201d Ben teased, the tension from minutes before finally starting to ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways have been, Pa. Just didn\u2019t wanna make old Adam here feel stupid,\u201d Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGee, thanks, Brother,\u201d Adam quipped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you boys hurry and wash up, you don\u2019t want to keep Hop Sing waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss nodded before hurrying up the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not wanting to face his family, Joe sat in the loft watching the house and waiting for it to go dark.<\/p>\n

Earlier, he had seen Ben walk out onto the porch and light his pipe. He seemed to be standing there looking out at the yard, lost in thought. When Ben looked towards the barn, Joe scooted further back into the shadows. He wasn\u2019t ready to talk with his father yet. He was still stinging from the accusations that had been thrown at him earlier in the day.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed with relief when Ben finally went back into the house. Morning would come soon enough and Joe knew there would be no way to avoid his father when that time came, but for tonight he could.<\/p>\n

The last light was extinguished and the house was dark, except for the soft glow of a lamp that was turned down low waiting for the last Cartwright to come in, but Joe continued to wait. He wanted to give Ben time to get settled in and asleep before he went in. If it wasn\u2019t for the fact that his window was closed and locked, Joe would have snuck into the house hours ago.<\/p>\n

Finally determining it was safe; Joe climbed out of the loft and headed for the house and the sanctuary of his room.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Ben heard the light footsteps coming softly down the hall. He smiled when he heard the steps suddenly stop when a floorboard squeaked. After all these years he still hasn\u2019t learned to avoid that spot.<\/em><\/p>\n

The steps started again, whisper soft, but very clear to a father\u2019s trained ear. He must have taken his boots off.<\/em> Ben smiled at the memory of the many times this son had tried sneaking into or out of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Joseph,\u201d Ben whispered when he heard the almost inaudible click of Joe\u2019s door closing.<\/p>\n

Knowing all of his sons were safe within the walls of his home, Ben turned on his side and drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

The next morning Joe was up and at the table without anyone having to wake him. Even though he knew he didn\u2019t do anything wrong the day before, he felt it was in his best interest not to tempt fate – or his father\u2019s ire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, isn\u2019t this a refreshing change,\u201d Adam remarked sarcastically. \u201cNo one had to wake you up for once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben warned when he saw the fire ignite in Joe\u2019s eyes. The flames were small, but all they needed was some fuel and they would turn into a blazing inferno.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on, Pa. He\u2019s never on time for meals, don\u2019t you think\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben barked.<\/p>\n

The platter that Joe started to pick up dropped to the table with a clatter. Both hands came down heavily on top of the table, one on each side of his plate and Joe started to push himself to his feet. More fuel had just been added to the fire and it started to jump the firebreak.<\/p>\n

Ben placed a restraining hand on Joe\u2019s arm, hoping to extinguish the situation like a bucket of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, sit down and eat your breakfast,\u201d Ben ordered, gently, but firmly.<\/p>\n

Joe looked away from Adam and at his father. He saw the steely look in Ben\u2019s eyes and knew not to ignore his father. The water had done its job, but the fire was still smoldering and a stray spark could quite easily ignite it again.<\/p>\n

Hoss had been watching the exchange and had been ready to step in if needed. Trying to give his father a helping hand, he picked up the platter that Joe had dropped and handed it to his younger brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, Little Joe, how \u2018bout some eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t\u2026\u201d Joe started to say between clenched teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cEat some breakfast, Joseph. You didn\u2019t have any dinner last night and you need to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019m\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEat,\u201d Ben commanded.<\/p>\n

Joe sat staring at his father, locked in a battle of wills. He finally acknowledged that he was fighting a losing battle, and surrendered by hanging his head. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head in satisfaction when he saw Joe start to eat. The scrapping of a chair against the floor drew his attention to the other end of the table. Adam had pushed his chair back and stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, Pa, I need to go to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched his oldest son leave the table and sighed, the tension between his sons had gone on for far too long. He knew he needed to do something, but he didn\u2019t know what. Adam wasn\u2019t talking and wouldn\u2019t until he was ready, this created a problem though; Adam was taking his foul mood out on Joe and things weren\u2019t looking good on that front. Ben tried to shake off the feeling of foreboding and looked at his two younger sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, remember you need to take those supplies up to the lumber camp. Adam will be up there later today and he\u2019s going to need them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna load the wagon after breakfast and head up there.\u201d Joe paused to take a drink of his coffee. \u201cIs there anythin\u2019 else you want me to do today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave Joe a hard look; the incident with the wood had not been forgotten. \u201cNo, Joseph, just make sure you get the supplies to the lumber camp. You should<\/em> be able to complete that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard and looked away. He knew his father was referring to the wood mishap from the day before. \u201cYes, Sir, I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wiped his mouth and set his napkin on his plate before standing up. \u201cIn fact, I\u2019ll go get the wagon hitched and start loading it right now.\u201d Joe grabbed his gun belt and hat and rushed out the door.<\/p>\n

Hoss had been silent during the brief conversation between his father and younger brother. He knew that yesterday\u2019s chores played a big, silent, factor in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you ain\u2019t still mad at Joe, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled his attention away from the corner Joe had just disappeared around and looked at Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s not so much that I\u2019m angry at him as I am disappointed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, are you sure he didn\u2019t do his work?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt, Hoss. I\u2019m the one who ended up stacking the wood,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s probably a good reason then. What did Little Joe say about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter he was done squawking about it he suggested that someone had come along and unstacked it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a possibility,\u201d Hoss defended.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why would someone want to do something like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t rightly know, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was also Joe\u2019s answer, and he couldn\u2019t give any other explanation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa, he probably thought he\u2019d have enough time to stack it when he got back from town,\u201d Hoss said, defending Joe once again. \u201cI\u2019m sure he just wanted to make sure he got the supplies before it got too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben considered this for a minute. \u201cYou could be right, Son, but why lie about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa. It just don\u2019t sound like Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo it doesn\u2019t,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

Both men were silent for a while as they finished their breakfast. The only sound to be heard was the clinking of cutlery against china.<\/p>\n

\u201cI best get goin\u2019,\u201d Hoss announced. He stood and started for the door. Before he rounded the corner he stopped and looked back at his father. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about him, Pa. Joe\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not worrying,\u201d Ben protested.<\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled before turning away. \u201cIf you say so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben heard the door close and smiled to himself. \u201cI think that\u2019s my purpose in life – \u00a0To worry about Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter<\/strong> 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

While hitching the team to the wagon Joe noticed the other wagon and team was gone. \u201cHop Sing probably forgot somethin\u2019 and sent someone to town,\u201d he told the horses as he buckled a harness in place.<\/p>\n

Joe loaded the supplies and tools that were needed up at the camp, climbed up onto the seat and with a slap of the reins, and whistling a raunchy tune he was off.<\/p>\n

Arriving at Sparrow Ridge, Joe brought the wagon to a stop and looked around the camp. There wasn\u2019t a soul in sight; it was as empty as a church on a Saturday night. Hopping down from the wagon Joe made his way to the foreman\u2019s cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Wilson, you in there?\u201d Joe called, as he banged on the door.<\/p>\n

When there wasn\u2019t an answer Joe pushed the door open and looked in. The cabin was as deserted as the rest of the camp. Joe walked to the center of the camp and looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cWilson!\u201d he shouted. The only answer he received was a bird chirping in the distance. \u201cAnyone around?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe rubbed the back of his neck as he continued to look around. \u201cI would have thought Wilson would have been here.\u201d He shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the wagon. \u201cGuess I get to unload it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling the wagon around to the back of the foreman\u2019s cabin where the supply shed was Joe started unloading it, neatly stacking the boxes and lining up the tools against the wall. \u201cGuess that\u2019s it, if they need anythin\u2019 else they can tell Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe jumped back up to the driver\u2019s seat. \u201cWell, Boys, Pa said I didn\u2019t have to do anythin\u2019 else today, might as well get Cooch and head to town for a while.\u201d With his mind made up, Joe slapped the reins again and sent the team into a trot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam rode home at a gallop from the lumber camp. He was angry and his anger grew with each beat of Sport\u2019s hooves.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe her nerve!\u201d he raged. \u201cTo have the audacity to introduce me to him – like it was nothing!\u201d<\/p>\n

The dark cloud that had been hanging over Adam for weeks grew darker and darker. To say it hadn\u2019t been a good day, was an understatement. Nothing had gone right that day. It all started at breakfast with Joe and continued on his trip to Virginia City.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

A mile outside of town Sport threw a shoe, causing Adam to walk the rest of the way. He left Sport at the blacksmiths and walked to the family\u2019s attorney\u2019s office, where there were some new timber contracts that need to be reviewed before they were signed. Adam and Hiram had spent hours going through them only to find several pages missing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam, I never thought that Central Pacific would send incomplete contracts. They usually have every \u2018i\u2019 dotted and every \u2018t\u2019 crossed,\u201d Hiram apologized.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it, Hiram, we\u2019ll just have to wait for the new contracts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you know when they come in.\u201d The two men shook hands and Adam left the office heading for the mercantile.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Mr. Schone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Adam, it\u2019s good to see you,\u201d greeted the shopkeeper.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave those books that I ordered come in yet?\u201d Adam was really looking forward to the new novels.<\/em> He had just finished reading his last book and was ready for something new.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam, but I just got word that the bookseller is out of stock and has to wait for a new shipment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood there staring at Mr. Schone like a little boy who had been told that there wasn\u2019t a single piece of candy to be had and it would be months before any came in. He couldn\u2019t believe how his day was going. It was just one thing after another.<\/p>\n

He nodded his understanding and left the store. \u201cCan this day get any worse?\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam,\u201d came a soft purr from behind him.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s back immediately went as rigid as a steel rail on a train track, and he closed his eyes in frustration before slowly turning around to face the owner of the soft, sultry voice.<\/p>\n

Louise Conklin stood just behind Adam, looking as beautiful as ever. She was a few years younger than Adam with porcelain skin, graced with soft rosy cheeks, long, wavy ebony hair, and blue eyes that completed the picture of perfection\u2026 and deceit.<\/p>\n

\u201cLouise,\u201d Adam said, barely containing the hostility he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a surprise seeing you here, Adam.\u201d Louise turned to the man whose arm she was hanging onto. \u201cI don\u2019t believe you know Jim Redfern.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot directly, no,\u201d Adam bit out between gritted teeth.<\/p>\n

Louise\u2019s smile grew as she watched Adam. \u201cJim, darling, this is Adam Cartwright, an acquaintance of mine,\u201d she simpered.<\/p>\n

Acquaintance? An acquaintance! How dare she! <\/em>Adam bit down on his tongue to keep from making a public scene.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d Jim said, interrupting Adam\u2019s thoughts and offered his hand in a gesture of friendship, completely oblivious to the undertones of the meeting.<\/p>\n

Adam looked over the man who stood before him. Jim Redfern was Adam\u2019s age and around Joe\u2019s height, but whereas Joe was slender, this man was as thin as a rail. His skin was the color of milk and his hair the shade of the dish water that Hop Sing would throw out at the end of the day, and it flopped over eyes that were a dull, watery brown. Jim Redfern was a self-made man. He had accumulated his wealth through wise investments, and rivaled the Cartwright fortune. The only difference between Jim Redfern and Adam Cartwright was their choice of lifestyle. Redfern preferred the luxuries of life, and that made all the difference to Louise.<\/p>\n

\u201cRedfern.\u201d Adam shook the man\u2019s hand, which was weak and limp. A new-born babe has more strength in its grip than this man does.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam turned back to Louise, a sardonic smile gracing his lips, and tipped his hat. \u201cGood day, Louise.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked away from the couple, mounted Sport and calmly rode out of town, not once giving away the fact that his blood was boiling to a degree that would rival the sun in its intensity. Once he was past the city limits he gave Sport a kick and headed for the lumber camp confident that the day would get better. After all there was no way it could get any worse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 13<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam walked Sport into the barn; he removed his saddle and gave the horse a thorough grooming. As he worked, he noticed that not only were Ben\u2019s and Hoss\u2019 horses gone, but so was Cochise. This observation did nothing to lighten Adam\u2019s mood.<\/p>\n

Once he finished with Sport, Adam walked around to the back of the barn where the wagons and buggies were kept. Both wagons sat there, one fully loaded with the supplies for the lumber camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should have known,\u201d he spat out.<\/p>\n

Going back into the barn, Adam grabbed a tin of saddle soap and went to work on his saddle while he waited for his youngest brother to return.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

An hour later Ben returned home. \u201cHow was your day, Son?\u201d he asked as he led Buck into his stall and started to unsaddle him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine and dandy, Pa,\u201d Adam replied, sarcasm dipping heavily off of each word.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Adam with concern. \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat could possibly be wrong?\u201d Instead of the light, gentle strokes he normally used, Adam scrubbed at the saddle as if scouring the leather would erase everything that had gone wrong that day.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot now, Pa. I really don\u2019t want to talk about it right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave Buck\u2019s neck a final pat before turning to leave the barn. At the door he paused and turned back to Adam. \u201cRemember, I\u2019m here if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 14<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortly before dinner Joe rode into the yard and led Cochise into the barn, where he spotted Adam sitting on a barrel working on his saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Brother,\u201d Joe chirped. When Adam didn\u2019t respond, Joe stood next to Cochise absently patting the horse on the neck, while watching his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Adam, if you rub any harder you\u2019ll have it so soft it\u2019ll be like sitting on one of Hop Sing\u2019s fluffy biscuits,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Joe, his eyes darkening until they were the color of onyx. Dropping the cloth he was using he walked over to Joe, and without saying a word, he grabbed him by the upper arm and started pulling Joe towards the barn door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the heck,\u201d Joe protested as he tried to pull away from the steel vise that was clamped around his arm.<\/p>\n

Not deeming it necessary to answer Joe\u2019s protests, Adam continued walking forcing Joe to dig in his heels, in order to halt his forward momentum. Adam finally stopped and turned to face Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnock it off,\u201d he ordered and gave Joe a hard shake.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to step back when he saw the anger blazing in his brother\u2019s eyes. \u201cA-Adam, wh-what\u2019s wrong?\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

With a jerk, Adam started towards the door again, leaving Joe with no choice but to follow. He pulled Joe around to the back of the barn, and with a hard push sent Joe stumbling towards the wagons.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to explain that<\/em> to me?\u201d Adam growled in a deadly voice and pointed at the wagon.<\/p>\n

Joe stood staring at the fully loaded wagon, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. Once he recovered he turned on his brother. \u201cWhat\u2019s the big idea, Adam?\u201d Joe took a step closer and poked Adam in the chest. \u201cI worked hard deliverin\u2019 those supplies and for what? For you to bring them back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike the Devil you did! You never even went up to the camp,\u201d Adam yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?! I took those supplies up there this mornin\u2019,\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one saw you there, Joe! Wilson said you never showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCuz, no one was in camp when I got there. I unloaded and came home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen went to town,\u201d Adam accused.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I did. Pa told me I didn\u2019t have anythin\u2019 to do after I delivered the supplies, so I went to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHE SAID, AFTER DELIVERING THE SUPPLIES!\u201d Adam roared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI DELIVERED THEM!\u201d Joe shouted back.<\/p>\n

That was it. That was the final straw that broke the proverbial camel\u2019s back. Adam pulled back his right fist and sent it flying towards Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Joe saw the punch coming a mere second before it connected with his nose and was able to twist just enough that it missed its target. It glanced off his cheek instead, sending him sprawling to the ground.\u00a0 He may have saved himself a broken nose, but the famous Joe Cartwright temper broke loose in all its splendid glory.<\/p>\n

Joe was on his feet in a flurry of movement and launched himself at Adam. He lowered his head and plowed into his brother, catching Adam in the chest with his shoulder, sending him flying into the side of the barn with a thud. Adam shook his head and smiled.<\/p>\n

The fight was on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 15<\/strong><\/p>\n

The difference in size and experience was the deciding factor between the brothers. Even though, at eighteen, Joe was a good fighter, but he was still young. Adam had a size advantage on him and Joe lacked the experience to make up for it.<\/p>\n

A right hook from Adam sent Joe spiraling into the side of one of the wagons, just as Ben and Hoss came racing around the corner of the barn.<\/p>\n

Adam grabbed a stunned Joe by the front of his shirt and was just about to send a hard blow into his stomach when a hand grabbed his arm. Hoss threw Adam away from Joe, who immediately sagged to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the devil is going on here?!\u201d Ben thundered.<\/p>\n

Adam pulled himself off the ground and glared at Hoss, who had placed himself between his two brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you ask him?\u201d Adam spat out before he turned and stormed off to the house.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss watched him walk away before turning back to Joe, who was still sitting on the ground.<\/p>\n

Hoss reached down to help Joe up. \u201cLet me give you a hand, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe ground out and ran his sleeve across his mouth, wiping away the blood that was trickling from his split lip.<\/p>\n

Joe pushed himself to his feet with a groan. His world shifted slightly on its axis, causing him to take a staggering step and wrap his arms around his stomach. Immediately concerned, both Ben and Hoss were at Joe\u2019s side, the fight, and what caused it, completely forgotten.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see, Joseph,\u201d Ben insisted and tried pushing Joe\u2019s hands out of the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I\u2019m fine.\u201d Joe brushed off the caring hands and stepped away from his father and brother. With one last look at the wagon loaded with supplies, Joe turned away from his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he repeated and ran towards the front of the barn.<\/p>\n

Seconds later Cochise galloped out of the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 16<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe rode hard until his emotions started to cool and he could think straight. Pulling Cochise to a stop he looked around to get his bearings, then turning the horse towards the south, he gave Cochise a slight kick and changed direction. Half an hour later Joe dismounted and ground tied his horse before making his way down to the beach, where he climbed up onto the rocks overlooking the lake. Joe sat staring out at the majestic beauty of Lake Tahoe, mesmerized by how the sapphire blue slowly gave way to azure, how the tall stately Ponderosa Pines and, the still snow-capped Sierras reflected off it\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n

With heart-rending sigh, his shoulders slumped and his head dropped to stare at his hands. \u201cI don\u2019t understand it. None of it. How is it I do somethin\u2019, but it ain\u2019t done?\u201d He threw his head back in frustration, and glared at the cloudless sky. \u201cI know I delivered those supplies; I know<\/em> I unloaded them\u2026 but if I did, how did they end up back at the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

The more Joe searched for answers, the less he came up with. \u201cWho would do somethin\u2019 like this? And why? First the tack room, then the wood and now the supplies, yet they didn\u2019t touch the corral. How can someone do all this and not be noticed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe picked up a piece of wood that was next to him and turned it around in his hands. \u201cIf this is someone\u2019s idea of a joke, it\u2019s ain\u2019t funny.\u201d Joe stood up, and with all the pent up frustration in him, heaved the piece of wood as far as he could into the lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot funny at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 17<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss were sitting in the great room discussing the incident that had happened between Adam and Joe when Adam came down the stairs. He had bathed and had on clean clothes. When he looked up Ben saw that he had what looked to be the makings of a first rate black eye forming, along with a bruise on his chin and a split lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you care to explain what happened out there?\u201d Ben asked after Adam had gingerly lowered himself into the blue chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Joe say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t, he rode off instead of explaining,\u201d Ben informed his oldest son. The low growl in his voice made it quite clear that he didn\u2019t appreciate his question being answered with a question.<\/p>\n

\u201cFigures. As always, he runs away from problems,\u201d grumbled Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike you, Big Brother. You sure stayed out there and explained the whole thing to us,\u201d Hoss retorted.<\/p>\n

Adam had the good grace to look embarrassed. \u201cI waited all afternoon at the lumber camp for those supplies, and he never showed up. When I came home Cochise was gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he delivered them before you got there,\u201d Hoss defended.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still in the wagon behind the barn. I waited for him to come back, and when he did I confronted him about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure did,\u201d Hoss muttered. \u201cBut that don\u2019t make sense, Adam. He was loadin\u2019 them supplies when I left. Why would he do that and not take them up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but he swears he did.\u201d Adam turned his attention to Ben. \u201cPa, you have to do something. He\u2019s not doing what he\u2019s told to do. He didn\u2019t even clean the tack room the other day. Now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben interrupted. \u201cBut it was cleaned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did it, Pa. When I came back and found it hadn\u2019t been touched I decided to do it for him, to kind of apologize for jumping on him about the horses.\u201d Adam had been having a little niggling of guilt over how he treated Joe in regards to the length of time it took him to break that string of horses. He should have been proud of Joe\u2019s accomplishment, but instead he tore him down. He knew he wasn\u2019t being fair, but he could seem to stop himself. Now he was sorry he did anything at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat might be, but you sure let him know about it,\u201d Hoss piped in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the corral?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was done,\u201d confirmed Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomethin\u2019s gotta be goin\u2019 on. This ain\u2019t like Joe at all. There\u2019s gotta be a perfectly good explanation for it all. If he says he\u2019s done it, then he has,\u201d Hoss said, once again defending his younger brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen how do you explain the fact that nothing else has been done except for the corral?\u201d argued Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it, I can\u2019t. But like I said, it ain\u2019t like Joe to lie about somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had been sitting quietly listening to his sons. Like Hoss, he didn\u2019t know what to make of the current situation with his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think maybe somethin\u2019s wrong with him, Pa?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah there is. He\u2019d rather play than work,\u201d Adam grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I mean, Adam. And you know it ain\u2019t true.\u201d Hoss looked at his father. \u201cDo you think maybe he\u2019s sick or somethin\u2019 like that? He honestly believes he\u2019s done his work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t think of anything that would cause him not to do his work and yet insist that he did. Before all this started he was doing fine, he was working hard and things were getting done.\u201d Ben stopped and considered Hoss\u2019 words and the pleading expression on his face. \u201cTell you what, we\u2019ll let it go tonight and I\u2019ll go into town tomorrow and talk to Dr. Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

The three older Cartwrights had just sat down to a late dinner when the front door opened and Joe walked in. He softly closed the door behind him, hung up his hat, removed his gun belt and placed it on the credenza. Without a word or glance at anyone in the room he headed straight for the stairs and his room.<\/p>\n

Five minutes later Joe came back down the stairs and took his place at the table. One look at his face told the rest of the family that conversation wasn\u2019t welcome. With the events from the last couple days, and the fight today, no one was eager for another confrontation. Hoss silently handed Joe a platter and the family had dinner in silence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 18<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I want you to ride out with Hoss today. He can use some help getting that herd ready to move,\u201d Ben instructed the next morning at breakfast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Little Brother, there\u2019s plenty of strays that need to be rounded up,\u201d confirmed Hoss.<\/p>\n

Well at least they won\u2019t be able to blame me for not doin\u2019 anythin\u2019 <\/em>Joe thought as he picked at his food. \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben studied Joe for a moment looking for some sign that his son was ill. Other than the bruises gracing his face and the cut on his cheek, Joe seemed perfectly healthy. Ben nodded his head in acknowledgement. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Boys, I better get going if I plan on making it to town today.\u201d Ben wiped his mouth with his napkin, and then placed it on his plate before standing. \u201cI\u2019ll probably have lunch in town so I\u2019ll see you at dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, Pa,\u201d Adam, Hoss and Joe chorused.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 And that\u2019s how it\u2019s been the last few days. He insists he\u2019s done his work, yet clearly it hasn\u2019t been done,\u201d Ben finished explaining to Paul Martin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like the boy. I\u2019ve never known him to tell an outright lie.\u201d Paul looked at Ben with a smile. \u201cUnless it\u2019s about his health.\u201d Paul sat back in his chair going over everything Ben told him along with what he knew about Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it, Paul. It\u2019s not like him. If we try to talk to him about it he swears up and down that he did it. Hoss thought that maybe something could be wrong with him medically.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul absently rubbed his chin while he searched his mind for something that could explain Joe\u2019s actions. \u201cHas he been upset over anything? A break-up with a girl maybe? Or\u00a0 has he injured himself while he was breaking those horses of his? A knock on the head, by chance?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I know of. Becky was the last girl he had been sparking as far as I know, and that\u2019s been over for some time. Other than normal bumps and bruises, he hasn\u2019t suffered any major injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there\u2019s nothing I can think of to explain his behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s shoulders sagged. He was hoping Paul could come up with something to explain everything, to put his faith back in his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep an eye on him, Ben. See if you notice anything else out of the ordinary. I\u2019ll do some research and see what I can come up with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head, and stood. \u201cThank you, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul watched Ben leave his office. He felt guilty for not being able to offer more to his friend, but there just wasn\u2019t anything there. \u201cWhat have you done to yourself this time, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 19<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dinner went smoothly that night. Hoss and Joe reported on how the herd was doing and that it was just about ready to be moved.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing left is the fencing that needs to be done before we move them,\u201d Hoss said as he speared another piece of roast off the platter on the table.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at each of his sons contemplating what his next words were going to be. He wasn\u2019t sure if what he was about to do was the right decision, but with the events of the past few weeks things needed to change, and change for the better.<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat to get their attention. \u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you ride out in the morning and take care of that fence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone at the table froze at Ben\u2019s words. Slowly, they all turned their attention to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cM-me?\u201d\u00a0 Joe stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Son, you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s gonna go with me?\u201d Joe asked, knowing they would never trust him to go alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have faith in you, Joe. You can handle this on your own,\u201d Ben encouraged.<\/p>\n

Joe looked around the table. He saw the confidence on Hoss\u2019 face, but he also saw the doubt that was written all over Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard before answering. \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d Joe tried to sound confident, but failed miserably. He had a really bad feeling about this.<\/p>\n

Ben saw the look that Adam gave his youngest brother. He was thoroughly tired of Adam\u2019s disposition, not only towards Joe, but towards the world. \u201cAdam, I want you to ride out with Hoss tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Adam\u2019s turn to protest. \u201cBut, Pa, I have plans for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever they are, I\u2019m sure they can wait. It\u2019ll do you some good to spend time with one of your brothers, and I think Hoss is the perfect choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked from Adam to his father and swallowed hard. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I believe a day with you is just what your older brother needs. Hopefully, your, er, sweet disposition will rub off on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Hoss replied and turned his attention back to his meal.<\/p>\n

Adam glared at his father. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you have Joe go with Hoss, and I\u2019ll take care of the fence. That way we know it\u2019ll get done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked around the table, Hoss\u2019 full attention was on the food on his plate; Joe sat with his head down pushing his food around, and Adam\u2026 Adam sat glowering at him. Ben took a deep breath before answering his oldest son. \u201cNo, Adam, you\u2019ll go with Hoss and Joe will do the fence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam knew that tone of voice, he knew the subject was now closed, the decision was made, and that was that. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 20<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, are you sure that\u2019s a wise idea?\u201d Adam asked after Joe had gone upstairs for the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t it be, Adam?\u201d challenged Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know why, Hoss. He hasn\u2019t been able to do one thing on his own. We need that fence fixed before we can move the herd and we need to get them moved now.\u201d Adam set his book down and glared at his brother. \u201cWe can\u2019t trust him to get the job done alone. It was bad enough before, but now he needs constant supervision. The boy can\u2019t be trusted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t fair, Adam,\u201d Hoss complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor once, would you stop defending him! What has to happen for you to see how he really is?\u201d Adam snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it gonna take for you to see what he does do?\u201d Hoss retorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on, Hoss! He\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!\u201d Ben interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam. He\u2019s going to go out and take care of the fence. After everything that has happened, I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll get done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Doc say today?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and blew it out before answering. \u201cHe said that there wasn\u2019t anything he knew of to explain what has been happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa\u2026\u201d Hoss started.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss, Paul said that other then an injury, there\u2019s nothing to explain what\u2019s been happening.\u201d Ben picked up his pipe and lit it. \u201cHe said he\u2019d do some more checking, but he wasn\u2019t very optimistic on finding something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did I tell you, Hoss? He\u2019s just trying to get out of his work.\u201d Adam picked up his book and settled back into his chair.<\/p>\n

Hoss shoved his hands into his pockets and looked mournfully up the stairs. \u201cThere\u2019s just gotta be somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 21<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was another hot July day and Joe had discarded his shirt long ago while he worked on the stretch of fence that had been ignored for far too long. Hoss was due to move a herd down to this section in a few days and the Cartwrights didn\u2019t want to move them and then have them wandering onto a neighbor\u2019s ranch.<\/p>\n

Joe straightened up and raised his arms out to the side as he arched his back trying to stretch out the stiffness that was lingering from his fight with Adam. Taking his hat off, he wiped the sweat from his brow and reached for his canteen. Uncorking it he poured some water over his head, in an effort to cool off. Joe shook his head and droplets of water cascaded out around him, and rivulets of water trickled down his hot, sweaty chest leaving a path of goose bumps in their wake.<\/p>\n

Taking a long drink from the canteen, he looked up at the sun, then back to the fence and sighed. Deciding he was due for a break Joe stretched out in the shade of an old oak tree, and sighed with relief. He looked up at one of the branches where a squirrel was perched, staring down at him. It had been there on and off all day watching Joe as he worked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think? A couple more hours and I should be done, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The squirrel continued to watch him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I think, too.\u201d Being a naturally gregarious person, it was hard for Joe to work without someone around to talk to. On the occasions he found himself alone, he ended up talking to whatever living, breathing creature that was around. Today it was the squirrel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what, this idea of Pa\u2019s, sendin\u2019 Adam with Hoss to cool off better work and he comes home in a different mood,\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

Tension within the family was reaching an all time high, and tempers were on hair triggers. It seemed as if Adam and Joe couldn\u2019t look at each other anymore without going for the other\u2019s throat, and the mystery surrounding Joe\u2019s work wasn\u2019t helping matters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m tired of him bossin\u2019 me around and tellin\u2019 me I ain\u2019t doin\u2019 my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was angry about the criticism he\u2019d been receiving, but he was also hurt. No matter how hard he worked it was never good enough for Adam. Joe had been so proud of himself when he finished well ahead of schedule with a string of horses he\u2019d been working with, that is until Adam told him it should have been finished much earlier than it was.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t understand what he had done to cause this rift that had been growing between them for the last month or so, and he certainly didn\u2019t know how to fix it. The chasm between them seemed to grow bigger each day.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Siree, this\u2019ll be done and there\u2019s no way anyone can say it wasn\u2019t.\u201d Joe stood up and stretched once more before returning to the task at hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 22<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll meet you back at the house, Adam,\u201d Hoss told his brother when he pulled Chubb to a stop. \u201cI wanna swing by and see how Joe\u2019s comin\u2019 along with that fence.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was late in the day and both brothers were hot and tired, all Adam wanted was a cool bath, dinner and his book. \u201cWhat\u2019s to see? It won\u2019t even be close to being done, Hoss, if he\u2019s even done anything at all,\u201d Adam complained. \u201cYou go out there and you\u2019re going to end up helping him, if not doing it for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t understand what was wrong with him, but over the last month everything Joe did seemed to rub him the wrong way. Instead of trying to figure out why he felt this way, he lashed out at his brother at every opportunity he could find. He just couldn\u2019t seem help himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Adam, that ain\u2019t fair. Joe works hard. He got them horses done a week before he was scheduled to, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head in disgust. \u201cYou\u2019re always defending him. When are you going to open your eyes?\u201d Adam pulled his hat off and wiped the sweat from his brow. \u201cYou\u2019ve been picking up after him and making excuses for as long as I can remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t that bad, Adam. He\u2019s a good kid and does his work. He does his share just like you and me. You\u2019ll see, he\u2019ll have that fence done.\u201d Always Joe\u2019s champion, Hoss continued to defend his little brother, completely dismissing the events of the past week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you say so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stared at his brother, trying to make a decision. He knew Adam was a private person, but something needed to be said. \u201cWhat\u2019s eatin\u2019 at you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what\u2019s eating at me. If Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t talkin\u2019 about Joe. I\u2019m talkin\u2019 about you. You\u2019ve been a caution to live with lately. It ain\u2019t been just Joe at the receivin\u2019 end of your tongue, but he\u2019s gotten the worse of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, nothing is bothering me.\u201d Adam gave Sport a kick and headed home. \u201cSee you at the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

When Hoss reached the pasture where Joe had been working he was shocked at what he saw.<\/p>\n

The new fence posts were scattered around on the ground, a roll of wire sat where it had been dumped, the old posts where still in the ground and leaning like a drunk miner on a Saturday night. Nothing had been done, and Joe was nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n

The longer Hoss looked at the scene, the angrier he became. \u201cAnd to think I defended you! No more! You ain\u2019t gettin\u2019 away with it this time.\u201d Hoss turned Chubb around and headed for home. His anger grew with each step Chubb took until Hoss was beyond being reasoned with.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 23<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all done, Pa. Every last bit of fence has been replaced and it\u2019s ready for Hoss<\/p>\n

to move the herd,\u201d Joe reported to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir. It\u2019s done, Pa. Honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben closed the ledger he was working on and smiled at his son. \u201cThat\u2019s good to hear, Joe. Why don\u2019t you go on and get cleaned up for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d Joe said, returning his father\u2019s smile with one of his own.<\/p>\n

Joe had started for the stairs when the door opened and Adam walked in. \u201cHome so soon, Little Brother? You must have left quite a bit of that fence unfinished, or did you not even start it?\u201d Adam remarked with a smirk.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s smile faded from his face and was replaced by the anger that was always simmering just below the surface whenever he was in the same room with Adam.<\/p>\n

Sensing the tension building in the room, Ben was quick to intervene. \u201cJoe finished the fence, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe hands balled into fists and he clenched his jaw. He looked at Ben, and seeing the warning look on his face, Joe took a deep breath, trying to force down the anger that was demanding to be released.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, go on and get cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t move, he stood at the bottom of the stairs, his green eyes crackling and snapping with a fire that was directed solely at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n

Joe broke eye contact with Adam and looked at his father. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d Taking the stairs two at a time he disappeared around the corner of the landing, the slamming of a door confirmed not only his entry into his room, but his displeasure with his brother.<\/p>\n

Ben flinched when the door slammed and sighed. For once he felt he couldn\u2019t chastise his youngest son, for he understood his anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that necessary, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why it wasn\u2019t. He\u2019s hasn\u2019t been pulling his weight around here and he needs to realize that this is a working ranch, not a playground.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe realizes it, Son. Have you even seen what he had been doing before these, um, problems started?\u201d Ben demanded. Not waiting for an answer, he continued with his lecture. \u201cI don\u2019t think you have, or you would have noticed what he has<\/em> been doing. He about killed himself getting those horses ready for the army contract. He even finished a week ahead of schedule. But you had the audacity to criticize him because you<\/em> felt he could have finished it a lot earlier than he did.\u201d Ben took a deep calming breath before continuing. \u201cHe might have even been able to do that too, if a certain brother hadn\u2019t taken most of his crew to work at the mill. Joe was left with a skeleton crew, and yet he finished ahead of schedule. Instead of being proud of him, you took away the satisfaction he felt over such a momentous accomplishment with just a few words. He\u2019s not a little boy anymore, Adam, yet he strives to please you, just as he has always done.\u201d Ben turned on his heel and walked away from Adam and up the stairs. Ben didn\u2019t slam his door, but the closing of it could be heard downstairs.<\/p>\n

Adam stood by the credenza, gun belt still in his hand, in shock. It had been a long time since he had been subjected to a lecture the likes of only his youngest brother received. Adam rolled up his gun belt and set it on the credenza before heading for his room. Unlike his father and brother, Adam closed his door as quietly as possible. He didn\u2019t want to risk raising his father\u2019s ire more than he had already done.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 24<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Joe were at the table when Hoss stormed in. When he rounded the corner of the dining room everyone looked up at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d Ben asked, concerned when he looked at his son. Hoss\u2019 face looked like thunderclouds had descended on him. \u201cIs something wrong, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood glaring at Joe. The anger was rolling off him like the waves of the ocean crashing into the shore during a hurricane. \u201cYeah, you could say that.\u201d His voice was so cold, icicles could have formed on his words. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I wasted my breath defending your ornery hide Little Brother.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was taken back by the anger directed at him, by Hoss of all people. \u201cWhat I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Hoss yelled.<\/p>\n

In two strides Hoss was next to Joe\u2019s chair, he grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him up. Joe\u2019s feet were barely touching the floor when Hoss tore into him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been defending you for the last few weeks, telling Adam how wrong he was about you, and you go and did that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe recoiled in the face of Hoss\u2019 anger. In his eighteen years he couldn\u2019t remember Hoss being this mad at him. He struggled to free himself from his brother\u2019s hold, all the while pleading with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand\u2026 Hoss, put me down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more, Joseph! I ain\u2019t defendin\u2019 you no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook Joe the same time Joe pulled back, the sound of ripping fabric echoed through the room as Joe fell to the floor.<\/p>\n

He lay on the floor staring up at his brother. Fear and hurt fought for dominance over Joe\u2019s emotions.<\/p>\n

Before Hoss could take another step Ben recovered from the shock of his middle son\u2019s anger and was on his feet standing between his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cERIC!\u201d Ben roared. He was appalled and confused at what he had just witnessed. Never had he seen Hoss loose his temper to this extent with Joe.<\/p>\n

Adam sat in his chair unable to move. He hadn\u2019t seen Hoss this angry since he took on John Regan after he beat Joe within an inch of his life, and all because of Adah Menken.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in the name of all that\u2019s Holy has gotten into you? You know better than this, Eric.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had gotten to his feet and retreated back until he was next to Ben\u2019s red, leather chair, well out of Hoss\u2019 reach.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went out to meet up with him<\/em>.\u201d Hoss jabbed at the air in Joe\u2019s general direction with his finger. \u201cAnd what did I find? I\u2019ll tell you what I found. I found that nothin\u2019 had been done, that\u2019s what I found!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe yelped.<\/p>\n

Ben turned to look at his youngest. \u201cYou want to explain yourself? You told me it was done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is<\/em> done. I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re playin\u2019 at, Hoss, but it ain\u2019t funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t playin\u2019 at nothin\u2019. The only thing done out there was some wire was cut and all the new posts scattered all over the place.\u201d Hoss took a step toward Joe, but stopped when Ben put a hand on his chest. \u201cYou know I have to move those cattle out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, if you\u2019re lying\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t lying\u2019! I don\u2019t lie, Pa.\u201d Joe held his ground, refusing to back down. \u201cIf anyone\u2019s lyin\u2019 it\u2019s Hoss.\u201d Joe turned away and headed for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! Get back here right now!\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m going out there and see for myself what Hoss is talkin\u2019 about.\u201d Joe stormed out the door and moments later Cochise could be heard leaving the yard.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, are you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m positive, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had watched the whole show without saying a word. He stood up and headed for the stairs. When he reached them he turned around and looked at Ben, with a smirk on his face. \u201cI hate to say I told you so, but I do believe it applies to this situation.\u201d With that said Adam went up the stairs to his room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 25<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the heck!\u201d Joe yelled when he reached the meadow where he had spent the day repairing the fence. He jumped off Cochise and walked over to inspect each section of fence. Everything Hoss had said was true; the fence was almost exactly how it had been when Joe started that morning. Lying scattered on the ground were the new posts, wire and tools.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled off his ruined shirt and threw it to the ground and started on the fence, again.<\/em> He took out every ounce of anger he felt on the unlucky posts. Luckily for Joe it was July and he had quite a bit of daylight left. When the sun did go down, he had a clear full moon, that lit up the pasture with it\u2019s silvery light, to work by,. He refused to leave until he was finished, even if it took all night.<\/p>\n

Post by post, wire by wire, nail by nail, Joe strung the fence back together, re-doing the work he had already done.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 26<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was well after midnight when a sweaty, dirty and exhausted Joe arrived back home. After taking care of Cochise he headed to the house and his bed. He had almost made it to the stairs when Ben\u2019s voice stopped him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just where have you been, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe whipped around at the sound of Ben\u2019s voice. \u201cI\u2019ve been fixin\u2019 that fence. Again<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned up the lamp and walked over to Joe. He looked Joe over, noticing the dirt smeared chest, face and the dirty, bloody hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to your hands?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI only had a pair of light gloves with me,\u201d Joe explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your shirt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s left of it, after Hoss had finished with it, is in my saddle bags,\u201d Joe replied in a bitter voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to explain to me what you did all day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI fixed the fence,\u201d Joe declared looking Ben straight in the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not<\/em> lie to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t look away from Ben and he answered in a cool, calm voice. \u201cI ain\u2019t lyin\u2019. I fixed that fence today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen how do you explain what Hoss, and apparently you, saw?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath before walking away from Ben. He stopped in front of the fireplace, hooked his hands in the back of his belt and stared into the fire, like a fortune teller would stare into her crystal ball, looking for the answers that would explain what had happened, but he couldn\u2019t find any.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa. I can\u2019t explain it, but I swear I fixed that fence earlier today, every last bit of it. I cleaned everythin\u2019 up and came home,\u201d Joe explained when he turned around and faced Ben. \u201cThe left over wire is still in the wagon, as are my tools. Yet when I went out there the new posts were scattered all over the place, a roll of wire was there and there was a set of tools lyin\u2019 on the ground. I don\u2019t understand it, Pa. It looked just like it did this mornin\u2019 when I got there.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the whole conversation, Ben watched Joe. Not once did he eyes waver, not a single dip of his head, or any indication of one, no scuffing of his boot toe on the floor and he had kept his voice calm and level, all indicators that Joe was telling the truth. The look on Joe\u2019s face was one of complete confusion, not one of someone trying to cover up the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say, Joe. It\u2019s clear you believe you fixed the fence, but yet the fence wasn\u2019t done when Hoss got there, nor when you went back. I\u2019d ask if you were in the correct pasture, but you said your tools were there and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot my tools. They were an older set of tools, not the ones I always use,\u201d Joe interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Ben paused, unsure how Joe would react to his next question. \u201cHave you been feeling alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his father, confused by the question that had come out of the blue. \u201cI feel fine, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t, um, been feeling any episodes of lost time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI talked to Dr. Martin and he thinks that all of this may be caused by some form of \u2013 of, well, black outs. He said you might think you\u2019ve done the work when in actuality you haven\u2019t,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, you all think I\u2019m going crazy,\u201d Joe accused.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Son, just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what?\u201d Joe interrupted.<\/p>\n

Ben paused, and tried to think of a way to keep Joe calm. There were two sets of facts and they went completely against each other. He was at a loss on what to tell his son.<\/p>\n

Joe watched his father and was disappointed in Ben\u2019s reaction. \u201cI\u2019m going to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Joe could even turn, Ben put his hand on his shoulder. \u201cLet\u2019s clean up your hands first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re fine, Pa.\u201d Joe tried to shrug off Ben\u2019s hand, but his father refused to let go.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey clearly are not fine. Come on,\u201d Ben persisted and gave Joe a nudge towards the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing ain\u2019t gonna like us messin\u2019 up his kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat may be true, but who\u2019s the boss around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing,\u201d Joe quipped, he was simply too tired to stay mad at his father.<\/p>\n

Ben stopped in his tracks and looked at Joe. He had a small smile on his face, but Ben could tell he was serious. He sighed in defeat. \u201cI have to admit, you\u2019re right, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis really isn\u2019t necessary, Pa,\u201d Joe said as they walked into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes it is. Now, get cleaned up so I can clean out those cuts.\u201d Ben pulled out the things he needed in order to take care of Joe\u2019s hands while Joe went over to the sink and washed the dirt off his hands and body.<\/p>\n

Once he was done Ben pointed to a chair next to the table. \u201cSit.\u201d Ben examined Joe\u2019s hands before starting the task of cleaning them. \u201cThey\u2019re not as bad as I thought. They should be fine by morning. A bit sore, but fine otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOw!\u201d Joe exclaimed when Ben dabbed at his hand with disinfectant.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold still, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just wash them out real good, Pa,\u201d Joe protested as he pulled his hand away.<\/p>\n

Ben stopped what he was doing and looked at his son; he could see the little boy with a skinned knee, squirming on the table as he tried to clean the dirt out of the wound. Ben gave him the same hard look as he did back then. \u201cYou have a choice, Joseph. Either you let me clean them up, or you deal with Dr. Martin when they become infected. Which will it be?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a sigh of defeat, Joe silently held out his hands to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you would see it my way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben thoroughly cleaned Joe\u2019s hands, put some of Hop Sing\u2019s salve on them and bandaged them. \u201cNow get to bed. I\u2019ll see what I can find for you to do tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean what I can do that can be supervised, right?\u201d Joe asked his voice full of bitterness.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Joe, but didn\u2019t know what to say. His son was right, he wanted to make sure Joe accomplished any job he was given, and at the same time could be watched over in the event of any problems that might arise.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Joe,\u201d was all Ben could say.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head. \u201cNight, Pa,\u201d he said softly as he left the room.<\/p>\n

Ben watched while his son walked out of the kitchen. He sat down in the chair that Joe had just vacated and propped his chin on his hands. \u201cI just don\u2019t know what to believe. How can they both be right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 27<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben sat watching his two older sons eat their breakfast in silence as he tried to figure out how to broach the events of the night before. He and Adam were already at the table when Hoss came down. His face was still dark with anger, and anyone who didn\u2019t know him would turn and walk, if not run, as fast as possible in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

Clearing his throat to gain their attention, Ben turned to Hoss. \u201cHoss, do you want to talk about last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaid all I had to say then.\u201d He looked back down at his plate and glowered at it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to disagree with you, Son. We need to talk about what happened last night with your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t talkin\u2019 \u2018bout him. I got no use for him anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you can\u2019t blame Hoss,\u201d interrupted Adam. \u201cHe\u2019s been defending the boy this whole time, standing up for him no matter what the evidence was, and then Joe went out and did what he did yesterday.\u201d Adam paused and looked at Hoss. \u201cIf I\u2019m correct, it was like a slap in the face to Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was worse. Adam\u2019s right, that boy is just that, a boy. He doesn\u2019t take responsibility for his actions, he\u2019s always makin\u2019 excuses. He\u2019s lazy, Pa, and wants everyone else to pick up his slack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 words were emotionless and cold to the one standing just out of sight at the top of the stairs, it felt like a knife had been plunged into his heart and twisted without mercy. Joe had to put a hand against the wall to steady himself as his world tilted out of balance at his beloved brother\u2019s words. Hoss was his protector, his defender against all comers, even when he didn\u2019t want him to be, but now he had turned against him. Just like Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time did he finally make it home from town?\u201d Joe heard Adam ask.<\/p>\n

He could take those words. He could understand them coming from Adam. After all, Adam has been expecting the worse from him for quite some time now. He let the anger he felt at Adam\u2019s words rush over and consume the hurt in his heart; he let it flow through him as he squared his shoulders and prepared for battle.<\/p>\n

Hearing footsteps on the stairs, the three Cartwrights at the table turned to see Joe descending the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your information, Older Brother<\/em> I wasn\u2019t in town last night,\u201d Joe said, all the while glaring at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Joe,\u201d Ben greeted, hoping to draw Joe\u2019s attention away from Adam and stop any impending argument that was waiting to erupt.<\/p>\n

Joe turned his attention to his father. \u201cMornin\u2019, Pa.\u201d He then looked at Hoss. \u201cMornin\u2019, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without even acknowledging Joe\u2019s existence, Hoss continued to eat his breakfast. Joe\u2019s shoulders sagged slightly as he took his seat at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are your hands feeling thing morning, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, noticing that the bandages had been removed.<\/p>\n

Adam jumped on that remark faster than a cat would on a bowl of cream with a canary sitting in the middle of it. \u201cWhat did you do, tear them up fighting in the saloon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe forced out between clenched teeth. \u201cBut I can always tear them up on your face<\/em>, here and now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be more than happy to accommodate you if you want to try your luck, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s step outside, Older Brother,\u201d Joe retorted as he rose from his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cENOUGH!\u201d Ben bellowed. \u201cJoseph, sit down!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe, hands clenched into fists at his side, started to move away from his chair, daring Adam to follow suit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said sit<\/em> and I meant now<\/em>,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n

Taking several deep, steadying breaths, Joe slowly lowered himself back down into his chair.<\/p>\n

Ben picked up a platter and handed it to Joe. \u201cNow, eat something.\u201d Before Joe could protest his lack of an appetite, Ben continued, \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want to hear any malarkey about you not being hungry. There will also be no pushing the food around on your plate either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t make a move to take the offered platter. Instead he locked eyes with his father, trying to outstare him. Years of obedience and respect took their toll on the younger man and he dropped his eyes and accepted the platter.<\/p>\n

When Ben was satisfied that Joe was going to eat he turned his attention to Adam. \u201cAs for Joe\u2019s hands, he tore them up last night doing the fence without proper gloves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upon hearing his father, Hoss\u2019 head snapped up and he glared at his younger brother, but didn\u2019t say a word.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs for today\u2019s work,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cI want you, Adam, to ride out with Hoss again and start moving that herd. The grazing in that pasture will be better for them and now that the fence is fixed, there\u2019s not the danger of them wandering away.\u201d Ben waited for Adam and Hoss to acknowledge their assignments before turning to Joe. \u201cJoseph, you\u2019ll be going with me to the lumber mill today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, with me,\u201d Ben reiterated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can do it by myself. I don\u2019t need a babysitter,\u201d Joe said belligerently.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally now?\u201d drawled Adam. \u201cAnd your work from the past week supports that fact?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slammed his fork down. \u201cWhy can\u2019t any of you just believe in me? I\u2019ve told you and told you all I\u2019ve done everythin\u2019 I was supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why you had to fix the fence last night with no gloves,\u201d Hoss stated scathingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, please,\u201d Joe begged.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe. No more. I\u2019ve been defendin\u2019 you all this time, stuck up for you, and for what? To have you make a fool out of me, that\u2019s what for. Well, no more, I\u2019m done with it and with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked around the table, his green eyes snapping with disillusionment and the loss of his family\u2019s trust. Without a word he threw his napkin on his plate and stood up so violently that his chair slammed into the wall behind him before toppling over onto its side. He turned away and headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time as he rushed to his room, and slammed the door so hard that the windows rattled throughout the house.<\/p>\n

Shocked and stunned, the remaining Cartwrights sat at the table in silence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 28<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe paced the confines of his room like a caged tiger, trying to get a hold on his anger. He knew he couldn\u2019t explain what had been happening, but he felt that his family should believe he wouldn\u2019t do the things they accused him of.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey should believe me\u2026Try to find out why this is happenin\u2019. Haven\u2019t I proven myself to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe continued to pace, but with each step, each thought, his anger grew until it turned into a rage he could no longer contain. With a swift, angry swipe of his arm Joe sent everything on his dresser crashing to the floor. Brushes flew across the room, bottles broke and so did his restraint. Tears of frustration, anger, disappointment and most of all, hurt, welled in his eyes. Refusing to allow them to fall, Joe wiped them away with his sleeve.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if they\u2019re done with me, I\u2019m done with them.\u201d Grabbing his saddle bags out of the wardrobe, he threw them onto his bed and started filling them with clothes. Taking the picture of his mother Joe made sure it was well protected between layers of clothing before buckling the bags shut. He pulled out the money he had been saving for a new rifle and stuffed it into his wallet; it would be enough for him to live on until he could find work somewhere far from the Ponderosa. Swinging the bags over his shoulder, Joe left his room for what he figured would be the last time.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

The sound of Joe\u2019s belongings smashing onto the floor could be heard downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in tarnation?\u201d Ben grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like your youngest son is having a bit of a tantrum,\u201d Adam said, stating the obvious.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo figure, if he doesn\u2019t get what he wants from everyone he does his usual bit of stompin\u2019 off and makin\u2019 a racket until someone comes and fuss\u2019 over him.\u201d Hoss remarked bitterly.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s mouth dropped open at Hoss\u2019 words. Never had he heard him speak to or about Joe in such a manner. Hoss has always been Joe\u2019s knight in shining armor\u2026<\/em> Adam stopped in mid-thought when he realized that, to a certain extent; he had also played the same role. He suddenly realized his father was saying something and he had missed most of it while lost in thought.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 well it stops here and now. He\u2019s never gone to this extent and I\u2019m going to do something about it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Ben was rising from the table, Joe came storming down the stairs and headed for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it right there, Young Man,\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

Joe paused, every muscle tensing in anticipation of the inevitable confrontation that was now going to take place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m leavin\u2019,\u201d Joe stated in a frosty voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s jaw clenched and his chin jutted out in defiance. \u201cI ain\u2019t stayin\u2019 here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are staying, and further more; you\u2019re going right back up to your room and clean up the mess that I\u2019m sure you made up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t stayin\u2019 where no one believes me,\u201d Joe snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen try tellin\u2019 the truth for once,\u201d Hoss spat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI AIN\u201dT LYIN\u2019!\u201d Joe shouted. He turned away from his family and ignoring further demands from his father, he walked out the door and headed for the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben bellowed. Joe\u2019s answer was the slamming of the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 29<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe dropped his saddle bags over the side of Cochise\u2019s stall and grabbed his bridle. As he was throwing his saddle blanket over the horse\u2019s back, Ben stormed into the barn.<\/p>\n

Joe heard his father enter, how could he not when he sounded like a blast of nitroglycerin exploding in the side of a mountain. The resulting fallout that was about to happen would set the dye for what was to follow.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

When there wasn\u2019t an answer or any kind of acknowledgement from his son, Ben\u2019s eyes darkened to the color of coal and smoldered with anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will face me when I speak to you,\u201d he stormed.<\/p>\n

Tightening the cinch on his saddle, he pulled his saddle bags off the side of the stall, slung them over Cochise\u2019s back and tied on his bedroll before leading the horse from the stall. He started to walk past Ben when his father reached out and grabbed his arm, forcibly turning him around.<\/p>\n

The look on Joe\u2019s face would have quelled a lesser man. But this was not only his father, but also Ben Cartwright. The look only caused Ben to tighten his already bruising grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said you are not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still Joe refused to answer. He stood there, jaw clenched, nostrils flaring with anger and every muscle taut as piano wire, and stared at a spot just over Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are not leaving,\u201d Ben enunciated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t \u00a0stop me, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t challenge me, Joseph,\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not challengin\u2019 you. I\u2019m statin\u2019 a fact. You can make me stay right now, but you can\u2019t watch me all the time. I\u2019m gonna leave and that\u2019s all there\u2019s to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was so calm and cold that it was unnerving to Ben. He had never seen such open defiance in his youngest son. Sure, Joe would push him right to the breaking point at times, but he always knew where the line was drawn and didn\u2019t cross it. But this time.\u00a0.\u00a0. this time it was different. Joe wasn\u2019t a little boy kowtowing to his father\u2019s demands. Instead, he was an angry young man making his own demands.<\/p>\n

Cochise, sensing the tension between the two men, started prancing nervously. Taking a step back from the horse, Ben\u2019s grip on Joe\u2019s arm loosened just enough for Joe to push his father away, causing Ben to stumble. Joe took advantage of his freedom and pulled Cochise out of the barn. He swung up into the saddle and kicked Cochise into a gallop; leaving behind the only home he had ever known.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 30<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben rushed out of the barn only to see the cloud of dust that was left in Joe\u2019s wake. His shoulders sagged in defeat as he turned back to the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gone?\u201d Adam asked when Ben walked in the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna go after him?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he won\u2019t go far. He\u2019ll probably head for the lake to cool off and be back before nightfall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was really out fixin\u2019 the fence last night?\u201d Hoss asked, guilt creeping up on him over his treatment of his younger brother.<\/p>\n

Ben pushed both of his hands in his front pockets and looked at Hoss. \u201cYes, he was out fixing the fence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you be sure of that, Pa?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cHow do you know he didn\u2019t just go into town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t see him when he came in. The boy was exhausted and filthy. His hands were pretty tore up, the way they would be if he was stringing wire without the proper gloves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if he would have done it when he was supposed to, then it would never have happened,\u201d complained Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t believe that, Pa. Not after what Hoss said,\u201d added Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to believe or think anymore. He sincerely believes he did the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then how does he explain it?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t. He\u2019s just as confused as we are. He had a pretty convincing argument and he didn\u2019t show any of the signs of trying to stretch the truth. You know how he is. You can always tell when he\u2019s trying to talk circles around you.\u201d Ben rubbed at his brow for a minute, as if trying to relieve a headache that was starting. \u201cI just don\u2019t know what to make of any of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam studies his father for a minute before walking over to the credenza and strapping on his gunbelt; he had a bad feeling about where his brother was headed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need, Adam, I said he\u2019ll be back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t really believe that, Pa. I have a feeling that if we don\u2019t go after him we may never see him again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 with you,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Hoss. Let me do this alone. If we all go after him, he\u2019ll just pull further away.\u201d Adam looked away from his family. \u201cI\u2019ve been the hardest on him. I need\u2026 I need to make things right between us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head, placing his trust in Adam. \u201cBring him home, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Pa.\u201d Adam opened the door and was gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019ll be able to?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI honestly don\u2019t know. I\u2019ve never seen Joseph that angry before,\u201d Ben answered despondently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 31<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s trail was easy for Adam to pick up. The boy was headed west, towards the high country and California.<\/p>\n

He finally caught sight of Joe, who was riding at an easy lope and if Adam hurried he\u2019d be able to catch up with him. Giving Sport a kick, Adam set off at a run, determined to catch up with his brother.<\/p>\n

Hearing an approaching horse, Joe turned in his saddle to look behind him. Seeing Adam fast approaching he turned back around and contemplated sending Cochise off in a run. He knew that he could out run Sport without a problem, but he also knew his oldest brother\u2019s single minded determination. If Adam wanted to catch him, he would, it was just a matter of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam called out.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed in frustration and closed his eyes for a moment before bringing Cochise to a stop and waiting for his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want, Adam?\u201d Joe demanded once Adam was next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have nothin\u2019 more to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFar away from here,\u201d Joe said bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you plan on coming back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you care? I\u2019d think you\u2019d be happy that your worthless brother is leavin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you know that\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I, Adam? All I\u2019ve heard from you for weeks now is how I do everythin\u2019 wrong. I can\u2019t even break a horse to your satisfaction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe interrupted. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to worry about me anymore. I won\u2019t be comin\u2019 back, and I won\u2019t be makin\u2019 any claims on the Cartwright name either. You all can rest assured, Joe Cartwright won\u2019t exist from this point on, I won\u2019t be embarrassin\u2019 the family anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t mean that.\u201d Adam looked into Joe\u2019s eyes expecting to find the tears that always accompanied this type of outburst from his brother. He was shocked to find them not only dry, but stone cold. My God, he means it.<\/em> \u201cJoe think of Pa and Hoss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glared at Adam. \u201cWhy should I? Did any of you bother to listen to me and maybe give me the benefit of doubt?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was angry, very angry; he pulled Cochise around and took off at a break neck run.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 32<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t that boy listen to reason?\u201d Adam grumbled. \u201cIf he would only listen to one of us maybe he could see what he\u2019s doing. Running away is not the way to solve problems.\u201d With a sigh Adam turned Sport in the direction his brother had gone. \u201cIf I don\u2019t catch him now he\u2019ll never come home.\u201d \u00a0With a kick to Sports sides, he took off in Joe\u2019s wake.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the devil?\u201d Adam saw where Joe\u2019s tracks veered off the main road and now headed towards Wolf Ridge, one of the steepest places in the area, worse than Eagle\u2019s Nest. Parts of the trail were very narrow, with a sheer drop down to the canyon below.<\/p>\n

Adam continued following the tracks. \u201cWhy would Joe go up here? He hates it here. It absolutely terrifies him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trailed narrowed and Adam slowed Sport to a cautious walk. The peaceful tranquility of the area was shattered by a howling wolf, startling Sport and causing him to rear up. Unprepared, Adam fell to the ground and rolled right over the side of the cliff. As he fell he was able to grab hold of a branch of a tree that was growing out of the cliff. Adam was now literally hanging in mid-air
\n\u201cHELP!\u201d Adam yelled. \u201cSOMEONE, ANYONE, PLEASE, HELP ME!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hanging on for dear life, Adam continued to call for help. His arms were starting to ache and his hands were sweating. It took everything he had to hang on.<\/p>\n

Adam looked down at the abyss below and swallowed hard. \u201cPLEASE HELP ME!\u201d he screamed. \u201cGod, now I know how Joe feels. I swear if I get out of this alive, I\u2019ll never, ever give him a hard time, in any way what so ever, about his fear of heights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Honest? Remember you swore.\u201d Joe gave a choked laugh, trying to cover his fear with humor.<\/p>\n

Adam looked up and saw Joe\u2019s smiling face peaking over the edge of the cliff.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust hold on, Older Brother, we\u2019ll get you outta this mess that you got yourself into.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe disappeared from sight causing Adam to become more anxious over his situation. \u201cHurry, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost done, Adam. Just hold on,\u201d Joe hollered back.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hands were starting to slip, he was now hanging by his finger tips. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here,\u201d Joe called as his head appeared once again. \u201cI tied knots into the rope for you. I\u2019m gonna toss it down, grab it and we\u2019ll pull you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe threw the rope down Adam lost his grip on the tree. \u201cJJJOOOOEEEEE!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 33<\/strong>
\nAdam reached for the rope; he reached for it as if his life depended on it. And it did. That rope was the only thing between him and certain death. Adam reached for the rope, willing himself to grab hold of it. There it was, the last knot. Adam caught hold with his right hand and immediately brought his left around to join his right, just above the last knot, the knot that save him from slipping right down the rope and into the abyss. His body jerked to a sudden stop, but Adam held tight.\u201cI could kiss you right now, Joe,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n

Joe watched his brother\u2019s hands slip off the branch, then he watched him start to fall. \u201cGRAB THE ROPE, ADAM! GRAB THE ROPE!\u201d Joe screamed.<\/p>\n

When Joe saw the rope jerk and Adam hanging from the bottom of it, a surge of relief, stronger than any other emotion Joe had ever felt, surged through his body, making him feel weak. But he couldn\u2019t indulge himself right now. Adam was still in danger.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo, Cooch! Pull, Boy!\u201d Joe called to his faithful horse. Cochise started to walk slowly away from his friend, pulling the rope.
\n\u201cJust a little more, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam slowly made his way up; when he reached the top he was able to find a foothold, pushed himself over and rolled away from the edge of the cliff. He sat on the ground trying to catch his breath and calm the fear that was racing through his body. Adam looked up, expecting to see his brother, the brother he owed his life to, sitting next to him. When he didn\u2019t see him there, he looked around and found Joe still at the edge of the cliff.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t answer him; in fact he didn\u2019t even move a muscle. Adam went over to him and squatted down. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Still there was no response. Adam put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and could feel the tremors that were running through his brother\u2019s body. He looked closely at Joe\u2019s face and saw the stark terror there.<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t take his eyes off the drop below him. He was frozen in fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s okay. Come on, back away.\u201d Adam guided his brother away from the edge. \u201cThat\u2019s it, take it slow and easy.\u201d When he had Joe far from the edge he put his hand under Joe\u2019s chin and gently raised his face until he could see Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Little Joe, it\u2019s over now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam saw the tears shimmering in Joe\u2019s eyes and then spill over.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe gasped. His breathing was harsh and ragged. He was trying to catch his breath, but his heart was pounding so hard and so fast he thought it would explode right through his chest, and he would never be able to breathe again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, Little Joe. It\u2019s okay, we\u2019re safe.\u201d Adam pulled Joe into his arms and held him tight, as unrelenting fear shook Joe\u2019s whole body. Adam could hear him gasping for air. \u201cSsh. Relax, Joe. Breathe, Little Buddy. It\u2019s all over,\u201d he whispered in Joe\u2019s ear. Adam continued to whisper to Joe, trying to comfort him, just as he had done in the days after Marie\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

The tremors slowed, then faded away, Joe\u2019s breathing evened out and he was finally able to regain control of himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat \u2013 What were you doin\u2019 up here, Adam?\u201d Joe whispered once he pulled away from his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was following you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Adam, as if he had lost his mind. \u201cFollowin\u2019 me? Why would you think I came up here? I hate this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour tracks led up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey couldn\u2019t of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour tracks were on the ground. It couldn\u2019t have been anyone else. No one\u2019s been up here in ages,\u201d Adam argued.<\/p>\n

Realizing what Adam had done, Joe started laughing. \u201cDid those tracks have a notch in them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they were plain, ordinary tracks. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t Hoss tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed even harder. \u201cHe\u2019s been notchin\u2019 Cochise\u2019s shoes, so the two of you could find me no matter where I went. I wasn\u2019t suppose to know, but I caught him doin\u2019 it. Let me tell you, I wasn\u2019t too happy about it either.\u201d Joe pulled his hat off and scratched the top of his head a few times. \u201cYou were followin\u2019 Hoss\u2019 tracks, Adam. He was just up here a couple days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

When I get my hands on him, I\u2019m going to kill him. I can\u2019t believe he didn\u2019t tell me about Cochise.<\/em> \u201cThen what are you doing up here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw Sport come runnin\u2019 down the trail, so I followed his tracks<\/em> and found you. Oh, I, um, I left Sport tied up down in the meadow.\u201d
\n\u201cBut, you\u2019re scared of this place, Joe. Why would you do something like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re my brother, and I thought you were in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Joe, how could you even get near the edge, let alone do all that you did?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think, I just did. Just like you\u2019re always accusin\u2019 me of doin\u2019. \u00a0I heard you yellin\u2019 and all I could think was that you needed me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Joe with pride shining in his eyes. With everything I\u2019ve done to him over the last month, he would do this\u2026 He would do something that completely terrifies him, for me? <\/em>\u00a0\u201cThank you. For once, I\u2019m glad you held true to form.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mention it, you would do the same for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo I wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe squeaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said no, I wouldn\u2019t do the same for you.\u201d Adam almost laughed at Joe\u2019s crestfallen look.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe asked. He was completely devastated by Adam\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, you\u2019d never be stupid enough to get yourself into such a predicament.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! You swore you wouldn\u2019t make fun of me anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not, Little Brother. I\u2019m making fun of myself. I\u2019ll also promise you one more thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter how long it takes, no matter what I have to do, I swear I will<\/em> get even with Hoss for this.<\/p>\n

Both brothers sat near a steep cliff laughing hysterically.<\/p>\n

Adam suddenly became serious. \u201cLook, Joe, I owe you an explanation and an apology.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cautiously, Joe looked at Adam, not sure what was coming next. \u201cWhat for?\u201d he asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor how I\u2019ve been treating you.\u201d Adam looked away from Joe, unable to face him as he made his confession. \u201cYou see, I\u2019ve been, I\u2019ve\u2026\u201d \u00a0he trailed off not sure how to go about opening up to his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 34<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam finally made it down off the ridge and found where Joe had left Sport tied in the meadow. He swung up into the saddle and looked around for Joe\u2019s tracks. Thanks to Joe telling him about what Hoss had done with the shoes, Cochise\u2019s tracks were easy to spot now that he knew what he was looking for. Joe was still headed for the high country. Adam knew that Joe knew, once he hit the hard, rocky ground his tracks would be impossible to find. Adam spurred Sport on, but he was too late.<\/p>\n

Sitting at the base of the mountain looking up the trail, Adam could see where Joe had started up the trail and decided to follow. If he were lucky he might be able to pick something up. But little did Adam know Lady Luck was not smiling on him this day.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, we\u2019re not too far behind, Sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

After an hour of searching, Adam pulled Sport to a halt and looked around the area he was in. Everywhere he looked all he could see was hard, unforgiving rock. They offered up no clues, not even the smallest indication that anyone had passed through there.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Kid, Where did you go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed in frustration. He didn\u2019t want to admit defeat. He didn\u2019t want to give up and go home to his father without Joe, but he knew that he didn\u2019t have a choice. The mountains were too vast, too unforgiving for one man alone. What Adam needed was Hoss. If anyone could find Joe it was Hoss. Reluctantly, Adam turned Sport and headed home.<\/p>\n

Chapter 35<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe and Cochise slowly picked their way across the rocky ground. He tried not to hurry, but he also wanted to put as much distance between himself and his family before he was forced to make camp. Joe was careful of where he led his horse. One wrong step and it would all be over.<\/p>\n

Soon the rocky terrain softened back to a dirt trail as Joe entered an area that was dense with the majestic Ponderosa Pines. The trees created a haven for a weary traveler, with its lush, green grass, beds of pine needles under the trees to add comfort to a man\u2019s bedroll. The trees were so tightly grouped together in spots that it was the perfect protection from the elements. A bubbling stream could be heard not too far away as it made its way down the mountain. This would be the perfect spot to make camp. That is if the traveler was willing to stop and enjoy the peace and serenity it had to offer. Joe wasn\u2019t ready, so he pushed on.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a shot rang out striking the ground just in front of Cochise causing the horse reared up in fright. Joe struggled to stay in the saddle, but all of his expertise wasn\u2019t enough against a frightened Cochise. Tumbling over the back end of the horse, he hit the ground with enough force to knock the breath out of him. Lying on the ground gasping for air he could hear a voice yelling in the distance.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet that horse, you idiot!\u201d<\/p>\n

Once his breathing returned to normal and his head cleared, Joe rolled to his knees and pushed himself to his feet and started to draw his gun. He didn\u2019t know what kind of danger he was in, but he knew he was most definitely in danger.<\/p>\n

He heard two rifles being cocked and froze, his gun just clearing his holster.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop the gun, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked around, trying to peer into the dark depths of the trees. A place that seems so tranquil just seconds ago had now turned deadly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 36<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam was off his horse before Sport came to a complete stop in front of the ranch house.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d He yelled as he ran through the front door. \u201cHoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben came around the corner from his desk. \u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time Hoss came running down the stairs like a herd of stampeding buffalo, having already heard Sport ride into the yard and Adam\u2019s desperate yelling. \u201cAdam, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet your horse. I need help tracking Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without question, Hoss grabbed his gun and hat and headed for the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you need help tracking Little Joe? He\u2019s at the lake.\u201d Ben was firmly holding on to his hope that all would be fine and his youngest would come riding into the yard at any second, all apologetic over his outburst.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, he didn\u2019t go to the lake. He\u2019s headed for the high country. He, uh, told me he\u2019s never coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben saw the devastation in Adam\u2019s normally guarded eyes, and knew that any hope he had had just been torn asunder. \u201cI\u2019ll get some supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll saddle Buck and a fresh mount for myself. I\u2019ll have one of the hands take care of Sport,\u201d Adam said and then disappeared out the door.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Once the Cartwrights were mounted and on their way to find their wayward family member, Ben asked Adam the question that had been in the forefront of his mind since Adam burst through the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take it you caught up with him. What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and then he found me\u2026 At Wolf\u2019s Ridge.\u201d Adam stopped Maverick and glared at Hoss. \u201cWhen this is all over, you and I are going to have a long, serious talk, Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about?\u201d Hoss asked confused by Adam\u2019s tone and the look he was giving him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout a certain set of notched shoes you didn\u2019t bother to tell me about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCochise?\u201d Hoss swallowed hard knowing that the promised discussion wasn\u2019t going to be very pleasant for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Cochise.\u201d Adam turned his attention back to his father. \u201cI caught up with him and tried to talk to him, but he was beyond being reasoned with. That\u2019s when he told me he wasn\u2019t coming back. He also told me he was giving up the Cartwright name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hurt and devastation were visible in every nuance of Ben\u2019s being. Joe\u2019s leaving was bad enough, but for him to give up his name, to not want to be a Cartwright anymore. Joe had always been proud of the Cartwright name, and Ben knew if Joe wanted to give up the name then he was hurting beyond measure. He also knew that if he did that they\u2019d never be able to find him. If Joe wanted to disappear Ben knew he was more than capable of doing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. He left me then and I lost sight of him. I was able to track him, or so I thought. The tracks I was following led me to Wolf\u2019s Ridge, which surprised me knowing how he feels about that place.\u201d Once again Adam glared at Hoss, who had the good grace to look embarrassed. \u201cI set out after him, but Sport got spooked and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam told Ben and Hoss the whole story of what happened up on the ridge; that is everything except his confession about Louise.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 by the time I got back down to the meadow he was long gone. Thanks to Hoss, and Joe<\/em> telling me about the shoes, I was able to track him to the foothills. I lost his tracks in the rocks, but I kept looking.\u201d Adam looked away from his father, unable to bear the sorrow in his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Pa, I couldn\u2019t find anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find him, Adam,\u201d Hoss assured his brother with the optimism that only Hoss could have.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 37<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you? What do you want?\u201d Joe called out to the emptiness.<\/p>\n

Another shot rang out, this one missing Joe\u2019s head by scant inches and burying itself in the tree to his right.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, \u2018drop the gun\u2019,\u201d the disjointed voice demanded.<\/p>\n

Looking into the dark depths, Joe hoped to catch a glimpse of his attackers. As he was looking a bullet from the opposite direction whizzed past his head and embedded itself into another tree. Joe now knew there were two gunmen and a third was chasing Cochise. He knew giving up his gun could be deadly, but not to could also cost him his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next one will be in you, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe tossed his gun away from him and braced himself for the worst. Two men stepped out from the shadows, one on each side of him.<\/p>\n

Howdy, Cartwright,\u201d the older of the two greeted him.<\/p>\n

Joe stared at the man who spoke to him and the hair on the back of his neck stood up and tingled. The man looked familiar, but he couldn\u2019t figure out where he may have seen him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Cartwright? Don\u2019t tell me you don\u2019t remember me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe continued to stare, the feeling of dread growing by the second. \u201cCan\u2019t say as I do.\u201d Joe squared his shoulders, straightened to his full height and took on a look of defiance that only Joe Cartwright could pull off. \u201cApparently, you know me, so would you mind filling me in on who you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSilver City,\u201d was all he said.<\/p>\n

Recognition hit Joe like a hot poker and his face drained of all color. \u201cNo, you can\u2019t be. You – You were hung.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where you\u2019re wrong, Boy. My twin<\/em> brother was hung, thanks to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady and his emotions under control. \u201cYour brother robbed the bank and killed a woman, he deserved to be hung.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat there was his mistake.\u201d The man looked Joe up and down before continuing. \u201cHe should have killed you instead. Who would have thought a mere boy would have been the death of Fred Lemmings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe bristled at being called a boy. \u201cI suggest you get on your horse and get out of here mister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we plan on it, just as soon as your horse is brought back. You see, Boy, <\/em>you\u2019re coming with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere with you,\u201d Joe declared.<\/p>\n

Frank Lemmings took two steps forward, flipped his rifle around and drove the butt end of it into Joe\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n

Joe cried out in pain as he collapsed to the ground. He wrapped his arms protectively around his mid-section and pulled his knees up into his chest as he withered in pain.<\/p>\n

Both men stood over him laughing. \u201cMy brother warned you. He said you\u2019d live to regret it if you testified against him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 38<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoss pulled Chubb to a stop and dismounted when they reached the spot where Adam had lost Joe\u2019s tracks. \u201cYou said you headed that way, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked pointing to a small trail to his left.<\/p>\n

“Yes,\u201d Adam answered as crossed his wrists over the pommel and leaned forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you didn\u2019t see anythin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding his head, Hoss went back to scouting the area. Trying to get a better vantage point, he climbed on top of a rock formation and silently stood looking around the hard, rocky ground that stretched out in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d you go, Little Joe?\u201d he whispered to himself.<\/p>\n

With a shake of his head, Hoss climbed back down and walked over to Chubb. Once he was in the saddle he pointed to a trail leading west. \u201cI\u2019d say we go that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWere you able to pick up his tracks?\u201d Ben asked optimistically.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head as he answered. \u201cNo, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why that way?\u201d Adam demanded. Defeat and guilt were starting to press down heavily on his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said, you thought he was headed towards California, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cBut how do we know for sure that\u2019s where he\u2019d go. As far as we know he could have changed directions and headed for New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so. As much as Little Joe talks about goin\u2019 there, I think he knows, deep down inside, that it ain\u2019t for him. He\u2019d head somewhere open, somewhere he could do what he loves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHorses,\u201d acknowledged Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Little Joe, Pa; he\u2019s gotta have those dang horses to work with. We can either head that way or we can separate and look in different directions. I for one am headin\u2019 west.\u201d Hoss informed them.<\/p>\n

Ben considered Hoss\u2019 words, and put them together with everything he knew and understood about his youngest son, before coming to a decision. \u201cI think he\u2019s right, Adam, we need to head towards California.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, one way\u2019s as good as another,\u201d Adam said as he turned Sport. With Hoss in the lead, they headed west looking for any sign they could find of their missing family member.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 39<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe slowly uncurled and unsteadily pushed himself to his feet. Taking several deep breaths he fought to keep the nausea at bay. \u201cIf you\u2019re gonna kill me, then get it over with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFound the horse, Frank,\u201d shouted the third man as he came riding back with Cochise in tow.<\/p>\n

Stupid horse, you shoulda headed for home. <\/em>Joe complained to himself as he glared at his horse, which merely bowed his head and looked away.<\/p>\n

Frank walked over to Cochise and slowly circled the animal, examining every inch of him. \u201cMighty fine horse; too bad he\u2019s so flashy or I\u2019d keep him for myself. As it is, we\u2019re going to have to get rid of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood stock still, hands balled into fists at his side, teeth clenched as he watched this low-life soil his horse with his filthy hands. \u201cLeave \u2013 him \u2013 alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank looked at Joe and laughed. \u201cThe horse means something to you, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling out his gun he aimed it at Cochise.<\/p>\n

Frantically, Joe scoured his mind trying to come up with a means to save his horse. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of his gun lying no more than five feet from him. If he could reach it he might be able to put an end to this. It was a long shot, but that never stopped Joe, and it didn\u2019t this time either.<\/p>\n

Joe dove for his gun, his fingers closed around the grip when a blinding pain ripped through his side flinging him away from his gun as a foot made contact with his already abused body.<\/p>\n

Taking several deep breaths to try and control the pain which had just doubled, Joe pushed himself to his knees. When he looked up he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun. Swallowing hard, Joe tried to look past the gun and to the person on the other end of it, but his eyes refused to move; they were locked solely on the business end of the gun that was inches from his face.<\/p>\n

His world narrowed to a tunnel that only encompassed the gun and the hand that held it. Every bit of sound faded away except for the pounding of his heart and his rapid breathing. All other feelings vanished, the pain in his stomach receded to the back of his mind.<\/p>\n

A weathered, calloused thumb moved slowly up to the hammer of the gun, and click by click slowly cocked it into position, and the world narrowed even more.<\/p>\n

Please, not like this. Please, God, not like this.<\/em> Joe silently begged as an uncontrollable shaking started in his hands. They\u2019ll never know. Pa… <\/em><\/p>\n

Time slowed, every second seemed like an hour as the thumb sat on the hammer and a finger rested on the trigger. It is a hair trigger? Will it be fast? Will I even know?<\/em> Funny the thoughts that go through a man\u2019s mind when he\u2019s looking straight at death.<\/p>\n

The finger on the trigger twitched. Unable to watch the end of his life, Joe squeezed his eyes shut just before an excruciation pain flared through his head. On their own accord, Joe\u2019s eyes popped opened just long enough to see the tendrils of gray smoke curling up away from the gun and fade into nothing.<\/p>\n

His breath caught in his chest and his world went dark. As he slumped to the ground, Joe never heard the deadly shot that echoed down the road.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 40<\/strong><\/p>\n

The three men stood over the prone body of Joe Cartwright, blood spilling down his face and pooling around him from the wound in his head. Frank looked over at the other two men; the smile on his face was the embodiment of true, unadulterated evil. \u201cLet\u2019s get out of here.\u201d Frank turned toward his horse, and then stopped.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t leave that there,\u201d he said pointing at the blood soaked form.<\/p>\n

The other two men roughly dragged the body over to Cochise, who was frightened by the coppery smell of blood. As the lifeless form of his beloved owner was brought closer Cochise threw his head from side to side and Frank had to grab the reins in order to hold the horse still long enough for the dead weight to be lifted and tied belly down across the saddle.<\/p>\n

“Why are we taking him with us, Frank?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t want someone to stumble across him out here before we can make our get away, now would we?\u201d<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

They rode well into the night before they finally pulled their horses to a stop in front of an old ramshackle cabin, densely surrounded by trees.<\/p>\n

\u201cRonnie, you and Howard, get that body down and throw it in the back room, then get out here and take care of the horses,\u201d ordered Frank.<\/p>\n

The two men carried Joe\u2019s body through the dirty, musty cabin and carelessly dropped it on the floor, before shutting the door and going to take care of the horses. A small corral and lean-to for the horses was off to the side of the cabin. It was in the same ramshackle condition as the cabin, but it was enough for the short time they planned on being there. A small clearing in front of the two buildings, giving an ample view of the woods beyond, completed the picture.<\/p>\n

While the horses were being cared for, Frank started a fire in the ancient stove. After putting on a pot of coffee he threw together the makings of a stew from the supplies they had left at the cabin days before.<\/p>\n

The cabin was small, sparsely furnished, and consisted of two rooms. The main room held two cots, a rickety old table, four chairs and the stove. There was only one window, which was in the wall next to the door. The other room looked as if it had been used as a supply room. The walls had shelves from floor to ceiling, some of which were broken and had been left hanging.<\/p>\n

Once the three men had gathered around the table for dinner, Frank looked at the other two. \u201cWhat do you boys plan on doing now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m stayin\u2019 with you, Frank,\u201d Howard declared.<\/p>\n

Frank nodded his head in satisfaction. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t surprise me that you\u2019d want to stay. After all, brothers stick together, but what about you, Ronnie? You\u2019re under no obligation to stay, now that we\u2019ve taken care of Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ronnie played with his stew for awhile thinking over his options. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, Frank, I think I\u2019ll head on down to Texas. There\u2019s a little gal I\u2019d like to get to know better. Maybe even hook up with the Slades.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me, and I do thank you for all your help with this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink nothing of it, Friend.\u201d Ronnie paused to take a drink of his coffee. \u201cI\u2019ll be heading out at first light.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you the best of luck. Tell Big Jake and Shorty Jim hello for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ronnie looked back towards the closed door of the supply room where Joe\u2019s body laid and shook his head in wonderment. \u201cIsn\u2019t it strange how that kid looked just like Shorty Jim?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, they could have been twins,\u201d agreed Frank. A sad smile flickered over his face as he remembered his own twin brother, Fred.<\/p>\n

Chapter 41<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this is as good as any spot to make camp,\u201d Hoss told his father and brother when he stopped next to a small clearing that had a stream near by.<\/p>\n

Looking off to the west, Ben didn\u2019t give any indication that he was going to dismount, let alone set up camp for the night. \u201cWe still have some daylight left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we need to stop for awhile. Not only are the horses tired, but we\u2019re tired, too.\u201d Adam looked at Ben\u2019s slumped form. \u201cCome on, Pa, you can\u2019t help Joe if you\u2019re lying on the ground after falling off of Buck due to sheer exhaustion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, Pa, I can\u2019t track nothin\u2019 in the dark,\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n

With a single nod of the head and a sigh, Ben dismounted and led Buck over to the stream.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I remember right, the rocks give way to dirt about 10 miles or so from here. If Joe went that way and we can pick up his trail,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Ben replied. He was starting to get discouraged. They had been riding for the better for of the day and had only come across a couple partial tracks that could belong to any horse since there wasn\u2019t enough to positively identify them as Cochise. Yet Hoss was positive they were headed in the right direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just know it,\u201d was his answer when Adam had questioned him earlier about how he could be so sure of it.<\/p>\n

They ate a quiet dinner, each lost in their own thoughts about the youngest member of the family, trying to figure out how things had gone so wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe better turn in, Boys, if we\u2019re going to get an early start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing Joe and how he loves to sleep, he won\u2019t be getting an early start. We can probably make up some ground,\u201d added Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate to say otherwise, Older Brother, but you\u2019re forgettin\u2019 that out on the trail Little Joe\u2019s always the first one up,\u201d injected Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could I forget, especially when we\u2019re always subjected to his coffee.\u201d Adam cringed at the memory.<\/p>\n

Pulling his hat down over his face, Ben settled into his bedroll. \u201cNight, Boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following their father\u2019s example, Adam and Hoss turned in for the night, but sleep evade them as fear of what may have happened to Joe and in what condition he might be in when they find him. If they find him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 42<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sun was just peaking over the horizon and lending its light to the beginning of a new day, it\u2019s pink and golden hues streaking across the sky when the body lying in a heap in the back room moaned.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s consciousness rose in tandem with the sunrise. He tried to move but found that his extremities wouldn\u2019t obey his commands and his eyes felt as if they had been sewn shut. Joe started to turn his head, but immediately froze when pain ricocheted through his head, bouncing off the walls of his skull like a bullet off rocks. Finally, he stopped trying to move and concentrated on keeping control of his stomach as a coppery, metallic smell penetrated his senses. Something had happened, something was wrong, but Joe\u2019s addled brain just couldn\u2019t put one concrete thought together, let alone try to figure out what had happened to him. All he knew was that his whole body hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d he croaked. Joe tried to swallow, but his mouth and throat were so dry it felt as if the Sahara Desert had taken up residence. Licking his lips, he tried again. \u201cPlease\u2026 Wa-water.\u201d The energy it took to whisper those two words was too much for Joe, as blackness descended once again, Joe gave himself up to the warm void that promised freedom from the pain.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Cartwright, wake up!\u201d A hard kick to Joe\u2019s side caused him to cry out in pain.<\/p>\n

Rough hands grabbed him under the arms and dragged out into the main room of the cabin. Dropped unceremoniously on the floor, Joe curled, as best as he could, into a ball in an effort to quell the rising nausea.<\/p>\n

Looking down on the pathetic figure, Frank shook his head and pointed to a hard wooden chair. \u201cThere.\u201d Joe was once again pulled from the floor and dropped on to the that Frank had indicated.<\/p>\n

All the movement and rough treatment proved to be too much for Joe. No sooner had he been manhandled into the chair when he doubled over and proceeded to empty what little there was in his stomach all over Frank\u2019s boots.<\/p>\n

Jumping back away from Joe, Frank glared at him in disgust until Joe straightened up. Deeming it safe, Frank advanced on Joe and backhanded him, causing Joe to groan in pain as his head snapped to the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cTie him up, Howard, and then clean up this mess.\u201d Frank turned towards the door and started to walk out of the cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Frank,\u201d Howard started to protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard turned to Joe grabbed his arms, pulled them around to the back of the chair and tied his wrists together.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t in any condition to offer any resistance. His head lulled down with his chin coming to rest on his chest. Joe fought desperately to clear his head and make sense of what was happening, but for the life of him he couldn\u2019t figure it out. He knew he was in danger, but he didn\u2019t know why.<\/p>\n

Raising his eyes he watched as Howard cleaned the floor in front of him. \u201cPlease, l-let me go. I-I p-promise I w-won\u2019t tell n-no one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard stopped what he was doing and looked up at Joe with a sneer. \u201cYou expect me to let you go? The man who murdered my brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mur-murder him,\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cHe got \u2013 He got a fair trial.\u201d His head was starting to clear, it still hurt like Hell, but at least he could think.<\/p>\n

Grabbing the rags and the bucket Howard stormed out of the cabin.<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes in despair. His head was pounding; it felt like Hoss was using it as an anvil while shoeing horses. His eyes grew heavy, but Joe fought the alluring call of unconsciousness, he was afraid to give in while he was trussed up and completely vulnerable. As always, the pain and fatigue of the body won out over the strong intentions of the mind and Joe\u2019s eyes closed as he surrendered once again to the warm, pain-free darkness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 43<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss were up before the first pink and gold streaks lightened the pre-dawn sky. They had already eaten a cold breakfast, broke camp and were ready to ride as soon as there was enough light.<\/p>\n

Staring out at the still dark western sky, Ben once again wondered where his youngest son was and what he was doing. \u201cI\u2019m here, Joseph. I\u2019ll find you, Son. No matter what, I\u2019ll find you.\u201d Ben bowed his head and as he tried to fight back the emotions, the sense of failure and overwhelming loss, he prayed. Help me Lord, I can\u2019t feel him anymore. Please give me some sign. Is my son alive?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we\u2019re ready to go,\u201d Adam called out.<\/p>\n

Hoss saw Adam look over at him when their father didn\u2019t acknowledge him, but he could only shrug his shoulders in reply. He\u2019d been seeing the same thing that his older brother had, the determination in their father that they would find Joe was slipping away.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we\u2019ll find him, you just wait and see,\u201d Hoss encouraged as he came up behind his father.<\/p>\n

Turning to face his middle son, Ben searched the compassionate face for some type of reassurance for what lay ahead. \u201cThen what, Hoss? Nothing has changed. He left because we couldn\u2019t believe in him. So we find him, what happens then? Do we automatically believe what he thinks; or does he<\/em> all of a sudden not care what we think or believe? Tell me, Hoss, what happens?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens is that we talk. All of us,\u201d Adam interjected. \u201cWe let him talk and we listen to him, really listen, then we all try to figure out what is happening. After that?\u201d Adam looked at his father and brother. \u201cAfter that I don\u2019t know, but we have to find him first and we\u2019re not going to accomplish that by standing here trying to predict what Joe\u2019s going to or not going to do.\u201d Adam held Buck\u2019s reins out to Ben. \u201cSo how about we go find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s right, Pa. We ain\u2019t gonna know nothin\u2019 until we find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at his two eldest sons, a ghost of a smile crossed Ben\u2019s face. \u201cYou\u2019re right, both of you. Let\u2019s go have that family talk, even if we have to tie that boy down to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 44<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the road I was tellin\u2019 you about,\u201d Hoss informed the others when the rock hard ground finally gave way to a dirt track. Even though the ground was softer, more receptive to giving up any hidden secrets, there was nothing to be found.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Hoss, where are his tracks? You said we\u2019d find his tracks once we got to this road,\u201d Adam snipped.<\/p>\n

Hoss bristled at Adam\u2019s quarrelsome tone and understood how easy it was for Joe to get his hackles up where their older brother was concerned. \u201cYou know, Older <\/em>Brother, this ain\u2019t the only spot to pick up this road. Just cuz we came out here doesn\u2019t mean Little Joe did.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss gave Chubb a sharp kick in the sides leaving Adam behind as he went off in search of his younger brother. \u201cHe keeps up his snappin\u2019 I\u2019m gonna pound him one,\u201d he muttered under his breath. A soft smile slowly curved Hoss\u2019 lips. \u201cWouldn\u2019t you just love to see that, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Half a mile up the road Hoss came upon some tracks in the dirt, tracks that had familiar nicks in them. He dismounted and studied the marking then proceeded to follow them on foot for a bit with Ben and Adam silently following him. \u00a0With a smile lighting up his face, Hoss turned back to his family. \u201cThat\u2019s him, alright. And by the looks of it, he ain\u2019t in no hurry.\u201d Hoss looked at Adam with narrowed eyes. \u00a0\u201cIt takes patience to track, Big Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow far ahead do you think he is?\u201d Ben asked; hope once again lighting up his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say about half a day. Like I said, he doesn\u2019t seem to be in a hurry, but we are, and that\u2019s helpin\u2019 to narrow the gap.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we waiting for, Boys? Let\u2019s go find that scamp!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben waited for Hoss to mount up and take the lead before setting Buck into an easy lope.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

It was late afternoon when Hoss suddenly held up his hand signaling for a stop. He was frowning as he got down off of Chubb.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d The worry was easy to detect in Hoss\u2019 voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Hoss?\u201d Ben asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like the looks of this at all,\u201d Hoss said as he made a sweeping gesture with his arm to encompass the area around him. \u201cSomethin\u2019 happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dismounting, Ben and Adam joined Hoss where he was standing at the side of the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see Cochise\u2019s tracks plain as day right here, but look there.\u201d Hoss pointed to a spot where the tracks were blurred and indistinguishable. \u201cIt looks like something startled him. You can see his tracks are all mixed together.\u201d Hoss pointed to another spot in the road. \u201cAnd there it looks like someone fell and landed pretty hard. It looks\u2026\u201d Hoss broke off in mid-sentence and walked across the rode where he bent and picked something up. When he turned back to his family he was holding a hat \u2013 Joe\u2019s hat. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t of gone off without his hat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss walked up the road a few feet and stopped again. \u201cIt looks like there was some kind of scuffle here and it ended\u2026\u201d He walked a couple more feet a way and knelt down. Touching the dirt at his feet he blanched and had to swallow hard a couple times before continuing. \u201cAnd\u2026 And i-it\u2026\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice trailed off and he had to close his eyes in order to force out the last two words. \u201c\u2026ended here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam were immediately at Hoss\u2019 side, kneeling next to him trying to figure out what was causing him so much difficulty. Ben paled at the sight of the discolored ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that\u2026\u201d Adam started to ask in a choked whisper.<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cBlood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood up and shook his head sharply, trying to dislodge the image of his little brother lying there on ground hurt and bleeding. \u201cSomeone was, um, dragged over there.\u201d Hoss continued and followed the deep gouges that were left by the toes of someone\u2019s boots being dragged across the ground. \u201cHe was put up on a horse here.\u201d Hoss\u2019 brow crinkled up as he bent down again. His breath caught in his throat when his worse nightmare was confirmed. \u201cJoe was put on Cochise.\u201d He stood and turned back to his father and Adam. \u201cThere were three other horses. It looks like Cochise wasn\u2019t too happy about somethin\u2019. He was prancing around a bit. When they rode away, his tracks are off, like Joe ain\u2019t ridin\u2019 normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen how would he be riding?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

Hoss caught his father\u2019s eyes and knew, he knew what the answer was.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcross the saddle,\u201d Ben replied in a strangled whisper. He looked around the devastating scene and then at the hat in his hand. Straightening his shoulders and pulling himself to his full height, Ben looked at his sons; his face was full of anger and determination. \u201cLet\u2019s go find your brother and get him out of whatever trouble he\u2019s gotten himself into this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put Joe\u2019s hat into his saddlebag, and the three Cartwrights swung up onto their horses and with determined minds and hearts, started following the new trail.<\/p>\n

Chapter 45<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abruptly Joe came awake sputtering when a bucket of cold water was thrown in his face. \u201cWhat the\u2026\u201d He broke off when he saw the two men standing in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back, Cartwright,\u201d Frank taunted.<\/p>\n

Joe narrowed his eyes at them as he took stock of his situation. He realized that, while his head was still throbbing, it wasn\u2019t as painful as before. The nausea was still there, but it was manageable. His stomach was sore, as were his ribs, but they seemed to be only bruised, not broken. All things considered, he wasn\u2019t in too bad of a shape.<\/p>\n

Wait a minute. Why ain\u2019t I dead? He shot me\u2026 <\/em>Realization suddenly dawned on Joe that even though his head was pounding, it wasn\u2019t caused by a bullet. He remembered the gun had been in front of him, but the pain he felt was in the back. His brow wrinkled in confusion. \u201cBut you pulled the trigger. Why ain\u2019t I dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank looked at his brother and they started laughing. \u201cI think you might have hit him too hard, Howard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he does seem a little scatter brained.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank suddenly sobered and without warning hit Joe in the face causing his head to snap back. \u201cYou aren\u2019t dead because that would have been too easy for you. By the time I\u2019m through you\u2019re going to wish for that bullet in your head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes and spat some blood onto the floor at Frank\u2019s feet. He looked at the Lemming Brothers and calculated what his odds were for an escape.<\/p>\n

Frank Lemming was a tall man, Joe judged him to be roughly the same height as Adam, but he didn\u2019t have the same muscular tone as his brother. Joe was pretty sure that in a fair fight he might be able to take him. The problem was there was nothing fair about the situation he found himself in.<\/p>\n

His brother was another story. The man was almost the same size as Hoss, with one difference, he looked soft. Hoss may be a large man, but there was nothing soft about him unless you were talking about his heart, there not even the finest feather bed could compete. If he did it right, he might have a chance, but it was all a matter of knowing when and having patience. Patience. That was one heavenly virtue Joe Cartwright had always lacked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntie him, Howard. I think it\u2019s time for a little fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes snapped back to Frank. By the look on his face patience was something Joe couldn\u2019t even afford to have right now. He surreptitiously looked towards the door of the cabin and judged the distance. By looking out the window he knew they were in a heavily wooded area. If I can just make it to the trees\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

His thoughts were cut off as the ropes dropped away from his wrists and ankles. He didn\u2019t even have time to flex his fingers before he was pulled to his feet. Joe looked up in time to see a fist headed straight for his nose. Reacting by gut instinct, he ducked and twisted away. Finding himself free of any and all restraints, Joe wasted no time in making a beeline for the door. But before he could even take five steps a chair flew out in front of him. Unable to react in time to avoid it, Joe toppled right over it.<\/p>\n

His bid for freedom had failed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 46<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit!\u201d Hoss thundered. He had lost the trail and now his patience was at the end of its tether.<\/p>\n

Adam dismounted and stomped over to his brother. \u201cWhat is it now?\u201d he demanded. They were each tired and frustrated. This manifested itself by each one snapping at the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cI lost the tracks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and started to backtrack on foot, looking for the last sign of the men they were following.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere the blazes do you think you\u2019re goin\u2019?\u201d Hoss snapped.<\/p>\n

Adam gave his brother a look that said any school boy could figure that out. \u201cI\u2019m going back to where you lost their trail,\u201d he enunciated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you best take Sport, cuz that\u2019s five miles back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive miles! Why didn\u2019t you say anything back there?\u201d Adam yelled. \u201cI thought you knew how to track. After all there are four \u2013 Count them, four horses. How can you lose four horses?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Adam could blink Hoss was in front of him, bare inches from his face. In fact, Hoss was so close that Adam could feel his hot, angry breath blowing down onto his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think it\u2019s so easy, why ain\u2019t you doin\u2019 it? I\u2019ll tell you why, cuz you can\u2019t!\u201d In anger, Hoss reached out and shoved Adam.<\/p>\n

Unable to catch himself, Adam ended up sprawled in the dirt staring up at his formidable brother. He glared at Hoss as he pushed himself to his feet. \u201cIf you want a fight, Brother, I\u2019d be more than happy to oblige.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t Little Joe who you can easily push around. You wanna fight me, you best be ready for a real fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!\u201d Ben roared, causing Buck to start prancing around. \u201cThis childish bickering is getting us nowhere. I would expect this behavior from Little Joe, but not the two of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d apologized Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m just worried about Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you think I\u2019m not?\u201d Adam grumbled.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked down at feet as he kicked at the dirt with the toe of his boot. He was sorry for his outburst, but he couldn\u2019t seem to help it. He was tired, frustrated, and angry over losing the trail, but most of all he was scared. He was scared that his failure to track them could cost his little brother his life. \u201cI know, Adam. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam put a hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re both done being sorry, I suggest we go back to where you lost the trail and see if we can find anything,\u201d Ben prompted.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Hoss was off Chubb and scouring the area where he had lost the trail. When he came back to Ben and Adam he just shook his head. His misery and failure was clearly visible in his misty, blue eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we spread out and see if we can find anything. After all, three sets of eyes are better than one,\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

After an hour of futile searching, three very dejected men met back where they had started.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d Hoss reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cSame here,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed as his shoulders slumped. All the hope he had was slowly being snuffed out like a candle in the wind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re pretty sure they didn\u2019t go that way,\u201d Adam said, gesturing at the trail they had already taken. \u201cWhat do you say, Pa, which way should we go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Adam and Hoss looked at Ben expectantly. \u201cI\u2026\u201d Ben looked around, not knowing which way to go, which was the trail that would take him to Joe, and which would take him away. Please God, show me the way. Please help me find my son.<\/em> Ben looked at his choices again. Every time he looked at the trail to his right he felt something pulling him in that direction. Call it a gut feeling, call it instinct, call it divine intervention, call it what you will, Ben Cartwright knew that was the way to go.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take that trial,\u201d he said indicating the chosen trail.<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded his acceptance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d agreed Adam.<\/p>\n

The boys, as always, put their trust in their father, never asking why that particular trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 47<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meaty hands grabbed Joe from behind and hauled him to his feet as he tried to scramble to the door. Joe struggled against the arm that had snaked around his throat and was squeezing. When he saw Frank approaching he braced himself for a fight. He immediately stopped struggling against the arm that restrained him and waited. The sudden acquiescence should have set off warning bells, but Frank was oblivious to its meaning. Once Frank was in range, Joe reached up to the arm around his neck with both hands and grabbed a hold of it. To anyone watching it looked as though he were trying to pull the beefy appendage away from him, instead he used it as leverage. Joe pulled both feet off the ground and kicked out, striking Frank square in the chest with enough force to send him crashing into the wall behind him.<\/p>\n

The arm around his neck tightened, cutting off his air supply, causing Joe to claw at it, trying desperately\u00a0 to get some air into his starving lungs. Just as blackness was creeping into the edges of his vision, he felt a sharp pain as Frank landed a hard punch to his solar plexus. As Joe doubled up gasping air, Howard released his choke hold but slid his massive hands down to Joe\u2019s elbows pinning them in place while keeping Joe upright for his brother. Before Joe could even catch his breath a fist crashed into his face.<\/p>\n

The beating continued until Joe slump unconscious in Howard\u2019s arms, only then he was allowed to fall to the floor, where he lay bruised and bleeding.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Hours later, Joe groaned as consciousness was finally making its presence felt,and he slowly opened his eyes, as he tried to move, but every muscle in his body protested; once again he found himself lying on his side with his hands and ankles tied.<\/p>\n

Testing the bonds Joe found there wasn\u2019t any give in them. \u201cThey sure know what they\u2019re doing,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t a quitter and he refused to quit now, even though the odds were against him. Looking around the dimly lit room trying to find something he could use to break free, Joe spotted the broken shelves and a smile began to grow on his bruised face.<\/p>\n

Pushing the pain to the back of his mind, Joe carefully rolled to his back, and using his elbows, was able to push himself into a sitting position. Looking behind him, Joe started to scoot across the hard floor until he was against the wall where the shelves were broken. Bringing his wrists up, Joe found a sharp piece of metal protruding from the wall, and with a sawing motion, went to work on the ropes binding his wrists.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 48<\/strong><\/p>\n

By the time the ropes finally gave, Joe\u2019s wrists were raw and bleeding from the rough hemp that was confining them. Once his hands were free, Joe brought them in front of him and sat flexing them, trying to get the circulation back before he untied his ankles. When he was free he gingerly touched the back of his head and could feel how his hair was matted and stiff with dried blood. Slowly, pushing himself to his feet, Joe swayed momentarily and had to reach out to steady himself on the dilapidated shelves. When he was steady on his feet, he forced himself to start moving. Between his injuries and the enforced inactivity of being bound, Joe found that not only were his legs a bit shaky, but his whole body was stiff and sore from the many bruises he now sported. He knew that his success, or failure, hung on him being able to make a run for it; he couldn\u2019t afford a single moment of weakness. Back and forth across the small room he walked and as he did he surveyed the room for anything he could use to his advantage. Each time his gaze fell on the ruined shelves a smile graced his face and grew even bigger.<\/p>\n

Stopping in front of the shelves Joe grabbed hold of one plank in particular; it was solid and stout and would suit his purposes perfectly, and with a hard jerk he pulled it free. After looking it over, he nodded in satisfaction. \u201cYou\u2019ll do just fine,\u201d he whispered to it like he would a lost lover.<\/p>\n

Joe leaned it against the wall to the side of the door and pressed his ear against the door and was able to hear the deep snoring coming from the other side. Knowing that he too needed to rest and to build up his strength now that most of the kinks had been worked out of his body, Joe sat down on the floor next to what he now considered his best friend, the wooden plank. He leaned back against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. As he drifted off to sleep, a smile flitted across his lips. \u201cCome get me now, Boys. You\u2019ll find there\u2019s plenty of fight left in this Cartwright yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 49<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creeping up over the horizon, the sun took its own sweet time before adding its light to the world and lighting the road for the three men on horseback. They had been in the saddle before there was barely enough light to safely lead their horses along the path Ben had chosen.<\/p>\n

Ben reined Buck to a stop and motioned to his sons for silence. His right hand slowly crept down to his gun. Feeling their father\u2019s unease, but not knowing what caused it, Adam and Hoss copied Ben\u2019s gesture. Adam\u2019s head snapped to the right and he pulled his gun out the same time Ben did. He glanced at Hoss and tipped his head to the right. \u201cRider,\u201d he mouthed.<\/p>\n

With a nod of understanding, Hoss pulled his gun just as he heard a stick on the ground snap. Seconds later the sound of hooves could be heard on the forest floor.<\/p>\n

A man on a brown gelding rode slowly out of the trees and stopped when he found three guns pointed at him. He raised his hands slightly and smiled nervously at the Cartwrights. \u201cHowdy, Friend. Is there a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, maybe not,\u201d Adam replied cryptically. \u201cA person can\u2019t be too careful around these parts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? Seems plenty peaceful around here to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAppearances can be deceiving,\u201d Ben added. \u201cLooks like someone ran into quite a lot of trouble a ways back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man shifted in his saddle. \u201cNo trouble here, Friend. So if you don\u2019t mind lowering your guns.\u201d<\/p>\n

They started to lower their guns, but Hoss paused when the stranger\u2019s gun caught his attention and he raised his back up to point directly at the stranger\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss called out and nodded towards the man\u2019s gun.<\/p>\n

Ben saw what had caught Hoss\u2019 attention and also brought his gun back up. \u201cTake your gun out and do it real slow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat,\u201d the stranger started to protest.<\/p>\n

Adam pulled the hammer back on his gun with an audible click. \u201cI\u2019d do what he says.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stranger slowly pulled the colt revolver from his holster and held it out, butt end first.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben directed, nodding to the man.<\/p>\n

Nudging Chubb forward, Hoss cautiously approached the man and took the gun from him. He looked it over before riding back to Ben. \u201cIt\u2019s his,\u201d he confirmed as he handed the pearl handled revolver over to his father.<\/p>\n

Ben also looked the gun over, his eyes settling on the initials \u2018JC\u2019 that were scratched into the butt of it. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before opening them and glaring at the stranger. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRonnie Perkins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Ronnie, where\u2019d you get this gun?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what does \u2018JC\u2019 stand for?\u201d Adam questioned, instinctively knowing what Ben had seen on the gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d Ronnie protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe initials on the gun!\u201d Ben roared. \u201cWhere\u2019s my son!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ronnie visibly shrunk in his saddle. This was the formable Ben Cartwright he had heard about. When Frank came to him and told him about his plans, Ronnie had reservations about it. He had heard how the Cartwrights protected each other and especially how protective Ben was in regards to his youngest son. But Frank had assured him that it would all be taken care of; he had a plan and they wouldn\u2019t have to deal with any of the Cartwrights except for Joe. Ronnie owed Frank, owed him big, and there was no way he could say no. Because of that and Frank underestimating the bonds that held this family together, he was now facing a very angry Ben Cartwright, not to mention the older brothers.<\/p>\n

Tired of waiting for an answer, Hoss slid down off of Chubb, strode over to Ronnie, reached up and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. With one swift pull, Ronnie found himself lying on the ground groaning. He looked up and saw Hoss advancing on him. If Joe thought Hoss was angry the other night, he would now realize that that anger was nothing compared to the black rage now reflected in Hoss\u2019 eyes. Eyes that moments ago were as light and clear as a spring day, were now almost as dark as Lake Tahoe during a winter storm.<\/p>\n

Hoss grabbed Ronnie, who was trying to scramble to his feet, by the front of his shirt and forcibly pulled him from the ground. After a couple of hard shakes, that had Ronnie flopping around like a rag doll, Hoss slammed him into a tree with his feet dangling in mid-air and his face only inches from Hoss\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Pa asked you a question, and he expects an answer.\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice was almost whisper soft, but it was laced with a deadly warning. \u201cWhere is my little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben started to step in, but Adam reached out and put a restraining hand on his arm. \u201cLet Hoss handle this. He\u2019ll get some answers,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, he might\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe won\u2019t,\u201d Adam assured his father. \u201cYou know that, I know that, Hoss knows that, but most importantly, he doesn\u2019t know that.\u201d Adam\u2019s lips lifted in a smile. \u201cLook at him, Pa, he\u2019s scared to death, he\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 I do-don\u2019t know a-anything,\u201d Ronnie stammered.<\/p>\n

Hoss curled up his right hand into a deadly fist and pulled it back. Ronnie\u2019s eyes grew wide with terror.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait! Don\u2019t kill me. I know where he is.\u201d When Hoss lowered his fist, the man visibly sagged in Hoss\u2019 grip.<\/p>\n

Hoss turned his head and smiled at his father and brother. \u201cSee, I knew if I asked nice, he\u2019d tell us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

“Frank and Howard have him in a cabin west of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Frank and Howard, and what do they have to do with my brother?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLemmings, Frank and Howard Lemmings. Your brother testified against their brother, Fred in Silver City and cuz of his testimony he was hung.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss glanced at one another when they heard the name. They all remembered Joe\u2019s time in Silver City. He\u2019d gone there to deliver some horses and collect payment. He was in the bank depositing the money before heading home when it was robbed. Unfortunately for no reason, a young woman was killed during the robbery right in front of Joe. She was well liked in the community and Joe had been flirting with her while they waited for a teller. The brutal killing so incensed the men in the bank that, regardless of personal risk, they strove to take control of the situation, and Joe was the one who went after Fred Lemmings. Punches were traded and Lemmings found himself on the floor out cold. The next thing Joe knew the sheriff was there taking charge and Joe had to stay on in Silver City to testify at the trial. Lemmings was found guilty of bank robbery and murder and was sentenced to hang the next morning.<\/p>\n

As he was led away, Lemmings stopped in front of Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re a dead man.\u201d Joe had blanched at the threat; He had already been threatened the day before when Lemmings told him he would live to regret testifying against him. For the eighteen year old the threats combined with the murder of the young lady were too much for Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben remembered how pale and quiet Joe was when he returned home; he also remembered the nightmares that followed. It took days to finally get Joe to open up and talk; when he did it all came gushing out. He told his family that he didn\u2019t stay for the hanging, that he just wanted to get out of that town and get home as fast as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cLemmings now wants revenge, is that it?\u201d Ben accused.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe-He\u2026\u201d Ronnie was reluctant to confirm Ben\u2019s accusation.<\/p>\n

Hoss tightened his grip on Ronnie and drew back his fist.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes! Yes, he wants revenge. He\u2019s going to kill the kid once he\u2019s done with him,\u201d Ronnie blurted out.<\/p>\n

\u201cDone with him? What do you mean by that?\u201d Adam was hoping against hope that this repulsive man would not say what he was afraid he would.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrank\u2019s going to have some fun with him, if you know what I mean.\u201d The Cartwrights knew very well what he meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, tie his wrists and get him on his horse.\u201d Ben directed his attention back to Ronnie. \u201cYou\u2019re going to show us where they are, or my son is going to have some fun with you, if you know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ronnie grudgingly got on his horse and turned back the way he had come. \u201cFrank\u2019s not going to like this,\u201d he muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 50<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sound of approaching footsteps jolted Joe awake. He scrambled to his feet, grabbed the plank and flattened himself against the wall next to the door. A key was inserted into the lock. As it turned, Joe\u2019s heart pounded in his chest; he could feel the sweat forming on his hands and had to readjust his grip on the wood. He would get one chance, and one chance only, if he failed he was a dead man. At this point in the game failure, was not an option.<\/p>\n

The door knob jiggled as it was slowly turned and the door creaked as it was pushed open. Sound seemed to have intensified, every nerve and sense was heightened; time had slowed, each minute felt like an hour to Joe. The door finally swung open and Howard stepped into the room. He looked straight at the spot where he had left Joe lying and all he saw were the remnants of the ropes that had held Joe captive.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Before he could utter another word, Joe stepped away from the wall, the plank pulled back high in the air over his shoulder, and in one fluid motion Joe swept it around and right smack dab into the middle of Howard\u2019s face. The force was not only enough to break his nose, causing blood to spurt out all over the plank and Joe, but it was also enough to drop Howard to the floor unconscious.<\/p>\n

Joe paused, ready to strike again, if his quarry moved. He nudged him with his boot and Howard didn\u2019t so much as groan. Sighing with relief, Joe took a moment to compose himself before cautiously peering around the door. Not seeing any sign of Frank, he crept from the room and stealthily made his way to the door. His bid for freedom was within reach.<\/p>\n

Opening the door, Joe carefully slipped out, to stand on the porch; pressed up against the wall of the cabin he looked for any sign of Frank. Not seeing him, but spotting the small corral, he started for it, and for Cochise. He had taken only a couple steps towards it when he heard a voice coming from that direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you\u2019re one mighty fine horse. I\u2019m going to make quite a bit off you when you\u2019re sold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe froze to the spot, his first instinct was to go after his horse, but common sense asserted itself and for once he listened. He knew he would never be able to take Frank on and live to tell about it. Instead he turned away from his beloved horse and started for the cover of the trees.<\/p>\n

He was almost home free when he heard a shout from behind and a bullet embedded itself into a tree right in front of him. Survival instincts kicked in and Joe pushed himself harder, intent on making it to the woods.<\/p>\n

Bullets whizzed past him, but Lady Luck was on his side and so far he escaped injury, but it was by a narrow margin. He could hear Frank gaining on him, but he was in the woods now and he used the trees to his advantage. Hearing the click of a hammer hitting an empty chamber \u00a0Joe knew Frank was out of bullets. Smiling, he knew he was home free as long as he could stay in front of Frank. That is until he felt a searing pain in his back and his legs buckled under him.<\/p>\n

Lady Luck had deserted Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 51<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lying on the ground with his head pressed against the hard-packed earth, Joe gasped for air trying desperately to control the agonizing pain that ripped through his body. He could feel the blood soaking his shirt, flowing freely from where the knife was embedded in his back. \u00a0Joe could sense Frank standing over him, and without warning another searing pain ripped through his back cause Joe to cry out as a kaleidoscope of colors danced before his eyes. Using his boot, Frank rolled Joe over onto his back; taking delight from the moan that escaped from between Joe\u2019s clenched teeth.<\/p>\n

Frank wiped the blood off the knife he had just pulled from Joe\u2019s back. \u201cThat was a pretty good throw, if I do say so myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe could only stare at him knowing that the end was near. He had tried to escape and failed. His one regret was how he had left things with his family. Would they ever know what happened to him, or would they just assume he had left for good, never to be heard from again?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t get away with this!\u201d Joe warned.<\/p>\n

Frank knelt down next to Joe. \u201cI won\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. My family will find you and you\u2019ll pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank started laughing. \u201cYour family? That\u2019s a good one, Cartwright. You\u2019re family doesn\u2019t even know where you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll find me, even if it\u2019s only my body, they\u2019ll find me. Then they\u2019ll find you.\u201d Joe was bluffing while his mind searched frantically for a way out of this mess. \u201cMy brother Hoss is the best tracker in the country, and he won\u2019t rest until you\u2019re brought to justice. If you\u2019re smart you\u2019ll let me be and leave now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour family\u2019s not looking for you. They\u2019re most likely happy that you\u2019re gone.\u201d Frank laughed even harder seeing that he was striking a nerve. \u201cYep, the way you\u2019ve been on that ranch of yours, they\u2019ll probably be glad they don\u2019t have to clean up after you anymore. After all they think you\u2019re nothing but a lazy, no good liar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much, just a few things like a tack room that wasn\u2019t cleaned, wood that wasn\u2019t stacked, supplies that were never delivered to the lumber camp. Oh and we can\u2019t forget about the best one of all, that fence I saw you spend all night redoing.\u201d<\/p>\n

What little color that was left in Joe\u2019s face drained out at Frank\u2019s words. He knew what Frank meant, but he needed to hear him admit what he\u2019d done, if only for his own peace of mind. \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Come on, Little <\/em>Joe, you can\u2019t be that dense. Or did you really think you were losing your mind like your family thought?\u201d When Joe continued staring at him without saying a word, Frank smiled and continued, his voice rising as he warmed to his subject. \u201cIt was me that did all those things. Those supplies were a bit tricky, but I have to thank you for going to town and making it easy. Then there was that fence. That took a lot of work to get it back to its original condition. Boy, when you fix a fence you sure fix it good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it was you!\u201d Joe accused.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure was. Now you see why your family won\u2019t be coming.\u201d Frank smile maliciously as he brought his knife up and placed it against Joe\u2019s throat. \u201cHow would you like it? A slit throat?\u201d He pushed a little harder on the knife causing a small rivulet of blood to trail down Joe\u2019s throat. \u201cIn the gut so you can die real slow? Or would you prefer it fast and easy, right through the heart? Which will it be?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe forced himself not to move, not even to swallow, knowing that the smallest movement could prove fatal. \u201cYou kill me and you\u2019ll hang, just like your murdering brother.\u201d Joe knew there wasn\u2019t any help coming, no one to get him out of this mess. He was tired of being played with\u00a0 and just wanted it over. \u201cWhen you do, say hi to your brother for me, in Hell.\u201d He squeezed his eyes shut knowing that knife would come for him now, and he didn\u2019t want to see the end of his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re dead!\u201d Frank roared as he brought his knife up in ready to plunge it straight into Joe\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 52<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights heard the shots and kicked their horses into a run, praying they weren\u2019t too late. When they reached the cabin they could hear a commotion coming from the woods. Ben and Hoss jumped from their horses and ran toward the raised voices with their guns drawn. Adam pulled Ronnie from his horse and made sure he was secured to the hitching post, before taking off after his family. He skidded to a stop next to them, All three were frozen by the scene playing out in front of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was me that did all those things. Those supplies were a bit tricky, but I have to thank you for going to town and making it easy. Then there was that fence. That took a lot of work to get it back to its original condition. Boy, when you fix a fence you sure fix it good.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Guilt washed over each of them as they heard Frank\u2019s words, their own accusations against Joe running through their minds.<\/p>\n

Hoss in particular felt the steely bit of guilt as he remembered what he had almost done to his little brother and the words that had followed the next morning. \u2018I\u2019ve been defendin\u2019 you all this time, stuck up for you, and for what? To have you make a fool out of me, that\u2019s what for. Well, no more, I\u2019m done with it and with you.\u2019 <\/em><\/strong>kept echoing through his mind and each time he heard them another chuck was ripped from his heart. How could his brother ever forgive him?<\/p>\n

Raising his gun, Ben was about to call out a warning when Frank put his knife against Joe\u2019s throat, and he knew one wrong move would cost his son his life.<\/p>\n

Hoss heard Joe\u2019s taunts, then Frank\u2019s bellow of rage. He saw the knife pull away from Joe\u2019s throat and before he knew it the knife was plunging towards Joe\u2019s heart. Without a second thought, Hoss fired, his bullet caught Frank high on the arm causing the now nerveless fingers to lose their grip and the knife to the ground. Clutching his arm, Frank looked up to find three guns trained on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou so much as touch a hair on my little brother\u2019s head you\u2019re dead,\u201d Hoss threatened. \u201cNow get away from him!\u201d<\/p>\n

When Joe heard the gunshot and Frank\u2019s yelp of pain, his eyes snapped open and he looked around the clearing and smiled when he saw his family standing there. \u201cTold you they would come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rushing to Joe\u2019s side, Ben knelt down next to him. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the blood pooling on the ground, Ben looked his son over trying to see where it was coming from. When he saw Joe\u2019s eyes start to close he put his hand on Joe\u2019s arm and gave it a tight squeeze, trying to anchor Joe to the here and now. \u201cJoe, where are you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack,\u201d Joe said weakly, his eyes fluttering shut. He was exhausted and in pain. Now that his family was there, he could let go and let them take care of things.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 53<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! Open your eyes,\u201d Ben commanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cTired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you are, Son, but you need to stay with me right now. You can sleep later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Kay.\u201d Joe forced his eyes open and his eyes locked onto the comforting brown ones of his father.<\/p>\n

Ben felt a movement next to him and looked up to see Adam kneeling next to them, ready to offer any assistance that was needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me sit him up so I can see where he was shot.\u201d Having heard gunshots, Ben had naturally assumed Joe had been shot in the back while trying to make his escape.<\/p>\n

Joe cried out when Adam gently pulled him up into a sitting position. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Buddy,\u201d Adam apologized as he let Joe lean into his shoulder.<\/p>\n

Once Joe was up Ben could see where Joe\u2019s shirt was soaked in blood and caked with dirt. He took hold of it where the material was ripped, and tore the shirt open to reveal a deep gash in Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, stop!\u201d Joe cried out in pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe, but I have to take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Ben felt around the wound, Joe\u2019s left hand involuntarily grabbed hold of Adams arm in a tight grip and held on for all he was worth as pain washed over him.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up at Adam and their eyes met, \u201cIt\u2019s a knife wound.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm, I coulda told ya that,\u201d Joe groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s bleeding all over us and he\u2019s still being cheeky,\u201d Adam said trying to lighten the atmosphere and get his brother to relax a little.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben chastised.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa, I was just trying\u2026\u201d Adam stopped in mid-sentence when he felt Joe\u2019s grip on his arm suddenly go slack. \u201cJoe?\u201d When there wasn\u2019t a response Adam looked to his father for help. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

With his heart in his throat, Ben reached forward and placed two fingers against Joe\u2019s neck. He closed his eyes and concentrated on listening through his fingers. Ben hadn\u2019t realized he had been holding his breath until he found his answer and bowed his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Panic was easily discernible in Adam\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

Ben raised his head, looked at Adam and gave him a tremulous smile. \u201cHe\u2019s just unconscious. I expect that the pain got to be too much for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked around the clearing and spotted Hoss off to the side with Frank Lemming next to him. He had already bandaged Frank\u2019s arm and had his hands tied behind his back; the way his arms were positioned, it was putting strain on Frank\u2019s injured arm, when Ben\u2019s eyes met Hoss\u2019, Hoss merely shrugged. He didn\u2019t give a hoot how this man felt; not after the way he had treated his little brother<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get Joe to the cabin and clean him up,\u201d announced Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you come take this yahoo and I\u2019ll take Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Ronnie?\u201d Ben asked as he relieved Adam of Joe\u2019s weight.<\/p>\n

\u201cTied up good and tight in front of the cabin.\u201d Pulling his gun out, Adam pointed it at Frank. \u201cGive me a reason.\u201d The threat was so low that only Frank heard him.<\/p>\n

Frank had heard about the Cartwrights and Ronnie tried to warn him, but he just brushed it off as tall tales, told by old geezers who had nothing better to do.\u00a0Now he was finding out that the tales weren\u2019t so tall after all.<\/p>\n

Where\u2019s your brother? Ronnie said you had a brother with you,\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

Frank shrugged his shoulders, refusing to give away any information, especially if it could come in handy later.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get them back to the cabin and we\u2019ll deal with the rest when we get there.\u201d Ben instructed his sons.<\/p>\n

Hoss reached down and lifted Joe from his father\u2019s arms without any trouble. \u00a0\u201cEverythin\u2019s going to be fine, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss said as he fell in behind Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben had taken the lead, if there was going to be trouble then he was going to be their first line of defense.\u00a0 Adam gave Frank a push and they brought up the rear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 54<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once in the cabin, Ben instructed Hoss to lay Joe down on his stomach on the cot. Adam followed them in with Frank; who he shoved to the floor before tying his ankles together. Just as Adam finished securing Frank a low moan was heard. All eyes turned to Joe, expecting to find him fighting his way back to consciousness, but he still lay motionless. Another moan was heard and this time the men were able to locate its origins. Drawing his gun, Hoss crept to the room at the back of the cabin. Just inside the door sprawled on the floor with his hands clenched to his face and withering in agony was Howard Lemmings, and lying next to him was a plank of wood. Hoss looked from the blood splattered plank to Howard, then finally at Joe. A smile broke out on his face and with pride shining in his eyes he nodded his head. \u201cGood for you, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Adam questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh you\u2019ll see in a minute.\u201d Hoss holstered his gun, reached down and hauled Howard to his feet. None too gently, Hoss tied his hands behind his back and pushed him to the floor before securing his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to him?\u201d Ben asked from his position next to Joe.<\/p>\n

Straightening, Hoss walked back to the small room and when he returned he was holding the plank in his hand. \u201cLittle Joe is what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be,\u201d Adam said grinning down at his brother. \u201cThe boy sure has spunk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, why don\u2019t you bring the other one in and put all three in that room.\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you wanna do that, Pa,\u201d Hoss interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll probably be able to figure out how little brother there got loose, and we might have the same thing in store for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank glared at his brother. \u201cHow could you be so stupid?\u201d<\/p>\n

Howard just grunted in response. Between his broken nose, swollen and split lip, talking was nearly impossible. He also sported two black eyes, all courtesy of Joe\u2019s \u2018best friend\u2019.<\/p>\n

Adam drug Ronnie into the room and also secured his feet. He made sure that the three men were separated from each other. Being one of the Cartwright brothers, he knew all the tricks that could they could use to gain their freedom if they were put together.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, heat up some water, we need to clean out this wound. Adam, get the medical supplies out of my saddlebags.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boys turned away from Ben and did as they were told; soon Ben was cutting away Joe\u2019s filthy shirt, he breathed a sigh of relief when he got his first good look at the wound, it wasn\u2019t as bad as he originally thought it was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 55<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally Ben was ready to start, even though he was relieved to see it wasn\u2019t as deep as he first thought, it was embedded with dirt from Joe being forced to lie on the ground. He had to use not only soap and hot water, but the alcohol that had been brought along; Ben was grateful that Hop Sing had been so thorough when he put had the supplies together.<\/p>\n

Joe had been trying to pull away when Ben was using only the soap and water, but when the alcohol hit the wound everyone in the room knew he was there and that he was awake. Ben stopped his ministrations and motioned for the whisky bottle that Adam had brought in.<\/p>\n

When Ben held the bottle to Joe\u2019s lips, Joe looked at him in disbelief. \u201cYou\u2019re seriously offering that to me?\u201d he gasped, knowing how his father felt about him drinking anything stronger than beer at his age.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Pa\u2019ll be more than happy for you to drink the whole dang thing if it\u2019ll get you to quit your squallin\u2019,\u201d Hoss chided.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s that or have Hoss give your jaw a slight caress.\u201d Adam smiled down at his brother in all innocence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, that\u2019s not a half bad idea, Adam,\u201d Hoss joked.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Ben\u2019s smiling face, but he could also see the anguish in his father\u2019s eyes over what was going to happen. \u201cI\u2019ll take the whisky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you would.\u201d Ben smiled at his older sons, thankful that they were trying to take Joe\u2019s mind off of what was about to happen with some gentle teasing.<\/p>\n

After Joe drank a good portion of the bottle and they had waited for it to take affect, Ben knelt down next to him. \u201cHow are you feeling, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cF-fine as, as fro-frogs \u2018air. N-no it, it’s frogs, um, frogs hair. Yeah, frogs hair,\u201d Joe slurred.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss couldn\u2019t contain their laughter. \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s feeling much pain right now,\u201d Adam commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeck, Adam, I don\u2019t think he\u2019s feelin\u2019 any<\/em> pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Boys, help me out here. Hoss take his legs, Adam get his arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh great, I get the swinging end,\u201d Adam grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think the kicking end is any better,\u201d Hoss countered.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled at the banter between his older sons, but the chuckle died a quick death when he looked back down at Joe\u2019s back. \u201cYou ready, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Joe tried to turn to look at his father, but Adam\u2019s hold was already making it difficult to move and they hadn\u2019t even started. \u201cYa know, Pa, we could jest furgit \u2018bout \u2018his whole thin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo we can\u2019t, Son. The sooner we start, the sooner we\u2019ll finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a petulant sigh Joe nodded his head. \u201c\u2019S \u2018kay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded at Adam and Hoss and they tightened their grip on Joe. Ben closed his eyes for a moment, knowing what he was about to do would cause his son immeasurable pain and wished he could some how make it all disappear. He took a deep breath and released it before opening his eyes. Picking up the bottle of alcohol he poured it on the open wound to flush it out.<\/p>\n

Joe screamed and fought against the arms that restrained him. The hole in his back felt like a volcano had erupted and wave after wave of fiery lava was cascading through his body. He tried to kick out, but Hoss tightened his hold on Joe\u2019s legs and was literally sprawled across them in his effort to keep his brother still.<\/p>\n

Fortunately for Adam, he was having better luck at his end. Joe\u2019s hands clawed at the blanket and mattress below him; looking for something he could latch on to and hang on for dear life. He was panting hard as he tried to ride out the pain that continued to wash over him with no relief in sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Please, no more!\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n

Ben picked up a clean cloth and soaked it with the alcohol; he had to take another deep breath to steel his resolve in order to continue cleaning the filth from the wound. Watching Joe struggle with the pain he wanted nothing more than to throw the cloth down and pull Joe into his arms, but he knew that wasn\u2019t an option. He had to get his back cleaned up or infection would set in, and that would cost Joe his life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 56<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben sat back in his chair, exhausted. Joe had finally lost consciousness and Ben was able to finish cleaning the wound and stitch it close. He rested his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hand. \u201cThat\u2019s something I never want to do again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss and dropped to the floor and were leaning against the cot where their brother slept, both exhausted, physically and emotionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had more fight in him than I would have thought,\u201d Adam confessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got that right, Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughter from the other side of the room drew their attention to where Frank was bound.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that was a show, wasn\u2019t it, Howard?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d almost pay money to see it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ronnie sat in his corner, not making a sound. Seeing someone suffer the way the boy did wasn\u2019t entertainment in his book, no matter how you looked at it.<\/p>\n

Before anyone knew what was happening, Adam was across the room, he pulled Frank to his feet and slammed him up against the wall. \u201cYou think that\u2019s funny?\u201d he roared. \u201cLet\u2019s see how entertaining it is when I pour the rest of that alcohol on your arm!\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank blanched at the thought of the liquid on the gunshot wound in his arm, but before he could respond Hoss was next to Adam prying his hands away from Frank.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Adam, let him go. This ain\u2019t gonna help anythin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hazel eyes locked with Hoss\u2019 blue ones for a minute before he nodded and released his hold on Frank, allowing him to drop to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you make some coffee, Adam? You make the better coffee between all of us.\u201d Hoss held the coffee pot out to his brother, hoping to distract him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not saying much, Hoss,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be worse, Joe could be making the coffee,\u201d Adam said defensively.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do, Pa? Joe needs a doctor and we have those three to take care of,\u201d Adam asked as he sipped his coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about that. If Joe is well enough we\u2019ll all head towards home. When he hit the road to Virginia City you two will take them into Roy and I\u2019ll continue home with Joe. When you get to town you can send Paul out to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if Joe ain\u2019t well enough to travel?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s not, I\u2019ll stay here with him and the two of you will take them to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa,\u201d Adam started to protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the only way, Adam. The longer they\u2019re around the more chances we\u2019re taking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Adam agreed. He looked over at Joe who was lying so still on the cot. \u201cHopefully he\u2019ll be ready to travel. I\u2019d feel a lot better with him at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 57<\/strong><\/p>\n

Around three in the morning Joe groaned and shifted on the cot, his eyes fluttered a few times before opening to find his father looking down at him. \u201cHi, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about time you opened those eyes. How are you feeling?\u201d Ben asked, peering down into the blood-shot eyes of his youngest son.<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes for a minute before opening them again and swallowing hard. \u201cCould I have a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben raised his eyebrows in question. \u201cI would have thought you had enough whisky last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe paled and groaned again at the thought of even a small sip of it. \u201cWater, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled as he picked up a cup and his canteen. He poured some water in it and helped Joe to turn slightly onto his side and lean on his elbow. Joe caught his breath at the stabbing pain in his back, but that was the only sound he made that indicated his discomfort. With a shaky hand, he took the cup from Ben and drank deeply. Once he was finished, Ben took the cup from him and lowered him back down to the pillow.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, let\u2019s try it again, how are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave his father a poor imitation of his normal smile when he answered. \u201cThe jury\u2019s still out on that.\u201d He tried to shift his position, but ended up gritting his teeth to contain any further sound, not wanting to distress his father anymore than he already was. \u201cI don\u2019t know what hurts more, my back or my head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like little brother has a hang-over,\u201d Adam whispered to Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have to yell so loudly, Adam?\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a doozy, too,\u201d Hoss commented, trying to not to laugh at his brother\u2019s discomfort, he had been in Joe\u2019s position more times than he cared to admit, and he had to endure his brothers teasing, so he figured what was good for the goose was good for the gander.<\/p>\n

Joe glared at the two of them, but that\u2019s all he did. The way he was feeling it would take too much energy to get into a verbal battle of wits, which he knew he\u2019d lose considering the condition he was in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be enough,\u201d Ben admonished.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Adam and Hoss said in unison, causing Joe to flinch at what he considered their overly loud voices.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo back to sleep, Joseph,\u201d Ben said as he gently rubbed Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cHome?\u201d Joe mumbled before he closed his eyes and drifted off on the soft wings of slumber.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

After Joe was asleep, Hoss looked at his father. \u201cSorry, Pa. We were only tryin\u2019 to lighten things up, you know, make him feel better,\u201d Hoss apologized.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 58<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning dawned with a crystal clear sky and promised the makings of another hot day as Hoss stood at the stove cooking what was to be their breakfast.<\/p>\n

Adam poured a cup of coffee for Ben and himself. He handed the cup to his father and sat down on the floor next to him. \u201cWhat are we going to do about them?\u201d he asked motioning at their prisoners.<\/p>\n

Ben considered his question for a minute before answering. \u201cPersonally, I\u2019d like to let them starve after what they\u2019ve done. But I suppose we should feed them. After we eat you can keep a gun on them while Hoss unties them. We can keep them covered while they eat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what I\u2019d like to do with them,\u201d Joe proclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awake.\u201d Ben turned his attention to Joe, giving him a through assessment, and placed his hand on Joe\u2019s brow. \u201cNo fever, how do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI shouldn\u2019t have a fever, not after all that liquid fire you poured on my back last night,\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it stopped any infection from setting in, then it was well worth it,\u201d admonished Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you say,\u201d Joe grumbled. \u201cIn answer to your question, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at the typical Joe Cartwright answer. \u201cDo you think you can manage some breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDepends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s doing the cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed seeing the disgruntled looks on both Adam and Hoss\u2019 face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe groaned. \u201cWhy couldn\u2019t you bring Hop Sing with you?\u201d Joe looked at his brother standing by the stove. \u201cGuess I don\u2019t have a choice,\u201d Joe said with an exaggerated sigh. It was now his turn to give back to his brothers what he had received the early that morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just wait till your better, Little Brother,\u201d Hoss threatened.<\/p>\n

Ben helped Joe to sit up and lean back against the wall, he used the blankets from the bedroll to offer some comfort and support for Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

Adam had just finished retying Ronnie and the Lemmings as Hoss was headed out to take care of the horses.<\/p>\n

Well, I\u2019ll be hornswaggled,\u201d Hoss exclaimed, pausing in the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Hoss?\u201d Ben asked from where he was sitting with Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the Calvary has come to the rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Joe looked at each other in confusion. With a pat to Joe\u2019s knee, Ben got up from the floor and went to stand next to the door. What he saw in the yard caused him to start chuckling before he slapped Hoss on the back and walked out the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 59<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cRoy! What are you doing here?\u201d Ben greeted his old friend, his hand outstretched in welcome.<\/p>\n

Roy took to offered hand and shook it. \u201cGot any coffee, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure do, come on in.\u201d Ben held his hand out, indicating the cabin. \u201cClem. John,\u201d Ben greeted Roy\u2019s deputy\u2019s and motioned for them to go inside.<\/p>\n

Roy walked into the cabin and looked around at all the occupants.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy!\u201d the three brothers said simultaneously.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Boys, looks like you had a spot of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could call it that,\u201d Adam said dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what do you expect when Little Joe\u2019s involved?\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Joe protested from where he was sitting on the cot.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that we\u2019re not happy to see you, quite the contrary, but what are you doing out here?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell you see, Ben, I went out to the ranch to see Little Joe,\u201d Roy paused to accept the coffee Hoss handed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? I ain\u2019t done nothin\u2019\u201d Joe squeaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t done anything,\u201d Adam automatically corrected.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I said,\u201d Joe challenged as he glared at Adam.<\/p>\n

Roy smiled relieved to hear banter between the brothers. He had been concerned when he was told that Joe had left the ranch. \u201cNo, Joe, you \u2018haven\u2019t done anything.\u2019 I was,\u201d he paused and looked over at the Lemmings before continuing, \u201cI was coming out to let you know that Fred Lemmings brothers had been spotted in the area; and with all that happened in Silver City, I thought you should know. But I guess you caught up with them before I caught up with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot by choice,\u201d grumbled Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to them?\u201d Clem asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI shot the one,\u201d Hoss put in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other met up with a shelf,\u201d Joe added grinning.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you met up with something, yourself. You okay, Little Joe?\u201d asked Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will be,\u201d Ben informed Roy. \u201cHe looks a lot better than he did last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeel a lot better, too,\u201d Joe confirmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing told me that you went looking for Joe, and I was a bit concerned with the news that I had, so we followed your trail. You sure weren\u2019t hard to track,\u201d Roy smiled at Ben and saw the grimace on his face and figured that would be a story for another time. \u201cI\u2019m going to assume that you\u2019re going to want to press charges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the three men sitting against the wall. Frank glared back at him. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that, Boy,\u201d he threatened.<\/p>\n

Joe looked away and back at Roy. \u201cYes, Sir, I want to press charges.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say assault would be one of them,\u201d Adam supplied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAttempted murder, too,\u201d Hoss piped in.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I\u2019m correct, kidnapping can be added to it.\u201d Ben looked at Joe for confirmation and saw him nod his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat should take care of them for quite awhile. If someone will saddle up their horses I\u2019ll be happy to take them off your hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill do, Roy,\u201d Hoss said and headed out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help him out,\u201d Adam volunteered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be out to see you when you get home, Little Joe, I need to get a statement from you,\u201d Roy said before walking out the door.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before Roy and his deputies had the Lemmings and Ronnie on their horses and were headed back to town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 60<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Joe heard the horses ride away, he visibly sagged against the wall.<\/p>\n

Ben saw his son\u2019s reaction and was immediately by his side. \u201cAre you alright, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine. Just glad they\u2019re gone.\u201d He shifted uncomfortably on the cot. \u201cWhen can we go home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining Adam laughing at Joe\u2019s question, Hoss couldn\u2019t help commenting on it. \u201cAint\u2019 that just like him, Adam? First he runs off, now he\u2019s chopping at the bit to get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t realize that he had brought back to Joe the reason he was in the situation he now found himself in. \u201cPa, it was Frank Lemmings who did all that stuff at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know, Joe. We heard what he said to you,\u201d Ben assured his son.<\/p>\n

Sitting there pondering what his father had just said he also notice that was all that was said. No one acknowledged that they had been wrong in accusing him. Joe looked away from Ben. \u201cI wanna go home,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Ben noticed the change that came over Joe, but couldn\u2019t fathom the reason for it. \u201cLet me take a look at you back, and then we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Ben\u2019s help Joe pushed himself to the edge of the cot. Ben unwrapped the bandage from around Joe and looked the wound over. It was pink with no sign of swelling or redness. He nodded his head in satisfaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow does it feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and pressed against the surrounding skin and Joe flinched. \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s sore, but it won\u2019t stop me from sittin\u2019 a horse, I want to get out of here and go home,\u201d Joe argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should wait a couple more days. You lost a fair amount of blood, and with that head injury, and your ribs, I don\u2019t think we should risk it,\u201d Ben told him as he wrapped a clean bandage around Joe. What Ben couldn\u2019t understand was Joe\u2019s need to get home.<\/p>\n

Joe cleared his throat and looked at his father. \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 home even if I have to saddle Cochise myself and go alone,\u201d Joe said defiantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I\u2019ll tell you what you\u2019re going to do and that\u2019s to watch your tone when you speak to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men glared at each other. Adam and Hoss had the good sense to step away and stay out of the middle of the confrontation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 61<\/strong><\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe pushed himself to his feet. He had taken a few shaky steps when Ben grabbed his arm, effectively stopping him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just where do you think you\u2019re going, Young Man?\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m leavin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed with exasperation. \u201cJoseph\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not stayin\u2019 here!\u201d Joe declared.<\/p>\n

Hoss pursed his lips and tilted his head, as he tried to figure out why his younger brother was so determined to leave. He looked over at Adam, who nodded and tipped his head towards the door in response to Hoss\u2019 silent question. \u201cLittle Joe, if you would just simmer down for a minute, I wanna talk to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes met his older brothers, wishing that they would just let him be. They always harp on me for not admitting when I\u2019m wrong. But they can\u2019t admit they were wrong for not believing in me? <\/em>The bitter thoughts washed over him as his chin jutted out stubbornly, and he tried to shake off his father\u2019s hand so he could make his escape.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoesph, let me talk to Pa and get things straightened out,\u201d argued Hoss.<\/p>\n

Knowing he wasn\u2019t going anywhere at the moment, Joe sighed in frustration and sank back down on the cot.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben started.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I wanna talk to you, outside, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking between his sons, Ben knew something was going on, but just couldn\u2019t put his finger on what it was. With a grunt of displeasure he turned and walked out the door. Once they were outside and the door was firmly closed behind them, Ben turned to his sons. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss once more looked at Adam, who was leaning against the wall, When Adam nodded his head, Hoss cleared his throat before starting. \u201cPa, Joe wants to leave\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Hoss,\u201d Ben interrupted.<\/p>\n

Hoss held up his hand in order to stop his father. \u201cPlease, Pa, let me say this. Joe wants to leave cuz he can\u2019t stay here, not with all that\u2019s happened to him here. He\u2019ll never admit it, but he\u2019s afraid and makin\u2019 him stay here is only gonna make him madder at us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyebrow lifted and he looked dubiously at Hoss. \u201cMad at us? Whatever for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCuz of what happened at home afore he ran off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we should risk his health in order to let him have his way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gonna do what he wants one way or another. Wouldn\u2019t you rather be with him? Also, the faster we get him home, the quicker Doc can take care of him.\u201d Hoss hesitated before he continue, \u201cWe can also work out all of our problems. We have a lot of crow to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd some humble pie,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we do.\u201d Ben was undecided on what to do. It came down to Joe\u2019s health or his mental wellbeing. Which should he risk? He rubbed his brow trying to decide. He looked at the forest around him, hoping the answers were there. He acknowledged that Hoss was right; they did need to get Joe home for medical attention, but at what consequence? Ben drew in a deep breath and slowly released it as he came to a decision. \u201cAlright, go saddle the horses and I\u2019ll get Joe ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Pa.\u201d Hoss said. He looked at Adam and smiled in relief. Adam returned the smile and walked back into the cabin while Hoss headed for the corral.<\/p>\n

He felt a shiver go down his back as he looked up at the sky. \u201cPaul\u2019s going to have my head for this.\u201d When he walked back into the cabin, Joe\u2019s and Adam\u2019s looked at him in anticipation. Ben looked at Joe, capturing his eyes in an unwavering gaze. \u201cWe\u2019re going home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 62<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Ben made his announcement, Joe just stared at him and waited, for what he wasn\u2019t sure. Was he expecting too much in wanting an apology? Or for one of them to admit they were wrong about him? For Pa to tell him that he should never have lost faith in him? Joe didn\u2019t know, but he continued to wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, did you pack any extra clothes? And where is your jacket?\u201d Now that the decision was made to head home, the sooner they got there the happier he would be.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got shirts in my saddlebags and the last time I saw my jacket it was with my bedroll.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben found Joe\u2019s saddlebags where they had been thrown and rifled through them. He had to shake his head at the array of things his son had packed. No one ever said Joe was practical. He pulled out a dark blue shirt and went back to his son. Before he did anything else he checked his son over again. The lump on the back of head was still very noticeable, and from the way Joe grunted, it was still painful. He was sure Joe\u2019s ribs were just bruised, but that would still make for an uncomfortable ride. When he checked Joe\u2019s he could feel his body tense up and knew Joe was doing his best to control any indication of any pain that he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright Joe, lets get this on you.\u201d Ben held the shirt up for Joe to slip into.<\/p>\n

Joe drew in a sharp breath when he lifted his left arm and brought it back to slide into the sleeve.<\/p>\n

Ben caught the grimace that had flashed across Joe\u2019s face, and hesitated, \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head at the normal protest, and against his better judgment, finished helping Joe into the shirt. \u201cAdam, why don\u2019t you pack our gear while I finish with Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready doing it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Picking up one of Joe\u2019s boots, Ben stared at his son and remembered Joe\u2019s attempt to leave just a few minutes before. \u201cWhat were you going to do? Ride home without your boots?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I had to,\u201d Joe stated defiantly.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Joe\u2019s pale face and sighed. \u201cWhy is it I don\u2019t doubt it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe braced himself on the cot as Ben put the first boot on. He gritted his teeth, but a grunt still escaped him. He saw his father shake his head in exasperation, as he continued, unwillingly, with the task before him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHorses are all ready, Pa,\u201d Hoss announced as he came into the cabin.<\/p>\n

Standing, Ben saw that Adam had everything ready to go and nodded his head. \u201cAre you ready, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than ready.\u201d Joe started to push himself off the cot when Ben leaned down and put a supporting hand under his arm. Once Joe was on his feet, he pulled away from his father and slowly walked to the door; once outside Joe stopped when he saw Cochise waiting patiently by the hitching post. He rubbed the velvety muzzle of his beloved horse before taking his reins and walking to the side of the horse. He stared up at his saddle for a moment before reaching up and taking hold of the pommel.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben whispered and tilted his head towards Joe.<\/p>\n

Nodding his head in understanding, Hoss went over to Joe\u2019s side. \u201cLet me give you a hand, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned and looked at Hoss for a minute, torn between his pride that wanted to refuse the help and the knowledge that told him he needed it; finally he nodded his head in acceptance. When he place his foot in the stirrup Hoss reached over and supported Joe as he gave him a boost up, taking most of Joe\u2019s weight. All Joe had to do was swing his left leg over the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe mumbled, breathing hard for the exertion it took just to mount his horse.<\/p>\n

Ben saw the effort it took Joe just to get in the saddle and again had doubts about the journey. \u201cJoseph, I really think we should wait, you\u2019re not up to this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe spared his father the briefest of glances before he turned Cochise and rode away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe better catch up with him before he kills himself,\u201d remarked Adam as he swung up into the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf all the stubborn people in the world, your brother takes the cake,\u201d Ben complained, turning Buck and giving him a kick.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur brother? Have you ever noticed that when Pa gets mad at Joe he becomes \u2018our brother\u2019?\u201d Adam asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure have, but he also becomes \u2018his son\u2019 when we\u2019re mad at Little Joe.\u201d Hoss looked down the trail and shook his head. \u201cWe best get going or they\u2019ll probably kill each other with the mood they\u2019re both in,\u201d Hoss said as he pulled Chubb around and headed down the trail with Adam at his side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 63<\/strong><\/p>\n

It took them two exhausting days to reach the Ponderosa. Much to Joe\u2019s displeasure, Ben had them stopping frequently and by late afternoon he would call a halt for the day. He was already afraid that Joe had overdone it, but all his arguments resulted in Joe ignoring him and continuing to plod along the trail. He knew his son was determined to get home as soon as possible, but he was also determined not to compromise his son\u2019s health anymore than he already had. Joe had been quiet the whole trip refusing to speak to anyone unless it was absolutely necessary. They knew what contributed to the silence and it only served to make them each feel their guilt even more deeply. Unknowing to the others, the same thought was constantly nagging at each them. How do I make things right with Joe?<\/em> When they reached the Virginia City cut-off, Ben sent Adam for Dr. Martin.<\/p>\n

Joe was slumped in his saddle, exhausted and in pain when they rode into the yard. Reaching up, Hoss gently pulled his brother from the saddle and into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can walk,\u201d Joe protested weakly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you can, but I have a hankerin\u2019 to carry you, so why don\u2019t you just settle down and humor me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glaring at his brother, Joe continued to protest, \u201cI want to walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what, if you can get down, you can walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe struggled against Hoss\u2019 grip, but he might as well been a fly trying to get out of a spider\u2019s web. Sighing in resignation, he finally gave up.<\/p>\n

\u201cStubborn mule,\u201d Hoss muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

By the time they made it to Joe\u2019s room, Hop Sing was already there and had Joe\u2019s bed turned down. Helping him out of his shirt, Ben noticed blood on the bandages, removing them he saw that the stitches had broken open and the wound was bleeding once again. \u201cHop Sing I need some.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0\u201d<\/p>\n

Always ready for everything, Hop Sing held out some cloth bandages to Ben as he was settling Joe on his side. \u201cRight here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben muttered as he pressed one of them against Joe\u2019s back. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMmm,\u201d was the only thing Joe could get out as his eyes drifted shut.<\/p>\n

As he sat watching his son sleep, Ben shook his head in disgust. \u201cI should never have agreed to this, Joseph. It was too much for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t have much of a choice, Pa. You know how he is once he sets his mind to somethin\u2019. He\u2019s more stubborn than a Missouri mule.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at Hoss\u2019 assessment of Joe and knew he was right.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

“Doc\u2019s here,\u201d Hoss announced from his position by the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear our boy has gotten himself into trouble again,\u201d Paul joked as he entered the room, trying to lighten the mood that he knew from experience would be as dark as a graveyard at midnight. \u201cAlright, I want all of you out of here. Clean up, then go downstairs and get something to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had been right behind Paul. He joined his father and Hoss on the other side of the bed, each of them glared at him in defiance, refusing to budge.<\/p>\n

Paul sighed in frustration. \u201cFine, but stay out of my way, or else.\u201d He looked down at Joe\u2019s sleeping form. \u201cHow long has he been out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout an hour, he fell asleep as soon as we got him in bed,\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n

Paul nodded and leaned down over Joe, giving his shoulder a slight shake. \u201cJoe, it\u2019s time to wake up.\u201d When there wasn\u2019t any response, Paul lightly tapped Joe\u2019s face. \u201cCome on, Joe, wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe groaned in pain as he shifted on the bed, his eyes fluttered opened, closed and opened again. When he was finally able to focus he found himself looking at Paul, and groaned again. \u201cIt\u2019s you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joe, it\u2019s me.\u201d Paul smiled at the disgusted look that came over Joe\u2019s face. He knew it wasn\u2019t anything personal; Joe just didn\u2019t like it when he had to see Paul in a professional manner, and this was definitely one of those times. \u201cI need you to tell me where it hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u201d Joe started.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear any of your nonsense about being fine. It\u2019s perfectly obvious that you\u2019re not \u2018fine\u2019,\u201d he warned before looking across at Ben. \u201cBen, stay there and keep that bandage pressed against his back.<\/p>\n

Paul started his examination by beginning at the top, with the lump on the back of his head. Ignoring his patient when he flinched, Paul looked into Joe\u2019s eyes and nodded his head. \u201cHeadache?\u201d When he saw Joe start to shake his head, he glared at him. \u201cThe truth, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing in frustration, he grudgingly answered. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so.\u201d Continuing his exam, Paul checked the multitude of bruises and cuts on Joe\u2019s face. Picking up Joe\u2019s wrists, he unwrapped the bandages and shook his head at the condition they were in. \u201cHoss, give me a hand here.\u201d Together the two men helped Joe to swing his feet over the side of the bed and into a sitting position. Paul didn\u2019t miss how Joe\u2019s body tensed as he was moved or his grunt of pain when his ribs were examined. The most disturbing of all was when Paul noticed blood on the bandages that Ben held against the wound; having Ben pull it away he saw that all of the stitches had been torn out. Joe yelped in pain and nearly jumped off the bed as Paul put pressure on the area surrounding the wound. He shook his head once more and sighed in displeasure again. \u201cI can\u2019t believe you sometimes.\u201d His irritation came through loud and clear in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither can anyone else,\u201d Joe muttered bitterly.<\/p>\n

His family cringed and hung their heads in guilt at Joe\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

Paul looked at all of them before turning his attention back to Ben. \u201cBen, I\u2019m surprised at you! He should never have been moved, let alone allowed to spend two days on a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, it wasn\u2019t Pa\u2019s fault. Little Joe was determined to get home. You know how he is. There\u2019s just no stopping him, you know that.\u201d Hoss said quickly, trying to defend his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are ways and all three of you know that.\u201d Paul turned back to his reluctant patient and glared at him. \u201cYou\u2019ll never learn, will you?\u201d He pulled a brown bottle out of his bag and measured out a dose of the medicine. When he held the spoon out Joe turned his head away, refusing to take the medicine. \u201cI\u2019m not in the mood to argue with you, Joseph. You either take this now or suffer the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a few seconds, Joe turned back to Paul and unwillingly opened his mouth, grimacing as he swallowed the foul tasting medicine.<\/p>\n

Paul chuckled at the face Joe made. \u201cWho cleaned and stitched his back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did,\u201d Ben admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did a good job. Even with him tearing it open there isn\u2019t any sign of infection.\u201d He looked down at Joe before he continued. \u201cOther than the knife wound, he took a pretty bad hit to the head\u2014a \u00a0gun I would imagine\u2014resulting in a mild concussion. Then there are the cuts and bruises on his face and body, but those will heal. To add to that are the abrasions on his wrists which I\u2019m afraid to ask how they got there.\u201d Paul looked to Ben, who only shrugged. \u201cHis ribs are badly bruised, enough to be painful, but they\u2019re not cracked or broken.\u201d Sighing with irritation Paul continued. \u201cI\u2019m going to clean and stitch his back up again, clean his wrists, and bind his ribs.\u201d Turning his attention back to Joe, Paul glared at the young man until Joe visibly shrank away from him. \u201cAs for you, you\u2019re going to do everything you\u2019re told, or so help me, Joseph Cartwright, I\u2019ll tie you to that bed myself! That ride home did enough damage; I don\u2019t need you causing more. You will<\/em> stay in that bed until I say otherwise. Do you understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-Yes, Sir,\u201d Joe stuttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou three, I want you out of this room, Hop Sing, please stay and help me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben started to protest but Adam and Hoss each grabbed an arm and pulled him from the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, Pa, I wouldn\u2019t push Doc with the mood he\u2019s in,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n

Ben looked back at his youngest son before caving in to Paul\u2019s orders. \u201cI see your point, Hoss. Let\u2019s go get cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 64<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paul came down the stairs unrolling his sleeves with Hop Sing following behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake fresh, good<\/em>, coffee for Doctor,\u201d Hop Sing said before scurrying off to the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s sleeping. You know, if that boy would stop fighting me every step of the way, things would go a lot faster. Why can\u2019t anything ever be easy with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve known him for eighteen years, and you have to ask?\u201d Ben retorted.<\/p>\n

Paul chuckled, \u201cYou have a point there, Ben.\u201d He looked at the three anxious faces staring at him. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine. But I do not want him out of that bed until I say so. I still can\u2019t believe you brought him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said, you know Joseph. He would have found a way, even if he had to sneak out of a window while we slept.\u201d Ben stopped for a minute and looked up towards the top of the stairs. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t told us what happened yet, but by the looks of him it must have been pretty bad. We think that\u2019s the reason he was so determined to come home. If we wouldn\u2019t have gone with him, he probably would have killed himself getting here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded in agreement as he accepted a cup of coffee from Hop Sing. \u201cYou\u2019re most likely right. But I repeat that no matter what I do not want him out of that bed, and I\u2019m holding the three of you accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t fair,\u201d Hoss exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t mean that,\u201d insisted Adam.<\/p>\n

Before Ben could add his protest Paul held up his hand. \u201cI know it isn\u2019t fair, but I do mean it. You keep that boy in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 65<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the next couple of week Joe didn\u2019t show any inclination of even wanting to get out of bed. In fact, he didn\u2019t show an interest in anything at all. Ben, Adam, and Hoss all tried to talk to him about his ordeal at the hands of the Lemmings, but Joe politely\u2014too politely in Adam\u2019s opinion\u2014refused to talk about it, and used sleep as a way to avoid interaction with his family.<\/p>\n

Roy came out the first week to take Joe\u2019s statement, but Joe refused to say a word until his family was out of the room and the door was closed. Only when he had Roy\u2019s promise that his statement was not to be repeated to his family, did he tell everything that had happened, including all that went on before he left the ranch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Little Joe, they\u2019re going to find out at the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but until then they don\u2019t need to know anything,\u201d Joe retorted.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

When Roy came down the stairs he was greeted by three curious faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell what?\u201d Roy countered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he say?\u201d Ben said in exasperation. He knew Roy\u2019s stalling tactics and he wasn\u2019t in the mood for them today.<\/p>\n

Roy looked at the three of them and knew they weren\u2019t going to like what he was about to say, he also knew that he was about to have a fight on his hands, if he was to keep his word. \u201cIt\u2019s this way, Ben, in order for Little Joe to tell me what happened I had to.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had to what?\u201d Adam demanded when Roy\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarn it all, Ben! That boy made me give him my word not to tell any of you what he said to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did what?\u201d Ben almost shouted the words, but with great difficulty, he was able to control himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me not to tell any of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care what he told you, I want to know what happened!\u201d This time Ben did yell.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you just settle yourself down, Ben. Yelling at me ain\u2019t gonna help. I just can\u2019t tell you. If I did, my word wouldn\u2019t be worth a plug nickel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning away, Ben walked over to the fireplace. \u201cI just don\u2019t understand it. Why won\u2019t he talk to any of us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea, Ben, when I tried talking to him about it he just clammed up and wouldn\u2019t say another word.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed in frustration; he was at a complete loss of what to do to get his youngest son to talk to him. \u201cCan you at least tell us when the trial is going to be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe circuit judge won\u2019t be here for about three weeks. He hasn\u2019t even gotten to Carson City yet, where he already has a trial pending.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully he\u2019ll talk to us before that,\u201d Ben mumbled wistfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI best be getting back to town.\u201d Roy started for the door but stopped and looked at Ben. \u201cI almost forgot, Doc said he\u2019d be out later today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Roy.\u201d Ben saw Roy to the door. When he turned back to the room, he looked at his older sons and could see that they were feeling the same frustration he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t understand it, Pa. He always talks to me, but now he won\u2019t even look at me,\u201d Hoss bemoaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in the same boat, except with me demands that I leave the room. Last night he actually threw his book at me when I ignored him,\u201d added Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 66<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was late afternoon when Ben answered the door to find a smiling Paul Martin outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Ben. How\u2019s our patient doing? I bet he\u2019s been driving you crazy by constantly demanding to get out of bed.\u201d His smile faded when he saw the desolate look in Ben\u2019s eyes. \u201cWhat is it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Waiting until Paul was in the house, and the door was closed, Ben shook his head, \u201cI don\u2019t know, Paul. What I wouldn\u2019t give right now for him to be driving us crazy wanting out of bed, but he hasn\u2019t asked once. In fact, he hasn\u2019t asked for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs his back bothering him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what Hop Sing tells us, no it\u2019s feeling better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s brow wrinkled in confusion. \u201cFrom what Hop Sing tells you? I don\u2019t understand, why don\u2019t you know first-hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Motioning for Paul to sit down, Ben took a seat in his red chair. \u201cHe\u2019ll only talk to Hop Sing; he refuses to say anything to any of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas he told Hop Sing why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he refuses to talk about what\u2019s bothering him or what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came out of the kitchen carrying a tray with a coffee pot and two cups on it. \u201cNum\u2019er Three Son, he only tell Hop Sing how he feel, or talk about other things. He say what happen not important. Not worth talking about. Li\u2019le Joe, he very sad boy, very hurt.\u201d Hop Sing put his hand over his heart. \u201cHurt here. He not know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul considered Hop Sing\u2019s words before returning his attention to his old friend. \u201cWhat does he do when you, Adam or Hoss try to talk to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben told Paul how Joe had been with each of them. \u201c.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0that is when he\u2019s awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded his head as he processed everything his friend had told him. \u201cWhy don\u2019t I go up and see him and hear what he has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck,\u201d Ben answered with a derisive snort as Paul rose from the settee.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Knocking on Joe\u2019s door, Paul patiently waited for an answer, when he realized that none was coming, he opened the door and walked in to find Joe sitting up in bed, staring at the wall. \u201cYou\u2019re that anxious to see me?\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n

A frown was all he received from Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s how it\u2019s going to be.\u201d When he saw the sullen expression on Joe\u2019s face he knew he wasn\u2019t going to get any cooperation. Setting his bag down on the bureau, he turned to his patient. \u201cI need you to lean forward so I can check your back and ribs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silently, Joe complied with Paul\u2019s instructions and allowed the bandages to be removed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do they feel?\u201d the physician asked as he applied pressure in various spots around Joe\u2019s ribs.<\/p>\n

Joe flinched when Paul first touched him. \u201cCold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul drew his brows down, not understanding what Joe was saying. \u201cCold? Your ribs are cold?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul started laughing. \u201cSorry about that.\u201d He rubbed his hands together to warm them a bit more before touching Joe\u2019s bare skin. \u201cNow, how do they feel? And I\u2019m referring to your ribs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

Once he was done with Joe\u2019s ribs, Paul moved on to the wound in Joe\u2019s back. Even though he knew what Joe\u2019s answer was going to be, he still asked the question. \u201cAnd how does your back feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t let him down. \u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems to be healing just \u2018fine.\u2019 In fact, since your ribs are feeling better and considering I should be able to take the stitches out at the end of next week, you can now get out of bed and start moving around.\u201d Paul watched Joe closely while he waited for an answer.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s only response was to shrug his shoulders. Paul didn\u2019t like what he was seeing. Joe was despondent and distant. He knew that left to himself, Joe would most likely withdraw further away from everyone. That was something he wasn\u2019t going to let happen. \u201cThat\u2019s not going to work with me. When I come back, I want to hear that you\u2019ve been up and moving around. If not I\u2019ll pull you out of that bed myself and drag you right down those stairs and I won\u2019t give a blast if you\u2019re in your nightshirt or long johns.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWish you\u2019d make up your mind. First you threaten me that I have to stay here, now you threaten me to get up,\u201d Joe grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m serious, Little Joe, you\u2019re to be up and moving around. Do you understand me?\u201d Paul waited for an answer, when none came he repeated his question in a voice that demanded compliance. \u201cDo you understand me, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Joe answered belligerently.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at me and answer me again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Paul and swallowed hard when he saw that Paul meant business. \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 67<\/strong><\/p>\n

After Paul left, Joe sat in his bed staring out the window lost in thought. Giving his head a shake, Joe tried to dislodge the memories that were running rampant through his mind. Sighing, he pushed himself to the edge of the bed and dropped his legs over the side. The stitches felt tight, and a twinge of pain shot through his shoulder, but it wasn\u2019t anything he couldn\u2019t manage. Slowly, Joe pushed himself to his feet and reached out and grabbed the headboard to steady himself when he became slightly dizzy. Once the room stopped swirling in front of him, Joe slowly walked over to his wash basin. His legs felt shaky, but he attributed that to the inactivity of being in bed for the past couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

Looking into the mirror, Joe couldn\u2019t believe how scruffy he appeared. \u201cSurprised Pa didn\u2019t insist on shaving me himself,\u201d Joe said to his reflection. He chuckled as he rubbed at the beginnings of a beard. \u201cIf I were Adam, this thing would be to my knees by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking care of his personal grooming, Joe proceeded to dress in a fresh shirt and pants, but he left his shirt untucked. Sitting down in the hard wooden chair by his desk he carefully put on his socks and boots. Once he was finished he sat back in the chair to catch his breath.<\/p>\n

The restlessness that Joe was famous for finally made its presence known. Joe set a goal for himself and was determined to make it, come Hell or high water. He was going outside to sit on the porch for a while; and from there he would go and visit Cochise.<\/p>\n

Pushing himself up from the chair, Joe straightened his shoulders and walked out of his room. It was not his quick, bouncy strut, but neither was he shuffling his feet like an old man. He took the stairs slowly, one step at a time, and maintained a cautious grip on the banister. When he reached the landing he paused and surveyed the great room. Adam sat in his normal blue chair reading; Ben and Hoss were carrying on a discussion about how the herd was doing in the southern pasture. The same pasture where I had to mend that fence twice.<\/em> He thought bitterly.<\/p>\n

Hearing footfalls on the stairs, Ben redirected his attention and spotted his youngest. \u201cLet me help you, Little Joe,\u201d Ben said rising from his chair.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cDon\u2019t need no help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stopping next to Hoss, who was also staring at Joe, along with Adam, Ben could only watch Joe make his way across the room. When he reached the door, Ben called out to him, \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring his father, Joe took his hat from the peg on the wall and opened the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d The tone of Ben\u2019s voice was the one that was used through the years, and each of his sons had learned that they better not continue with what they were doing to earn that tone, or they would suffer the consequences.<\/p>\n

Out of habit, and self-preservation, Joe froze and cleared his throat before answering his father. \u201cOutside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood studying Joe, the stiff set of his shoulders, the way he held his head up, the hands that were clenched into fists, as he considered his next move. Ben grunted and nodded his head. \u201cStay close.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a curt nod, Joe walked out the door, closing it with his usual bang. The rocker that usually sat at the end of the porch had been moved to the side porch by someone. Cautiously, Joe walked up the two steps, and gratefully lowered himself into it. He took a deep breath, and savored the pine scented air, as he leaned his head back against the rocker. Closing his eyes, he slowly started rocking and let the motion of the chair soothe him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 68<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDinner ready, come eat while hot,\u201d Hop Sing announced as he placed a platter on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about time. I was near starved to death,\u201d Hoss exclaimed, rubbing his hands together as he headed for the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go get Little Joe,\u201d Ben said and headed for the door. Smiling, he watched Joe for a minute as he slept peacefully in the chair. He looks so content; what I wouldn\u2019t give to see that look on his face all the time. <\/em>He hated having to disturb Joe, but he needed to eat.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben waited for a reply, when there wasn\u2019t one he tried again. \u201cJoseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm?\u201d Joe mumbled sleepily.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes snapped open at the sound of Ben\u2019s voice. He looked at his father for a brief instant before turning away. \u201cI\u2019m not hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head in exasperation, Ben watched as Joe went from the content young man, to a ridged, angry one in a blink of the eye. \u201cJoe, come on in and have some dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d was the terse answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said, not wanting to argue with his son on his first day out of bed.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he?\u201d Adam inquired when Ben turned the corner into the dining room and Joe wasn\u2019t with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he\u2019s not hungry.\u201d Ben picked up Joe\u2019s plate and filled it from the dishes on the table. \u201cHop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you want? Eat dinner before cold and I have to throw out,\u201d Hop Sing grumbled when he entered the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake this out to Joe, please. Maybe if it comes from you he\u2019ll eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the plate and the cup of coffee that Ben just poured, Hop Sing nodded his understanding and went back into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam started to protest, but stopped when Ben held up his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only for tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n

A string of angry Chinese preceded Hop Sing out of the kitchen, placing a tray on the porch table, he looked at Joe. \u201cYou eat.\u201d When Joe opened his mouth to protest, Hop Sing waved his hand in Joe\u2019s face. \u201cNo foolishness. Eat.\u201d Not giving Joe a chance to say another word, he turned and stormed back into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Pushing himself up from the rocker, Joe stretched his stiff muscles as best he could before going over to the table. He knew his father sent Hop Sing out with the food, he also knew that if he didn\u2019t eat he would get another earful from Hop Sing. As Joe ate, his mind went over everything that had been said since his family had found him. Not once had he heard one word of apology. That\u2019s all I want. Is it really too much to expect?<\/em><\/p>\n

Once he finished his meal, Joe left the plate on the table, and walked across the yard. As he entered the barn he heard a familiar whicker and for the first time in a long while a genuine smile reached his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou miss me, Cooch?\u201d Joe asked as the horse pushed its head against his chest.\u00a0 He stood stroking the horse\u2019s neck, basking in the attention he was receiving. Picking up a brush, Joe moved around to the side of his horse. With slow, even strokes, he ran the brush down the horse\u2019s back. As he repeated the movement over and over, he could feel his own muscles\u2014stiff from weeks of inactivity\u2014starting to stretch out and loosen up. He grew more relaxed as he continued to groom his horse. . . that was until he heard a throat being cleared behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben said as he entered the barn.<\/p>\n

Joe continued grooming Cochise, but every muscle became taut again and he squared his shoulders, but didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n

Ben knew his son had heard him, and he hadn\u2019t expected an answer, but he had hoped that maybe, just maybe, he\u2019d get one. \u201cJoseph, you will not be allowed to take your meals separate from the rest of the family now that you\u2019re out of bed. I made an exception tonight, but as of tomorrow morning, you\u2019ll be up on time and eating with the rest of us. Is that understood?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knew, just by his father\u2019s voice, that he didn\u2019t have a choice in the matter. He turned around to face his father. \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d he responded, looking straight at Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Ben turned to leave, but stopped and looked back at his youngest son. \u201cJoe, won\u2019t you tell me what\u2019s troubling you? Maybe I can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have to ask, then there\u2019s no use in me sayin\u2019 anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was puzzled at that statement; he couldn\u2019t understand what Joe meant. \u201cWhether or not you think I wouldn\u2019t understand, talking about what happened with the Lemmings could help to ease the burden you\u2019re carrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head sadly. \u201cYou just don\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen talk to me, help me understand it.\u201d Ben felt a trickle of hope, this was the most Joe had said to him since they left the cabin.<\/p>\n

Snorting softly, Joe shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s not important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u201d Ben stopped short when Joe turned his back to him and resumed brushing Cochise. He sighed and his shoulders slumping in defeat. \u201cIf you decide you want to talk I\u2019m always here.\u201d Ben waited for his son to say something. \u201cYou know, Little Joe, you need to talk, to let all of this go and move forward\u2014to become part of the family again.\u201d When Joe didn\u2019t respond, Ben turned away and quietly left the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 69<\/strong><\/p>\n

Long after Ben left, Joe finally put the brush away and gave Cochise a measure of oats. \u201cThere you go, boy, enjoy.\u201d With a last pat on the horse\u2019s rump, he left the stall.<\/p>\n

Before leaving the barn, Joe walked to the last and largest stall. In it was a mare that he and Hoss had raised together after its mother died giving birth, and it held a very special place in Joe\u2019s heart. She was the first horse that he had been allowed to help raise as a new-born foul. He and Hoss had worked hard to keep her alive, but they had enjoyed every minute of it. It was a cherished time between the brothers, a time that bonded them closer together. Now, she was due to give birth, and both brothers were anxious about it, praying that she wouldn\u2019t be subjected to her mother\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Ginger. How\u2019s my best girl doing today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ginger bobbed her head up and down until Joe reached out and scratched behind her ear, a spot that he knew she loved. \u201cAny time now and you\u2019ll have your own foal to take care of. I can\u2019t wait to see what it looks like. Between your coloring and that of Maverick, it\u2019s got to be a beauty.\u201d With a final scratch, Joe turned away and started for the door. Before he was barely half a dozen steps away he heard a snort followed by a whinny. When he turned back the horse was down and breathing hard. Joe rushed over and into the stall. \u201cI guess any time is now.\u201d He sat on the ground next to her and started stroking her neck and cooing soft words of comfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, Pa thinks.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u201d Hoss stopped mid-sentence when he saw Ginger down and Joe sitting next to her. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t it obvious? She\u2019s in labor,\u201d Joe said slowly as if he was talking to a small child.<\/p>\n

\u201cLabor!\u201d Hoss rushed into the stall and pushed Joe back into the side of the stall. \u201cGet out of the way, Joe. \u201c<\/p>\n

Joe felt like a knife had been thrust into his heart. \u201cHoss, she\u2019s my horse, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t even look back at his brother, if he would have, he\u2019d have seen the devastated look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cJoe, just go on into the house. You don\u2019t need to be out here, this here needs to be done right.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was it! They still didn\u2019t believe in him. They thought he\u2019d mess everything up, just like they did before. \u201cI can see that I\u2019m not wanted. I might as well leave,\u201d Joe said as he pulled himself from the ground and left the stall. \u201cCalifornia is sounding awful good again,\u201d he muttered as he walked out of the barn.<\/p>\n

Hoss barely heard the words, but hear them he did and they struck a note of panic in his heart. Forgetting about Ginger, Hoss quickly rose to his feet and went after his brother. \u201cLittle Joe, wait!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe paused, his back rigid as an iron rod. \u201cWhat for?\u201d he asked bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean what I said. You know that don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was breathing hard, trying to get control of his emotions. \u201cNo I don\u2019t. You said it. If you didn\u2019t mean it, why\u2019d you say it in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why, all I know was that Ginger was down and in labor; and I wasn\u2019t here. You didn\u2019t come and get me. I was mad, and hurt, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned, his eyes blazing with anger. \u201cYou were hurt! That\u2019s rich! You were hurt! How do you think I feel? No one thinks I can do anything right, and now you come in here and push me out of the way, telling me I can\u2019t do it right. I\u2019ve helped birth as many animals as you have. She\u2019s my horse too, Hoss, or did you forget that?\u201d Joe stopped and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before he let more slip. He already said too much\u2014revealed too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, please, stay and help me. I was wrong to say what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stiffened and looked at his brother with eyes that where hard and cold. Without a word, he turned and once again and headed for the house.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked between Ginger and his brother; deciding the horse could wait\u2014the horse would<\/em> wait\u2014he took a couple long strides and closed the gap between the two of them. He grabbed Joe\u2019s shoulder and roughly spun him around. Hurt and guilt flooded through him when Joe raised his hands defensively and a look of fear flashed through his eyes.<\/p>\n

Hoss loosened his grip, but didn\u2019t let go. \u201cLittle Joe, I wouldn\u2019t hurt you for nothin\u2019, you gotta know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t gotta! But I do know you could and almost did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss dropped his hand from Joe\u2019s shoulder, and shoved them both deep in his pockets, his shoulders slumped forward as guilt over his actions that day flooded through him. \u201cI shoulda never done what I did that night. It was wrong, Pa always taught me better, but. . .\u201d Hoss shrugged his shoulders in misery.<\/p>\n

Joe stood waiting for those two little words, but they didn\u2019t come. Why? Why can\u2019t any of you just say it?<\/em> \u201cYeah, I know, you didn\u2019t believe in me,\u201d Joe mumbled and turned away.<\/p>\n

Ginger took that moment to whinny. Joe paused for a brief second, straightened his shoulder and continued on his path.<\/p>\n

“Joe, at least stay and help Ginger. You\u2019ve always had a way with her.\u201d Hoss watched as Joe hesitated. \u201cDon\u2019t you wanna see her first foal?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood still, undecided. When Ginger whinnied again, Joe\u2019s decision was made. He walked back to the horse and sat down beside her. Hoss cautiously sat across from Joe on the other side of the horse.<\/p>\n

Hoss watched Joe as he stroked the horse\u2019s neck and offered soft words of comfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cSshh, Ginger, it\u2019s going to be just fine. I believe in you girl,\u201d Joe whispered to the horse, keeping his voice soft and low, \u201calways have, even when you were that scrawny, little thing.\u201d Joe smiled softly as he continued the gently, calming stokes of his hand down her neck. \u201cJust think, when this is all over you\u2019re gonna have this beautiful new foal. Someone you can love; someone who\u2019ll never let you down.\u201d Joe cooed the words of love and encouragement to Ginger.<\/p>\n

This was the brother he knew, the brother he missed. \u201cJoe\u2014I\u2019m so sorry. I should never have doubted you. I just wish I knew how to make it up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe raised his head. Tears made his eyes sparkle like emeralds. \u201cYou just did,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 brows lowered in confusion. \u201cI don\u2019t understand. What did I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you\u2019re sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, we did that long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. No, Hoss, no one has said it, at least not to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Summoned to the barn by the angry voices, Ben and Adam heard just enough of the interchange to shake them to the core. Was it really as simple as that?<\/p>\n

Joe was unaware his father and older brother had slipped into the barn, but Hoss saw them and acknowledged their presence with a shake of his head.<\/p>\n

Silence fell over them once again until Hoss finally asked the question that had been weighing on his soul\u2014on all of their souls\u2014since they had found Joe. \u201cWhat happened out there, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and slowly released it. \u201cYou really don\u2019t want to know, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I do,\u201d Hoss insisted. \u201cI also think it\u2019ll help if you talk to someone about it. If you don\u2019t, it\u2019s just going to continue to eat you up inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe lowered his head, deep in thought. Finally, with a slight nod of his head he started his story. His eyes never left Ginger, his anchor, and he kept his voice soft and without emotion, as if he was telling a story about someone else.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 70<\/strong><\/p>\n

After hearing Joe\u2019s story, Ben knelt next to his son. To his sorrow Joe turned away from him. \u201cJoseph, look at me.\u201d When Joe refused, Ben reached over and gently cupped Joe\u2019s chin and turned his face. \u201cSon, I never realized. I don\u2019t know what to say, except that I am sorry . . . Truly sorry about everything that has happened. I guess I was too concerned over your health and getting you home to even think about that. Once we were here I thought it was what had happened with the Lemmings\u2019 that was tearing you apart.\u201d Ben shook his head, ashamed that he had let his son down. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you talk to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and released it as a slight tremor went through his body. \u201cI couldn\u2019t . . .\u201d his voice caught on the word and he had to clear his throat before continuing. \u201cI couldn\u2019t tell you. I just thought\u2014Well, I thought that it wouldn\u2019t be the same; that an apology wouldn\u2019t mean anything if I had to ask for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, Little Joe, you shouldn\u2019t have had to say anything; we should have told you how sorry we were about what happened, and how wrong we were for not believing in you,\u201d acknowledged Adam. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m the worst of all;I haven\u2019t been fair in my treatment and expectations. Even that day on the ridge, when you saved me, I couldn\u2019t believe . . . No, I didn\u2019t want to admit to seeing the truth in your eyes. You\u2019ll never know how sorry I am for that. I hope someday you can forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the three faces around him and could see the truth in their eyes. He swiped at the tears that had started to fall, and gave his family a shaky smile. \u201cIt was childish of me to want to hear the words. Deep down inside I knew without being told, but I couldn\u2019t seem to help it. I guess I still have some growing up to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not childish, Son. Every man has a right to an apology when he\u2019s been treated unjustly, and you\u2019re no different. In fact, you\u2019re more deserving than most. Families should always believe in each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered as he wiped his shirt sleeve across his eyes.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled Joe into his arms, grateful to have his youngest son back.<\/p>\n

Joe was hesitant, not sure if he could completely trust his family again. He still had some doubts, and he still hurt from their lack of trust. Do they really mean it?<\/em> Only time would tell\u2014Only time would heal the wounds.<\/p>\n

Hoss cleared his throat. \u201cIf we\u2019re all done with this here apologizin\u2019 stuff, I\u2019d like to get back to business at hand, and that\u2019s Ginger.\u201d<\/p>\n

The laughter that followed was like a tonic to the soul, as it started to heal each and every one of the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, we\u2019ll leave you boys to it,\u201d Ben said as tousled Joe\u2019s hair before leaving the barn with Adam.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before a new colt\u2014a new life\u2014entered the world and with it a new chance for Joe and his family. If it wasn\u2019t for Ginger and her colt, things may never have been resolved for them. Joe knew there was still a journey ahead of him, still some healing to do, trust to be built, but as long as he had his family\u2019s love and faith, he knew he would be able to do it.<\/p>\n

Joe smiled as he watched the colt take its first shaky steps. Warmth flooded through him at the thought that his family not only loved him, but they believed in him as well, just as he did with Ginger. Having someone believe in you was a powerful feeling indeed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter End Notes:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I would like to thank Cheaux for having the courage to beta this for me. One think about this story, it allowed me to make a wonderful new friend, Cheaux. Thank you so much for all of your patience.<\/p>\n

If anyone catched any formatting errors let me know. I hope I caught them all, but I had switched from Word 2003(?) to 2010 and I just could not get it to format correctly no matter what I did.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0Things seem to be happening to Joe. Is he losing his mind, or could there me another explanation?<\/p>\n

Word Count: 41,575\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K+<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":9765,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-2990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":4175,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-pa.jpg?fit=640%2C514&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14132","url_meta":{"origin":2990,"position":0},"title":"A Bucketful of Trouble (by Krystyna)","author":"Krystyna","date":"January 3, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hop Sing decides it's time to quit! 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