Part of the Destiny series<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0 O<\/span>ne of Joe’s sons and one of Adam’s son are kidnapped and held\u00a0for ransom, and one of Adam’s impetuous eldest sons embarks on a rescue mission even as a posse is formed and he learns an important lesson about taking risks and being a hero.<\/p>\n Rated:<\/span> T (20,490 words)<\/p>\n Destiny Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Blizzard of Destiny<\/a> <\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0No More Birthday Parties, Thank You<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is the first story following the Adam\/Hoss\/Joe “Destiny” series.<\/p>\n This is a sequel to my \u201cDestiny\u201d stories. Please forgive the historical liberty I took in placing Mark Twain in Virginia City years after he actually left it.<\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/p>\n FAMILY TREE<\/strong><\/p>\n Adam\/Mary Lynn\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Nolan & Logan, 13<\/p>\n Elizabeth, 12<\/p>\n Eli & Susannah, 10<\/p>\n Hunter, 5<\/p>\n Caroline, 3<\/p>\n Ross, 1<\/p>\n Marianne (not yet born)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Hoss\/Erin<\/strong><\/p>\n Eric, 12<\/p>\n Benjamin, 9<\/p>\n Gunther (Gunner), 7<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Joe\/Amy<\/strong><\/p>\n Isabel, 10<\/p>\n Joseph, 8<\/p>\n Jonathan, 7<\/p>\n James, 5<\/p>\n Sarah, 7\/mo<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Chapter One \u2013 How Time Flies<\/strong><\/p>\n It was recess time at the Virginia City schoolhouse.\u00a0 A flock of children ran and played in the side yard of the building.\u00a0 They ranged in size from tall to small.\u00a0 The school enrollment was bigger than it had ever been.\u00a0 A lot of that was due to the Cartwright cousins.\u00a0 At least thirteen of the children outside the school were Cartwrights.\u00a0 Virginia City had been growing too, which was why an addition had been built onto the back of the schoolhouse two years ago.\u00a0 The addition had taken into account the need for a second teacher sometime in the next year or so.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An active kickball game was taking place with most of the children participating and others on the sidelines cheering on the players.\u00a0 Thirteen-year-old identical twins Nolan and Logan Cartwright played on opposite teams, and their participation was intense.\u00a0 Their sister, twelve-year-old Elizabeth Cartwright, and their same age cousin Eric were each on a team.\u00a0 Following in age after them, ten-year-old twins Eli and Susannah joined in, but their cousin, Isabel, also ten, preferred to be on the cheering squad rather than muss her dress in the dust.\u00a0 But nine-year-old Benjamin and eight-year-old Joseph each eagerly modeled themselves after their older male cousins on the field.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elsewhere, seven-year-olds Gunther and Jonathan were engaged in a fierce game of marbles, along with some of the other school boys.\u00a0 Their youngest cousins, James and Hunter Cartwright, both five years old, were busily digging for worms so they could fish later.\u00a0 All the cousins lived on the Ponderosa ranch with their parents and grandfather, Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 Three other little tadpoles, Sarah, Caroline and Ross, were still babies or toddlers and weren\u2019t old enough to attend school yet. They stayed home with their mothers and the family\u2019s helpers, Hop Sing and Mrs. McCarthy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Ponderosa was a busy place with so many family members, but it had also increased its holdings and operations over the years.\u00a0 Adam Cartwright was now exclusively in charge of the mining operations, which had experienced the good fortune to strike several rich veins of silver over the past decade.\u00a0 His brother Hoss was completely in charge of the cattle, horse breeding and ranching areas.\u00a0 He was an expert with animals and under his firm yet gentle hand the herds had doubled in size and the Ponderosa was doing a brisk business in breeding both horses and cattle for other ranchers across the western states.\u00a0 And finally, Joe Cartwright had totally taken over the timber and logging business.\u00a0 He had become a very astute businessman in the tradition of his brother, Adam.\u00a0 Many lucrative contracts had come to the ranch under his management.\u00a0 He was also a dedicated conservationist, the roots of which had been instilled in all three Cartwright sons by their father, Ben, who had insisted that for preservation purposes, for every tree that was cut down, a new one was planted to take its place.\u00a0 This ensured that the forest would survive in perpetuity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ranch was prosperous and hard working, which was why two pairs of eyes were carefully studying the Cartwright cousins as they played between lessons.\u00a0 They had watched the young Cartwrights for three days now as they had made their plans.\u00a0 It was important that their plan went off without a hitch.\u00a0 They had been plotting it for weeks, and part of the plan was to understand the children.\u00a0 They were pretty sure they knew who their targets were, but the observation this week was intended to confirm their gut instincts.\u00a0 Even better, Adam Cartwright had taken his pretty wife, Mary Lynn, to Europe.\u00a0 Experts at procreation, Ben had been overheard in the saloon laughing about how Adam had taken advantage of an apparent lull in their reproductive achievements to take his wife on the trip he had been promising her for years.\u00a0 Ben had chuckled and shaken his head, marveling that his eldest son and his wife had not only produced eight children, but handled them all calmly and with humor.\u00a0 Having Adam and Mary Lynn out of town was like a gift that had fallen into the laps of the two who were studying the tallest Cartwright boys compete against each other.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as Mrs. Crawford dismissed school for the day, the children charged outside like horses from a corral with the gate left open.\u00a0 The cousins generally rode home together in an old buckboard that Ben had donated for the purpose, since the school was almost an hour from the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Usually Nolan and Logan rode their own horses, disdainful of the wagon the \u201cbabies\u201d had to ride in.\u00a0 Eric, so much like his dependable father Hoss, generally drove the wagon and Elizabeth kept general order.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Mrs. Crawford had given history and arithmetic homework for that evening, so there was an overall pall among the children.\u00a0 They would much rather play on the ranch than do homework.\u00a0 The older ones had regular chores to do, but they preferred them to homework any day.\u00a0 What they didn\u2019t really appreciate is that while they all sat together at the dining table after dinner with their homework, they had each other\u2019s help and company.\u00a0 Nolan and Elizabeth were extra generous in helping the younger ones, too.\u00a0 Both of them had inherited their father Adam\u2019s thirst for books and learning.\u00a0 Logan, on the other hand, would rather be breaking wild horses any day, but he went to school and breezed through his homework because he knew the punishment was worse than the crime.\u00a0 He was usually the first one up from the table, slamming his books shut, and almost always turned down offers from his brother and sister to review his work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After dinner that night, Ben and Little Joe removed themselves to Ben\u2019s study to reviews the details of a timber contract Joe was working on.\u00a0 He was satisfied with most of the terms, but one or two details still needed to be finished.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That particular evening, Aunt Erin and Aunt Amy were also at the table to help make sure the little ones got through their lessons successfully.\u00a0 All of Erin\u2019s three boys were a pure delight.\u00a0 They had either inherited their father\u2019s gentle strength, their mother\u2019s cheerful compassion, or a combination of both.\u00a0 Eric wasn\u2019t a strong student, and often had to be coached on complicated concepts.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t slow; he would just rather be outside where he could smell the air and see nature.\u00a0 His brothers Benj, and Gunther (who had been \u201cGunner\u201d with the entire family almost from the day he was born) latched onto their schoolwork effortlessly and always finished quickly.\u00a0 They never teased their brother about this, however.\u00a0 They just understood that he had different priorities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ten-year-olds tended to work together since they were in the same class.\u00a0 Eli and Susannah had a close bond with each other, and Isabel was a perfectionist with her work, writing carefully, often with the tip of her tongue sticking out of her mouth in concentration.\u00a0 Her father, Little Joe, swore she didn\u2019t get that from him!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joseph, Jonathan, James and Hunter were just typical boys.\u00a0 They learned quickly, but sometimes got points deducted from their homework assignments because poor Mrs. Crawford could hardly read them.\u00a0 But Amy and Erin persisted with them, and Mary Lynn had been known to make certain children recopy their homework neatly before they could leave the table.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the end of the evening, depending on which class they were in at school, the Cartwright cousins could do simple sums, had learned multiplication tables or long division, could name the original thirteen colonies, the first ten Presidents of the United States, and the first ten states admitted to the union, in order.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With a collective feeling of relief, there was the sound of chairs being pushed back from the table in unison.\u00a0 Books and papers were gathered up and placed on the credenza by the front door for the following day.\u00a0 With some daylight still left in the sky, some of the children went outside to help with chores or visit with the hands.\u00a0 Isabel and Susannah, as well as James and Hunter, stayed inside.\u00a0 Elizabeth took her three-year-old sister, Caroline, upstairs for a bath.\u00a0 This was part of her contribution both to her parents and her aunts.\u00a0 The more she helped with her brothers and sisters, the easier it was for her mother and father to get away on the trip they were so enjoying right now.\u00a0 Even though they were three distinct families, in many ways they were one big family and they had always pitched in to help each other out.\u00a0 Elizabeth had grown up knowing this, and she reveled in the pride her parents took in her ability to step in and help with the children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aunt Erin was holding her nephew, one-year-old Ross on her hip, and Aunt Amy had her own baby, seven-month-old Sarah, to look after.\u00a0 While Mrs. McCarthy got the smaller children ready for bed, Aunt Erin and Aunt Amy put the littlest babies to sleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fortunately, both of the aunts were well accustomed to the noise and chaos a houseful of sixteen children could generate.\u00a0 They took it all in stride, even if they did relish their precious few moments of peace and quiet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Outside, Joey, Jon, Benj and Gunner were outside the bunkhouse talking with a few of the hands who were lounging outside there.\u00a0 The boys were not allowed to go inside the bunkhouse because that was just for grown-ups, but they enjoyed spending time with the hands outside, finding out what they had done that day, and dreaming of the day when they themselves could do real cowboy work. \u00a0Eli, Eric, Nolan and Logan were in the stable with Uncle Hoss ( Pop to Eric) brushing the horses, cleaning the tack room and mucking the stalls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure is good to have you boys here helpin\u2019 me,\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d be here \u2018til midnight otherwise.\u201d\u00a0 Eric and Eli smiled proudly at this, but Nolan and Logan guffawed and exchanged knowing looks with each other.\u00a0 Still, they were doing their fair share.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over by the bunkhouse, Joey was hanging on the back of an oversize rocker Tip McCall was leaning back in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow long did it take ya ta learn to rope a steer, Tip?\u201d\u00a0 Joey was a wiry replica of his father, and he asked Tip this question at least once a day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI done tol\u2019 you that about a hundred times,\u201d Tip smiled as he removed his wide brimmed hat and placed it on Joey\u2019s head, where it almost sat on his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cIt done took me thirty-five years.\u00a0 It\u2019s tough work.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNaw it didn\u2019t!\u201d This came from curly haired Jon, who had heard the question and answer almost as often as it had been asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right, then, how long did it take?\u201d Tip challenged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHeck, it took you two weeks, four days, sixteen hours and thirty-four minutes,\u201d Benj boasted, having long ago memorized the statistics Tip had made up purely for their enjoyment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Tip responded, ruffling the boy\u2019s hair.\u00a0 \u201cNot one second more, not one second less.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gunner snickered at that while Joey pulled Tip\u2019s hat back on his head, leaning back so he could look with twinkling eyes at the cow hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bob Barnes, another hand who was puffing on a pipe, jumped into the repartee.\u00a0 \u201cBet you boys never heard about the time ol\u2019 Tip here fell off his horse right onto a spiny cactus.\u00a0 Oh Lordy, you could hear him hollerin\u2019 all the way to St. Louey!\u00a0 And we had one he–, I mean one heck of a time pullin\u2019 them needles out of his as\u2026 I mean backside, an\u2019 he was even wearin\u2019 chaps!\u201d\u00a0 Bob winked at Tip, who reached down and quickly rescued his hat from Joey before it was crushed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The four boys were doubled over laughing.\u00a0 It was almost more than they could take.\u00a0 This was the kind of raucous humor that appealed to the minds of 7-9-year-old boys.\u00a0 Benj managed to stay on his feet, but the other three wound up rolling on the plank floor of the bunkhouse porch. Tip and Bob started laughing just watching the boys laugh and soon three more hands ambled out to see what the hilarity was all about.\u00a0 There was a good feeling in the air.\u00a0 Many of the ranch hands felt they were part of the extended Cartwright family, and they watched over the children carefully.\u00a0 Hoss walked out of the barn with the other boys.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hope you men ain\u2019t corruptin\u2019 these rapscallions here,\u201d he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re tryin\u2019 real hard to teach them good manners an\u2019 all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, no sir,\u201d Bob had put on a poker face.\u00a0 \u201cTip here was jest explainin\u2019 etiquette to them,\u201d he rolled his eyes heavenward as Jon and Joey wiped tears of mirth from their dusty faces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unfortunately, Hoss gathered all the boys together then and herded them inside, so goodnights were said all around.\u00a0 The hands stayed outside and chuckled over this episode.\u00a0 One of the men at the end of the porch rocked quietly and kept a thoughtful eye on the boys who followed Hoss inside the ranch house.\u00a0 He never said a word, only pulled up his chair when a deck of cards was broken out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean you think we got the wrong boys in mind? Are you outta yore mind?\u00a0 This is how it\u2019s been planned for weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know, but the more I watched them the other night, the more I thought we might be makin\u2019 a mistake takin\u2019 the big ones.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAn\u2019 how would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Feet were scuffling.\u00a0 \u201cWell, they\u2019re gettin\u2019 pretty tall now, an\u2019 they can sit a horse real well.\u00a0 They can shoot, rope and ride herd too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s mighty fine, but don\u2019t forget they\u2019re goin\u2019 to be tied up!\u00a0 They\u2019re the oldest and the most valuable to the Cartwrights.\u00a0 They\u2019d do anything to git them boys back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it matters none.\u00a0 They\u2019d do anything to git any one of them younguns back.\u00a0 I think it\u2019d be easier for us to take littler ones.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This discussion, or versions of it, had been going on between the two men for almost two hours.\u00a0 Presently they were glaring at each other across the room of a precariously built cabin on the rocky side of a mountain well beyond Virginia City.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One man ran his hand through his overly long hair.\u00a0 He exhaled loudly.\u00a0 \u201cAre Marcus and Tilda still with us?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCourse they are.\u00a0 For the right price they\u2019re in on anything.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen all we need to do is decide which ones to take.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell the Cartwrights are having their spring party next Saturday, and the decision may just make itself for us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, but not the big kids, and no girls.\u00a0 I can\u2019t stand whinin\u2019 and snivelin\u2019 from girls!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFine, have it yer way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Four times a year, to match the seasons, the Cartwrights had group birthday parties.\u00a0 With a family as big as theirs had become, theoretically a birthday occurred every other week.\u00a0 At some point the three wives decided that quarterly parties would be a good solution.\u00a0 And, to their pleasure, the idea had worked out well.\u00a0 The adult and child birthdays were all celebrated at the same time.\u00a0 There was always plenty of food, games and gifts.\u00a0 The cousins didn\u2019t know that often the married adults sneaked each other special gifts when their real birthday rolled around.\u00a0 No point in letting that cat out of the bag.\u00a0 Nolan and Logan were on the verge of figuring it out anyway.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The spring birthday party was coming up in a week, and via democratic process, it had been decided that Hop Sing would bake a strawberry birthday cake.\u00a0 It was going to be a big one, and had just barely missed being his famous chocolate cake by two votes.\u00a0 No one cared that much; anything Hop Sing made was delicious.\u00a0 There would be a huge side of pork ribs cooking all afternoon on a spit outdoors, and countless side dishes that were family classics.\u00a0 If the weather was good, colored lanterns would light up the outside of the house and there would be a special gift for each Cartwright whose birthday fell during spring.\u00a0 Even the hands joined in the food and fun unless they had gone into town that Saturday night for a different type of fun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The anticipation was hard to manage all week prior to Saturday.\u00a0 School wasn\u2019t the first thing on anyone\u2019s list of things to concentrate on, although Elizabeth and Isabel really tried hard.\u00a0 They had both been spring babies, and Elizabeth had kept her fingers crossed for weeks that she would get the fancy hair combs she had shown her mother in the general store.\u00a0 Isabel, on the other hand, had her eye on a doll with a china head, real hair, and a formal dress.\u00a0 It was pure glamour, and she been sighing over it for the longest time.\u00a0 Both her Pa and her Grandpa said the doll looked just like her, so she thought that was a very good omen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Saturday dawned clear, with bright sunshine and a blue sky.\u00a0 The lanterns were strung first thing after breakfast, and the spit was prepared right after that.\u00a0 Tables were set up outside, and a great bonfire was readied in the center of the yard, because even though it was spring, it was still be chilly after sunset.\u00a0 The adults scurried all day getting the party ready.\u00a0 Mrs. McCarthy watched the little children, and all day everyone wished that Adam and Mary Lynn were home, since two extra sets of hands would have been most welcome.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Amy and Erin had made sure the presents were wrapped and hidden several weeks ago.\u00a0 The games were ready to go.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss (and usually Adam) were in charge of coming up with a big challenge at each party.\u00a0 It had been easy when they first started doing it; now it was a challenge for them to keep several steps ahead of the cousins.\u00a0 This year they had devised a code language that spelled out clues for a treasure hunt. They were pretty sure it was going to be a head scratcher.\u00a0 They\u2019d been working on it for weeks in between and during routine chores around the ranch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About five o\u2019clock Roy Coffee and Dr. Paul Martin arrived together in Dr. Martin\u2019s surrey.\u00a0 Roy had retired as Virginia City\u2019s sheriff a few years ago, but he was considered part of the family, as was Paul Martin.\u00a0 He kept saying he was going to retire, but he hadn\u2019t quite gotten around to it yet.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t miss a Cartwright birthday party if he could help it.\u00a0 He had delivered every one of the children except Isabel, who had inconveniently chosen her own time and place to be born during an ice storm.\u00a0 At least she had given her Pa something to brag about ever since because he took credit for her birth.\u00a0 Amy would just pat his shoulder proudly every time he bragged about it, and occasionally she would mention that she had been there too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A couple of the ranch hands were turning the meat on the spit, but Nolan, Logan and Eli pitched in and took turns too.\u00a0 The meat smelled so good everyone was ready to eat, but they all knew they had to wait until Hop Sing said it was time.\u00a0 Then Grandpa Ben would make an announcement, and the birthday honorees would get to fill their plates first.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally it was time.\u00a0 Hop Sing proclaimed the feast to be done, and Grandpa Ben\u2019s booming voice wished all the \u201cspring babies\u201d a very Happy Birthday, and the party was off and running.\u00a0 It was amazing how fast the food could disappear, considering how long it had taken to prepare it.\u00a0 But it was delicious as only Hop Sing could make it.\u00a0 Even young Ross, sitting on Aunt Erin\u2019s lap, was chewing on a rib bone.\u00a0 Of course, a huge napkin was tied around his neck.\u00a0 It covered his entire chubby body and was covered with barbecue sauce.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The strawberry cake was brought out, lit with dozens of candles.\u00a0 The celebrants gathered around it and blew out the candles in one large plume of smoke. \u00a0The cake then proceeded to disappear at a rate seemingly faster than the dinner had.\u00a0 It had pink strawberry frosting and real slices of strawberry inside.\u00a0 It was heavenly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben then had the honor to pass out the special gifts to each spring baby.\u00a0 There were lots of smiles and no disappointed faces.\u00a0 In fact, more than one child ran up to their grandpa or a parent, aunt or uncle for a special hug of thanks.\u00a0 That was the best part of all, Ben thought.\u00a0 It was his great pleasure to see his beloved family experience joy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then at last, the games began.\u00a0\u00a0 There were pony rides for the very little children who rarely had the chance to ride yet, and pony races for the older ones who could ride.\u00a0 Eli and Eric won first place ribbons, while Benj and Susannah (who had been practicing) received second place ribbons.\u00a0 Nolan and Logan didn\u2019t participate in horse racing because they considered themselves above that, and their horsemanship skills were, in fact, superior.\u00a0 The younger children competed in sack races while Hoss and Joe set up the Challenge.\u00a0 Most of the treasures had been hidden earlier in the day.\u00a0 Some of the prizes for the little ones were hidden near the house at the last moment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As it began to get chilly, one of the hands lit the bonfire.\u00a0 Dusk was falling as, at last, Little Joe presented the children with the numbered, coded clues, on a tray.\u00a0 He explained that they had to figure out the code, go to the place it directed them, and bring back the treasure they found there.\u00a0 The game ended when all the prizes had been retrieved.\u00a0 The cousins gathered around the tray and picked up clues.\u00a0 They unfolded white pieces of paper covered with Roman numerals.\u00a0 The little ones were baffled, but the older ones frowned and stared hard at their papers.\u00a0 Elizabeth\u2019s clue looked like this:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n VII XV\u00a0\u00a0 XX XV<\/p>\n II I XXV XIX\u00a0\u00a0 XIX XX I XII XII<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There were long silences and some muttering while they considered what was before them.\u00a0 Watching his son chew his lower lip, Hoss grinned and elbowed Little Joe, whose eyes were sparkling as he rocked back and forth on his feet.\u00a0 They had gotten those kids this time, he thought.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2026 OH!\u201d This exclamation came simultaneously from Nolan and Elizabeth, who looked quickly at each other and then raced to the house for paper and pencil.\u00a0 Little Joe frowned.\u00a0 If they had it figured out, it had taken them less than five minutes.\u00a0 Darn it.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s kids were too darn brainy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Back outside, Elizabeth sat at one of the tables and wrote out the alphabet.\u00a0 Nolan leaned over her shoulder and watched while she then assigned a Roman numeral to each letter, beginning with \u201cI\u201d for A, \u201cII\u201d for B, and so on.\u00a0 He clapped her on the back, and by then all the children crowded around them.\u00a0 When she was finished, she translated each Roman numeral into a letter and read her clue: \u201cGo to Bay\u2019s stall.\u201d\u00a0 Bay was one of the newest geldings on the ranch and he was reserved for riding due to his gentle nature.\u00a0 Elizabeth took off for the barn like a shot.\u00a0 Moments later she was back with a bar of chocolate that made little eyes go wide.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that the code had been cracked, it was just a matter of translating the clues.\u00a0 Nolan\u2019s sent him to the water trough where he triumphantly brought up a $10 gold piece that made him the envy of everyone.\u00a0 Elizabeth promptly sat down and helped the younger children translate their clues.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t do it for them; she made them do the work, but she explained how it worked and checked their results to make sure they didn\u2019t go off on a wild goose chase.\u00a0 Some of them didn\u2019t understand Roman numerals yet, so she just showed them the translation sheet and let them copy the clue into English.\u00a0 Pretty soon there was a collection of goodies on the table: water color paint, jelly beans, balls, puzzles, coins, chocolate bars, popcorn, ribbons, chalk, bandanas, leather coin purses, and marbles.\u00a0 There was something for everyone and it didn\u2019t take long for swapping to take place.\u00a0 The only person who refused to consider any exchange was Nolan, who had found the $10 gold coin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss and Little Joe went through the numbered clues to make sure that every one had been found.\u00a0 One was missing.\u00a0 It was for a box of dominoes behind the barn.\u00a0 Joe walked back there, but the dominoes were already gone.\u00a0 He went back to the party and checked over the kids.\u00a0 Eli and Joey weren\u2019t there.\u00a0 Maybe they had taken the dominoes inside to set them up.\u00a0 Joe went inside to check.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t downstairs, and they weren\u2019t in any of the children\u2019s rooms.\u00a0 He was starting to get a little nervous.\u00a0 There had been times in the past when people had taken a Cartwright and held him for ransom, but nothing like that had happened for years and years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Back outside, Joe found Ben and told him about the situation.\u00a0 Ben immediately went looking without arousing an alarm for everyone else.\u00a0 Joe found Hoss and took him behind the barn.\u00a0 He showed him exactly where the dominoes had been and explained that he couldn\u2019t find Eli or Joey.\u00a0 He wanted Hoss to examine the area.\u00a0 There was no tracker as skilled as Hoss for miles around.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too dark to see now, Joe.\u00a0 Run in the barn and bring out some lanterns.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was standing at a distance from the area Joe had pointed out.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to contaminate any evidence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was back in less than a minute with two lighted lanterns.\u00a0 Both he and Hoss looked over the dirt area.\u00a0 Even Joe could tell that several sets of footprints were present.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s at least two set of kids\u2019 footprints here, and at least two adult sets.\u00a0 Boots.\u00a0 The large ones are boots, just like the little ones\u201d Hoss looked quickly at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cIs everyone in the bunkhouse tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, but I\u2019m about to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe might want to bring Roy back here to take a look too,\u201d Hoss\u2019 face had a grim look to it.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t remember seeing Eli and Joey running behind the barn together, but often the children searched for clues together, especially after they had solved their first one.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy and Ben joined Hoss momentarily.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s search hadn\u2019t turned up the boys either. He had done a head count just to be sure, and two were missing.\u00a0 Joe rounded the corner again, slightly out of breath.\u00a0 All the hands were accounted for.\u00a0 Some were in the bunkhouse, but a number were still at the party.\u00a0 Since the bonfire had been lit while the children had been figuring out the clues, five or six hands were sitting around it talking.\u00a0 Some of the kids were too, in addition to Erin and Amy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy moved beyond the back of the barn where a dirt road led away from the house and wild grass grew on either side of it.\u00a0 It was commonly used by everyone on the Ponderosa, but in the dark, and with a big party going on out front, someone might be able to pick up two young boys and make off with them. With a little help.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, bring the lantern over here,\u201d Roy called.\u00a0 \u201cAny of these marks look fresh to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss studied the road for a long while.\u00a0 He moved over and looked at the tall, wild grass.\u00a0 He called for more lanterns.\u00a0 When six lanterns were concentrating light around the road, Hoss concluded that the wild grass was freshly trampled by at least two horses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face had a pinched look.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you just make off with two boys?\u00a0 They\u2019re gonna holler and struggle,\u201d he swallowed, thinking of his oldest boy and namesake, Joey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot if they\u2019re gagged and there\u2019s an accomplice the boys know,\u201d Roy spoke quietly.<\/p>\n Ben, Hoss and Joe all shot him quick glances.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s was dark.\u00a0 He remembered all too well times in the past when his sons and even he himself had been captured and held for ransom.\u00a0 Then he caught himself.\u00a0 Maybe he was jumping to conclusions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat should we do now?\u201d he asked Roy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think you should get your hands out checking the entire area, and I think we need to bring Clem in on this.\u201d\u00a0 Clem Foster, the former deputy sheriff, had been elected sheriff when Roy retired.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre we dealing with a crime?\u201d\u00a0 Joe was rubbing his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot necessarily, but we certainly could be,\u201d was Roy\u2019s reply.\u00a0 He had too much experience to pass this incident off as two boys lost in the dark.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben and Roy left to gather the hands together while Joe and Hoss went to find their wives.\u00a0 This was going to be difficult news to break.\u00a0 Erin, Amy and Mary Lynn loved each other\u2019s children as much as their own.\u00a0 Erin would be strong as long as she needed to, but Amy would be emotional, Joe knew that.\u00a0 The thought of her curly haired son coming to harm would hit her deeply.\u00a0 The more he thought about it, the more he realized that if this lasted for any length of time, all the children who could understand would need to be told about it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fifteen minutes later Ben was passing out lanterns to pairs of ranch hands and sending them out to search for Eli and Joey.\u00a0 He cautioned them to listen carefully for unusual sounds and also to check all water areas.\u00a0 The boys could swim, but accidents did happen.\u00a0 Doc Martin had left to get Clem Foster.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin was standing quietly inside Hoss\u2019 strong embrace, her face resting against his shoulder.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t said much, and when she raised her head to look at him, her eyes were moist.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, we\u2019ll find them.\u00a0 Those precious boys will come home because the Good Lord is with them.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded, squeezed her shoulders and went back to the search.\u00a0 Erin wiped her eyes and went to be with the children<\/p>\n Joe had both arms around Amy in their bedroom. \u00a0She was doubled over, sobbing with both hands over her face.\u00a0 Joe kissed her hair and whispered reassurances to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s happening to my baby?\u201d\u00a0 She kept repeating this through her tears.<\/p>\n \u201cShh, sweetheart.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to find him, both of them.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get them back.\u00a0 Shh, now, you\u2019ll wake up Sarah,\u201d he looked over to where their youngest was asleep in her cradle, small enough to still be sleeping in their room.<\/p>\n Amy wept for a few more minutes and then quieted.\u00a0 She looked at her husband and wanted to know what was being done to find the boys.\u00a0 He told her in detail and then helped her bathe her face in cool water so the other children might not notice that she\u2019d been crying.\u00a0 She was shaking when they went downstairs together.\u00a0 Fortunately, Erin was nearby and put a strong arm around Amy\u2019s shoulders before they went out to the bonfire where most of the children still sat.\u00a0 Joe melted into the background and was soon riding out on Cochise alongside Hoss on Chubb to look for the boys.\u00a0 The hunt was on.\u00a0 One pair of eyes watched these events closely.\u00a0 So far, everything was on schedule.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/p>\n The horse was moving fast, and to Eli Cartwright, who was draped across the saddle like a sack of flour, the pace was painful.\u00a0 His head kept bouncing heavily against the side of the saddle and he couldn\u2019t complain about it because his mouth was gagged with something disgusting and dirty.\u00a0 His hands were also tied behind his back and he could do nothing to adjust his position.\u00a0 His feet hadn\u2019t been tied, but they were just flopping up and down helplessly.\u00a0 It felt like he was about to fall, but somehow he didn\u2019t.\u00a0 Things had happened so fast back at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 One minute he and Joey had discovered the box of dominoes behind the barn, and the next, one of the newer ranch hands, Trace, had appeared from one direction by the house and two riders had appeared from out of the dark by the back dirt road.\u00a0 Trace had clamped an iron hand over each boy\u2019s mouth, and each of the riders had gagged and tied a boy, mounted with some help from Trace and ridden off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli knew that Joey, who was not too far behind him bouncing along in the same fashion, was terrified, because he could hear him trying to scream.\u00a0 His screams were ineffectual because he was also gagged.\u00a0 Eli was afraid that the rider of Joey\u2019s horse would hurt him if he didn\u2019t stop making noise.\u00a0 That hadn\u2019t happened yet, Eli thought, and he kept trying to think.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know where they were going or what would happen when they got there.\u00a0 Frankly, he was worried that he and Joey were going to die.\u00a0 On the other hand, he remembered his dad telling stories about bad men who had taken Uncle Joe or Grandpa prisoner years ago in order to get money for their safe return.\u00a0 If that was the motive now, it would mean he and Joey wouldn\u2019t be killed.\u00a0 If his head hadn\u2019t been bouncing so hard, he would have shaken it with some humor.\u00a0 His mother always said that no one applied logic like his father better than Eli did.\u00a0 Not even super-smart Nolan.\u00a0 Mary Lynn had always said Eli was her thinker.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Well, right now the thinker was scared.\u00a0 He was only ten years old and poor Joey was only eight.\u00a0 He had no idea what would happen to them.\u00a0 He could only watch and listen.\u00a0 Suddenly he heard a shout from the rider behind him, and seconds later the horse he was on ground to a halt.\u00a0 Joey was making guttural noises, and the man with him was cursing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDanged little varmint puked all down my leg!\u201d\u00a0 This was spat out with disgust.\u00a0 Eli could see that Joey had been pulled off the horse and unceremoniously dumped on the ground.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli\u2019s rider dismounted and pulled him down. Eli felt a rush of adrenalin because he could see that Joey might choke on his own vomit.\u00a0 Even though his hands and feet were tied, Eli tried to make his way over to his cousin.\u00a0 By now he was shouting, and even though no words were coming out, the tendons in his neck were standing out from the effort.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t they see?\u00a0 Joey was choking!\u00a0 Eli looked at his captor and with wide eyes jerked his head repeatedly toward his cousin<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n \u201cAw Marcus, he\u2019s jest a kid and he et birthday cake all night.\u00a0 Take off the gag before he chokes.\u00a0 He\u2019s no good to us dead and yore leg\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The other man was muttering, but he bent and removed Joey\u2019s gag, tossing it away and threatening, \u201cIf you start hollerin\u2019 I\u2019ll smack yore head into tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joey lay limply on the ground, coughing and retching.\u00a0 But he was breathing clearly.\u00a0 Eli tried to inch his way closer, but was stopped in his progress by booted feet placed tightly in front of his stomach and behind his back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStay put. Yer friend\u2019s gonna live an\u2019 if he\u2019s smart he\u2019ll keep his mouth shut.\u201d\u00a0 Eli heard the sound of ripping fabric and saw that his rider had ripped off the tail of his own shirt and passed it over to Marcus.\u00a0 \u201cWhen he\u2019s finished, gag him again with this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the next few minutes Eli lay quietly on the ground, his head throbbing.\u00a0 Once he was able to make eye contact with Joey and he tried to smile.\u00a0 He realized it was likely a jack-o-lantern smile, but he was trying to send some comfort to his cousin.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure it helped at all.\u00a0 Even in the dark Joey had looked white as a sheet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When they were back on the move, the pace was slower.\u00a0 Marcus had rejected Joey for throwing up on his leg, so Eli was now draped in front of him and Joey rode with the other man whose name hadn\u2019t yet been spoken.\u00a0 Despite the discomfort, Eli must have fallen asleep, because the next sense he had was the sun rising in a pink sky.\u00a0 He was thirsty and his head really hurt now from hanging upside down.\u00a0 He turned his head to look at his cousin, who was clean out, his head lolling from side to side limply.\u00a0 Eli simply hoped he was still alive, but he couldn\u2019t tell for sure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He couldn\u2019t make out exactly where they were, but they were moving upward.\u00a0 The horses were climbing, and he had a perfect view of rocks seemingly growing out of the dirt and occasional grass.\u00a0 He knew there were pine trees around them, but the terrain wasn\u2019t heavily forested.\u00a0 Unintentionally he moaned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShut up, kid,\u201d Marcus barked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli groaned.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t mean to.\u00a0 His bladder was about to burst.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI said zip it.\u00a0 We\u2019re gonna stop soon anyway.\u00a0 You\u2019ll get some food and water.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Food and water were not as high on Eli\u2019s list as relieving himself and being placed in an upright position.\u00a0 If necessary, he\u2019d wet himself, he decided.\u00a0 It hardly mattered at this point.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joey began to rouse and soon he was crying.\u00a0 He was scared out of his wits and he apparently had wet himself.\u00a0 He knew that was very bad right now.\u00a0 However, apparently the man he was now riding with had a little more heart than Marcus.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t berate Joey, and in fact began talking to him in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook, I know yore jes\u2019 a tadpole an\u2019 all.\u00a0 Yore buddy back there can\u2019t be much older.\u00a0 We\u2019re headin\u2019 up a mountain an\u2019 we\u2019ll be stoppin\u2019 soon at a shelter.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be stayin\u2019 there and we ain\u2019t goin\u2019 ta hurt you.\u00a0 We jes\u2019 want money from yore rich family and then we\u2019ll go our way and you\u2019ll go home.\u00a0 There\u2019s a nice lady named Tilda gonna be takin\u2019 care of you two.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joey quieted at this information.\u00a0 Eli could only hear him sniffle occasionally.\u00a0 The horses were getting tired; their pace was steadily slowing down as they bore their burdens up the rocky mountain.\u00a0 It was irritating Marcus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow much farther, Jack?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cKeep yer pants on.\u00a0 Only about a mile now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack.\u00a0 Marcus, Jack, Trace and Tilda<\/em>.\u00a0 Eli would remember these names. A mile uphill on a slow horse took forever.\u00a0 He concentrated on counting rocks sticking up out of the dirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By morning after a nearly sleepless night, Logan knew about his missing brother and cousin.\u00a0 He was furious he had not been allowed to ride with the posse.\u00a0 Sparks were flying from his eyes as he confronted his grandfather.\u00a0 Paul Martin would have laid down money that this was Joe\u2019s progeny, not Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 But then, Paul had predicted from his birth that this twin (and Adam look-alike) would be the feisty one to deal with.\u00a0 And so he was proving to be.\u00a0 He had thrown down a number of good reasons the posse should have taken him along.\u00a0 He was a talented horseman, he was a budding marksman, a good tracker, he could break a wild horse, brand cattle, he was thoroughly at home in nature and he could rope a steer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYoung man,\u201d Ben was using his deepest authoritative voice\u2014the one that made even Logan sit up and listen.\u00a0 \u201cYour brother has just gone missing.\u00a0 If anything were to happen to you with that posse, exactly what words do you think I would be able to use with your parents to explain how, in their absence, I allowed harm to come to two of their children?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Grandpa, I\u2019m practically an adult,\u201d Logan stopped just short of whining.\u00a0 His identical twin, Nolan, had to turn around to hide a smile.\u00a0 Both boys often startled Ben by their sharp resemblance to their father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLogan, you\u2019re a tall, fast-growing young man, but you are still only 13, and that is still a few years away from being an adult.\u00a0 You need to stay on this ranch and polish your ranching skills, which you will need when you are<\/em> an adult.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan knew when he was beat.\u00a0 He kicked up a spiral of dirt in frustration.\u00a0 He was itching to get out there and punish the men who had taken Eli and Joey.\u00a0 He pictured himself aiming a gun between the shoulder blades of one of those cretins, and pulling the trigger.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t stand the thought of anyone hurting his family and getting away with it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Inside the ranch house, a near chaotic night had degenerated into an exhausted sprawl for many of the Cartwrights.\u00a0 After Clem Foster had arrived at the ranch, he had quickly organized a posse that included Joe, Hoss, Sam and Luke Bishop–Amy\u2019s brothers– Roy Coffee, the new deputy sheriff Hank Bates, and Ponderosa ranch hands Tip McCall, Bob Barnes, Trace Lowell, Marty Anderson, Sam Dillard, and Hank Lloyd.\u00a0 They left after hastily packing supplies to last up to three days, with Logan Cartwright seething in their wake.\u00a0 Hoss had told him they needed the oldest twins to watch over the ranch with their grandfather, but Logan was still itching for revenge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The children had gradually learned about their missing siblings\/cousins as the posse assembled.\u00a0 The younger ones cried, and the older ones tried to be brave.\u00a0 Eventually the 5 and under group cried themselves to sleep and were carried up to bed.\u00a0 The rest sat restlessly in the great room, dozing as morning approached.\u00a0 As the sun rose, Erin and Amy were curled up in easy chairs.\u00a0 Erin had slept, but Amy could only play horrific scenes in her mind about what her son\u2019s fate might be.\u00a0 Periodically, silent tears trickled down her cheeks.\u00a0 Her son Jonathan had parked himself on the floor by her side, and during her saddest times he rubbed her arm gently.\u00a0 She often kept a hand on his head, from which she seemed to derive comfort.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t long before Hop Sing was heard moving about in the kitchen and soon the comforting aroma of coffee was in the air.\u00a0 The Chinese cook moved back and forth between the kitchen and dining room, speaking softly in his native language.\u00a0 He was unusually quiet.\u00a0 When Erin heard him, she knew he was praying.\u00a0 This particular morning even Nolan and Logan got cups of coffee while Eric, Susannah and Isabel were served \u201ccoffee\u201d that was heavily doctored with lots of milk and sugar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Susannah had opened red and sleepy eyes, she moved over to her Aunt Erin\u2019s side.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think Eli will come home today?\u201d\u00a0 Her voice was just above a whisper.\u00a0 This twin, who adored her brother, had light hair and blue eyes like her mother combined with her father\u2019s cupid bow mouth.\u00a0 She was mightily trying to comprehend how, the night before, her world had been turned upside down in just moments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin pulled the girl into her lap and stroked her long hair.\u00a0 \u201cOh, darling, I surely do hope so.\u00a0 Let\u2019s both pray that he does.\u201d\u00a0 Her arms tightened around the young girl who burrowed her face into her aunt\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was Sunday, but none of the Cartwrights were going to church.\u00a0 By 7:00 a.m. they were glumly gathered around the dining table.\u00a0 Hop Sing had set out a lot of food.\u00a0 Food was always good in a crisis, only this particular one had tamped down most appetites.\u00a0 Nolan, Logan and Eric were the only ones who attacked the food in their usual fashion.\u00a0 Ben and Erin insisted that Amy eat something just to keep her going.\u00a0 She was still nursing baby Sarah, but of course she was just sick about Joey.\u00a0 She did manage a few bites here and there, but otherwise, she clutched her coffee cup and sat in silent shock, dark circles already showing under her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After breakfast, everybody washed up and changed clothes. And then the real waiting started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, we know this much,\u201d summarized Sheriff Clem Foster.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re not dealing with two young boys who got lost behind their own barn and couldn\u2019t find their way back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019re pretty sure they didn\u2019t drown,\u201d added Hoss.\u00a0 The nearby ponds and streams had all been checked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no reason to believe they ran away either.\u00a0 All the kids were so excited about the party,\u201d added Joe, wishing more than anything that he could propel himself back in time 24 hours.\u00a0 If he ever got his hands on Joey again he would never let go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the early morning hours, the posse had stopped to water their horses, swallow strong, hot coffee, chew biscuits and gather their facts.\u00a0 They knew that their all-night search had been clumsy.\u00a0 They had been hampered by darkness and inadequate lantern light.\u00a0 But to the best of their abilities, the tracking had taken them down the back road behind the Ponderosa\u2019s barn and then shifted to a shallow, rocky ditch that led generally toward Virginia City.\u00a0 Since they had been moving slowly and were spread out, their progress had been slow.\u00a0 At their present resting place, they were only a little more than halfway to Virginia City.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, why don\u2019t you ride back and check the tracks to make sure we didn\u2019t miss anything,\u201d Clem suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll move on in the same general fashion and wait for you to catch up.\u00a0 If you find something we missed, fire three shots and we\u2019ll find you.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded, mounted Chubb and headed back toward the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDoes it make any sense that these tracks might lead us into Virginia City?\u201d Sam Dillard asked, thinking that it seemed too obvious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn some ways it does,\u201d answered Roy Coffee.\u00a0 \u201cIf that happens, then their tracks get mixed in with all the other tracks riding all through the town.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good way for a tracking party to lose the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly Joe sat up straight as the last comment rang in his head.\u00a0 \u201cTheir scent! Lose their scent!\u201d he grabbed his gun and shot it three times into the air.\u00a0 Hoss had only been gone a few minutes.\u00a0 He shook his head and rubbed his face with his hands.\u00a0 In their haste to be off last night, they hadn\u2019t thought to bring dogs and articles of the boys\u2019 clothing.\u00a0 Every year the ranch acquired one or two new puppies or stray dogs that one of the kids had found or been given.\u00a0 By now there were at least ten dogs that were always underfoot.\u00a0 Most of them were outside dogs, but a favorite few were allowed indoors.\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t recall if Joey or Eli had a favorite dog, but the kids would know.\u00a0 He shook his head again; how could he have forgotten something like that?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clem had watched Joe go through this realization, and he chuckled despite the situation.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, don\u2019t beat yourself up.\u00a0 I\u2019m just glad you thought of it.\u00a0 The rest of us didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss returned a couple of minutes later, having heard the shots, and was reminded to bring back dogs and shirts, preferably unwashed shirts.\u00a0 He gave a thumbs up sign and turned Chubb back again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, I\u2019ll go fetch those if you want,\u201d Trace Lowell offered quickly, halfway standing up.\u00a0 \u201cThat way you can concentrate on the tracks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Trace,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0 \u201cIt won\u2019t take me long and I\u2019ll get an update from the family. Be right back.\u201d\u00a0 And then he was off once again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trace seemed about to add something else, but as Hoss was quickly out of hearing range, he closed his mouth and sat down again.<\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/p>\n The horses had finally stopped.\u00a0 As best as Eli could figure it was close to noon, and he admitted to himself that he was hungry.\u00a0 Jack and Marcus had dismounted, carrying the boys slung over their shoulders.\u00a0 They entered a flimsy looking shack containing a minimal amount of crude furniture.\u00a0 The boys were dumped on a bed that creaked from the weight of their bodies.\u00a0 They were able to look at each other clearly for the first time.\u00a0 Joey wiggled closer to Eli, who nodded at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A woman dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt was standing by a fireplace.\u00a0 Her eyes followed every move the men made.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, say something, Tilda,\u201d Marcus walked over to her and slapped her on the rump.\u00a0 \u201cWe did \u2018xactly what we were sposed to do, an\u2019 we\u2019re hungry, so how \u2018bout you fix us up some grub?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI got grub,\u201d she replied.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019re they going to eat?\u201d\u00a0 She pointed to the boys.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll untie them so they can eat,\u201d Jack announced as he stood looking out the doorway of the shack.\u00a0 \u201cMarcus, take the horses behind the cabin a ways so they can\u2019t be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n Marcus muttered something to himself, but he brought in saddlebags and then could be heard leading the horses away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack walked over to the bed and looked down at the boys. \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 to untie you now so you can go out and pee.\u00a0 When it\u2019s time to eat I\u2019ll take off your gags.\u00a0 If you make one sound louder than a mouse on tiptoe, yer both gonna be sorry, understand?\u201d\u00a0 Both boys nodded.\u00a0 Jack bent and started with Eli, who, with his hands and feet free could finally sit up straight.\u00a0 It felt wonderful.\u00a0 Jack fixed him with a look.\u00a0 \u201cNow you help with yer buddy here, an\u2019 keep him quiet.\u201d\u00a0 Then he moved away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli had a tough time untying Joey because his hands were shaking, but he eventually freed him and helped him sit up.\u00a0 Jack was speaking softly with Tilda, and the smell of food cooking was beginning to spread through the shack.\u00a0 Despite the gag, Eli\u2019s mouth watered.\u00a0 Jack turned back to look at them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right you two, come with me.\u201d\u00a0 He cautiously looked out the door and moved around to the back of the shack.\u00a0 \u201cIf you gotta pee, do it,\u201d Jack instructed.\u00a0 Joey looked at Eli, who nodded at him.\u00a0 They both did their business, and so did Jack for that matter.\u00a0 Eli moved his eyes, looking around him.\u00a0 They were on a mountainside and there were some stands of pine dotted here and there.\u00a0 There was grass, but the terrain was quite rocky, and Eli could easily count up to a dozen boulders nearby that could hide a man.\u00a0 He planned to collect as much information as he could from now on; he wasn\u2019t exactly sure why, he just knew it couldn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack made sure they went immediately back into the shack.\u00a0 He sat them at the rickety table and removed their gags.\u00a0 Both boys put their hands over their mouths, which were chafed.\u00a0 Tilda put plates in front of them with scrambled eggs and fried potatoes on them.\u00a0 They each got a fork and a tin cup of water.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEat,\u201d Jack told them.\u00a0 Marcus had returned and was already digging with gusto into his plate of food.\u00a0 He had long, dirty brown hair and a mustache.\u00a0 His hands were filthy.\u00a0 Looking at him made Eli glad that his mother made him get haircuts, take baths and wash his hands<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Both boys ate.\u00a0 It had been more than twelve hours since they had last tasted food, and this food was good.\u00a0 Tilda watched them.\u00a0 Her brown eyes seemed kind, but it was hard to tell for sure at this point. Finally Jack ate too.\u00a0 His face was weathered and he had longish gray hair that was pulled back and tied in a queue with a leather string.\u00a0 Tilda was skinny with dark blonde hair that was braided.\u00a0 After eating his fill, Jack got up and reached for a piece of paper on the fireplace mantel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sitting back down, he looked at the boys.\u00a0 \u201cTell me yer complete names.\u00a0 You start,\u201d he pointed at Eli.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEli Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEli short for somethin\u2019 longer?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo sir.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSpell Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Eli spelled it for him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow you,\u201d Jack had gray eyes that bored into Joey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright, Jr.,\u201d Joey squeaked it out.\u00a0 Under the table, Eli reached over and squeezed his knee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack had written both names on the paper.\u00a0 He continued to write.\u00a0 After a few minutes he sat back to read what he had composed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHolding Eli Adam Cartwright and Joseph Francis Cartwright, Jr., for ransom.\u00a0 If you want them back safe, bring $500,000 cash money to the cave over the Galena City road sign at 6:00 Tuesday night.\u00a0 Leave it.\u00a0 One man only.\u00a0 No horses, no guns, no harm.\u201d\u00a0 When he finished, Jack looked around the table as if expecting praise.\u00a0 The fact was, he was the only one of the adults who could have written it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli was astonished at the amount of money they wanted.\u00a0 What if his family didn\u2019t have that much?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, sir,\u201d he ventured very cautiously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Surprised to hear him speak, Jack turned to him but didn\u2019t yell or raise his hand to hit him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou gotta give my family time to raise that amount of money.\u00a0 What if that can\u2019t get it all by Tuesday night?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack smirked but then quickly wiped the smile off his face.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s their problem, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marcus spoke suddenly, looking at Joey.\u00a0 \u201cYou smell, kid.\u00a0 You puked and messed yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joey bit his lip and looked like he was going to cry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tilda acted then.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take them to the creek while you\u2019re gone delivering the note and they\u2019ll get clean.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat if they run on you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey won\u2019t.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take the rifle,\u201d Tilda spoke easily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack grunted, but he and Marcus just got up, readying to leave again.\u00a0 The Cartwrights would get the note today<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure you didn\u2019t leave any tracks on the way here?\u201d Tilda sounded a little nervous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This time Marcus grunted.\u00a0 \u201cCourse we didn\u2019t leave tracks!\u201d he sounded very confident of his expertise<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t know Hoss Cartwright.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Smokescreen<\/strong><\/p>\n By the time he reached the Ponderosa, Hoss was also feeling confident.\u00a0 The tracks he followed during daylight matched what they had followed last night.<\/p>\n He knew that when the front door opened and the family spilled out, led by Ben, it was disappointing for them to see only him.\u00a0 He dismounted and put his arms around Erin and then Amy.\u00a0 He hugged his sons and as many of his nieces and nephews as he could get his arms around.\u00a0 He splashed cool water on his face, and gratefully accepted when they offered to feed him.<\/p>\n Inside he explained that he needed unwashed shirts that Eli and Joey had recently worn.\u00a0 He also quizzed the children about the dogs, and was immediately assured that the ones he wanted with him were Chip and Dusty.\u00a0 Hoss was glad to hear that because they were both outside dogs.\u00a0 He knew they would be able to travel easily along with the posse.\u00a0 He told the family what the posse had concluded so far, and he wasn\u2019t sure if he was relieved or not that the family had heard nothing about the missing boys.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n No more than thirty minutes later Hoss was preparing to leave again.\u00a0 He had two dirty shirts that he was offering to the two dogs that sniffed them eagerly.\u00a0 After giving them plenty of time to become accustomed to the scent, Hoss wrapped the shirts separately in brown paper and put them in his saddle bags.\u00a0 With a sharp whistle for dogs to follow, he left again by the back road, waving to his family.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He moved faster on the way back to the posse, although he stopped several times to let the dogs wander and sniff about.\u00a0 He found a part of the posse almost to Virginia City in the early afternoon.\u00a0 He spotted Joe\u2019s green jacket from a distance and called out.\u00a0 Joe galloped over on Cochise.\u00a0 He nodded appreciatively when he saw Chip and Dusty, and he eyes teared up when Hoss showed him Joey\u2019s shirt.\u00a0 He wiped his eyes quickly and took something out of his pocket.\u00a0 It was a domino.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook at what Trace found,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked at his brother sharply.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019d he find this?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe split up after you left.\u00a0 One group followed the Virginia City tracks, and a second group went in the opposite direction.\u00a0 Trace was in the second group.\u00a0 He found this off the trail in the grass.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked at it for a long time without speaking.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t make sense out of this clue based on what Joe had told him.\u00a0 He would just file the information away for now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou think they took that direction?\u201d Joe watched his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I can\u2019t figure it,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlso, Clem sent Bob Barnes to get John Wyler\u2019s tracking dogs.\u00a0 Chip and Dusty will help, but John\u2019s dogs are trained trackers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good thinkin\u2019.\u00a0 Where are they?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey just got here,\u201d Joe jerked a thumb over his shoulder where the road took a turn.\u00a0 Together they turned and headed that way so the tracking dogs could smell the shirts.<\/p>\n A group of about six mounted men were gathered just past the bend.\u00a0 John Wyler was there along with three baying hounds that were eager to be on the chase.\u00a0 Hoss greeted him with a clap on the shoulder and handed over the paper wrapped packages.\u00a0 John dismounted and drew his dogs off to the side where he let them freely sniff the shirts.\u00a0 Then he rewrapped them and handed them back to Hoss.\u00a0 Wyler let the dogs loose and all eyes were fastened on them.\u00a0 They spent some time sniffing the ground and the grass. Then, almost in unison, they set out on the path toward Virginia City.\u00a0 The posse riders followed them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShould we call back the other group?\u201d Joe had turned to look at Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Hoss replied slowly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019em keep on for now.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll see what they turn up.\u201d\u00a0 He and Joe turned their horses and followed the posse and the dogs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tilda was having serious doubts about the wisdom of getting involved in this scheme of Jack\u2019s.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want to be a saloon girl forever.\u00a0 She was ashamed of the work, and the pay was lousy.\u00a0 Some quick money had sounded like an opportunity for a fresh start somewhere new, doing something respectable.\u00a0 All she had to do, Jack said, was babysit two kids.\u00a0 She was just as capable as most people when it came to resenting rich folks, but now that these two boys stood before her, she was giving things a second and third thought. Eli and Joey Cartwright looked miserable and white-faced.\u00a0 They stood very close together, drawing support from each other.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow old are you boys?\u201d She purposely made her voice soft.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m 10, he\u2019s 8,\u201d answered Eli.\u00a0 Tilda didn\u2019t think the other boy, Joey would talk at all if he could get away with it.\u00a0 He certainly looked younger than 8; he wasn\u2019t very tall and he was certainly skinny.\u00a0 What he did have was an impressive mop of curly brown hair and green eyes.\u00a0 The older boy, Eli, had straight black hair and dark hazel eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you two brothers?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 We\u2019re cousins.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you get enough to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, then,\u201d she said, rubbing her palms on her jeans.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we go down to the creek and the little guy here can clean up a bit.\u00a0 If you promise to keep quiet, I won\u2019t gag you again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The boys responded with nods, so Tilda grabbed a cake of soap, a blanket and the rifle she had promised Marcus and Jack she would carry.\u00a0 She doubted she would need it.\u00a0 These boys were confused and almost in shock.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t even know where they were.\u00a0 She herded them out the door and down the mountain several yards to where a clear running creek flowed.\u00a0 When they reached it, Tilda plopped herself down with her arms resting on her bent knees.\u00a0 She held the soap out to Eli.\u00a0 \u201cHelp him,\u201d she nodded toward Joey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli bent and felt the water, which was ice cold.\u00a0 It was still only spring.\u00a0 He checked under Joey\u2019s collar, grateful to find he was wearing long johns. He did smell, but Eli didn\u2019t blame him; they had both been thrust into a situation beyond their ability to cope with.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoey, give me your shirt and pants and I\u2019ll scrub them for you.\u00a0 You just sit in the sun.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joey did as requested, but he surprised his cousin by washing his face and hands with soap before he sat down next to the creek.\u00a0 Joey had been thinking the same thing Eli had thought when he looked at Marcus. Eli pulled his boots off and rolled up the legs of his pants.\u00a0 He soaped up and scrubbed the shirt and pants the best he could.\u00a0 When his hands and feet were aching from the cold water, he stepped out of the creek and wrung out the clothing.\u00a0 Tilda stood up then.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, you two.\u00a0 We\u2019ll spread these clothes over a rock in the sun \u2018til they dry.\u201d\u00a0 They trudged back to the shack, where Tilda helped Eli lay the shirt and pants on a rock in the sun, off to the side of the shack.\u00a0 Once inside, she tossed the blanket on the bed.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys look like you could use some sleep.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I bet you\u2019ve had one long day.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli didn\u2019t care that the sun was still out, or that he and Joey hadn\u2019t napped in years.\u00a0 They gratefully lay down on the bed and Eli pulled the blanket over them.\u00a0 Joey was out almost at once.\u00a0 Eli turned on his side and tried as hard as he could to think things through.\u00a0 It was hard to make his brain work.\u00a0 He was trying to muddle through an escape plan when his thoughts just turned to slush and his eyes drifted shut.\u00a0 Tilda sat at the wooden table drinking a cup of reheated coffee and watched them thoughtfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben Cartwright hurried to answer the knock at the door.\u00a0 He was surprised to see Rev. Hawlings standing there.\u00a0 He was holding an envelope in his hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReverend, please come in,\u201d Ben stood aside as the pastor entered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry we all missed church today.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen, we heard in town what happened last night, and we\u2019re sorry as can be.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got the whole town praying for the safe return of your grandsons.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Reverend.\u00a0 You can imagine how upsetting this is for my family.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, indeed, and that\u2019s exactly why I\u2019m here,\u201d he held out the envelope which was wrinkled and dirty.\u00a0 \u201cI found this under the church door after lunch today.\u00a0 I thought it might be important.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben took the proffered envelope and turned it over to see his name written in large block letters: BEN CARTWRIGHT \u2013 URGENT.\u00a0 It was poorly sealed and he had no trouble opening it.\u00a0 He pulled out a folded white sheet of cheap paper and spent several moments reading it.\u00a0 Rev. Hawlings heard his quick intake of breath.\u00a0 Ben looked up and placed a hand thoughtfully across the lower half of his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen? Is there anything I can do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2026 oh, no.\u00a0 This is what we were waiting for.\u00a0 It\u2019s a ransom note.\u00a0 But the amount!\u00a0 I\u2019m going to have to see Bill Larson at the bank right away.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRemember this is Sunday, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was already reaching for his hat.\u00a0 \u201cI can see him at his house.\u00a0 This can\u2019t wait.\u00a0 I\u2019ll ride back to town with you.\u201d\u00a0 And as he grabbed his gun belt, Ben was calling for Erin.<\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/p>\n As the posse rode into Virginia City, they gathered at the sheriff\u2019s office.\u00a0 They were a tired but determined group.\u00a0 Clem checked for any related messages, but there were none.\u00a0 Most of the men were sitting slumped in chairs when the door burst open and Tip McCall strode in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSheriff, look,\u201d he held out a hand with a domino in it.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the second one.\u00a0 Trace found it again.\u00a0 I think you\u2019re headed in the wrong direction.\u00a0\u00a0 Come back and join us.\u00a0 We need to spread out more to the south.\u00a0 We think they went that way and one of the boys was able to drop these.\u00a0 That\u2019s where we need to be searching.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe and Hoss exchanged looks.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed and Hoss wore a frown.\u00a0 Hoss reached out and picked up the domino from Tip\u2019s hand.\u00a0 He looked at both sides and passed it over to Joe.\u00a0 They both thought it looked like the dominoes they had hidden as prizes, but a domino was pretty much a domino, and this one looked just like every other one they\u2019d ever seen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Tip,\u201d Clem said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got John Wyler\u2019s tracking dogs with us now and they\u2019ve taken us this far.\u00a0 If your group\u2019s heading in the right direction, the dogs should\u2019ve turned us that way.\u00a0 They\u2019ve got the boys\u2019 scent and they headed straight here.\u00a0 We\u2019re just taking a break right now before we move on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tip looked a little confused.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we just thought it was important evidence that you should see\u2026\u201d he dropped off and waited.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, you did the right thing,\u201d Clem hastened to assure him.\u00a0 \u201cThis is very important evidence.\u00a0 Now we just have to figure out what it means.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, what should I do now?\u00a0 You want me to head back there or wait here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWait here until we decide what our next move is.\u00a0 That\u2019ll help us decide what you should do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n During that discussion, Hoss motioned Joe outside, and the two of them had quietly left Clem\u2019s office.\u00a0 Hoss pulled Joe aside into an adjacent alley.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, how much you know about Trace Lowell?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking the same thing,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cTrace is one of our newer hands, only been with us about six months.\u00a0 He\u2019s about 20 but he was a ranch hand in Montana before he came here.\u00a0 He mostly keeps to himself as far as I can tell, but I haven\u2019t paid a whole lot of attention.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t caused any trouble, I know that much.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, mebbe, but it\u2019s mighty strange that he found two dominoes.\u00a0 Think about it, Joe, when those boys were grabbed, would they have had time to haul along a box of dominoes?\u00a0 And we didn\u2019t find a box of dominoes behind the barn where they were hidden,\u201d Hoss paused.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to have a look in Trace\u2019s pockets and count how many dominoes might be there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe had been staring at the ground, but his head came up sharply at what Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cYou think he\u2019s an accomplice?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 face had a grim look.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t saying it yet, but it\u2019s a possibility.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShould one of us ride in that group to watch him?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, but we could alert Roy Coffee to keep an eye on him.\u00a0 Roy\u2019ll know if Trace is plantin\u2019 those dominoes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The question now was how to alert Roy, but before that issue could even be addressed, the sound of rapidly approaching horses was heard.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss moved close to the street in time to see their father, astride his horse Buck, race down Virginia City\u2019s main street.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, you follow Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell Clem somethin\u2019s up,\u201d and with that, Hoss headed back to the sheriff\u2019s office and Joe jumped on Cochise and sped after his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe caught up with Ben tethering his horse at Bill Larson\u2019s house.\u00a0 He had a feeling he knew why his father needed to talk to the banker, and when Ben handed him the note, Joe\u2019s sense was confirmed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c$500,000!\u00a0 Pa, how are we going to come up with this by Tuesday night?\u201d\u00a0 Joe was getting a sick feeling in his stomach.\u00a0 It felt like things kept getting worse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, son, but Bill will help us figure it out.\u201d\u00a0 Together they walked up the steps to the porch of the big three story house on one of Virginia City\u2019s bucolic side streets.\u00a0 They were ushered into a well appointed parlor, and Bill Larson appeared shortly.\u00a0 Everyone had heard about the Cartwright boys, and Bill wasn\u2019t surprised that Ben had sought him out on a Sunday.\u00a0 Some kind of ransom had to be involved.\u00a0 A distracted Ben shook hands with Bill and then showed him the note.\u00a0 Bill let out a low whistle after reading the note.\u00a0 He had everyone sit down and shortly they were sorting out exactly how much cash could be liquidated and how fast.\u00a0 Once Joe saw that by pulling funds from a number of regional banks they could manage the ransom amount, he excused himself and returned to the sheriff\u2019s office to continue with the search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Eli opened his eyes, he could tell it was twilight.\u00a0 The last rays of sunset were just barely visible through the window.\u00a0 From the sound of his breathing, Joey was still asleep.\u00a0 He could also tell that a couple of lanterns were lit in the shack and that a fire was burning in the fireplace.\u00a0 Tilda was bending over a pot that hung over the fire, and he could smell a stew cooking, as well as some bread baking.\u00a0 He could also tell that the men were back and they were sitting at the table playing cards and swigging an amber liquid from a large bottle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOle man Cartwright\u2019s got the note by now,\u201d chortled Marcus, slapping his thigh as though he had performed an impressive feat.\u00a0 \u201cTilda, we paid a Mexican boy to slide it under the church door,\u201d he took a deep draught from the bottle and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tilda turned toward him.\u00a0 \u201cHave you thought about what happens if the Cartwrights can\u2019t come up with that amount of money?\u00a0 They might have it, but two days might not be enough time to collect it all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marcus just grinned at her.\u00a0 He pointed his thumb and forefinger to look like a pistol and he made a shooting sound.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCut it out, Marcus,\u201d Jack was examining his hand of cards.\u00a0 \u201cOne way or another they\u2019ll show up at the Galena cave Tuesday night.\u00a0 They\u2019re not gonna let that deadline pass.\u00a0 We\u2019ll jus\u2019 see what happens.\u00a0 Tilda, can\u2019t you git that grub ready any faster?\u00a0 I could eat a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli was glad that Joey hadn\u2019t heard or seen what Marcus had done.\u00a0 However, the talk from the three adults had awakened him, and he began to stir.\u00a0 Eli quickly reached for his hand and held it.\u00a0 He whispered for him to stay quiet and Joey nodded.\u00a0 Slowly Eli sat himself up, causing the bed to creak.\u00a0 All three adults turned to look at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMister, I gotta go outside again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack sighed, but he got up and moved toward the boys.\u00a0 They were both glad Marcus hadn\u2019t moved.\u00a0 After Jack gestured, they both got up and went outside to where they had gone before.\u00a0 It was cold outside now and Joey shivered, still wearing just his long johns.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019d his clothes go to?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli pointed.\u00a0 \u201cOn a rock to dry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack herded them back inside, but went back out and returned with Joey\u2019s shirt and pants.\u00a0 \u201cStill a little damp.\u00a0 Here, Tilda, let\u2019em dry by the fire,\u201d and he tossed them over to the woman who caught them and hung them over a chair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The food was ready then and was served up.\u00a0 Everybody got stew, bread and water, although the men drank whiskey.\u00a0 The boys sat at the table again, which Joey liked because it was closer to the fire so he was warmer.\u00a0 However, it also put him closer to Marcus, who scared the tar out of him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThink Trace has the posse confused?\u201d Marcus chortled, and he mimicked a throwing motion several times.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMarcus, how about you keep yer mouth shut!\u201d Jack was glaring at him darkly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eli looked quickly between the two men when Trace\u2019s name was mentioned.\u00a0 Trace had helped Marcus and Jack grab him and Joey, but now Eli knew that he was riding with the posse and throwing them off track.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe kid ain\u2019t stupid, Marcus, but you sure are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now Marcus was glaring at Eli, who looked studiously down at his tin plate, just waiting for the half-drunk man to slap him.\u00a0 Jack picked up the whiskey bottle and moved it away from the other man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An argument then ensued about who would sleep in the bed.\u00a0 Marcus loudly voiced his opinion that it should be him and Jack.\u00a0 Tilda and the boys could use bedrolls on the floor.\u00a0 Tilda suggested that the boys take the bed and that she sleep on the floor next to them.\u00a0 Marcus and Jack could sleep near the hearth where it would be warmer.\u00a0 It took ten minutes to decide that the boys would sleep in the bed with Tilda nearby, although Marcus didn\u2019t like it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Tilda cleaned up after supper, she turned the bed back for the boys.\u00a0 There was a dirty quilt under the blanket she had given them, a sheet and two pillows.\u00a0 They each crawled in bed and Tilda spread the blanket on top of the quilt.\u00a0 Eli pulled Joey close to him, spoon fashion, and his arm around Joey\u2019s middle.\u00a0 Long after Joey slept, Eli was still trying to plan their escape.<\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/p>\n At the Ponderosa, dinner was over and Ben had returned from town.\u00a0 The children were clamoring for information about Joey and Eli.\u00a0 They were told as much as Ben, Erin and Amy thought they could understand.\u00a0 This meant that they heard different versions based on their ages.\u00a0 The eight and up group heard the full story, and the seven and below group heard an abbreviated version or nothing at all.\u00a0 The younger children had been crying on and off all day.\u00a0 At times it seemed as though they completely forgot the tragedy that had struck the family.\u00a0 Other times they wanted to know exactly what was happening to Joey and Eli.\u00a0 The older children were getting angry, although no one was angrier than Logan, who was still seething about his exclusion from the posse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The adults didn\u2019t know when or if they would hear from the posse.\u00a0 At some point the money would have to change hands, but on Sunday night it seemed like forever until Tuesday night.\u00a0 And they were all dreading the possibility that the kidnappers might not keep their word about returning the boys.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Amy was making a mighty effort not to fall apart, but inside she felt as though something had died.\u00a0 Her other children were a comfort to her, but they didn\u2019t replace each other, and they certainly didn\u2019t take Joey\u2019s place.\u00a0 She easily pictured Joey, who was so much like his father in both looks and temperment.\u00a0 Every time she closed her eyes she could see his snapping green eyes and charming grin.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t be long before he could vault himself onto his pony the same way his father leapt up onto Cochise.\u00a0 Soon they could both forego stirrups.\u00a0 The thought brought tears to her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For her part, Erin was the comforter to all who needed comforting.\u00a0 It came naturally to her.\u00a0\u00a0 She thanked God that her three boys were safe, and she gave extra hugs to Susannah and Hunter, whose brother was gone and no parents here to give them reassurance.\u00a0 No wire would be sent to Adam and Mary Lynn until more was known.\u00a0 To wire them now would upset them terribly and there would be nothing they could do.\u00a0 Erin was keeping a close eye on Caroline, who was three.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t seem to comprehend what had happened, although she had once asked for her brother Eli.\u00a0 Erin suspected this was because she heard the other children talking about him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone was exhausted, so there was a chance they would actually be able to sleep tonight.\u00a0 But then there would be all of Monday to wait through.\u00a0 Erin wasn\u2019t sure they could endure it.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n For My Brother<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two posse groups still hadn\u2019t rejoined.\u00a0 After a brief rest, the group in Clem Foster\u2019s office had refreshed the dogs\u2019 scent and had started out again.\u00a0 By Sunday night they were headed in the direction of Galena, east of Reno.\u00a0 The Bishop brothers had approached Joe with the same suspicions about Trace\u2019s findings the Cartwrights shared.\u00a0 Sam, Luke, Joe and Hoss all thought Trace had a whole group of searchers wandering aimlessly in an area south of where the tracking dogs were taking their own group.\u00a0 Joe wanted to confront him, but the others wanted to consult with Clem before doing anything.\u00a0 Joe agreed to let Hoss handle it because he had an entirely different set of worries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was gnawing over the problem of the ransom drop off.\u00a0 What would happen when the money was left at the designated spot?\u00a0 Would the boys appear after that?\u00a0 Did the kidnappers think that 14 men were just going to stand back and let them take the money without returning the boys, or even if they boys were released, that the posse wouldn\u2019t go after the captors?\u00a0 Unless the kidnappers outnumbered the posse, which Joe doubted, they could be taken.\u00a0 So what was their plan?\u00a0 What made them think they could get away with this?\u00a0 Had anyone thought it through?\u00a0 Joe was torturing himself with these aspects of the ransom drop off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The posse was going to camp on a hillside about six miles outside Virginia City.\u00a0 Joe was planning to ride back to the Ponderosa to check on the situation there.\u00a0 He\u2019d be able to talk his concerns over with his father there.\u00a0 After speaking briefly with Hoss, he headed directly for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 He was exhausted, but he knew that Amy would need him.\u00a0 Truth be told, as heartsick as he felt, he needed her too.<\/p>\n It was late when Cochise trotted up to the ranch house.\u00a0 Joe guided her into the barn where Logan was brushing down some of the horses.\u00a0 He was instantly eager for information about his brother and cousin.\u00a0 Joe filled him in as much as he could.\u00a0 Logan offered to unsaddle and brush Cochise, which Joe definitely appreciated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGive her extra water and some sweet feed,\u201d he told his nephew.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUncle Joe,\u201d Logan grabbed his shirtsleeve as his uncle turned to leave the barn.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you go back, can I go with you?\u00a0 Please?\u00a0 I won\u2019t cause any trouble and I won\u2019t get in the way.\u00a0 I just can\u2019t stand to see those criminals get away with what they\u2019re doing to us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe smiled tiredly.\u00a0 Logan was a lot like himself as a teenager.\u00a0 Joe had wanted to be wherever the action was, and worse, he was usually in the middle of it.\u00a0 He at least understood how the boy felt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLogan, you know it\u2019s not the best idea.\u00a0 None of us knows how this will turn out.\u00a0 Everything can be carefully planned out and then go bad in a second.\u00a0 And you certainly can\u2019t be exposed to any danger\u2026and this whole thing is dangerous.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know, son\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Joe was rubbing the back of his neck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAt least think about it.\u00a0 I\u2019ll stay back.\u00a0 I\u2019ll hide,\u201d Logan was fairly dancing up and down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll think about it,\u201d and then Joe put a hand on his nephew\u2019s shoulder, turned, and left the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When he walked through the front door, Amy flew into her husband\u2019s arms.\u00a0 As they had been for most of the past 24 hours, the adults and some of the children were sitting mutely in the great room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, is there any news?\u201d Amy searched his eyes, the baby sleeping in her arms.<\/p>\n Ben and Erin had sat up at Amy\u2019s question.\u00a0 Joe just gently took the baby from Amy\u2019s arms.\u00a0 It felt good to do something that was normal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust that the tracking dogs seem to be solidly on track.\u00a0 They\u2019re moving forward; they don\u2019t hesitate.\u00a0 That\u2019s a good sign.\u00a0 They\u2019re moving toward Galena.\u201d\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t going to mention anything about Trace Lowell while there were children in the room. Ben, seeing how tired his son looked, got up out of his favorite chair and insisted that Joe sit in it.\u00a0 He called for Hop Sing to bring some food and coffee.\u00a0 He also poured a glass of brandy.\u00a0 Joe smiled slightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think I want a bath and a bed more than anything else.\u00a0 Is the money situation all sorted out?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBill Larson said he could pull it all together by Tuesday afternoon,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe nodded and drank the brandy.\u00a0 Amy stroked his unshaven face.\u00a0 Joe looked down at his dusty clothes and boots.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a mess,\u201d he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone is.\u00a0 But no one is complaining.\u00a0 They\u2019re all good men and they\u2019re driven.\u00a0 They want the boys back and more,\u201d he gave Erin a full smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou should see Hoss.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll eat or sleep until we find the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot even eat?\u201d Erin smiled, thinking of her beloved husband.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGod bless him,\u201d Amy murmured.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you stand it?\u201d She addressed this to Joe, who sighed and leaned his head back against the chair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI try not to think about it too much, which is pretty hard to do because I\u2019m thinking about it all the time anyway.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know; you just do what you have to do,\u201d he rubbed his face and then reached for his wife\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cI just want him back,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe too, Joe.\u00a0 It\u2019s all I think about.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stood up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell you someone who\u2019s thinking about this all the time, and that\u2019s Logan.\u00a0 He\u2019s so anxious to ride with the posse we almost came to fisticuffs about it earlier today!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Pa, he\u2019s really serious about that. \u00a0He was in the barn when I rode in just now and he asked me if he could ride out with me tomorrow,\u201d Joe remarked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure he did, and I hope you gave him a sound no,\u201d Ben said emphatically. \u201cImagine what your brother Adam would say.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah, Pa, I did tell him it wasn\u2019t a good idea.\u00a0 But he\u2019s a talented outdoorsman already, and he\u2019s also a lot like I was at the same age.\u00a0 I know I would have been itching to go if our roles were reversed.\u00a0 I could ask Roy Coffee to keep him at the rear.\u00a0 He\u2019d learn a lot about what a posse does.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben had just opened his mouth to object when Hop Sing appeared with food for Joe.\u00a0 At the same time, Erin decided that since the family had missed church that day, they could all use a little church music.\u00a0 She moved over to the organ and began to play hymns.\u00a0 Amy left to put her little ones to bed, and eventually Ben and Joe retired to Ben\u2019s study to discuss Joe\u2019s concerns about the delivery of the ransom money.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the morning, Joe felt almost like a new man.\u00a0 He was clean, and he had gotten a little sleep.\u00a0 Freshly shaven, he felt like a human again.\u00a0 He and Amy joined the family downstairs for breakfast, only to find that Ben had already left for the bank in Virginia City.\u00a0 That was good, Joe thought.\u00a0 It was the first order of business for Monday.\u00a0 The family had decided not to send the children to school again until this crisis was over.\u00a0 There was no point in making any of the other Cartwright children available to money seekers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as he had eaten, Joe kissed his wife and children good-bye, accepted the food Hop Sing had prepared for him and rode out to rejoin the posse on its way to Galena, which was about 25 miles north of Virginia City.\u00a0 He and Ben had planned for Ben to head that way on Tuesday and meet the posse on the Galena City road late in the afternoon with the money.\u00a0 Joe knew it wouldn\u2019t take him long to meet up with the posse; he was traveling quickly along the back road.\u00a0 Thus he was surprised to hear a rider coming up fast behind him.\u00a0 Wondering if he had forgotten something, Joe pulled Cochise to a halt and turned around.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The single rider pulled up quickly and stopped in a cloud of dust.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed as the newcomer met his gaze straight-faced.\u00a0 Logan hadn\u2019t forgotten a thing; he wore his heavy jacket, carried a canteen, a coil of rope, bedroll, rifle, saddlebags and holster.\u00a0 He was riding his fine black gelding, Rocket, of whom he was inordinately proud and considered to be an extension of himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe almost groaned.\u00a0 \u201cLogan, you can\u2019t do this, and you know all the reasons why.\u00a0 You\u2019ll get in the way; you could get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI will not get in the way!\u201d\u00a0 The offense was palpably evident in his voice.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019ll stay back.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget that Eli\u2019s my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat would your father say?\u201d\u00a0 Joe spoke softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy father would do anything for his brothers,\u201d his nephew countered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was silent.\u00a0 He remembered the many times Adam had watched out for him as he grew up.\u00a0 He especially remembered the way Adam took care of him after accidentally shooting him while they hunted for a cougar that was killing Ponderosa cattle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right.\u00a0 It\u2019s against my better judgment, but you can come since you\u2019re already here.\u00a0 You know the rules.\u00a0 We talked about them last night, and you know how your grandfather feels.\u00a0 If you break any of your promises, there will be hell to pay.\u201d \u00a0With that, Joe turned and moved on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan\u2019s face brightened, he set his shoulders back, and wasted no time in following immediately behind his uncle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In less than an hour they reached the posse still at last night\u2019s campsite. The posse was by now back to its original size.\u00a0 Both groups had come together again.\u00a0 Joe noticed that Trace Lowell was on the ground, bound hand and foot.\u00a0 Hoss and Clem came over as soon as they saw Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss gestured to Logan.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s he doin\u2019 here? He\u2019s only goin\u2019 to get in the way.\u201d\u00a0 Logan instantly opened his mouth to reply when Joe intervened.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNever mind, Hoss, he\u2019s on a short leash.\u00a0 What\u2019s the deal with Trace?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, last night Sam and Luke Bishop rode over to the other posse.\u00a0 They had made camp for the night.\u00a0 You know how Sam and Luke can be a little hot blooded.\u00a0 Well, one of them jumped Trace and the other one searched him.\u00a0 They came up with six more dominoes he was carryin\u2019,\u201d Hoss reached in his pocket and produced them.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s definitely part of the group we\u2019re after.\u00a0 Kind of the \u2018inside man\u2019 you might say,\u201d Hoss shook his head, still unable to believe the Cartwrights had unknowingly harbored a man who intended them harm right on the ranch. \u201cHe ain\u2019t doin\u2019 much talkin\u2019 right now, but he was plantin\u2019 the other dominos to throw us off the right track.\u00a0 When Eli and Joey first ran behind the barn to look for the dominoes, Trace was the man who shut \u2018em up and mounted \u2018em up with two others who rode off with \u2018em,\u201d Hoss\u2019 head was still shaking back and forth slowly.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides and his jaw jutted forward in anger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clem stepped forward.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, if we can get Trace to talk, there\u2019s a chance we might be able to find out where the boys are and surprise the kidnappers.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to be real careful, but there\u2019s a chance we could get them back well before the ransom deadline.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up at Clem with a new light in his eyes as he contemplated that idea.\u00a0 He could literally feel Logan\u2019s excitement behind him, but he ignored it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instead, he moved quickly over to where Trace Lowell was sitting, hands and feet tied.\u00a0 Marty Anderson and Sam Dillard were guarding him.\u00a0 Joe bent down close to him and grabbed him by the neck of his shirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right, Lowell, start talking.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 6<\/p>\n Trace swept him with an insolent glance and then looked away.\u00a0 Joe pulled him closer until they were nose to nose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got nothing to lose now.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have a job anymore and you\u2019re going to prison no matter what.\u00a0 You might as well tell me whose idea it was and why you got involved,\u201d Joe was ready to spit nails.\u00a0 Hoss and Clem had come up behind him and were listening intently.\u00a0\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t been able to get the man to talk.\u00a0 As long as Joe didn\u2019t abuse Trace, they would let him continue his interrogation.\u00a0 Joe was more than ready to abuse the man, but he knew the boundaries involved, and he would observe them as long as he could control his feelings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To his surprise, Trace smirked at him.\u00a0 \u201cIt was Jack\u2019s idea.\u00a0 Jack Ingram.\u00a0 He lost out on a lucrative government mining contract a year ago.\u00a0 Your brother Adam got it.\u00a0 Hope it\u2019s worth it.\u00a0 And why did I get involved?\u00a0 Why not?\u00a0 I drift from one place to another and can barely make ends meet.\u00a0 Drink most of my pay.\u00a0 I can\u2019t stand the likes of you rich fat cats.\u00a0 What\u2019s money to you?\u00a0 There\u2019s always more where that came from.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere are they<\/em>? Be specific and tell the truth or we may not be responsible for what happens to you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He sighed but then grinned.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re in a little cabin half way up the first mountain north of Galena, right by Galena Creek.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow many people?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTwo men, Jack, and some dirty drifter he picked up, Marcus, and a saloon girl, Tilda, to take care of the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs that all?\u201d\u00a0 Trace nodded, now finding it a little difficult to breathe due to Joe\u2019s grip.\u00a0 Joe held him in place for a few seconds, his eyes boring into Lowell\u2019s like lasers, and then he let go, shoving him back in the dirt.\u00a0 He spun around and stood.\u00a0 Hoss knew his brother was aching to beat Trace Lowell to a pulp just for pure satisfaction.\u00a0 Hoss drew Joe away from the prisoner.\u00a0 They both noticed that Logan had been a party to the discussion.\u00a0 The look on the boy\u2019s face mirrored his Uncle Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 He could taste blood.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clem immediately sent three scouts to the area Trace had described.\u00a0 He carefully selected men who could survey an area without being noticed. In the meantime, he decided that the posse would continue toward Galena so they would be ready to make a move.\u00a0 They would stay far enough away that if they were being watched they wouldn\u2019t be obvious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the mountainside shack time was dragging.\u00a0 Marcus and Jack played cards and drank rotgut whiskey while Tilda watched desultorily.\u00a0 The boys sat on the bed and looked at the sky out the window.\u00a0 Every now and then a cloud passed by.\u00a0 Normally they wouldn\u2019t have the patience to do that for more than a minute or two, but they understood the gravity of the situation they were in.\u00a0 They had already been fed lunch and now they were just concentrating on not attracting the attention of the increasingly inebriated men.\u00a0 Eli had a strong sense that Marcus, in particular, could be mean when drunk and he wanted to avoid that man\u2019s attention.\u00a0 Jack seemed to hold his liquor better and had seemed to be a more patient man from the start.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tilda was frankly bored, and she still debated the wisdom of this stunt.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t have a good feeling about it.\u00a0 Everybody knew the Cartwrights, and they were well liked.\u00a0 She worked in the saloon in Galena, so she rarely saw them, but what she had seen had never inspired her to commit a crime against them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jack and Marcus, however, were in good humor.\u00a0 Everything was set and today was like a holiday.\u00a0 All they had to do was wait for tomorrow and then collect enough money to make them rich for life.\u00a0 Cards and whiskey would help pass the time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to play cards all day?\u201d\u00a0 Tilda sounded petulant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat else d\u2019ya want us to do?\u00a0 Ya wanna play too?\u201d\u00a0 Marcus grinned at her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take the boys to the creek for a while?\u00a0 They can throw stones in it.\u00a0 Just make sure to keep them out of the open,\u201d Jack said mildly while looking at his cards.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tilda sighed and pushed herself up from the table.\u00a0 She gestured to Joey and Eli and the three of them trudged off to the creek.\u00a0 Tilda made them follow the creek bed until it entered a forested area.\u00a0 This was a different area from the place they sat the day before.\u00a0 She sat and watched them again.\u00a0 They collected rocks and threw them into the water.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t allowed to make noise, but they were allowed to hold a distance contest.\u00a0 Sometimes Eli let Joey win, but he didn\u2019t have to do that too often; Joey had a strong arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey, boys, I just remembered something,\u201d Tilda seemed to brighten up.\u00a0 \u201cI have something I think you\u2019ll like.\u00a0 Stay here while I get it.\u00a0 It\u2019s nearby.\u201d\u00a0 She walked off following the creek back toward the shack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The boys looked at each other.\u00a0 The thought of running was very tempting, but they both knew they\u2019d be no match for the horses Marcus and Jack would use to chase them.\u00a0 There were an awful lot of boulders to hide behind, Eli kept thinking.\u00a0 But as he was thinking it through, Tilda came walking back.\u00a0 She was holding a crock in her arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHere boys, this is fresh buttermilk.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been keeping it cold in the creek.\u00a0 You might as well enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d Eli said as he and Joey shared it.\u00a0 It was<\/em> good.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n None of them knew that Bob Barnes was watching them from a hundred yards away, hidden among the pines.\u00a0 When Tilda had walked away he had been sorely tempted to sweep in and scoop up the boys.\u00a0 But he knew he would call attention to himself and put their safety at risk.\u00a0 It was frustrating, but he would just have to go back and report what he had seen.\u00a0 Tip McCall and John Wyler had ridden up here with him.\u00a0 It was time to find them and return to the posse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It felt like forever until the three scouts returned to meet the posse.\u00a0 But they had excellent news.\u00a0 Not only had they found the shack exactly where Trace had said it was, Bob had seen the boys outside with the woman.\u00a0 They looked well and she seemed to be treating them nicely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The posse members knelt in a circle and planned their strategy.\u00a0 Twenty minutes later the plan was in place, \u00a0roles had been assigned, and every man knew exactly what he was supposed to do. They mounted their horses and headed for the mountains beyond Galena.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The sun was getting low in the western sky when they were in place, ready to make their move.\u00a0 It was about supper time, and smoke was coming out of the shack\u2019s chimney.\u00a0 Bob Barnes had checked to make sure three horses were tethered near the shack, and they were.\u00a0 Everyone on the posse was carefully hidden behind boulders or dense stands of pine.\u00a0 Clem Foster picked up a heavy rock and heaved it through the shack\u2019s single window.\u00a0 The sound of glass breaking carried a long distance on the wind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou in the shack.\u00a0 Come out now, unarmed.\u00a0 With the boys.\u00a0 Trace Lowell is already in custody,\u201d Clem shouted from behind a large boulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was silence from the shack, and nothing happened.\u00a0 Clem let a minute or two pass and he shouted up again, \u201cCome out now and no one gets hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About thirty more seconds passed and the door was kicked open.\u00a0 Eli walked out, followed by Marcus, who was prodding Eli with a rifle poked into his back.\u00a0 Behind them came Joey, followed by Jack who also used a rifle to keep him moving.\u00a0 Tilda brought up the rear with her rifle at the ready.\u00a0 The party slowly moved down the mountainside, thrown off guard by the scene before them which was completely devoid of people.\u00a0 Nothing was certain and nothing could be seen, although the late afternoon sun was hitting right at eye level.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Squinting into the glare, Eli lost his footing when he tripped over a rock protruding from the ground.\u00a0 He went down flat on his face, expelling a whoosh of air. Marcus began to point his rifle at Eli\u2019s back when Logan, down on one knee and holding Marcus steadily in his sights, squeezed his trigger carefully from a stand of trees lateral to Eli.\u00a0 A bullet entering his side knocked Marcus down, his weapon dropped.\u00a0 At that, Jack reacted by moving his rifle up to Joey\u2019s head, but he instantly felt the tip of Tilda\u2019s cool rifle barrel against his temple.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDrop it, Jack,\u201d she said, and Jack did.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After that everything happened all at once.\u00a0 Joe stepped out from behind the rock he was using for cover and called for Joey, who ran pell-mell into his arms.\u00a0 Logan waved an arm and whistled for Eli, who scrambled over to him.\u00a0 Then came the sound of a dozen rifle levers being cocked as everyone stepped out from cover and pointed rifles at the three captors.\u00a0 Tilda threw her rifle off to the side, and Clem ran to collect all three rifles the criminals had used.\u00a0 In moments they were surrounded by posse members, and their hopeful adventure was ignominiously over.\u00a0 Clem checked Marcus, and declared him to be alive but in need of a doctor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s arms were securely around Joey, whose face was buried in his neck with his legs crossed around his father\u2019s waist.\u00a0 Tears were squeezing out from Joe\u2019s tightly shut eyes, and he was shaking too.\u00a0 He kept asking his son if he was all right and Joey kept assuring him he was.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss came over and ruffled his nephew\u2019s curly hair.\u00a0 His heart had skipped a beat when he had seen the small Little Joe look-alike walk out of the shack with a rifle pressed into his back.\u00a0 Hoss squeezed the boy\u2019s shoulder and got a smile in return for his gesture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then Hoss got a grim look on his face as he studied the crowd. \u201cI\u2019m gonna find that Logan and box his ears,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss wait,\u201d Joe put out a hand to hold his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cNot just yet.\u00a0 I know he needs to be punished, but he was worried about his brother too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, both boys could just as easily been kilt as safe right now!\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know, Hoss, and you\u2019re right, but let\u2019s not make an issue of it here tonight.\u00a0 What he did saved the boys and we might have done the same thing in his place\u2026at least I might have at one time.\u00a0 In a way he\u2019s a hero right now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 7<\/p>\n Hoss glared at Joe.\u00a0 He obviously didn\u2019t agree, but then he dropped his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we can let Pa punish him, or Adam when he gets back. Or better yet, both of them.\u00a0 Little devil deserves it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the captors were led to horses and bound under heavy guard, Tilda was shoved some from side to side.\u00a0 Suddenly Eli broke through and stood near her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t hurt her!\u00a0 She helped us.\u00a0 She took care of us and fed us,\u201d he looked at the men around him, especially Clem and Hank Bates.\u00a0 The look in Eli\u2019s eyes conveyed his concern.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOK men, take it easy.\u00a0 Maybe what Eli is saying will help her when the trial comes.\u201d\u00a0 At this comment from Clem, Jack sent a dark glare Tilda\u2019s way.\u00a0 To his way of thinking, she caved in and cost them $500,000.\u00a0 He had forgotten that Trace was already in custody and talking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone mounted up.\u00a0 Eli immediately sought out his brother, who hoisted him up onto Rocket, and held him tightly in front of him with an arm around his waist.\u00a0 Logan was keeping a low profile.\u00a0 Hank Bates had already lit into him for his \u201cfool ways\u201d and Logan knew that more criticism was on the way from Clem as well as his uncles and grandfather.\u00a0 But the worst, he knew, would come from his father when he got home from Europe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The posse rode for several miles before encountering John Wyler and his dogs.\u00a0 It had been important to keep them far enough away so that their barking didn\u2019t alert the kidnappers.\u00a0 Eli and Joey were delighted to see Chip and Dusty, and were allowed down to play with them for a few moments while John was copiously thanked for his help by the grateful posse members.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They stopped in Galena and bought food for the night and morning.\u00a0 They knew they wouldn\u2019t make it back to Virginia City tonight. \u00a0Clem and Hank dropped their prisoners off at the Galena Jail where the local doctor could see to Marcus.\u00a0 They could pick them up later for a transfer to the Virginia City jail.\u00a0 Several of the riders stopped at the saloon for a beer, but Joe, Hoss and their family went to the local caf\u00e9 for lemonade and root beer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t let go of Joey, who was content to accept the closeness for now.\u00a0 He would start complaining about it after his mother had had her fair share.\u00a0 Hoss had his big arm around Eli, but Eli made sure he kept his hand safely inside Logan\u2019s.\u00a0 Eli answered his uncles\u2019 questions, but he was looking at Logan with something close to adoration.\u00a0 For his part, Logan was somber and wasn\u2019t doing much talking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you send a wire to Amy and Pa to let them know everything\u2019s OK?\u201d\u00a0 This was Hoss\u2019 suggestion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood idea,\u201d Joe got up, but he took Joey with him.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t ready to part yet.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019ll save them a lot of worry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Joe had left, Hoss turned to admonish Logan, but he saw that Eli had fallen asleep against his brother\u2019s chest, and for the time being he just swallowed the words that had been about to come out.\u00a0 Instead he rolled his eyes and Logan quickly took a big gulp of root beer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the posse left Galena, they rode several miles until they found a suitable campsite.\u00a0 They had what amounted to a veritable feast for dinner, and then settled in for the night.\u00a0 Everyone was exhausted, but they had done fine work and they felt good about themselves.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss personally went up to each man and extended their heartfelt thanks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joey slept inside his father\u2019s bedroll that night, and Eli did the same with Logan.\u00a0 Hoss made up the outside barrier of the Cartwright lineup.\u00a0 Everyone had noticed Eli\u2019s attachment to his brother.\u00a0 Ponderosa ranch hands who would never have taken matters into his own hands the way Logan did had to admit that things had turned out well.\u00a0 But they all knew that they could be in Sacramento and still hear Ben Cartwright when he took his grandson to task over it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the morning there was bacon, eggs and potatoes for breakfast.\u00a0 Everyone ate their fill, and then the campsite was dismantled and the group set out for Virginia City and the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was mid-afternoon when the Cartwrights and their ranch hands rode up to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Everyone was glad to be out of the saddle.\u00a0 Amy came running out of the house and took her oldest son directly from her husband.\u00a0 Joey\u2019s feet never touched the ground.\u00a0 Ben and Erin made a big fuss over Eli, who had been very brave and protective of his cousin during the ordeal, and Susannah was happy to be reunited with her twin.\u00a0 Hoss and Erin shared a big hug.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan very quietly swung down from Rocket and began to lead him to the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLogan,\u201d Ben called out.\u00a0 Logan stopped and slowly turned around.\u00a0 \u201cTake your uncles\u2019 horses with you and brush them down,\u201d Ben instructed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYessir,\u201d\u00a0 Logan reached back for Chubb\u2019s and Cochise\u2019s reins and led all three horses to the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd when you\u2019re finished,\u201d Ben threw out, \u201chelp the hands with their horses.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYessir,\u201d came the resigned answer.\u00a0 He had never been asked to do that<\/em> before.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to be out there a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHmmph,\u201d was Ben\u2019s answer.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s just the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two days later at dinner, Joe walked into the house with the latest issue of the Territorial Enterprise.\u00a0 He was a little late for dinner and the family was already gathered around the table.\u00a0 Joe had the sparkle in his eyes that always proclaimed his amusement, so everyone stopped and looked at him expectantly.\u00a0 He said nothing, but held the paper up so the headline showed: \u201cCartwright Boys: 2 Captives, 1 Hero\u201d.\u00a0 It appeared that a long article followed the headline.\u00a0 Eli and Joey gasped and looked at each other.\u00a0 Logan turned red and looked as though he\u2019d like to disappear behind Nolan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see that,\u201d Ben took it away from Joe and looked it over.\u00a0 \u201cAh, here we go\u2026it reads: \u2018And just when it appeared there was no hope for young Eli and Joseph Cartwright, Logan Cartwright saved the day by shooting the kidnappers and saving the day.\u2019\u00a0 Now exactly how was that information obtained?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was getting loud and he was looking at Logan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, the reporter came to talk to me at school during lunch,\u201d Logan said.\u00a0 He had been tending to the horses.\u00a0 Part of his punishment was that he could not ride Rocket for a month and had to drive in the wagon to school with the children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is what you told him??\u201d\u00a0 Ben was incredulous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u00a0 I never said that. \u00a0I answered all his questions truthfully.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know where he got that stuff about shooting all the kidnappers.\u201d\u00a0 Logan was defensive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the byline here,\u201d Ben wondered, taking a close look at it.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no.\u00a0 Mark Twain.\u00a0 Well, no wonder.\u00a0 Next thing you know there will be a statue of Logan in the town square.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 This wry comment caused the entire family to erupt into laughter.\u00a0 Mark Twain was known for his \u201ccreative\u201d stories.\u00a0 Even Nolan elbowed his brother in the ribs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAunt Erin?\u201d Eli queried.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, dear, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWould it be all right if we just stopped having birthday parties altogether?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both Erin and Amy appeared nonplussed by that request, but when Elizabeth, Joey and several of the other children agreed with alacrity, they gave in, and for the first time in days, Ben Cartwright cracked a smile.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n EPILOGUE<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam and Mary Lynn returned from Europe four weeks after the kidnapping, and although they had received a brief wire from Ben, they found it was still the very first topic of conversation on everyone\u2019s mind. Ben and Joe picked them up in Virginia City, and since it was a school day, none of the children were with them.\u00a0 Mary Lynn was anxious to see her brood, but first Joe had to break the news about Logan\u2019s participation to his parents.\u00a0 This tidbit had been excluded from the wire.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was incredulous when he heard the story.\u00a0 Mary Lynn had a hand over her mouth in horror.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe shot the kidnapper?\u201d Adam repeated this as if he had heard incorrectly. \u00a0He well knew the repercussions this could have had.\u00a0 He also knew his son was impetuous, more like his Uncle Joe than himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cHe was supposed to stay in the rear with Roy Coffee, but in the haste for cover, he was able to separate himself and get to the front.\u00a0 You should know that the Enterprise proclaimed him a hero.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA hero,\u201d Adam had a pained look on his face and he was staring up at the sky.\u00a0 \u201cWhere was the kidnapper wounded?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLogan shot him in the side.\u00a0 He was tended to by the doctor in Galena, but the wound infected and he died about a week later.\u00a0 Adam, I think that affected Logan pretty hard.\u00a0 He\u2019s been real quiet since then.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHas he been punished?\u201d Adam wanted to know.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe can\u2019t ride his horse for a month and he\u2019s had heavy ranch chores.\u00a0 And except for chores, he also has to stay inside every school night and help the others with their homework,\u201d Ben informed him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat will hurt him,\u201d Mary Lynn commented dryly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped the surrey in the road to turn back and look at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cLook Adam, we all know this is serious, but Logan talked to me about defending the family and especially about watching out for his brother.\u00a0 Please take that into account when you talk to him.\u00a0 You remember how you, Hoss and I all watched out for each other.\u00a0 We would do whatever it took if one of us was in trouble.\u00a0 And you should see how Eli idolizes Logan now.\u00a0 He practically follows him everywhere he goes\u2026\u201d Joe stopped and his comments drifted off because he knew he was going to start repeating himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat may be,\u201d Ben intoned.\u00a0 \u201cBut Logan knew he was forbidden to go with the posse.\u00a0 He and I had locked horns over it.\u00a0 I knew I could never tell both of you that two of your sons had been harmed while you were away.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s expression was troubled.\u00a0 As Joe resumed the ride to the ranch, his oldest brother commented, \u201cMary Lynn and I will have to do some thinking about this and decide how to handle it.\u201d Ben nodded approvingly<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two weeks after Adam\u2019s and Mary Lynn\u2019s return home, life had returned to a semblance of normalcy.\u00a0 There had been an emotional reunion with their children, and extra tight hugs for Eli.\u00a0 Logan had hung back, but his parents both pulled him into a warm embrace that surprised him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One Saturday morning shortly thereafter, Adam told Logan at breakfast that he wanted the two of them to go fishing that day.\u00a0 It was pleasantly offered, but Logan knew instantly it was a command performance, not an invitation.\u00a0 Nolan kept quiet, but Eli, Susannah and Hunter begged to come along.\u00a0 They loved fishing with their father.\u00a0 But they were gently turned down.\u00a0 This was a private fishing date.\u00a0 Nolan told them he would take them all fishing soon, and they accepted that substitute easily enough.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam and Logan left shortly after breakfast.\u00a0 Logan was happy to be riding Rocket again, and Hop Sing had contributed a nice picnic basket.\u00a0 Without consulting each other, both headed for their favorite spot overlooking Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 It was a peaceful, relaxing place overlooking the beautiful blue water, not far from where Marie Cartwright was buried.\u00a0 It was also well known for its abundance of fish, and with a little luck dinner tonight would include an ample fish fry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They cast their lines into the water and enjoyed the sun warming their backs.\u00a0 Logan wasn\u2019t going to say a word, and his father seemed comfortable and relaxed with the silence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally Adam spoke.\u00a0 \u201cSome of my happiest times have been fishing here with your grandfather and uncles, and now you kids.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy to let your worries slip away here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan gazed out at the water but still didn\u2019t speak.\u00a0 His father had always been fair, but today Logan felt the other shoe about to drop.\u00a0 His line began to pull and with a little effort he reeled in a good sized trout.\u00a0 His father congratulated him on the first catch of the day, and then within minutes, he made the second.\u00a0 After that there was a steady stream of fish and little conversation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They paused for their lunch when they felt hungry and went directly back to fishing. \u00a0If they were going to feed the Cartwright family a fish dinner, they needed to keep to task.\u00a0 But there was a lull after lunch.\u00a0 Logan gnawed on a chicken leg and Adam had a long stalk of grass between his teeth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Logan, your mother and I are awfully proud of how much courage you showed rescuing Eli,\u201d Adam turned and looked directly at his second-oldest-by-minutes son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan\u2019s head spun in shock to look at his father.\u00a0 He had not been expecting praise.\u00a0 \u201cI just couldn\u2019t stand the thought of Eli and Joey being hurt, or worse,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d and then Adam chuckled softly.\u00a0 \u201cYour uncles and I were exactly the same way.\u201d\u00a0 Then he surprised Logan again.\u00a0 \u201cYour mother is expecting another baby.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan\u2019s face brightened.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s great news!\u00a0 I\u2019m sure we can make room for one more,\u201d he joked lightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThe thing about it though, is this, Logan.\u00a0 Whenever that baby comes and whoever that baby is, he or she will never be able to take the place of any of the children we already have.\u00a0 If we had lost Eli, or you for that matter, during that rescue, it\u2019s not like having another baby would replace you.\u00a0 You and Eli have carved permanent places in our hearts and lives that would just be empty holes if you were gone. \u00a0When you shot that kidnapper, you took a risk that paid off.\u00a0 It worked the way you wanted it to.\u00a0 It\u2019s almost like gambling in the saloon.\u00a0 A game can go your way or it can go against you, but there all you lose is money.\u00a0 Your gamble involved Eli\u2019s life and Joey\u2019s life.\u00a0 What would happen to your Uncle Joe and Aunt Amy if Joey hadn\u2019t come home?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan was silent for a long time before he answered.\u00a0 \u201cThey would have been sad forever.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cExactly.\u00a0 They would never have gotten over it.\u00a0 Their lives would have gone on, but in a very different way.\u00a0 Sadder, slower, painfully,\u201d Adam paused and took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cThe newspaper called you a hero.\u00a0 I think you\u2019re a hero, too, and I\u2019m not alone am I?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan shook his head and thought of his new shadow, Eli.\u00a0 It was a true case of hero worship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a hero to your mother, too.\u00a0 You stopped at nothing to get your brother and cousin back.\u00a0 You gambled and won.\u00a0 Your good skills didn\u2019t hurt any either,\u201d Adam put a hand on the back of his son\u2019s neck and squeezed it affectionately.\u00a0 Then he took another deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cBut here\u2019s the big problem that can\u2019t be ignored.\u00a0 What you did was in direct disobedience to your grandfather\u2019s orders and your Uncle Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 They well know the risks involved in dealing with unpredictable criminals.\u00a0 You don\u2019t.\u00a0 You\u2019re impetuous and you want action, and in many cases those are good qualities.\u00a0 People like you get things done.\u00a0 But there are times that call for caution, and this was one of those times.\u00a0 You promised Joe you would stay to the rear, and you didn\u2019t.\u00a0 There has to be punishment that goes along with this.\u00a0 I know you\u2019ve already paid a price with chores and not riding Rocket, but there\u2019s got to be more.\u00a0 You have to understand the value of human life and respect it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs it because the kidnapper died?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 He took a chance as well when he decided to do what he did.\u00a0 He broke the law, and the law came after him.\u00a0 Sometimes a lawbreaker dies in the course of protecting the innocent, and that\u2019s what happened to him.\u00a0 But I hope you\u2019ve been thinking about the fact that you took an action that resulted in a death, even though no one is blaming you for that.\u00a0 Life is sacred, Logan.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t been thinking about anything else since I heard he died,\u201d Logan\u2019s voice was low.\u00a0 He was close to tears and Adam felt a tug of sympathy.\u00a0 \u201cI know I\u2019m not as good or as smart as Nolan, but I care about my family!\u201d He swatted angrily at a tear that escaped his eye.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam reached out and took his arm.\u00a0 \u201cLook at me, Logan.\u00a0 You are every bit as good as Nolan and your brothers and sisters, and me and your grandfather.\u00a0 You are a great person.\u00a0 You\u2019re going to be a great man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I did a stupid thing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone does stupid things.\u00a0 You just need to stop and think things through before you jump in with both feet.\u00a0 That\u2019s how you get smart.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was a long silence.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the rest of my punishment?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam allowed one side of his mouth to curl up slightly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s at home.\u00a0 First we still have a mess of fish to catch and clean.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan groaned.\u00a0 He loved to fish.\u00a0 He hated to gut.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n By mid-afternoon, both fishermen returned home.\u00a0 Hop Sing peered into their basket of fish and smiled approvingly.\u00a0 \u201cFresh fish for dinner tonight!\u201d He was grinning as he carried the basket to the kitchen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam and Logan cleaned up outside before going in; they smelled like raw fish.\u00a0 Mary Lynn looked up and smiled at them from where she was sitting with Amy and Erin.\u00a0 She called Logan over to her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you and your father get everything straightened out?\u201d\u00a0 She was jostling baby Ross on her lap.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think so.\u00a0 He told me there was more at home for me.\u201d\u00a0 He knew his father was standing near the door, but he didn\u2019t move or speak.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Mary Lynn confirmed.\u00a0 She held Ross out to Logan.\u00a0 \u201cHere, take him for me, please.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan reached out for his baby brother, thinking he really hadn\u2019t held him much at all since he\u2019d been born.\u00a0 He was always busy becoming a better cowboy.\u00a0 Ross patted Logan\u2019s shoulder and made a raspberry sound with his mouth, misting his big brother with spit.\u00a0 Wiping his face, Logan stood patiently, waiting for his mother to tell him about his punishment.\u00a0\u00a0 She smiled at him sweetly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all, Logan.\u00a0 You boys have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 He was sure he had misheard her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s yours for the next month.\u00a0 When you\u2019re not in school or doing chores, Ross is yours.\u00a0 He is a precious life and we expect you to safeguard that with every ounce of strength you have.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Something wasn\u2019t right here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSchool will be out for the summer soon, and then Ross will be yours for exactly one month.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll love it and you\u2019ll be surprised how much you will too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had stepped up to Logan and now placed his arm around his son\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cYou see, if there\u2019s any way to learn respect for life it\u2019s caring for a helpless little person who depends on you for absolutely everything.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Logan looked horrified.\u00a0 \u201cBut he\u2019s gonna\u2026\u201d he stopped and held the baby out, looking grimly at his diaper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, he is gonna, but you\u2019ll figure it out.\u00a0 And there are three experienced mothers here who will coach you, but not do the work for you.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take him back after a month.\u00a0 Your father thought Ross could be in no better hands than a hero\u2019s.\u201d\u00a0 Her words were genuine, and her smile was bright.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That night at dinner, Ross, covered with a large white napkin, pasted mashed carrots in his hair.\u00a0 He laughed when he saw them emerge between his fingers from inside his tight little fist.\u00a0 He loved the fish, however.\u00a0 Logan, who also wore a large white napkin around his neck, sat next to his brother, feeling flecks of mashed potatoes turning into cement in his hair.\u00a0 He had started the meal with lots of wet cloths nearby, but they had all been used.\u00a0 He gave his brother a tin cup of milk and then gasped when it sloshed in his face.\u00a0 Nobody had told him he had to help his brother drink it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen do I get to eat?\u201d\u00a0 This didn\u2019t seem fair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, in between scraping Ross\u2019 dinner off him,\u201d his mother answered mildly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The family loved it, and Logan received dozens of parenting tips.\u00a0 No one was sitting very close to him or Ross.\u00a0 He gritted his teeth.\u00a0 He would get through this, and successfully, too.\u00a0 But he would never let Ross forget what he put him through.\u00a0 Logan, of course, had no idea how many times his parents had sworn the same thing about him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMom and Dad?\u00a0 Did you hear that we\u2019re not having big birthday parties anymore?\u201d Logan\u2019s voice sounded slightly weary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI seem to recall I did hear that,\u201d Adam answered with one brow raised, nodding slowly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, when my birthday comes, could you just ignore it altogether?\u201d\u00a0 Now he sounded plaintive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The whole family was laughing as a dinner roll sailed across the table and bounced off Logan\u2019s head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSpeak for yourself, brother,\u201d Nolan retorted, brushing the crumbs off his hands.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s my birthday too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ross just happily flung carrots that made bright orange spots on Logan\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u00a0THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n Next Story in the Destiny Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s Just for Now<\/a>
\nDesert Destiny<\/a>
\nDestiny Next Door<\/a>
\nBrothers<\/a>
\nNo More Birthday Parties, Thank you<\/a>
\nIt’s Just for Now<\/a>
\nThe Homecoming Part 1<\/a>
\nThe Homecoming Part 2<\/a>
\nLogan’s Bride<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nThe Homecoming Part 1<\/a>
\nThe Homecoming Part 2<\/a>
\nLogan’s Bride<\/a><\/p>\n