{"id":3555,"date":"2003-05-19T00:16:06","date_gmt":"2003-05-19T04:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3555"},"modified":"2026-07-31T08:48:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:48:44","slug":"the-last-viking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3555","title":{"rendered":"The Last Viking (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A WHB the ending scene.\u00a0 How did the Cartwrights get Joe home after he had been shot? If you ever wondered, read on.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,075 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Last Viking<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Panting, Hoss Cartwright straightened up and drew his gun. With a trembling hand, and grief in his heart, he aimed it at his uncle, the man who had murdered his little brother. Though he had intended to shoot Gunnar for causing all this trouble and grief, he couldn\u2019t bring himself to do it. Hoss just wasn\u2019t the kind of man who could shoot another in cold blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI cain\u2019t do it,\u201d he panted, and holstered his gun, his shoulders slumping in defeat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Carrie cried. \u201cLook, Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning swiftly, dreading what might be coming next, Hoss could barely believe his eyes as his younger brother Joe limped heavily into the clearing, stumbled against a rock out-cropping and fell to his knees. Joe\u2019s shirt was bloodstained on the right shoulder, and he was obviously in some pain. In his hand, he still clutched the knife he and Carrie had used to free themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Are you hurt bad?\u201d Carrie asked, throwing herself down to hug him. Joe winced and shook his head, although that wasn\u2019t the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cPunkin!\u201d Hoss exclaimed, rushing to his brother\u2019s side to take his head in one massive hand. \u201cI thought they done killed you, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not this time,\u201d Joe said, valiantly giving Hoss a smile. \u201cIt was your uncle, Hoss.\u201d He paused to catch his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Hoss interrupted, glancing down.<\/p>\n

Oblivious of this, Joe went on. \u201cHe saved our lives. He helped us get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 head jerked up and he looked at Carrie for one anguished second before looking over to where his uncle lay. \u201cI tried to tell ya, Hoss,\u201d Carrie said, and Hoss couldn\u2019t deny that. Carrie had indeed tried to tell him something, and he was so overcome by grief that he hadn\u2019t listened to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmigos,\u201d said a new voice, and they all glanced up and froze. On top of a nearby rock formation was Vaca, one of the commancheros from Gunnar\u2019s band.\u00a0 He had his gun in his hand, aiming it at the small group below. \u201cI\u2019m gonna kill you, amigos,\u201d he went on. As Hoss made a move to draw his gun, Vaca lifted his and warned, \u201cDon\u2019t move! I know the old man pretty well. When I kill you, he will die too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVaca!\u201d Gunnar cried, rallying himself from the beating he\u2019d received from Hoss. A short time before, he and Vaca had also fought and although Gunnar had won, he was exhausted. He lifted his gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move, old man,\u201d Vaca warned. \u201cDon\u2019t move. I will kill them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake your choice, them or me,\u201d Gunnar challenged. He wished he\u2019d killed Vaca earlier, when he had the chance.<\/p>\n

Without hesitating, Vaca changed his aim and shot Gunnar. Hoss\u2019 uncle clutched his side, his gun discharging harmlessly away from everyone. Moving quickly, Hoss drew his gun and shot Vaca. The commanchero fell form the rocks, dead. Joe and Carrie let out the breaths they\u2019d unconsciously been holding, and for a moment, Joe thought he might pass out.<\/p>\n

Then, Hoss\u2019 warm hand left Joe\u2019s shoulder and he was running over to his uncle. Gently, Hoss turned the older man over, and cradled him in his arms. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Uncle Gunnar,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI didn\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go getting stuck in the mud, sonny,\u201d Gunnar said. \u201cSometimes it is difficult to get out. I don\u2019t regret anything I done. I ain\u2019t askin\u2019 forgiveness from anyone. I meant to do all them things I done.\u201d He paused to drag in some breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir,\u201d Hoss muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cForgive me, Hoss,\u201d Gunnar gasped, and then his grip on Hoss\u2019 arm loosened and Hoss knew his uncle was gone.<\/p>\n

Slowly, gently, Hoss laid him down and buried his head in his hands. Carrie looked away, and she saw that Joe\u2019s head was down, a sure sign of distress. Joe wished he could go over and comfort Hoss, but the thought of moving was too much for him.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Hoss came back over to Joe and looked at him. His grieving for Gunnar could wait. Joe needed attention now. The bloodstain on Joe\u2019s shirt hadn\u2019t noticeably grown, but it was big enough already. \u201cLet\u2019s get you home, Joe,\u201d Hoss suggested. \u201cCan you walk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Joe replied, wincing as he tried to move. \u201cI fell, and hurt my ankle.\u201d He bit his lip as he stretched his left leg out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat bullet still in ya, too?\u201d Hoss asked, knowing, with a sinking feeling in his heart, that the answer would be yes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe admitted. His breath was panting away from him as he tried to control the pain. \u201cWhat\u2019re you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting his own lip, Hoss wasn\u2019t sure what to say. He wasn\u2019t sure what to do. Joe needed help, and fast. But Hoss wasn\u2019t sure it was wise for him to carry Joe back to his horse in case they came across some more commancheros. No way could Hoss carry Joe and have his gun ready to fire. He briefly thought about giving the gun to Carrie, but she was exhausted and inclined to be hysterical, and Hoss didn\u2019t know if she could shoot. What was he going to do?<\/p>\n

There was a sound from behind them, and Hoss whirled around, his gun in his hand, ready to shoot. \u201cHoss!\u201d Ben\u2019s voice called, and Hoss could have wept with relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, Pa! Hurry!\u201d he called, and knelt again by Joe. \u201cYa hear that, Joe? It\u2019s Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Joe responded, his head lolling on his shoulders as he tired ever more quickly. He dragged his eyes back open and saw Ben and Adam rush into the clearing.<\/p>\n

Both men had their guns drawn. \u201cHoss, are you all right?\u201d Ben demanded, seeing, for the moment, only his middle son.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Hoss answered, although it wasn\u2019t sure that that was the truth. Physically, he was fine, but emotionally, he wasn\u2019t. \u201cBut Joe\u2019s hurt bad, pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben muttered, finally seeing the young couple huddle behind Hoss sheltering bulk. He holstered his gun and rushed forward. \u201cJoe! What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Vaca,\u201d Joe said. \u201cHe shot me\u2026\u201d His voice trailed off as another pang of agony shot through his body. He swallowed, and glanced up at Ben, who knelt by him, gently unbuttoning Joe\u2019s shirt to see the wound. \u201cI hurt my foot, too, Pa, and\u2026and\u2026 I don\u2019t think I can\u2026walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Carrie?\u201d Ben asked, glancing at her as he tried to hide his horror at the severity of Joe\u2019s injury. The girl nodded, and Ben turned his attention to Joe\u2019s foot.<\/p>\n

It was clear from the moment Ben put his hand on the foot that there was no way Joe could stand to have to boot pulled off. Yet it had to come off. From what Joe said, he knew the ankle was unlikely to be broken, simply because Joe had been walking on it. But it was surely sprained and would be swelling. If he didn\u2019t get the boot off, the swelling would be impeded, and would creep up his leg, causing other problems. \u201cSomeone give me a knife,\u201d he said, harshly.<\/p>\n

As Adam and Hoss fumbled through their clothes, Joe put his hand down and picked up the knife he\u2019d dropped. \u201cThis do?\u201d he asked. At the expression on Ben\u2019s face, he went on, explaining, \u201cIt was Vaca\u2019s. Gunnar gave it to us, to help us escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts fine,\u201d Ben answered, taking it in his hand. \u201cAdam, Hoss, you keep a sharp lookout for the rest of those commancheros. Those shots will have attracted them. Joe,\u201d he paused until those expressive eyes looked up at him. \u201cI\u2019m going to cut your boot off. I\u2019ll try not to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust do it,\u201d Joe said, and sagged back against the rocks. Carrie tightened her grip on him, and Joe tried not to wince at the unintentional pain she caused him. He failed and at once, she contritely loosened her grip.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ben worked as quickly as he could. The jerking against his injured ankle caused Joe\u2019s head to swim, and he drifted on a cloud of pain, not quite unconscious, until at last Ben could ease his boot off round his heel. Next moment, he felt his sock being cut off, and then, blessedly, for a moment things were still. He drew in a deep shaky breath, and realized that he\u2019d bitten his lip, trying to control his pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, son?\u201d Ben asked, softly, looking worriedly at Joe. He was concerned about the positioning of the bullet. It looked to Ben like it was dangerously near Joe\u2019s lung, and he\u2019d heard his son panting for breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe breathed unconvincingly. Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

Moving fast, he ripped the sleeve out of his shirt, and fashioned it into a makeshift bandage. Even by the moonlight, Joe\u2019s ankle was swollen and discolored. Ben knew there\u2019d be no way he\u2019d be walking on it for some time to come. Satisfied with his handiwork for now, Ben sat back. He glanced all around, feeling uneasy. Both Adam and Hoss were keeping watch, but every now and then, their attention strayed to Joe.<\/p>\n

Following Hoss\u2019 glance, Ben saw, for the first time, Gunnar\u2019s body. He stiffened, glanced to first his middle son, then the younger one, and rose to his feet. Without saying a word, he went over to look down on Gunnar. It didn\u2019t come as a surprise that Gunnar had died violently. He had led a fairly violent life. Ben was glad Inger wasn\u2019t around to see what her little brother had come to. \u201cI hope you find your ship,\u201d he said, softly, and went back to his sons.<\/p>\n

It was decided that Hoss would carry Joe, and Adam and Ben keep watch for the commancheros. Ben was surprised that they hadn\u2019t already appeared, drawn by the shooting, but there was no way to be sure they weren\u2019t watching. The area was covered in trees and rocks, providing many natural hiding places. Ben just hoped their horses were still where they had left them. He and Adam had heard the shots and hurried to where they were coming from, meeting each other on the way. Each had feared that Hoss had found the camp, but hadn\u2019t waited for them before trying to rescue Joe and Carrie. Ben was still a bit hazy about how Joe and Carrie had escaped, but now wasn\u2019t the time to ask about it.<\/p>\n

Gently, Hoss lifted Joe, feeling his younger brother\u2019s head lying trustingly against his shoulder. Hoss wasn\u2019t sure that trust was totally justified, even though he knew he wasn\u2019t responsible for Gunnar\u2019s actions. But it somehow seemed wrong to him that Joe didn\u2019t blame him for what had happened.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t far to where Ben and Adam had left their horses, and Chubb had found his stable mates. Hoss put Joe down while they decided how they were going to proceed from there. Three horses and five people meant that at least 2 horses were going to be riding double. Ben didn\u2019t ponder for long.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you go and send for the doctor. We\u2019ll cut across the hills and come to the house by the back road. Make sure there\u2019s boiling water and bandages ready for Paul. Light the fire in Joe\u2019s room, too. He\u2019s cold, and going to be colder by the time we get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want to get a wagon?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cWe could bring it to the meadow down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, positively. \u201cIt would take too long, and Joe needs help now. You get off, and we\u2019ll bring Joe and Carrie home as quickly as we can. Better alert Roy, too. I doubt if the commancheros are just going to ride off.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words were hardly out of his mouth when a bullet whistled past Ben\u2019s ear. He ducked instinctively, even though the bullet was past. Adam hauled him into cover as Hoss yanked Carrie down and crouched over Joe. Adam fired back. The commancheros had found them.<\/p>\n

It was immediately clear that the commancheros were targeting Joe and Carrie especially. They didn\u2019t know that Abe McLain was still alive and could identify them; they thought Joe and Carrie were the only eyewitnesses. None of the men left were leaders. They did their best thinking under the command of others. Now that both Vaca and Gunnar were dead, there was no one to lead them. They had attacked the Cartwrights without thinking the situation through, and they found themselves facing men determined not to let anything more happen to the young couple.<\/p>\n

The shoot-out was short lived. Adam winged the first man, Ben got a second and Hoss got a third. By then, the others were clearing off and running for their lives. It wasn\u2019t worth losing their lives, just to kill two youngsters, one of whom looked like he might die anyway. As fast as the commancheros had begun the fight, they gave up and fled.<\/p>\n

Cautiously, Adam rose to his feet and made his way over to check the three men they\u2019d shot. All of them were dead. He scouted around, but found no further signs of anyone waiting in ambush for them. He holstered his gun and went back to join the others. \u201cAll gone,\u201d he reported, laconically.<\/p>\n

Kneeling by Joe, Ben forced some water into his son\u2019s mouth. Joe roused from the stupor he\u2019d been in and gulped the tepid liquid greedily. Hoss offered a canteen to Carrie, who was no less thirsty than Joe. She was beginning to look teary, reaction rapidly catching up with her. Ben privately thought a good cry would do her the world of good.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019ll take Joe,\u201d Ben decided, wrapping his bedroll securely round Joe. \u201cAdam, get going. We\u2019ll be along as fast as we can.\u201d He collected a nod from his oldest son, who touched Joe\u2019s cheek briefly before mounting and riding away. \u201cCarrie, you ride with Hoss,\u201d Ben went on. He nodded as Hoss got his own bedroll for Carrie. The night was cooling rapidly, with a chill wind soughing through the trees. He had a sudden thought, and smiled at her. \u201cCarrie, your uncle is still alive,\u201d he told her gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Abe?\u201d Carrie breathed. \u201cOh.\u201d After a second, she began to cry and Ben stroked her hair gently, thinking that was exactly what she needed.<\/p>\n

Leaving Carrie to compose herself, Ben and Hoss helped Joe onto Buck and Ben mounted up behind him. At once, Ben started his horse walking back to the Ponderosa. The route he intended taking wasn\u2019t one to be ridden without thought, for it was precipitously steep in places, but it was far quicker than going down to the meadow and around to the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe?\u201d he asked, feeling Joe sigh. He knew that all right was a relative term.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2026hurts,\u201d Joe panted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour shoulder or your foot?\u201d Ben questioned, suddenly terrified that the bullet had moved, or they had carelessly bumped Joe\u2019s shoulder when moving him.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything,\u201d came the answer, and there was a catch in Joe\u2019s voice that told Ben he was on the verge of tears. Not that Ben blamed him. Joe had as much right to a crying jag as Carrie, and it would probably do him as much good. \u201cPa,\u201d Joe went on, \u201cGunnar saved our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, with many pauses to catch his breath, Joe told the story of how he and Carrie came to be kidnapped, starting with their encounter with Vaca at the McLain\u2019s ranch; meeting Gunnar for the first time; Vaca attempting to ravish Carrie, and beating Joe, who was tied up at the time; the rattlesnake; the fight between Gunnar and Vaca; the knife and finally, their escape. By the time Joe\u2019s voice petered out, Ben was burning with anger.<\/p>\n

He had always known that Gunnar was a bandit at heart. He was appalled that Gunnar had taken Joe hostage after learning his identity, however. Just that morning, he, Gunnar, Adam and Hoss had shared a meal. He had known about Joe because Hoss had several times mentioned his younger brother, and hoped that he and Gunnar would have the chance to meet. Even though Gunnar had helped Joe and Carrie escape, Ben found it hard to forget that Gunnar had ordered them hostages in the first place.<\/p>\n

Vaca was different entirely. Ben had distrusted the man on sight when he had come to the ranch house that first evening. There was something oily about his manner; he was too obsequious, while clearly eyeing up the wealth of the house. That Vaca would think nothing of trying to ravish a young female hostage was not a surprise. But Ben was sickened that he had laughed while beating up a young man who was bound hand and foot. It was no surprise to Ben that Joe had tried to protect Carrie, even in that predicament.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud of you, son,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Joe queried. He coughed painfully. \u201cWhy?\u201d Joe\u2019s mind was foggy with pain and he couldn\u2019t think why his father was proud of him getting into yet another scrape where he had had to be rescued by his family and had been hurt besides.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud that you kept your head,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cAnd I\u2019m proud that you tried to protect Carrie from Vaca.\u201d<\/p>\n

That still didn\u2019t make sense to Joe. He blinked, feeling sweat running into his eyes. \u201cI couldn\u2019t\u2026 let Vaca \u2026hurt her,\u201d he said, sounding puzzled. \u201cI had\u2026to\u2026do\u2026something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cAnd that\u2019s why I\u2019m proud of you. Don\u2019t try to talk any more, Joe. Rest. Sleep if you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurts\u2026too\u2026much,\u201d Joe panted. He leant his head back onto Ben\u2019s shoulder and sighed deeply. Ben wanted nothing more at that moment than to get Joe back home and safely into bed.<\/p>\n

For some time they plodded along, unspeaking. The moon disappeared behind some clouds and the trail grew dim and indistinct. Several times Buck stumbled and Joe caught his breath each and every time. He had never felt so ill. His shoulder throbbed in time to his heartbeat and his ankle dangling, unsupported, in mid-air was a blazing agony all of its own. One minute he was hot, the next minute he was cold. He wanted to sleep, but he was afraid that if he let go, he would slide into darkness so deep that he would never find his way out. He wanted Ben to talk to him, but his father was silent, concentrating on guiding the horse safely. It was all Joe could do not to ask Ben to stop the horse and let him rest, but he knew that if they stopped moving, he would not want to go on again.<\/p>\n

Finally, fearing he was going to be sick, Joe opened his mouth to ask Ben to stop. At that very moment, Buck\u2019s feet slid out from underneath him, and Ben and Joe were falling.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Hoss shouted and pulled Chubb to a stop. Carrie wakened with a jerk. Hoss jumped down from Chubb\u2019s back and ran over to where the horse lay groaning on its side and his father and brother lay in a tangled heap further down the slope. \u201cPa, Joe, are ya all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a horrible minute, Hoss thought they had both been killed. He felt fearfully for their pulses, and found them. The moment of relief was overwhelming and Hoss was trembling faintly as he tried to rouse them.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, are ya all right?\u201d Hoss repeated, shaking Ben\u2019s shoulder gently. He tried to see if there were any obvious injuries, but it was too dark to see clearly. \u201cPa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d Ben muttered. He lifted his head, clearly dazed. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuck fell,\u201d Hoss answered, looking over his shoulder at the horse, which had regained its feet, but was standing with its head down and one foot lifted. \u201cAre you all right, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s out cold,\u201d Hoss said, worriedly. Ben sat up, groaned at the movement, and bent over Joe anxiously.<\/p>\n

The moon came out again at that moment, and cast some much need light on the scene. However, it didn\u2019t bring much reassurance with it. Joe was unconscious and deathly pale. The bloodstain on his shirt was spreading, and Ben listened anxiously to his labored breathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you hear me, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, patting his cheek gently. \u201cJoe, son, open your eyes for me.\u201d He repeated this a few times before Joe stirred and opened his eyes. \u201cHow do you feel, son?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to go home,\u201d Joe whispered. His voice was thin and weak. \u201cIt hurts, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to get him home,\u201d Ben said, urgently. \u201cHoss, check Buck for me, please.\u201d He cradled Joe carefully in his arms, and drew back the thin cotton of Joe\u2019s shirt to check his wound. The new bleeding made him wince, but he had no way to tell if the bullet had moved at all. Once more, he left the wound undisturbed, fearing that too much handling would be worse than none at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Buck\u2019s pretty lame,\u201d Hoss reported, coming back over. \u201cHe cain\u2019t hardly put that hoof to the ground at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was bad news .Ben bit his lip. He had to get Joe home and handed over to the doctor\u2019s care. Carrie might need some medical attention too. What was best to do?<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, you and Joe take Hoss\u2019 horse,\u201d Carrie suggested, having slid down from Chubb\u2019s back and come over. \u201cHoss will look after me, and we\u2019ll get back. Joe needs to get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCarrie\u2019s right, Pa,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cYou send someone with fresh horses when you get back. Chubb\u2019ll take care of ya both.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you both,\u201d Ben said, feelingly. \u201cI hate to leave you here alone with a lame horse, but you\u2019re right. We must get Joe home quickly.\u201d He rose stiffly to his feet, feeling his head throb slightly. Hoss picked Joe up carefully, but for all his care, his younger brother winced miserably.<\/p>\n

They were soon mounted up, and Ben paused for another moment before heading Chubb in the direction of home. \u201cBe careful,\u201d he urged Hoss and Carrie and then set off.<\/p>\n

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

It was a long journey home. Chubb was sure footed and patient, but still slid and slipped a little on the treacherous ground. About half an hour after leaving Hoss and Carrie, it began to rain, a cold, thin rain that slanted in on the wind. Joe shivered and mumbled. He was beginning to feel hot, and Ben was concerned. The bullet was starting to cause an infection. He hoped Adam had the doctor waiting when they got back to the house.<\/p>\n

At last, they came down the final slope and were on the last lap for home. Ben\u2019s arms ached relentlessly from holding Joe onto the saddle. The urge to make the horse go faster was almost over whelming, but he knew that it could make things much worse for Joe if he did that so held the horse to a steady walk.<\/p>\n

Finally, they came into the yard and the house door opened and Adam popped out like a cork from a bottle. He hurried across to look anxiously at Joe before glancing at his father. \u201cI thought something had happened to you.\u201d He took in the horse they were riding and a frown creased his forehead. \u201cSomething has happened. Are you all right? What happened to Buck? Where are Hoss and Carrie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuck fell,\u201d Ben said, gently sliding Joe into Adam\u2019s waiting arms. \u201cSend one of the men with fresh horses to meet them, Adam. They\u2019re walking back.\u201d He dismounted stiffly, and clutched the saddle horn for a moment while he straightened out the kink in his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Adam asked, over his shoulder, for he knew that Joe needed attention at once. The heat coming form his youngest brother burned through the bedroll wrapped around him. Joe\u2019s eyes were shut and he breathed in shallow gasps.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind me,\u201d Ben said, although his head throbbed yet. \u201cWhere\u2019s Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s inside,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cWe put his buggy into the barn when the rain started.\u201d Moving carefully, Adam carried Joe across the room and began to mount the stairs. \u201cGo and get changed and dry, Pa,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Abe?\u201d Ben asked, realizing that the sofa was empty. He felt a pang in his gut as he thought that the man had died. How would he tell Carrie, after assuring her that her uncle was all right?<\/p>\n

\u201cDownstairs bedroom,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice informed him as he disappeared from sight. \u201cHe\u2019s doing better.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a relief. Ben went slowly upstairs, and into Joe\u2019s room, despite Adam\u2019s advice to get dried. He had to see how Joe was first.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet a towel, Adam,\u201d Paul Martin was saying as Ben went in. He was stripping Joe\u2019s sodden clothes off. He paused as the extent of the bullet wound became evident. After a moment, he moved on, and as Adam handed him the towel, he had Joe\u2019s bloody shirt off, and his pants loosened. Paul used the towel to dry some of the dampness from Joe\u2019s skin before continuing his visual examination and removing the youth\u2019s sodden pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll operate at once, Ben,\u201d Paul said, grimly, straightening. \u201cBut I have to warn you. That bullet is in a bad place. It\u2019s very close to the lung. I won\u2019t know until I\u2019ve opened him up if the lung is damaged. We\u2019ll just have to hope. He\u2019s lost a lot of blood. I\u2019ll do everything I can for him. Adam can help me. You get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing that Ben would want to stay, Paul all but pushed him from the room, and Ben reluctantly went. Before he changed, he went to organize horses for Hoss and Carrie and checked on Abe McLain, who looked much better. Then he went to get changed, and after that there was nothing to do but wait.<\/p>\n

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

Sometime near dawn, Carrie and Hoss returned. They were both soaking and exhausted, but Carrie went at once to see Abe before being persuaded to have a hot bath and go to bed. Hoss changed his clothes and joined Ben downstairs. Paul was still operating.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be all right?\u201d Hoss asked in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied, honestly. \u201cThe bullet was in him for a long time. Who knows how much damage that fall did him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Hoss went over to Ben and looked more closely at his father\u2019s face. There was a graze near his hairline, with a bruise spreading around it, but the injury seemed minor. \u201cYou was knocked out, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Impatiently, Ben brushed away Hoss\u2019 concern. \u201cIts nothing,\u201d he said, for he truthfully had barely felt either it or the headache he had had since Paul began to operate on Joe. \u201cI\u2019m fine, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning away, Hoss thrust his hands deep into his pockets. \u201cI thought Uncle Gunnar had shot Little Joe,\u201d Hoss muttered. \u201cI fought him, Pa. Then\u2026 then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what, son?\u201d Ben asked gently. When there was no immediate answer, he went over and took Hoss\u2019 shoulders in his hands. \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI pulled ma gun,\u201d Hoss said, his voice so quiet that Ben could barely hear. He instinctively tightened his hold, giving Hoss support. \u201cI wanted to shoot him, Pa. I wanted to real bad.\u201d He looked round at Ben. There were tears in his eyes. \u201cBut I couldn\u2019t do it, Pa. I couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you couldn\u2019t, boy,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t kill in cold blood like that.\u201d\u00a0 He rubbed his hand up and down Hoss\u2019 arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, d\u2019you understand why I wanted to?\u201d Hoss asked, urgently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I understand,\u201d Ben said, slowly. \u201cYou were so badly hurt that you lashed out. Did Gunnar deny shooting Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t rightly ask him,\u201d Hoss admitted. \u201cI jist jumped on him.\u201d He swallowed. \u201cHe asked me to forgive him, Pa. Me! When I shoulda bin beggin\u2019 his forgiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGunnar had kidnapped the brother he knew meant a lot to you, Hoss. He understood why you acted as you did. He was asking you to forgive him for hurting you.\u201d Ben didn\u2019t know if that was true or not, but it was what Hoss needed to hear. \u00a0\u201cAnd you did forgive him, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The tears in Hoss\u2019 eyes spilled down his cheeks. \u201cI had to, Pa!\u201d he exclaimed passionately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Hoss. And I wouldn\u2019t expect anything less of you.\u201d Once more, Ben tightened his grip on his son. \u201cAnd Joe will understand that, too, son. I can guarantee that. Gunnar helped them escape. Joe wouldn\u2019t hold a grudge against him, not when he weighs the good against the bad. He saved their lives, Hoss. He told you so himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou reckon?\u201d Hoss asked, afraid to believe it too easily. He wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe told me so,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

Relief flooded through Hoss, and he felt fresh tears welling in his eyes. He sniffed hard, and wiped his eyes once more. Ben just stood there, holding Hoss and they both drew some comfort from the embrace. After a time, their eyes were drawn back to the stairs, where Joe battled for his life.<\/p>\n

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

The blood was sickening. Adam swallowed hard many, many times, trying to control his nausea. He wanted to look away, but couldn\u2019t. Paul needed his attention on the job at hand. Adam\u2019s job was to wipe the blood away as Paul cut further and further into Joe\u2019s body to find that elusive piece of lead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere it is,\u201d Paul muttered, and Adam gave a sigh of relief, until he realized that Paul hadn\u2019t sounded pleased.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked, his heart suddenly in his throat. \u201cPaul?\u201d he pushed, when there was no answer forthcoming.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bullet is lodged against his lung,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cI can\u2019t tell if the lung is damaged or not. There\u2019s a danger that when I take the bullet out, the lung might collapse.\u201d He bit his lip. \u201cWell, I have to go on.\u201d He glanced at Adam, and saw the chalk-white face. \u201cAdam? Can you go on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam answered. He nodded, too as though to confirm his answer. He took a deep breath, and grabbed a fresh towel. There were three others lying on the floor, soaked in his brother\u2019s blood. So much blood.<\/p>\n

Adam scarcely dared to breathe as Paul probed the wound for the bullet. Paul seemed quite calm, but there was a betraying sweat on his forehead. Seconds dragged out and became minutes. Adam resolutely wiped away the blood and tried not to think about how much blood Joe had lost. He prided himself on his logical approach to life, but his logic betrayed him now, and he could only see his younger brother\u2019s life blood seeping out of his body.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it!\u201d Paul exclaimed, holding aloft a squashed bit of something that Adam would\u2019ve been hard put to recognize as a bullet. \u201cThank goodness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis lung?\u201d Adam questioned, anxiously. \u201cIs it\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIntact,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cThere\u2019s some damage to muscles, but nothing major. Joe was incredibly lucky. There must have been a guardian angel looking out for him last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaction suddenly set in, and Adam found his hand was trembling. Tears formed in his eyes. Paul noticed at once and pushed Adam into the nearest chair, gently forcing his head between his knees. \u201cBreathe deeply,\u201d he advised, and hurried back to begin the long slow process of stitching Joe back together. After a couple of minutes, Adam had recovered, and came back over to help.<\/p>\n

Finally, it was done, and Joe was cocooned in bandages, his right arm strapped firmly across his chest by bandages. Paul and Adam changed the bed linen, and Adam gathered up the soiled sheets and blankets, vowing that they would be burned, so as not to be a reminder to them of this dreadful period.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can bring up Ben and Hoss now,\u201d Paul said, wearily. \u201cI\u2019ll just look at Joe\u2019s ankle.\u201d In the worry over the operation, Adam had forgotten about Joe\u2019s ankle. It was black and swollen, but as Paul gently manipulated it, Adam could see it wasn\u2019t broken. He left, his arms full of linen.<\/p>\n

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

As the footsteps sounded on the stairs, Ben leapt to his feet, his heart racing anxiously. His eyes widened at the sight of all the blood. \u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d Adam said, knowing that they couldn\u2019t bear the waiting any longer. \u201cPaul says you can go up. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d He crossed to the kitchen as Ben and Hoss mounted the stairs two at a time.<\/p>\n

The door to Joe\u2019s room stood ajar, and Ben hesitated momentarily before going in, as though mentally preparing himself for what he might see. Hoss touched his shoulder and Ben gave him a slight smile before going in.<\/p>\n

Paul was just finishing arranging Joe\u2019s ankle on a pile of pillows. Joe lay on his back, his head turned to the door. His eyes were shut and his face was the palest Ben had ever seen. His anxious eyes sought the rise and fall of Joe\u2019s chest, which was covered in bandages. He hurried over and took Joe\u2019s hand. His eyes sought Paul\u2019s. \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t lie to you, Ben. He\u2019s a pretty sick boy. But I hope he\u2019ll be all right.\u201d Paul sighed. \u201cHe\u2019s lost a lot of blood and he\u2019s running a temperature. That bullet was in there a long time.\u201d He rested a hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThat\u2019s not a criticism, Ben. You brought him home as fast as you could. His lung was undamaged, but the muscles took quite a beating. It\u2019ll be quite a while before he gets over this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul,\u201d Ben said. His eyes went inevitably back to Joe\u2019s face. One hand crept up to stroke the damp curls back from Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stay until Joe comes round from the ether,\u201d Paul assured him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go and check on Abe McLain while I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Ben made a noise of assent, Paul was pretty sure that he hadn\u2019t heard a word that he\u2019d said. With a smile, Paul let himself out of the room, patting Hoss reassuringly on the shoulder as he went. He met Adam on the stairs, and saw that the oldest Cartwright had taken the opportunity to wash the blood off his hands. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you get some rest, Adam?\u201d Paul suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cLater,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cPa could do with the rest too, and I know what he\u2019s like when Joe is ill. He\u2019ll wear himself to a shadow given half a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust be sure you don\u2019t wear yourself to a shadow, too,\u201d Paul warned. \u201cYou\u2019ll never cope if you all get sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Adam responded, but Paul could tell his words had hit home. He wondered who would go to bed first.<\/p>\n

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

About an hour later, Joe stirred. He tried to move, but pain hammered him from all around, and he couldn\u2019t repress a groan. He had a strange taste in his mouth and a sick-sweet smell lingered in his nostrils. He lifted his hand to wipe the smell away, and a familiar voice spoke. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe replied. He forced his eyelids to open. They felt as though they weighed a ton each, but he eventually managed and saw the worried faces of all his family peering down at him. He tried a smile, which didn\u2019t quite come off, and sighed deeply. Once more, pain lanced through him, but settled to localize in his chest. For a minute, he couldn\u2019t remember what had happened to him. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were shot,\u201d Ben responded gently, holding Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cAnd as we brought you home, Buck fell, and you were knocked out.\u201d He rubbed his other hand up Joe\u2019s arm, feeling the heat still radiating out of his son\u2019s body. At least Joe was coherent, he thought. \u201cPaul took the bullet out, Joe. That\u2019s why you can\u2019t use that arm. It\u2019s all bandaged up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swallowing with difficultly, Joe whispered, \u201cWhere\u2019s Carrie? Is she all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s downstairs, asleep,\u201d Ben told him. He saw Joe lick his lips and hastily helped him to drink. Joe gulped the cool liquid, but he was tiring rapidly, the blood loss telling on his stamina. \u201cDid I tell you her uncle is going to be all right, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no response. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed and his breathing deepened. Ben sat back with a sigh. He was bone tired and still desperately worried about Joe. The youth was paper-white from blood loss, and Ben just hoped he had enough strength to withstand the infection that was coursing through his body. Paul seemed hopeful that the infection wouldn\u2019t be too bad, but Ben couldn\u2019t help worrying nonetheless.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you get some sleep, Pa?\u201d Adam suggested. \u201cI\u2019ll stay with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Ben started to protest, Hoss over-rode him. \u201cI\u2019ll stay with Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cYou both need some sleep. I can wake ya if\u2019n somethin\u2019 happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right,\u201d Adam said, swiftly. \u201cWe are both tired, and you got that bump on the head earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Ben responded stiffly. \u201cI can sit with Joe a while longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo as you\u2019re told, you stubborn man,\u201d interjected a voice from the door, and they turned to see Paul Martin looking at them all. \u201cBen, you really are a stubborn old coot! Take your son\u2019s gracious offer and get some shut-eye. It\u2019s going to be in short supply over the next few days, I can tell you that!\u201d Despite his jocular tone, Paul was in deadly earnest. He came over and took Ben by the arm. \u201cNow, get to bed, or I\u2019ll give you something that will make you sleep for a week!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be my friend,\u201d Ben grumbled, as he reluctantly capitulated.<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, I am your friend,\u201d Paul said. \u201cIf I wasn\u2019t, I\u2019d have just given you the drugs instead of threatening you with them!\u201d He patted Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cGet going!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

As the morning went on, Joe\u2019s fever climbed steadily. Hoss kept a cold cloth on Joe\u2019s head, and whenever the youth opened his eyes, he managed to get some water into him. Joe\u2019s periods of consciousness were few and far between. They were also short-lived. His body required rest to heal itself, but the pain and the fever often disturbed him. However, he was so weak that he couldn\u2019t remain awake more than about a minute and would drift back into a trouble slumber.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d Hoss whispered, as he put a fresh cloth onto his brother\u2019s head. \u201cI didn\u2019 know Uncle Gunnar were with them commancheros. I wanted ya to meet him, but he wouldn\u2019 stay. We didn\u2019 guess he were plannin\u2019 somethin\u2019 like that. I didn\u2019 want ya to get hurt, Joe. Ya gotta believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2026wasn\u2019t\u2026your\u2026fault\u2026Hoss,\u201d Joe breathed. He couldn\u2019t make the effort to open his eyes this time. His fingers groped weakly over the cover, looking for Hoss\u2019 hand, and when his older brother took hold of his hand, he barely had the strength to squeeze Hoss\u2019 fingers. \u201cYou\u2026couldn\u2019t\u2026know.\u201d Exhausted, Joe\u2019s fingers lost their grip and his hand slipped out of Hoss\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa gotta git better,\u201d Hoss cried in an anguished whisper. \u201cI couldn\u2019t\u2019 bear it if\u2019n ya didn\u2019.\u201d Tears broke free and ran down Hoss\u2019 face. He made no move to wipe them away. \u201cI love ya, Joe.\u201d Grief overwhelmed Hoss and he put his head down on Joe\u2019s bed and sobbed out his heart-break and confusion.<\/p>\n

As his sobs stilled, he became aware of a feather-light touch on his head. Looking up, he saw Joe had opened his eyes just a slit and was watching Hoss, compassion in those green orbs. \u201cDon\u2019t\u2026cry,\u201d Joe begged. \u201cDon\u2019t\u2026blame\u2026 you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh,\u201d Hoss soothed, contritely. \u201cYou rest. I\u2019m all right, Joe. Honest. I didn\u2019 mean to disturb ya.\u201d He gave Joe a drink, and put another cloth on his head, all the time reassuring Joe that he was all right.<\/p>\n

Battling his exhaustion and fever, Joe fought to say the words he hoped would give Hoss, his adored big brother, the peace he needed. \u201cGunnar\u2026forgive\u2026\u201d he panted. He was finding it difficult to concentrate his thoughts. \u201cI\u2026forgive\u2026Gunnar.\u201d This was so difficult. Why were his thoughts so fuzzy? Joe blinked sleep away. \u201cYou\u2026forgive\u2026too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was gazing intently at Joe, listening closely to that paper-thin voice whispering it\u2019s all important message of forgiveness. \u201cYou mean, you want me to forgive Gunnar because you have?\u201d Hoss asked, uncertainly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d came the exhausted reply. \u201cHe\u2026saved\u2026our\u2026lives.\u201d Joe was fighting to keep awake. \u201cFor\u2026me.\u201d He tried to move, but his shoulder twinged, and for the first time since he woke up at home, his ankle hurt. He couldn\u2019t contain a whimper of pain, and slipped into a noisy void.<\/p>\n

Shaken to his foundations, Hoss could only gaze at Joe. The younger man was desperately ill, running a high temperature, so weak he could barely turn his head on the pillow, yet he was counseling his older sibling to forgive his uncle. Automatically, Hoss changed the cloth on Joe\u2019s head, noticing that his brother\u2019s temperature had gone up again. Was Joe right? Should he just forgive Gunnar?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do I mean, should?\u201d Hoss muttered to himself, walking across to the window. \u201cJoe done it, an\u2019 Gunnar treated him worse than me.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cGunnar forgave me,\u201d Hoss went on, finding it easier to sort out his thoughts by talking aloud.\u00a0 \u201cDadburnit, I forgave him, too! Why do I feel so bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss.\u201d The whisper was so faint Hoss almost missed it, but he turned and hurried back to Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Shortshanks?\u201d Hoss asked, yet again changing the cloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cForgive\u2026you.\u201d Joe gave a twitch that in his fevered state he fondly imagined was a smile, and drifted off again. His breathing was labored as his body fought the infection coursing through it. He drew his legs up slightly as pain lanced through him.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Hoss wondered what on earth Joe meant by that last cryptic comment. What had he done that Joe had to forgive him? He dipped another cloth into the water and wrung it out, each action automatic, as his thoughts lingered on what his brother had said. He drew the cloth gently over Joe\u2019s battered body, seeking to lower his brother\u2019s fever that way.<\/p>\n

As Joe groaned and whimpered again, Hoss forgot about what Joe had said, and concentrated on doing what he could to ease Joe\u2019s discomfort. After a few minutes, Joe relaxed into a slightly deeper sleep, and Hoss sat back, closing his eyes. And that was the moment he realized that he did know what Joe meant. He had to forgive himself!<\/p>\n

It was a revelation. Hoss had blamed himself for loving Gunnar, and so took the blame for Gunnar\u2019s actions. What Joe had been trying to tell him was that he had to forgive himself for loving Gunnar. Ben had said as much to Hoss when they discovered the identity of the chief of the commancheros. He said that no man could really know the soul of another. Inger had suspected that Gunnar was up to no good, but she had loved him nevertheless because he was her brother. Hoss, accepting that Gunnar had done a lot of bad things in his life, had loved him because he was his uncle. And at the last, Gunnar had saved Joe and Carrie\u2019s life, and had died protecting all three of them.<\/p>\n

Understanding brought acceptance, and Hoss forgave himself for loving Gunnar. He sat down by Joe and took the youth\u2019s hand. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said, simply. He knew that Joe was unlikely to hear him, but he needed to say it.<\/p>\n

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

When Ben awoke it was the middle of the afternoon. He rose and dressed quickly, and hurried through to Joe\u2019s room, his heart in his mouth. Logically, he knew that if there had been a crisis, they would have wakened him, but he couldn\u2019t fight down the fear that coursed through his belly.<\/p>\n

Opening the door, he paused, taking in the scene. Hoss was sound asleep in the chair, snoring away merrily. Adam was perched on the side of the bed, replacing the cloth on Joe\u2019s head with another one. His voice murmured quietly, and Ben realized that Joe was awake. He quickly went over.<\/p>\n

It was clear that Joe was still very sick, but he was coherent. He glanced at Ben and although he didn\u2019t try to smile, his eyes shone. \u201cPa,\u201d he mouthed, and barely a sound reached Ben\u2019s ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to see you awake again,\u201d Ben said, gently stroking Joe\u2019s hair. He could feel the heat there still.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul\u2019s on his way,\u201d Adam said, in an undertone. Ben glanced at him and nodded. Joe was obviously in pain, and in desperate need of more rest than his injuries were allowing him to get. \u201cI\u2019ll get Hoss to bed.\u201d He smiled at Joe, and patted his brother\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

It took Adam a few moments to get Hoss sufficiently roused to walk through to bed, but he succeeded eventually, shepherding his bigger younger brother out of the sickroom. He was back very quickly and joined Ben by the bed again. \u201cI saw Carrie and Abe earlier,\u201d he said, his voice soft, for Joe\u2019s eyes were closed again. \u201cAbe looks like he\u2019ll make a full recovery in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Carrie?\u201d Ben asked, also softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cClucking over Abe like a mother hen,\u201d Adam said, with a laugh. \u201cI think she\u2019d be up here, too, if she thought she\u2019d get away with it.\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, Paul arrived and let himself in. He could see at once why Adam had sent for him, and at once began to unwrap the bandages. The wound was red and shiny, and seeped clear fluid all along the length of it. He shot a glance at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to open it up again,\u201d he said. \u201cI must let this infection drain out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you need?\u201d Ben asked, as calmly as he could manage.<\/p>\n

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

The second procedure didn\u2019t take as long as the first, but it was more than long enough for Ben. Paul had worked quickly and thoroughly, opening the wound and cutting away the infected tissue. When he was sure there was noting else he could do, he flushed the incision with alcohol and closed it. He bandaged Joe, removed the ether mask, and they settled back to wait. Paul had already prepared a syringe with morphine in it.<\/p>\n

Gradually, Joe stirred back to consciousness, moaning and whimpering at regular intervals. At last, his eyes flickered open, and Paul quickly made him drink some sugar and salt water he\u2019d had Hop Sing make up. Joe had a lot of blood loss to make up, and this would help. Joe made a face at the taste, but Paul was gently insistent that he drink it all.\u00a0 Once it was down, he fed Joe a few sips of cool soup that had been waiting ready for him. By then, Joe was exhausted and Paul readily gave him the painkilling injection that would allow him to sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe should begin to rally now, Ben,\u201d Paul said. \u201cIt\u2019s been hard 24 hours for all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut especially for him,\u201d Ben stated. \u201cPaul, he will live, won\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hesitating, Paul bit his lip. Ben looked at him. \u201cI hope so, Ben. But I don\u2019t know for sure,\u201d he admitted. \u201cThe next day should tell us more. I\u2019m sorry, I wish I could say more, but its touch and go at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for your honesty,\u201d Ben replied, not sure he wouldn\u2019t have preferred a lie.<\/p>\n

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

For the next few hours, Joe\u2019s fever raged unchecked, but he was at least asleep, thanks to the morphine Paul had used. As it drew on towards midnight, Adam and Hoss both tried to persuade Ben to go to bed, but he refused. Joe\u2019s temperature spiked again.<\/p>\n

Leaning back, allowing Adam to change the cloth for a moment, Ben closed his eyes. He had prayed so much, he wasn\u2019t sure he had any right to ask for any more. The night was warm, and Joe\u2019s window stood open, scorning the tradition that night air was bad for people. There was a sudden rumble of thunder and then they heard rain slanting against the roof.<\/p>\n

For a moment, they all paused, looking up as though they could see the rain through the slate roof. A cool breeze crept into the room, causing the curtains to flutter wildly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter close that window,\u201d Hoss muttered, moving in that direction. \u201cJoe\u2019s shiverin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting out his hand, Ben stopped Hoss. He wasn\u2019t looking at his middle son, though, he was looking at Joe. Frowning, Hoss looked at Joe, wondering too what was wrong. Adam\u2019s gaze, too, was drawn to the youth on the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe was shivering.<\/p>\n

For a moment, they couldn\u2019t comprehend what they were seeing. Ben broke the spell first. He moved closer to the bed and laid his hand flat on Joe\u2019s head. For a moment, there was no movement, and the family scarcely seemed to breathe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s cooler!\u201d Ben declared, relief in his voice. \u201cThe fever\u2019s broken!\u201d He glanced at his other sons, and they all grinned at each other, suddenly not tired at all, but on a high. \u201cHoss, better shut that window.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss responded, and hurried across to shut out the cold, wet night.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next few days, Joe slept a great deal, re-building his strength. It seemed to him that every time he was awake, his family stuffed food and liquid into him. He was too weak to resist, so obediently took everything he was offered. Thanks to their persistence, his strength crept back, until almost a week after the shooting; he was able to stay awake for quite long periods.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Gunnar?\u201d he asked one evening. Carrie had been in to spend some time with him that day. She and Abe were preparing to move back to their ranch. Some of the Ponderosa hands had been over there making the house habitable again. They had found small talk difficult, and Joe knew that any budding romance they might have had was gone, murdered by the ordeal they had shared. Joe looked at Ben. \u201cI mean, I know he\u2019s dead, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe buried him on the ranch,\u201d Ben answered, casually. \u201cUp by that lake that he and Hoss liked so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Hoss all right?\u201d Joe asked, resting his head back against the pillows. He was beginning to be tired.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think so,\u201d Ben answered, cautiously. \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was ill,\u201d Joe began, hesitantly. \u201cHoss was talking out loud. I think he thought I was asleep. He was talking about Gunnar and how he hadn\u2019t wanted Gunnar to hurt me.\u201d Joe stopped to rest and gather his thoughts. Ben waited expectantly. \u201cI told him I\u2019d forgiven Gunnar, and he should, too.\u201d Joe reached for the glass on his bedside table, but Ben beat him to it, helping him to drink. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said, as he finished. \u201cI felt real bad, you know?\u201d He waited for Ben to nod. \u201cI wanted to sleep, but I couldn\u2019t. I realized that Hoss had forgiven Gunnar, but he hadn\u2019t forgiven himself for loving Gunnar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know?\u201d Ben marveled. He had suspected something similar, but hadn\u2019t had the chance to talk to Hoss about it. Joe\u2019s sensitivity was often a revelation to Ben, but never more than at that moment. Desperately ill, hovering at death\u2019s door, Joe had still realized what was wrong with his brother, and managed to do something about it. It was a gift that Joe himself was unaware he had, but shared more than willingly with everyone he knew, not just his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut I told him to forgive himself.\u201d He paused. \u201cDo you think he has?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only person who can answer that for sure is Hoss,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cBut I think he has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Joe replied and closed his eyes. \u201cHe had nothing to blame himself for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt were you what made me realize that,\u201d Hoss said, from the doorway.\u00a0 He hesitated, half in and half out. There was movement out in the hall and Hoss tumbled into the room. Adam, apparently, had pushed him so he could get in, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d have figgered it out in time,\u201d Joe denied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno about that,\u201d Hoss admitted. \u201cUncle Gunnar talked about getting\u2019 stuck in the mud, an\u2019 I reckon I were stuck, until you gave me a shove out, Joe.\u201d He nodded, clearly embarrassed. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The patient was equally embarrassed. Joe mumbled something that no one caught, but everyone took as some sort of acknowledgement.<\/p>\n

It was Adam who broke the tension. \u201cWell, seeing as how Joe isn\u2019t showing any signs of getting out of bed yet, I guess that means we get to do his chores again, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you\u2019re right,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cHe\u2019s a lazy little cuss, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re getting real good a chopping wood, though,\u201d Joe riposted. \u201cAnd at cleaning stalls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Adam returned as he and Hoss left. \u201cIt\u2019s not something you ever forget how to do!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPity,\u201d Joe remarked, as Ben settled him for the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the help you gave Hoss, when you were in dire need of all the care and help we could give you, Joe, I think Hoss might be willing to do your chores for a long, long time,\u201d Ben said, softly. He leaned down and kissed Joe\u2019s brow. \u201cGood night, son. Thank you. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cG\u2019night, Pa,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 A WHB the ending scene.\u00a0 How did the Cartwrights get Joe home after he had been shot? If you ever wondered, read on.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,075 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":2181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,41,1007,61],"tags":[1269],"class_list":["post-3555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-joe-cartwright","category-missing-scene","tag-the-last-viking","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-61-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/hoss.jpeg?fit=188%2C235&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3555\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}