{"id":3564,"date":"2003-05-28T00:20:39","date_gmt":"2003-05-28T04:20:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3564"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:56","slug":"witch-hunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3564","title":{"rendered":"Witch Hunt (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Ben returns home with bad news for the family, but Joe in particular. Patty is once more at large.<\/p>\n

Rated: T (9,850 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

Witches Coven Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Witches Coven<\/a>
\nWitch Hunt<\/a>
\nJock<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Sitting at the big desk in the study area, Adam Cartwright heard hoofs coming into the yard, swiftly followed by footsteps on the porch. Moments later, the door opened, banged closed, and his father called, \u201cJoe?\u201d When there was no response, Ben came further into the room, and glanced around. His eye fell on Adam and he hurried over. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked, urgently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d Adam replied, carelessly, his gaze and his mind still on the books in front of him. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen him all day.\u201d He put his finger on the column he was working on and wrote down the figure. \u201cHow was the Cattleman\u2019s Association meeting?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Ben answered, with a distracted air. It began to impinge upon Adam that his father was very agitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d he enquired. \u201cWhat\u2019s Joe done now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Ben replied, unconvincingly. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t done anything. I just need to know where he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe went out to check the grazing,\u201d Adam reminded him. \u201cYou told him to this morning at breakfast. Pa, what\u2019s wrong? And don\u2019t say nothing, for something clearly is!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sinking down into the seat by the desk, Ben said, \u201cIt\u2019s Patty.\u201d<\/p>\n

As an answer, this meant less than nothing to Adam. He perched his hip on the edge of the desk. \u201cPatty?\u201d he ventured. \u201cWho\u2019s Patty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPatty Smith,\u201d Ben said, dully. \u201cShe tried to kill Little Joe twice a couple of years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u00a0Patty<\/em>,\u201d Adam repeated, the memory surfacing with a mixture of horror and embarrassment. Patty had twice tried to kill Joe. Adam and Hoss had saved him the first time, and there had been a monumental row afterwards when Joe discovered his brothers had been checking up on him. It had all smoothed over, but Joe had become inveigled with Patty all over again, and she had had a second attempt to kill him.<\/p>\n

Patty Smith had decided that she was a witch. With her birthday being Halloween, and her great-grandmother having been burned as a witch, Patty had convinced herself that she, too, was a witch. She had found a book of spells in the attic of her home and had followed them. She had intended to make Joe her sacrifice to the goddess. Finally, she had been committed to an asylum to avoid the necessity of a trial, and a hanging. Initially, there had been reports that Patty was leaving the asylum, despite being locked up, but this was never proved and the Cartwrights had put the incident behind them and moved on with their lives. Now, it seemed she was back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Patty?\u201d Adam asked, a thread of unease curling through his stomach. He had seldom seen his father this shaken.<\/p>\n

Raising his head, Ben gave Adam a bleak look. \u201cThere was a fire at the asylum,\u201d he reported. \u201cPatty and a couple of other inmates escaped. She\u2019s at large.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was nothing to be said, so Adam said nothing. But his thoughts were instantly with his youngest brother, wondering if he were safe.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Hoss called, as he came into the yard. Ben was loitering by the hitching rail. He smiled at Hoss, but the middle Cartwright son wasn\u2019t fooled. \u201cWhat cha doin\u2019 out here?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, waiting for Joe,\u201d Ben replied, trying to sound casual. He failed. He dug his hands into his pockets and tried not to peer past the barn to see if there was any sign of Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he done?\u201d Hoss asked, dismounting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you think he\u2019s done anything?\u201d Ben demanded, irritably. \u201cJust because I want to talk to your younger brother does not immediately mean that he\u2019s in some sort of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt usually does,\u201d Hoss remarked and took Chubb into the barn. Ben gazed after him.<\/p>\n

When Hop Sing called them to supper a few minutes later, there was still no sign of Joe. Reluctantly, Ben brought Hoss up-to-date with what was going on, and Hoss also found there was nothing he could say. Patty had made Hoss so uncomfortable that he had buried the memory deep within and he no longer thought about her at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want us to look for him?\u201d Adam asked, as they left the table. Ben had only picked at his food, worrying wrinkling his brow throughout the meal. \u201cThere\u2019s still several hours of daylight left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps we should,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cHe is late, and we know he could be in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go then,\u201d Hoss stated and got to his feet.<\/p>\n

They were crossing the yard when a disconsolate figure walked in, leading his horse. \u201cJoe!\u201d Ben exclaimed, rushing over. \u201cWhere have you been? Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa,\u201d Joe assured him, wondering why everyone was outside. \u201cCochise threw a shoe, and I had to walk back.\u201d He made a dramatic face and rolled his eyes. \u201cI bet you didn\u2019t wait supper for me either. I hope you left me something, Hoss,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought something had happened,\u201d Ben said, relieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt did,\u201d Joe joked, still not feeling the atmosphere. He was tired from the long walk, and relieved to get home before darkness fell. \u201cMy horse threw a shoe!\u201d He turned to take his horse into the barn. Adam and Hoss hesitated, but saw Ben tilt his head towards the house. He wanted to talk to Joe alone. Reluctantly, they went back indoors.<\/p>\n

Following Joe into the barn, Ben watched as Joe untacked his mount and gave him some grain. He started to rub the pinto down, casting Ben curious looks. It wasn\u2019t unheard of for Ben to come to the barn to chat, but his father wasn\u2019t chatting tonight. He was just staring. Joe began to feel uneasy, and cast his mind about, trying to think if there was something he\u2019d forgotten to do. Then it occurred to Joe that his family had all been heading towards the barn when he\u2019d come home and they were all armed. And the relief in Ben\u2019s voice\u2026<\/p>\n

Swallowing, Joe said, as calmly as he could manage, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben started visibly. For a moment, Joe thought he was going to deny that anything was wrong, but Ben looked away and cleared his throat before beginning. \u201cJoe, Patty Smith has escaped.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a blessed moment, Ben\u2019s words had no meaning for Joe. Then the memories rushed back, and he had to swallow hard against the nausea that rose in his throat. He paled. \u201cHow?\u201d he asked, his voice sounding very unlike his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a fire at the asylum,\u201d Ben explained, watching Joe closely. His son\u2019s pallor worried him. \u201cSome of the inmates escaped as they were rescued. Patty was one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mechanically, Joe continued to rub Cochise down, but Ben could see that his thoughts were not on what he was doing. Joe was gazing at some internal vista of hell that only he could see. Stepping forward, Ben took the brush from Joe\u2019s hand and put his arm round his son. Joe leaned against the familiar warmth and suddenly he was shaking.<\/p>\n

Concerned, Ben led Joe over to a hay bale and made him sit. The shaking continued, and Joe\u2019s hands clasped one another so hard that his knuckles were white.\u00a0 Ben supported him, not saying anything; for what was there to say?<\/p>\n

Gradually, the shaking stopped, and Joe suddenly slumped against Ben, as though all his strength had drained away. \u201cWhen?\u201d he asked, and his teeth chattered again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree days ago,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cShe was last seen in the company of two other inmates. Joe, I need to tell this bit to Adam and Hoss, too. Can you walk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Joe replied, for he felt exhausted, as though he\u2019d been ill. He got to his feet with Ben\u2019s help and took a deep breath. With his father\u2019s strong hand under his arm, Joe shuffled forwards, and after a few steps found that he could support his own weight. Ben felt the difference, but kept his hand there. He knew that Joe had had a nasty shock, and his legs could give out again without warning. However, they made the house without any problems, and Joe slowly took off his hat, jacket and gun belt before going to sit on the settee. Adam and Hoss watched him anxiously throughout.<\/p>\n

Going to the sideboard, Ben poured them all a brandy. He handed the glasses round, and made Joe take a sip. After a moment, he could see color returning to Joe\u2019s face. Joe glanced at him and nodded his thanks. The brandy had made him feel a bit better.<\/p>\n

Sitting down, Ben cradled his glass between his hands. \u201cPatty was last seen in the company of two other inmates,\u201d he said, starting where he had left off in the barn. \u201cBoth of them, Calvin Hogg and Johnny Munroe, were locked up after torturing people to death.\u201d He took a sip of his drink. \u201cThey both escaped hanging because they are mentally retarded. They didn\u2019t understand that what they had done was wrong. Roy tells me they are both big men and easily recognizable. Hogg is bald, with a scarred head and Munroe has crossed eyes of different colors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Roy think Patty is still with these two guys?\u201d Adam asked, conscious that Joe was gazing into the fire and had said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, from what Paul told me, Patty had made these two men into sort of acolytes. They followed her everywhere and did what she told them to. It seems unlikely that she would leave them once they escaped. It could be that Patty thinks they will be of some help to her.\u201d Ben, too, was looking at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re we gonna do?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys are going to stay in the house until she\u2019s found,\u201d Ben said, firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t do that, Pa!\u201d Joe protested, on his feet. He swayed unsteadily.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s right,\u201d Adam said, as Hoss coaxed Joe into sitting down again. \u201cPa, you can\u2019t afford to have us all cooped up here. It\u2019s our busiest season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Adam,\u201d Ben started, but Hoss over rode him this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s right, I reckon,\u201d Hoss stated. \u201cYou cain\u2019t say that Patty\u2019ll ever be caught, cos we dunno where she went. We\u2019re too busy to stay home right now, Pa. It don\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if we\u2019re all at risk, as you seem to think,\u201d Adam continued, \u201cthen having us all here in one place means we\u2019d be an easy target. Both Hoss and Joe are right; we need to carry on as much as usual as we can. I agree we shouldn\u2019t be alone, but we can\u2019t stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gazing at his sons, Ben had to admit defeat. Adam was right; they all were. They couldn\u2019t stay at the house day after day for who knew how long. It was their busiest season and he needed his sons out working with the men. Yet he was reluctant to agree. He knew they were all adults, capable of taking care of themselves, yet his instinct was to protect them from harm. He fought the urge to simply forbid them to go anywhere. His sons did as he told them because he was their boss as well as their father; he couldn\u2019t expect them to obey him as though they were still small boys. He smiled faintly as he thought how much easier it had been when he had the final say in any argument.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, all of you,\u201d he agreed, heavily. \u201cI can\u2019t afford to have you cooped up. But I must have your promise that you won\u2019t go about alone.\u201d He made eye contact with them until they nodded. Joe was the last one to add his agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you should go about alone either,\u201d Adam suggested to Ben. \u201cJust in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Gulping down the last of his brandy, Joe rose to his feet. He was much steadier this time. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go to bed,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t had any supper,\u201d Ben protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d Joe told him, truthfully. He stomach was no longer churning, thanks to the warming properties of the brandy, but he knew that if he tried to eat, he would be sick. \u201cI\u2019m tired,\u201d he went on, which was also the truth. Joe was tired, but he doubted very much if he would get much sleep. His mind was churning much too quickly to allow sleep to come easily, if at all. But at that point he wanted some time alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, then,\u201d Ben said, doubtfully.<\/p>\n

Giving his father a smile, Joe slowly climbed the stairs and went into his room. He shut the door and leaned back on it, his eyes closed. Patty. He had managed to forget about Patty, and now the nightmare was back to haunt him. Stripping off his shirt, Joe looked at his body in the mirror. Tiny white lines were the only visible reminders of his ordeal at Patty\u2019s hands. Mostly, Joe could ignore them. That night, it seemed to him they were particularly visible, as if reminding him that his tormentor was loose once more. With an incoherent cry, Joe threw his shirt over the mirror, blocking out the sight.<\/p>\n

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

At breakfast next morning, Joe was tight-lipped and silent. He was pale and tired looking, but no one suggested that he not go on as normal. It was clear that Joe was ready to snap at anyone who looked at him the wrong way. The others could quite understand. Sleep hadn\u2019t come easily to any of them, and they all felt out of sorts that morning. Ben was grateful that Joe hadn\u2019t had any nightmares, but he didn\u2019t know that Joe had spent a large part of the night awake, fighting off sleep, terrified of the dreams he might have if he did drop off.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I want you and Joe to go up to the new grazing and take a last look around there, so we\u2019re ready when the herd arrives there later this afternoon. Double check the waterholes and we\u2019ll get there as soon as we can.\u201d Ben looked down the table at Adam, trying to ignore the fact that Joe was simply playing with his food, not eating. \u201cAdam, you and I will go with the herd.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dropping his napkin on his plate, Joe mumbled something that sounded like \u201cExcuse me,\u201d and went out. Ben wondered if he thought the instructions he had been given were some kind of a slight, but it was pretty standard that Ben send 2 men up to double check the grazing the day they moved the herd. Ben was quite sure Joe had everything under control up there; but he would have sent the boys in any case.<\/p>\n

As it happened, Joe had barely heard his father\u2019s instructions. He was desperately trying to keep himself from dwelling too long on Patty. It took a real effort to think about something else, and whenever he relaxed even slightly, the thoughts and images tumbled back into his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep an eye on him, Hoss,\u201d Ben pleaded, unnecessarily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa can count on me, Pa,\u201d Hoss assured him, as he finished his breakfast and went out to get his horse.<\/p>\n

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

Neither brother spoke much as they made their way to the new grazing. The west pasture was played out, and Ben was moving the herd to the South Forty. The grass there was lush and fresh. When they arrived, Joe and Hoss immediately checked the waterholes and found them clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at this,\u201d Joe called, crouching near the stream that fed one of the holes. \u201cFresh tracks. These weren\u2019t here yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like a pretty big cat,\u201d Hoss commented, bending over to look at the tracks. \u201cRecent, too. Reckon we oughta follow them some, Joe. See where they lead to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thinking exactly,\u201d Joe replied. He straightened and drew his rifle from his scabbard on the saddle. Hoss copied him and they left the horses grazing in the meadow.<\/p>\n

It was acknowledged that Hoss was the best tracker in the family. Joe teased him that it was because he was part grizzly bear, but he was proud of his middle brother\u2019s expertise and willingly let Hoss take the lead.<\/p>\n

Tracking a big cat was never easy. The cat always seemed to know that there was someone on its tail and often turned the tables on the tracker. Both Joe and Hoss knew this, and were especially careful. They couldn\u2019t afford to have a big cat around the herd. If it was a female, it might have cubs and so would need to hunt regularly. A nice fat herd of cattle in the meadow would be perfect prey for it. It was imperative that they find the cat.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, the tracks led up towards the high country. The ground was stonier and the tracks more elusive and Hoss slowed the pace right down so he didn\u2019t miss any little sign. Joe kept a sharp eye out for any movement in the rocks above, but apart from the odd butterfly, there was nothing.<\/p>\n

The morning was strangely still. There was almost no wind to speak of and as he listened, Joe realized that he couldn\u2019t even hear any birds singing. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he shivered. Before he could whisper anything to Hoss, his older brother straightened and beckoned imperiously to Joe before heading off higher into the rocks.<\/p>\n

Several paces further on, Hoss came to an abrupt standstill and looked around. \u201cLost \u2018em,\u201d he whispered. \u201cJoe, you climb on up there an\u2019 check the high ground there, ok?\u201d He saw Joe nod. \u201cI\u2019ll go on thisaway.\u201d<\/p>\n

As quietly as he could, Joe began the climb. It wasn\u2019t arduous, but the need for stealth made him very careful where he put his feet. Some of the rocks were loose, and Joe thought it might not take much to start a landslip. He slowed even further, but soon reached the flat land at the top.<\/p>\n

There was a natural meadow there, and Joe had often thought it a pity that the approaches to it were too steep for any grazing animal. He straightened up, panting slightly and looked around. The trees on the opposite side of the narrow grass strip were dark with shadow. Apart from that, the grassland was empty. Joe cast around, hoping to pick up the cougar\u2019s tracks, but not seeing anything.<\/p>\n

He was about to begin his decent and catch up with Hoss when some movement made him pause and look round. There was nothing to be seen, but he knew he\u2019d seen movement. Lifting his rifle, he turned back towards the trees, where he thought he had seen something.<\/p>\n

With a loud snarl, the cougar lunged from the trees, right at Joe. Joe whipped up his rifle and fired at point blank range. He missed cleanly. Then the animal was on him, and Joe instinctively twisted away.<\/p>\n

The cat\u2019s weight knocked Joe off his feet and by some miracle, the raking claws missed him. The cat skidded to a stop at the edge of the rocks and turned for another try. Joe scrambled to his feet, groping for his dropped gun, and finding only his hand gun.<\/p>\n

Backing away, for he needed room to maneuver, Joe was appalled when his left foot suddenly disappeared from underneath him. A searing pain shot up his leg and he fell awkwardly to the other knee. The cat was almost on him, and Joe whipped up his gun and fired several times in quick succession.<\/p>\n

The cat hit him, and Joe tensed, preparing for the mauling he knew he was going to receive.<\/p>\n

Only it never came. The cat landed at his feet, and Joe saw that it was dead. Somehow, he had managed to kill it.<\/p>\n

Relief swept over him. Joe slumped where he was, panting to catch his breath and saying a prayer of thankfulness. It was only when he tried to rise a moment or two later that he realized that he was in big trouble. His left foot was stuck tight in a crevice in the rocks.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d it was Hoss. Seldom had Joe been so glad to see anyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere!\u201d he called. He waved as Hoss\u2019 big white hat appeared over the edge of the meadow and a few moments later, Hoss was kneeling beside him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya all right, Punkin?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cThat cat didn\u2019 get ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cBut my foot\u2019s stuck, Hoss. I can\u2019t get it out.\u201d He tugged futilely on the trapped leg and pain flared up it once more.<\/p>\n

Laying down his gun, Hoss tried to free Joe, but the pulling just caused Joe more pain and got them nowhere. \u201cI gotta git help,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cWill ya be all right here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth, Joe nodded. \u201cJust don\u2019t be too long,\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n

Squeezing Joe\u2019s shoulder sympathetically, Hoss rose to his feet. \u201cI\u2019ll be as quick\u2019s I can,\u201d he promised. He took a few steps away from Joe then stopped. He turned back, a frown on his genial face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe asked. He felt a jolt of panic run through his belly.\u00a0 \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I cain\u2019t leave ya alone like this,\u201d Hoss said, returning to kneel by Joe\u2019s side once more. \u201cPa said we wasn\u2019t to be alone. What if Patty is around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting back the angry retort that sprang to his lips, Joe just looked at his brother. Trying to sound clam, he said, \u201cBut we need tools to get my foot free. What are we going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pursing his mouth, Hoss thought deeply about it. He knew that they didn\u2019t want Joe\u2019s foot to be trapped for any longer than was necessary. If it swelled a lot, Joe could be weeks before he could walk again, and they didn\u2019t know what kind of damage had been done to it. If they waited for Ben and Adam to arrive with the herd, it could be several hours. Yet Hoss was growing more uneasy by the minute and would not consider leaving Joe alone in a situation like this. Some instinct warned him that they were not alone on that meadow, and it wasn\u2019t just wild creatures that were around.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me have another try,\u201d Hoss suggested. \u201cY\u2019keep yer eyes peeled, young\u2019un.\u201d He bent over, grasping Joe\u2019s leg firmly just below the knee.<\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth, Joe also had to shut his eyes to deal with the pain. He couldn\u2019t prevent a cry escaping him, and Hoss stopped what he was doing immediately. \u201cDadburnit, Joe, I\u2019m real sorry,\u201d he apologized. Joe didn\u2019t have enough breath to answer.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a rock crashed off the ground nearby. Hoss whirled and grabbed up his rifle. Another rock followed, and another, and whoever was throwing was becoming more accurate. A rock bounced painfully off Joe\u2019s arm. Hoss moved in front of Joe to protect his younger brother. He lifted his rifle and fired a shot.<\/p>\n

Peering round Hoss\u2019 bulk, Joe tried to see where the rocks were coming from. Out of the trees was the closest he could get, but he had no doubt who was doing the throwing. He fired at the trees, too, although he was sure his bullet was wasted.<\/p>\n

The number of rocks doubled and Hoss ducked to avoid being struck on the head. One or two more found their way past him to strike Joe, and the situation was looking very grim. Hoss fired again and again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUp here, Pa!\u201d Joe cried back and let out a grunt as a rock struck his back.<\/p>\n

Moments later, Ben, Adam and a couple of the hands appeared over the edge of the meadow and began firing at the trees. The shower of rocks stopped as suddenly as it had started. The hands immediately ran towards the trees, but Ben called them back. The trees were thick there, and whoever had been throwing the rocks would be able to hide too well.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you both all right?\u201d Ben asked, crouching worriedly beside his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cJist bruised,\u201d Hoss responded. \u201cJoe\u2019s foot\u2019s stuck, Pa.\u201d He looked anxiously at his younger brother. \u201cJoe, ya weren\u2019t hurt none by them rocks, was ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you, just bruises,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cThanks, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cT\u2019weren\u2019t nuthin\u2019,\u201d Hoss responded, gruffly. \u201cI \u2018spect ya\u2019d do the same fer me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly on a good day,\u201d Adam teased, sending a glinting glance at his younger brother. Joe grinned back. Adam was kneeling by the crevice, examining it closely. \u201cFred,\u201d he called, looking up, \u201cgo and get a crowbar from the wagon and hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Fred replied and slid off back down to his horse. Dave, the other hand was standing guard over the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened here?\u201d Ben asked, glancing around. He knelt beside Joe and put his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found cat tracks by the stream,\u201d Joe began. \u201cWe trailed them to the rocks below and lost them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Joe t\u2019 come up here an\u2019 look around,\u201d Hoss carried on. \u201cNext thin\u2019 I heard was Joe shootin\u2019. I come up an\u2019 found him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at the dead cat, Ben said, \u201cIt didn\u2019t get you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cI backed away from it as it charged me, and managed to get some room. But I slipped or something and my foot went down the crevice. I killed the cat before it got me.\u201d He glanced at Hoss. \u201cHoss was gonna go and get help, but decided it was too dangerous for me and stayed. I\u2019m real glad he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

The big man blushed before picking up the tale again. \u201cThen someone started thrown\u2019 rocks at us,\u201d he reported. \u201cWe fired at \u2018em, but they kept comin\u2019. We was right glad to see ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think it was Patty?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr her friends. Who else could it be?\u201d Joe answered. \u201cIf it had been Paiutes, they wouldn\u2019t have thrown rocks at us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The wait for Fred to return seemed interminable to them all. The sun beat down relentlessly on the meadow, and they all longed to be able to move into the shade. However, they didn\u2019t want to leave Joe alone, so stoically sat with him, enduring the sun as best they could.<\/p>\n

Finally, Fred arrived back with a couple of crowbars and some rope and the work to free Joe could begin. Adam, Hoss and Fred all crowded round the rocks and Ben placed himself behind Joe, so he could brace his son if need be. Dave remained on guard.<\/p>\n

Once Adam had the crowbars placed to his satisfaction, he glanced over his shoulder at Joe. \u201cThis is going to hurt, Joe,\u201d he warned. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust do it,\u201d Joe responded. Ben tightened his grip on Joe\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Adam said. They exerted pressure on the crowbars.<\/p>\n

For a moment, nothing happened, then there was a shriek of protest from the rocks, which got louder and louder. Joe bit down on his lip as pain flared through his leg. He wanted to call out to them to stop, but he knew he couldn\u2019t. The pressure had to be kept up on the rocks if he was to get free. Joe leant back against Ben, unaware that he was doing it. Ben whispered something that Joe couldn\u2019t catch. He could feel Hoss\u2019 hands on his leg and again wanted to cry out against the pain. The next instant there was a tug on his leg and he was free.<\/p>\n

The tortured shriek of the rocks stopped and Joe let out the breath he\u2019d been holding. He slumped against Ben, panting to try and control the pain. Dimly, he was aware that someone was leaning over him, but he couldn\u2019t see who it was. A hand touched his ankle and that was the last straw. Joe slumped down, unconscious.<\/p>\n

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

When he came round, Joe found that he was lying in the shade. He blinked a couple of times and looked round. Ben and Adam were standing nearby, talking. Hoss was nowhere in sight. The pain in his ankle had settled to a steady throb, and Joe made an effort to sit up to look at it.<\/p>\n

The movement alerted his family, who came over at once. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d Ben asked, gently, supporting Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting the horses,\u201d Ben replied. He gestured to Adam and his oldest son handed him a canteen. Joe drank the tepid water gratefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs my ankle broken?\u201d Joe asked, for he couldn\u2019t envision anything worse at that time of year. He craned hi neck to see. His boot was standing beside him, and he was very grateful he hadn\u2019t been awake when it was pulled off. His ankle was black and swollen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to get the doctor out to look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe said, wretchedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have nothing to be sorry for,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cAccidents happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey just happen to you more often,\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben chided, but Joe was grinning, even if his smile hadn\u2019t its usual wattage.<\/p>\n

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

By the time they arrived home later that afternoon, Joe was exhausted. Hoss had taken ages to bring the horses and when he finally did arrive, Joe discovered that he had been making a travois for Joe to travel on. Much as he hated to admit it, Joe hadn\u2019t been looking forward to riding home, and was quite glad to lie back and let someone else take charge. Hoss led Cochise and Adam rode with him. Ben traveled beside the travois. Joe knew that this was in case Patty and her pals made another attempt on his life. The first hadn\u2019t been successful, thanks to his family, and Joe knew they meant to keep it that way.<\/p>\n

While Hoss saw to the horses, Adam and Ben helped Joe inside and upstairs. \u201cI sent Dave in to town for the doctor and the sheriff,\u201d Ben said, as Joe was eased down onto his bed. \u201cI know Roy\u2019s already looking for Patty, but we might as well tell him what happened today.\u201d He carefully lifted Joe\u2019s leg onto a pillow, but the youth still winced. \u201cSorry, son,\u201d he said, contritely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ok,\u201d Joe denied. \u201cI\u2019m all right.\u201d He closed his eyes for a moment as Ben pulled off his other boot. \u201cDo you think Roy will find Patty?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cHe\u2019ll probably have to get a posse together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019m riding on it,\u201d Adam declared. He intercepted the look Ben sent him, but decided that now was the time to take his father on. \u201cWhat would you have us do, Pa?\u201d he challenged. \u201cSit here until we\u2019re old and grey and wait for Roy to find her? I don\u2019t want anything else happening to Joe, and I certainly don\u2019t want anything happening to you and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s right,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cIf he wants to ride with the posse, I think you should let him. Why should he be stuck here with me because of an accident?\u201d He grinned. \u201cBesides,\u201d he went on, \u201che\u2019ll be old and grey by next week, so you\u2019d better let him work while he still can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Ben nodded. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d he allowed. \u201cJust be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

About the time that Joe was having his ankle examined by the long-suffering Paul Martin, Patty and her acolytes were discussing their plans. Joe would barely have recognized Patty. She had grown thinner in the asylum, to the point where she was almost skeletal. Her eyes seemed very large in her face and they had an uncomfortable staring quality to them. Her hair was long and raggedly cut into a fringe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he\u2019s at the house?\u201d Patty asked, once more. Calvin nodded enthusiastically, but she was never totally certain what he understood. Violence was his thing and he always understood that, but more subtle things tended to escape him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI seed him go in with his daddy,\u201d Calvin elaborated. \u201cHe was bein\u2019 half carried.\u201d A grin came over his face. \u201cHe looked sore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did well,\u201d Patty praised and Calvin\u2019s grin grew. Patty knew he was in love with her, but she really didn\u2019t like him. She simply tolerated him to make use of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I do good throwin\u2019 them rocks?\u201d Johnny asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did very good,\u201d Patty replied. She could never figure out how a man so cross-eyed could be so deadly accurate when throwing, but this was not the first example of his skill that she\u2019d had. He had been a whiz at ball games in the asylum \u2013 when they got the chance to do some exercise. Those chances had been few and far between.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we gonna do now, Patty?\u201d asked Calvin. \u201cYou gonna witch him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Calvin, that\u2019s exactly what I\u2019m going to do,\u201d Patty responded. \u201cTomorrow, I\u2019m going to witch him.\u201d She smiled. \u201cAnd you two are going to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Morning saw the Cartwrights together at the breakfast table. Joe\u2019s ankle was in plaster, even though it wasn\u2019t broken, but Paul had been adamant that it would heal better if immobilized and Joe had no choice but to agree. Roy Coffee had been out the night before and Adam had guessed correctly; he was organizing a posse. Both Hoss and Adam were riding with them, and they were starting from the meadow where Joe and Hoss had been ambushed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys be careful,\u201d Ben admonished them as they left.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cTake care of Joe and be careful yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take care,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think Patty would come to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know what she might do,\u201d commented Adam darkly. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t put anything past her. She\u2019s sleekit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSleekit?\u201d Hoss asked, puzzled. \u201cWhat\u2019s that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSly and untrustworthy, basically,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cDo you remember Jock? Used to work for us when we were kids? He used to use that word, and that\u2019s always how I\u2019ve seen Patty. She\u2019s sleekit.\u201d<\/p>\n

The unfamiliar word sent an unpleasant frisson down Hoss\u2019 spine. He shuddered. \u201cI remember Jock,\u201d he responded. \u201cWeren\u2019t he pretty sleekit himself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d their father nodded, his tone dry. \u201cHe was indeed!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps that\u2019s why the word stuck in my mind,\u201d Adam responded, with a laugh. \u201cC\u2019mon, Hoss, lets get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

They mounted up and rode off. Ben stood and watched them go. He shivered slightly. It almost felt as though someone was watching him. Shrugging off the feeling, Ben went back into the house to tackle the books.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThat\u2019s where you went wrong,\u201d Joe said, pointing to the offending column of figures. \u201cYou missed out that one there.\u201d He handed the ledger back to Ben and his father studied it closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did I do that!\u201d he mused. \u201cThanks, son. I could have looked at this for the rest of the day and never noticed that mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything else I can do for you?\u201d Joe asked, airily.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh read your book!\u201d Ben retorted, grinning. \u201cI might make you do all the rest of these books, and I could sit down and read my paper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on then,\u201d Joe laughed and Ben dropped the ledger into his lap. A moment later, the receipts joined the ledger. Joe was still laughing. Leaning over the back of the settee, Ben was too.<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019you think I\u2019m joking, boy?\u201d he asked, and the front door sprang open.<\/p>\n

Caught by surprise, Ben had barely more than half turned to see who was coming in when Johnny Munroe tackled him about the waist. They tumbled to the floor, where Ben managed to get in a couple of good punches and scramble to his feet.<\/p>\n

Meantime, Joe had thrown the ledger to the floor and scrambled onto his feet. From behind Munroe and Ben came Calvin Hogg, who grabbed Joe by the arms. Already off balance, thanks to the plaster on his foot, Joe was a pushover. In seconds he was helpless, both arms twisted painfully up his back. Then a thin woman appeared by his side and pressed a gun to his head. Joe recognized Patty at the same moment he recognized his own gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Patty said, cocking the gun and pressing it against Joe\u2019s temple. \u201cI\u2019d hate for there to be an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben froze, his eyes glued to Joe. Munroe bounced on the balls of his feet, like a child about to get a treat. \u201cNow, Patty?\u201d he asked. \u201cCan I do it now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling evilly, Patty nodded. \u201cYou can do it now, Johnny.\u201d She looked at Ben. \u201cI\u2019d say it was nice knowing you, but it wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, run!\u201d Joe shouted, struggling fiercely against the grip on his arms, but Calvin was too strong for him to break free.<\/p>\n

There was no time for Ben to react to Joe\u2019s words anyway. Munroe threw himself on Ben, fists flying and although Ben fought back, Munroe was too strong for him, and in a remarkably short time, Ben was unconscious on the floor, bleeding from many cuts and bruises. Joe struggled uselessly the whole time, as Calvin twisted his arms ever higher. When Ben was finally still, Patty uncocked the gun and nodded to Calvin. Reluctantly, the big man threw Joe onto the settee face down.<\/p>\n

His arms ached, but before Joe could regroup, he was yanked to a sitting position. Calvin had a tight grip on his hair, and Munroe grabbed one arm, pulling it back from Joe\u2019s body. Movement was impossible.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarling Joe,\u201d Patty crooned, sitting down on the coffee table and stroking Joe\u2019s face. \u201cYou escaped my clutches the last time, but you won\u2019t get away this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a posse out looking for you,\u201d Joe told her. \u201cYou won\u2019t get away with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d she replied. \u201cI might, or I might not. But I can tell you for free that you and your precious father won\u2019t get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Joe asked. He was frantic with worry about Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Joe, I want you, of course,\u201d Patty laughed. \u201cI\u2019m more of a woman than I was the last time. I know that I can summon the goddess when I sacrifice you. I am a witch, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are mad,\u201d Joe claimed, his voice low and throbbing with anger. Next moment, Calvin pulled his head so far back that Joe thought his neck would get broken. He struggled to get his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cEase up, Calvin,\u201d Patty said, sharply. \u201cI\u2019m<\/em>\u00a0going to kill him, not you.\u201d The pressure on Joe\u2019s neck eased.<\/p>\n

Rising, Patty began to circle the room, picking up objects. The candles were the first things she collected, then a couple of small ornaments that had belonged to Joe\u2019s mother. She piled them on the table. Lastly, she drew a knife from her clothes. Joe shuddered. He remembered all too clearly what Patty had done with a knife the last two times.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is time,\u201d Patty intoned and raised her arms dramatically. Calvin and Johnny dragged Joe from the settee and forced him to lie on the floor, each holding down his arms and legs. Joe craned his neck frantically to look at Ben, but his father was still out cold.<\/p>\n

Fear leant Joe strength and he fought to free himself, but Patty\u2019s friends were able to keep him pinned spread-eagled to the floor. Patty knelt beside him and slowly cut his shirt off, sliding the scraps of fabric to the floor. Then she rose and took one of the oil lamps from the wall and began to spill the oil all over the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Joe cried, unable to keep silent. \u201cPa, wake up! Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no response as Patty continued to pour the oil all over the floor. Joe continued to fight frantically, and finally succeeded in throwing off Calvin Hogg, who held his arms. Immediately Joe sat up, throwing a punch at Munroe. The surprised man let go and Joe tried to get to his feet. The plaster cast slowed him down and he hadn\u2019t yet made it upright when Calvin hit Joe from behind. At the same moment, Joe heard a shot and his body jerked as a bullet bit into his thigh. Joe crashed to the floor.<\/p>\n

Enraged that Joe had escaped, Calvin punched him repeatedly, completely unable to control himself. Joe thought he would die under the onslaught, and tried to curl up to protect himself, but it made no difference. \u201cPa!\u201d he cried once more, hopelessly. He wasn\u2019t even sure his father was alive.<\/p>\n

There was a shot, and suddenly the beating stopped. Joe was trapped under Calvin\u2019s body and he wavered on the edge of unconsciousness. Then the body was removed and Patty flipped Joe over onto his back. Joe was too exhausted to resist. His leg was bleeding, and Joe\u2019s only consolation was that it was the same leg that was already injured.\u00a0 The bullet had just creased him, but it was enough. Blood poured out of his leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no escape from me, Joe,\u201d she told him, running the knife down his chest. Joe shivered, but the cold steel didn\u2019t cut him \u2013 this time. \u201cYou are going to be my sacrifice to the goddess, and then I too shall die gloriously in the flames as they consume this earthly life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d Joe pleaded. \u201cPlease, Patty, don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gesturing to Johnny, Patty rose to her feet. Joe saw his gun lying a few feet away and lunged towards it. Patty anticipated his move, and kicked Joe\u2019s arm, connecting just below the ball of his thumb. Pain shot through his arm. While he was still trying to recover from this, Johnny grabbed Joe\u2019s arms and forced him to lie on his back once more.<\/p>\n

Waving her arms again, Patty began to chant loudly. For Joe, it brought back more hideous memories; memories he\u2019d thought he wouldn\u2019t have to deal with again. He began to pray, not just for his own deliverance, but for his father\u2019s too.<\/p>\n

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

Where he lay on the floor, Ben Cartwright could hear quite clearly, but couldn\u2019t seem to see. The world was swimming in and out of focus and he felt terrible. He didn\u2019t know what was wrong, but he knew that something was.<\/p>\n

Someone was speaking very loudly \u2013 no that was wrong. Someone was chanting – a woman. That didn\u2019t make sense. There were no women at the Ponderosa. Where were the boys? Ben tried to make his eyes open, but they refused. Still, he tried to get up, but the pain hammered him down, and he slid back into unconsciousness without anyone in the room being aware that he had roused.<\/p>\n

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

Her incantations over, Patty paused dramatically above Joe, the knife poised for its downward stroke. Johnny was looking up at her adoringly. Calvin lay dead where he had fallen, forgotten about already. Joe struggled weakly against the restraint on his arms. This time, he didn\u2019t think he would escape. Perhaps it would be over quickly this time. All Joe could do was pray that Ben would somehow survive the killing.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, goddess, I come to thee!\u201d Patty cried and drove the knife down.<\/p>\n

Joe felt an agonizing pain as the knife plunged into his chest, but the end didn\u2019t come. Once more, Patty had missed any vital organs, and the knife skidded down Joe\u2019s breastbone, cutting the skin, but not killing him. However, blood spilled from the wound; lots of blood that convinced the girl that she had mortally wounded him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is done!\u201d she cried, leaving the knife stuck at an odd angle in Joe\u2019s chest. She snatched up a match, struck it and dropped it onto the floor.<\/p>\n

The oil ignited with a whoosh and Johnny looked startled. Patty snatched up Joe\u2019s gun, leaving bloody fingerprints all over the pearl handle and shot Johnny coolly between the eyes. She tossed the gun away, laughing wildly, and Joe kicked her feet out from underneath her.<\/p>\n

Caught completely by surprise, Patty toppled to the ground, striking her head on the corner of the table. She was unconscious at once, blood pooling under her head.<\/p>\n

There was no time to think. Smoke was billowing through the room, and Joe knew he had to get Ben out of there if they were to have any chance of surviving this carnage. He was in no state to get up, but that worked in his favor, as he was below the smoke as he dragged his wounded body over to Ben\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

To Joe\u2019s immense relief, Ben was breathing and his pulse was steady. \u00a0Gritting his teeth against the pain, Joe started to drag Ben across the floor towards the front door.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThis is a witch hunt that\u2019s going nowhere,\u201d Adam growled as the rain started. They had been out for what seemed like hours, and hadn\u2019t found a single track anywhere. \u201cI think we ought to call it a day and start looking somewhere else tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI tend to agree with ya, Adam,\u201d Roy Coffee said. \u201cAin\u2019t no point in gettin\u2019 soaked. An\u2019 I dare say Ben could do with a break from Little Joe right about now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you all come back and get some coffee?\u201d Adam suggested. The weather had turned really foul and he wouldn\u2019t have been surprised if they had some hail mixed in with the rain.<\/p>\n

The posse all agreed with alacrity, for they were all cold. The Ponderosa was much closer than town, and they could at least get warmed up before heading for home. They set off at a ground covering lope.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI can smell smoke!\u201d Hoss declared as they neared the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cCome on!\u201d He urged his horse into a gallop.<\/p>\n

They burst into the yard to be greeted with smoke pouring out of the door of the house, and two figures lying on the porch. \u201cNo!\u201d Adam cried, unaware that he\u2019d made any noise. He was off Sport\u2019s back and racing across the yard before he had made the decision to do so. Hoss was on his heels.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s alive,\u201d Adam said, glancing over at Hoss, who knelt by Joe. \u201cBut he\u2019s in a bad way.\u201d His eyes widened as he took in Joe\u2019s condition, too. The knife was still in his brother\u2019s chest. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s pretty beat up, bleedin\u2019 from his leg, but I don\u2019 think the knife done that much damage. Should I take it out?\u201d Hoss glanced at Adam for guidance.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it out,\u201d Joe mumbled, and coughed. \u201cPatty\u2019s in the house,\u201d he went on and coughed again.<\/p>\n

There was a fresh eddy of smoke from the house, and Adam realized that they would have to get away from the building, in case the whole place went up. Roy and the posse were already starting to fight the fire. \u201cGet the knife out and help me move them,\u201d Adam decided. He moved so that he could hold Joe while Hoss took the knife out. \u201cEasy, buddy,\u201d he whispered, and Joe\u2019s hand tightened on his.<\/p>\n

One yank, and the knife was out. Between them, Adam and Hoss picked Joe up and ran with him towards the barn. They laid him gently on some clean straw and went back to move Ben. They laid him next to Joe, who turned his head to look at his father. Ben\u2019s face was bruised and bloody, but his eyes were at last open. \u201cJoe?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, Pa,\u201d Joe answered, but his voice was weak. His chest hurt where the knife had been removed, and he could feel the blood trickling down his side. Moments later, Hoss put a handkerchief on the wound and pressed down. Joe let out a fearsome groan and slid into the waiting darkness.<\/p>\n

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

The smell of smoke was heavy on the air, but the fire was out. Adam wiped his soot-streaked face with the back of his hand. Hoss stood nearby, along with the men who\u2019d been helping fight the fire. They were all filthy and most were coughing hard. Fortunately, because of the years of polish on the floor, the boards hadn\u2019t burned easily, most just smoldering and giving off a nasty toxic smoke. Patty had been alive when she was pulled form the building, but had died shortly afterwards, probably from the head injury she had. Calvin Hogg and Johnny Munroe\u2019s charred bodies were decently covered by a tarpaulin.<\/p>\n

The main room hadn\u2019t been badly damaged. The smoke had fouled the walls, and they would need scrubbed down and re-painted, the floor would need replaced, but nothing irreparable had been lost, and they would be able to live in the house while repairs went on, which was the main thing. All the bedroom windows stood open to let the smell of smoke out of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucky we turned back when we did,\u201d Roy commented. \u201cElse who knows what would have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could have lost the whole house,\u201d Adam replied, although he knew Roy\u2019s statement was rhetorical. \u201cAnd Joe and Pa with it.\u201d He turned anxious eyes to the barn, where Paul Martin was currently tending to his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, son,\u201d Roy said. \u201cAin\u2019t no more you can do here for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

With no further encouragement, Adam began to walk towards the barn. Hoss joined him. With their hearts in their mouths, they went in, not at all sure what they would find.<\/p>\n

It was a pleasant surprise. Ben was sitting up, leaning against a stall partition. He essayed a smile when he saw his sons, and they were relieved to see no visible bandages. Ben\u2019s face had been cleaned of the dried blood, and he looked less deathly than when they had first seen him. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked, concerned by the soot on their faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re fine,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cHow are you?\u201d He went over to kneel beside Ben and glanced over to where Paul still worked on Joe. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Ben told them the little he knew. A good deal of his attention was also on Joe, as Paul meticulously stitched closed the cuts on his chest and thigh. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed, but it was clear to all of them that he was awake. The cords in his neck were stretched taut, and spoke more clearly of his pain than any cry could have done. Adam moved to take Joe\u2019s hand without being aware of it. Joe\u2019s eyes slit open and his hand tightened on his brother\u2019s.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, it was over, and Paul bandaged Joe up. Adam offered his brother some water, and when Roy came into the barn, he stayed beside Joe to offer his support as his youngest brother told the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter Johnny beat Pa up, Patty told me she was going to sacrifice me to the goddess,\u201d Joe began. \u201cThey made me lie on the floor, and held me down. Patty picked up a whole lot of stuff. I don\u2019t know what she wanted it for. Then she began to chant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard that,\u201d Ben put in. \u201cI came round and heard her, but I couldn\u2019t think what was going on. Then I passed out again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI managed to break free,\u201d Joe continued. \u201cCalvin came after me, and Patty shot me. Calvin was beating up on me, and I thought I was going to die.\u201d He swallowed. \u201cShe shot him, too and killed him. And Johnny. She killed Johnny after she stabbed me. The house was on fire, because she\u2019d spilled oil on the floor. I kicked her and when she fell, her head hit off the table.\u201d Joe looked at Roy. \u201cIs she still alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Roy reported. \u201cShe\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to get Pa out,\u201d Joe resumed, after a pause. \u201cBut I could only get as far as the porch. I guess I must have passed out, because the next thing I knew, Adam and Hoss wee there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben said, reaching out to squeeze Joe\u2019s hand. Every bone in Ben\u2019s body ached, but nothing was broken. He would be sore for several days to come, but there would be no lasting damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the house habitable?\u201d Paul asked. \u201cJoe needs to be inside, in a bed. Straw is all very well, but he\u2019d be more comfortable with sheets and blankets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything stinks, but it\u2019s habitable,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s move him then,\u201d Paul proposed. \u201cBen, you stay there until we\u2019ve got Joe settled. You\u2019ll need a hand, what with all that bruising.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before too long, both Ben and Joe were settled into their beds, which, as Adam, had predicted, smelt of smoke. Paul gave Joe a painkilling injection, which soon had him slumbering peacefully. He looked in on Ben to find the older man already asleep without medical intervention.<\/p>\n

Downstairs, Paul joined Adam, Hoss and Roy as they looked at the room. \u201cQuite a mess,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get it cleaned up,\u201d Adam said. \u201cRoy, about Patty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t no charges comin\u2019 against Joe, if\u2019n that\u2019s what you were thinkin\u2019,\u201d Roy assured him. \u201cHe were acting in self-defense, and it ain\u2019t his fault she hit her head as she fell. An\u2019 now we don\u2019 need to worry \u2018bout her comin\u2019 back another time. I\u2019ll wire her folks an\u2019 let them know. Poor people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor people,\u201d Adam echoed. He remembered Patty as a young girl, and then as the deranged figure who had tried to kill Joe. It was almost inconceivable that they were one and the same person.<\/p>\n

Shaking off the thought, Adam turned to Paul. \u201cSo how are they?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Pa will be fine in a few days. Just make him stay in bed for a day or two, and certainly no sitting up with Joe! As for Joe, well, he\u2019s got a bullet wound in this thigh, and the cut on his chest, plus a broken thumb. That, along with the beating he took, should keep him flat on his back for at least a week. He lost quite a lot of blood, and is exhausted. Just keep him quiet and he should do all right. He\u2019s running a slight temperature, but that\u2019s just shock and should settle before the night is out. Mentally, I can\u2019t say. Let him talk if he wants to, and give him lots of love.\u201d Paul grinned. \u201cI know that\u2019s not a problem in this family.\u201d He patted Adam on the shoulder. \u201cThey\u2019ll be fine,\u201d he predicted.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next few days, Adam and Hoss nursed Joe and Ben, while keeping an eye on the repairs going on downstairs. The ranch hands all willing pitched in, although none of them were used to working with buckets of hot soapy water. Some of the town\u2019s women gave advice on cleaning the furniture, and remarkably little had to be discarded. By the time Ben was coming down stairs again, the walls were gleaming with a fresh coat of paint and the windows were all clean. The curtains were being washed and the crockery, dishes, ornaments, lamps and photographs were all as good as new.<\/p>\n

There was still the smell of smoke in the upstairs, but it was gradually being aired out. Ben spent a lot of time sitting with Joe, as he was forbidden by his older sons to take any part in the house cleaning or painting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were dead,\u201d Joe admitted one afternoon. \u201cI thought that Munroe had killed you, because you were so still.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cPeople talk about the strength of madmen, but it\u2019s true. They were both incredibly strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry you had to go through that,\u201d Ben said. He had been feeling unsettled since the incident, and knew that Joe must be feeling the same. \u201cI couldn\u2019t take the chance that Patty would shoot you, Joe. That\u2019s never a risk I could take with any of you boys. I\u2019m sorry I wasn\u2019t able to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if Johnny hadn\u2019t beaten you up,\u201d Joe replied, earnestly, \u201cWhat could you do against three of them? Patty had a gun to my head, and for all we knew, the others were armed, too. Pa, you always taught us to be realistic. Realistically, what could you have done against them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, son,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d He sat silently for a minute, then looked back at Joe. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRelieved,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cI\u2019d forgotten about Patty mostly. Oh, sometimes the thoughts would surface, but generally, I hadn\u2019t thought about her in a long time. I assumed that she was secure in the asylum. Now, although I know I\u2019ll never completely forget any of this, I\u2019m relieved. She\u2019s dead, and won\u2019t be coming back to haunt any of us.\u201d He looked at Ben. \u201cShe hurt you and she hurt me. I\u2019m going to be weeks in this bed, I guess. But do you know what, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked, softly, his eyes taking in his son\u2019s injuries and wishing he could have borne them instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel sorry for her,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI pity her. She could have had a good life, but she threw it away, hunting for a way to turn herself into a witch. I\u2019m lucky; I have a good life and a home that I love. Patty had none of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were silent for a few minutes as Ben mulled over what Joe had said. He was frequently surprised at Joe\u2019s emotional maturity; it came as such a contrast to his mercurial nature and the tantrums he often threw. Ben hadn\u2019t expected Joe to be sorry for Patty. He himself hadn\u2019t yet got past feeling anger towards her. Now, he thought about what Joe had said, and knew his son was right. Now the danger was past, and they were on the mend, he could afford to feel pity for a young woman who had wasted her life. He found he couldn\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n

After a while, Joe looked at Ben and the corner of his mouth quirked. \u201cSo, what color are they painting the great room?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, same as before,\u201d Ben answered, caught by surprise by the change of subject. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, I just thought you\u2019d fancy a change,\u201d Joe replied, innocently. \u201cYou know, pink, or orange, or bright green?\u201d He laughed as a look of outrage passed over Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cPink?\u201d Ben repeated, indignantly. \u201cPink?!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Next Story in the Witches Coven Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jock<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Ben returns home with bad news for the family, but Joe in particular. Patty is once more at large.<\/p>\n

Rated: T (9,850 words)<\/p>\n

Witches Coven Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":14947,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41,29],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-3564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-halloween","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-29-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1584,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Coven.png?fit=600%2C585&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3566,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3566","url_meta":{"origin":3564,"position":0},"title":"Witches Coven (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"January 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe is invited to a birthday party on Hallowe'en. 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