{"id":3706,"date":"2006-06-11T14:12:25","date_gmt":"2006-06-11T18:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3706"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:24","slug":"the-roar-of-the-dragon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3706","title":{"rendered":"The Roar of the Dragon (by GinnyF)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>An earthquake strikes while Ben is visiting an old friend.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span> K+ (5,815 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.\u00a0 The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.\u00a0 No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

The Roar of the Dragon<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u201c Mornin,\u2019 fellas.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Closing his eyes as he yawned,\u00a0 Hoss Cartwright didn\u2019t notice the annoyed look that passed between\u00a0 his brothers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pitched the last forkful of\u00a0 straw into his horse\u2019s stall.\u00a0 \u201c About time you decided to join us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSeems to me that\u2019s usually what me and Adam are sayin\u2019 to you, Little Brother.\u201d Hoss retorted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two stop jawing so we can finish up out here and get in to breakfast before Hop Sing threatens to throw it out.\u201d\u00a0 Turning to Hoss to hand him the pitchfork he was finished using, Adam noticed his brother\u2019s bloodshot eyes\u00a0 \u201cYou feeling alright, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head and stifled another yawn.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no, I\u2019m\u00a0 fine.\u00a0 Just couldn\u2019t sleep much last night.\u00a0 I kept wakin\u2019 up feelin\u2019 that something was wrong.\u00a0 I even got up to check around the house a couple of times.\u00a0 I thought you fellas might hear me, but you both were snorin\u2019 away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if Hop Sing might be feelin\u2019 puny this morning, though.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t smell any breakfast cookin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, if you aren\u2019t feeling well we can rustle up our own breakfast.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss looked worried as the cook shuffled out of the kitchen with the coffee pot and a basket of sliced bread.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go fetch Dr. Chan,\u201d Joe offered, starting to rise from his chair at the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing objected, \u201cNot sick.\u00a0 Cook breakfast.\u00a0 Just not sleep good last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee what your prowlin\u2019 around the house last night did.\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou kept Hop Sing awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m mighty sorry, Hop Sing.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what was wrong with me last night.\u00a0 It\u2019s past time for spring fever.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u00a0 looked sheepishly at the cook.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister Hoss no keep Hop Sing awake.\u00a0 Hop Sing not able to sleep for couple night.\u00a0 \u201c<\/p>\n

He looked speculatively at Hoss as he poured coffee.\u00a0 Leaving \u00a0the pot, \u00a0he returned to the kitchen.\u00a0 As he turned the sausage in the frying pan\u00a0 the queasy feeling that had gripped his stomach all night intensified.\u00a0 His thoughts strayed to his youth in China, and another time he had similar feelings.\u00a0 He\u00a0 looked at the log walls that surrounded him, and shuddered involuntarily.\u00a0 He remembered the day the earth roared and his village and those for miles around were destroyed.<\/p>\n

Adam picked himself up, brushed the dirt off his pants, and\u00a0 limped to the corral fence.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t even want to guess how many times he\u2019d thrown that morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cGettin\u2019 old, brother?\u201d\u00a0 Joe teased as he jumped from his perch on the top rail.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, I feel like I\u2019m about ninety.\u201d\u00a0 Adam rubbed his throbbing hip and wondered how big a bruise was forming there.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, sonny boy.\u00a0 You just show us old men what a young whippersnapper can do.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam grinned and doffed his hat towards the \u00a0chocolate \u00a0brown mare that was not being shy about showing her displeasure over the proceedings.\u00a0 Adam joined Hoss, leaning against the corral railings. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cEither these are the most stubborn horses I\u2019ve ever had the misfortune to come across, or Joe\u2019s right, I\u2019m getting old.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gestured with his head at their own \u00a0mounts hitched nearby.\u00a0 \u201cMust be somethin\u2019 in the air.\u00a0 Sport and Cochise have both been shufflin\u2019 around, pullin\u2019 on their reins like they\u2019re tryin\u2019 to get loose.\u00a0\u00a0 Even old Chubby\u2019s\u00a0 been actin\u2019 out of sorts..\u00a0 Maybe we should call it quits for today?\u00a0 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething in the air?\u00a0 You\u2019ve been listening to too many of Squaw Charlie\u2019s tales.\u201d\u00a0 Adam scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cI told Pa we\u2019d have a good start on getting this bunch broke by the time he got home from Lone Pine..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cImagine old Ira gettin\u2019 himself one of those mail order brides.\u00a0 Pa, was mighty disappointed that he had to wait a year after their wedding \u00a0to meet her.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss frowned.\u00a0 \u201cSay, I hope Pa don\u2019t get any ideas!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cPa doesn\u2019t need to resort to that.\u00a0 He\u2019s got all he can handle keeping the Virginia City widows and old maids at bay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mean for himself.\u00a0 He might think it\u2019s a good idea for us!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t panic, brother.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think Pa\u2019s that desperate to marry us off.\u00a0 Yet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u00a0 nudged Hoss. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cJoe\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men turned their attention to the far corner of the corral where\u00a0 their brother was trying to slip into the saddle that Adam had just been tossed out of.\u00a0 The horse pranced and tossed her head, \u00a0nearly knocking the two men who held onto her off their feet.\u00a0 The black gelding that he was trying to transfer from was being skittish and wanting to keep his distance from the agitated mare. One minute Joe was on the gelding and the next,\u00a0 \u00a0was on the ground surrounded by milling hooves and roiling dust.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam sprinted to Joe, shouting his name in unison..\u00a0 In the seconds it took them to get there, he\u2019d been pulled to safety.\u00a0 He sat propped up by his rescuer,\u00a0 coughing and wheezing, trying to catch his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust take it easy.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss knelt and gingerly ran his hands over Joe, and grinned. \u201cSeems like you\u2019re all in one piece, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had got his breath back and was looking around groggily.\u00a0 \u201cGeeze!\u201d What happened? Ow!\u201d<\/p>\n

He squirmed as Adam\u2019s fingers touched a scrape on the side of his face.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou had a problem finding the back of that ornery little mare.\u201d\u00a0 Adam grasped Joe under his arms and helped him to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get you up to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee I told you something was gonna happen.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss insisted.<\/p>\n

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

Ben Cartwright waved away the dessert plate being offered by his hostess.\u00a0 \u201cJust coffee, please, Anne.\u00a0 I\u2019m stuffed.\u00a0 That dinner was delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter take a piece of cake, Ben.\u201d\u00a0 Ira Stone chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAnne made that apple cake especially for you.\u00a0 She\u2019s going to be miffed if you don\u2019t eat it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ira\u2019s wife blushed at his teasing. \u201cIra!\u201d\u00a0 In her eighth month of pregnancy, she moved around the small table, moving awkwardly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad you enjoyed the meal.\u00a0 I\u2019m not the cook that I\u2019ve heard \u00a0Hop Sing is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a wonderful cook.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u00a0 patted his stomach.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m only declining on the cake for now.\u00a0 If I may, I\u2019ll have a piece later after the meal settles.<\/p>\n

Anne smiled fondly at her husband\u2019s\u00a0 old friend.\u00a0 \u201cOf course you may.\u00a0 You just make yourself at home.\u00a0 You two men go have your coffee and pipes on the porch while I clean up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men settled themselves into \u00a0rocking chairs on the Stone\u2019s rickety front porch. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m happy to see your hardware store thriving,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

Ira nodded as he filled his pipe.\u00a0 \u201cA growing town needs hardware.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed contentedly. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you, Ben.\u00a0 It was worth waiting till I was over forty to find someone like Anne. \u00a0I hope to be able to build her a new house next summer.\u00a0 This place was all right for a bachelor, but not for a family.\u00a0 I want Ann to have a front parlor and a big kitchen and a dining room with a crystal chandler over a big table. Not just one room that\u2019s kitchen, dining room, and parlor . \u00a0\u00a0And plenty of\u00a0 bedrooms for her family back east to come visit. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And a big front porch, a veranda, as she calls it. \u00a0Do you think Adam would do the plans?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he would\u201d, Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you write him about it, and I\u2019ll deliver the letter personally.\u201d\u00a0 Ben lifted his cup of brandy laced coffee in a toast.\u00a0 \u201cTo Mr. and Mrs. Ira Stone and the little one on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anne came to the door, \u00a0\u00a0\u201cIra, have you seen Daisy?\u201d she asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201c I put some scraps in her pan and the ones I gave her this morning are still there.\u00a0 Usually, the little glutton gobbles them down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that you mention it, I haven\u2019t seen her all day.\u201d\u00a0 Ira looked around puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cUsually, when I sit on the porch in the evening she\u2019s right here with me waiting for her supper.\u00a0 Daisy is Anne\u2019s new pup\u201d, he explained to Ben. \u201cExcuse me. I better go look for her and put Anne\u2019s mind at ease.\u00a0 You know how women are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood also.\u00a0 \u201cEspecially, when they\u2019re in the family way.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

After an hour of searching,\u00a0 the two men returned to the house, reluctant to face Ira\u2019s wife with the news that the little hound was nowhere to be found.\u00a0 They were met at the back door by a crying Anne. \u201cI found Daisy, but I think something is dreadfully wrong with her.\u00a0 She\u2019s under the back porch cowering and whimpering.\u00a0 She won\u2019t come out.\u00a0 She even growled at me.\u00a0 Oh, Ira, do you think she\u2019s rabid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the time of year for rabies.\u00a0 Usually, you see it in late summer.\u201d\u00a0Ben tried to reassure her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s rabies, either.\u201d\u00a0 Ira put an arm around his wife.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll put her food and water pans right beside the porch.\u00a0 We\u2019ll see how she is in the morning.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHoney, it\u2019s getting dark.\u00a0 That\u2019s all we can do for tonight.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll be better in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

A coyote\u2019s howl echoed off the surrounding hills, followed by another, and another.\u00a0 \u201cThose darn coyotes sound awful close tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Ira shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe that\u2019s what\u2019s spooking Daisy.\u00a0 They sound close enough\u00a0 that she might have caught a whiff of those critters.\u00a0 Let\u2019s have some of that good cake and another cup of coffee before we turn in.\u00a0 She\u2019ll be all right, Annie.\u00a0 All this worrying over that pup isn\u2019t good for a woman in your condition.\u00a0 You set yourself down and I\u2019ll get the cake and coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Hop Sing lay in bed staring into the darkness.\u00a0 He had done the unthinkable, left dishes soaking in the sink and turned in early. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe, Mister Adam, and Mister Hoss had retreated upstairs right after supper.\u00a0 He had heard Mister Hoss\u00a0 rambling restlessly, but the house was now quiet.<\/p>\n

He shivered and pulled his blanket closer around him as\u00a0 a coyote howled nearby, followed by another and then another.\u00a0 The owl that lived in the tree outside the kitchen wing added it\u2019s voice.\u00a0\u00a0 The unease that had plagued him all day turned to a vague dread\u00a0 and the night shadows in his room seemed to shift\u00a0\u00a0 Being a good Baptist, he was ordinarily not a superstitious man, but his mind wandered to\u00a0 the old folk\u00a0 tales of dragons in the earth.\u00a0 His grandfather had told him how the shaking of the earth was caused by the dragons fighting among themselves.<\/p>\n

Sleep brought no relief.\u00a0 He found himself back in his village in China, watching his village his village being smashed and burned by raging dragons.\u00a0 The dream was so real that he could feel his bed shaking.<\/p>\n

The crash\u00a0 as the mirror on the wall fell, brought him upright in bed. \u00a0He looked around, wide awake now, as the items on his dresser danced in the moonlight\u00a0 He stumbled from his bed, and made his way dizzily across the quivering floor to the doorway.\u00a0A storm was brewing.\u00a0 The Wandererrocked and pitched and groaned as the sea became violent and hailstones fell from the sky and tumbled, clattering, about the deck. \u00a0While Ben often dreamed about being on his old ship, this dream was unusually vivid.\u00a0\u00a0 He woke and looked around, sleepily, at the unfamiliar room.\u00a0 The light from the full moon streamed through the window on the wall opposite his bed.\u00a0 He thought that he was still dreaming when he saw the lace curtains were swinging back and forth, and that the clattering\u00a0 noise was caused by the jiggling of the china washbowl and pitcher on the washstand in the corner.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0He realized it wasn\u2019t the Wanderer rocking and groaning, it was the Stone\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

An intense jolt pitched Ben out of the narrow bed.\u00a0 He lay shocked on the heaving wood floor until Anne Stone\u2019s screams spurred him into action.\u00a0 He scrambled to his feet, \u00a0only to be thrown back down as another tremor struck. Chunks of plaster\u00a0 fell around him as cracks snaked through the ceiling and \u00a0rough-hewn walls.\u00a0 Ben rolled under the bed just as the small house started to break apart around him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThere\u2019s some cracks in the foundation, besides the ones in the chimney.\u00a0 I don\u2019t\u00a0 think they\u2019re anything major, but we should get them patched up right away.\u201d\u00a0 Adam emerged from the root cellar under the kitchen .\u00a0\u00a0 He joined his brothers in surveying the shambles.\u00a0 Broken dishes, shattered picture frames, and assorted debris littered the floors.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget the broken banister where Hoss went through it trying to come down the stairs.\u201d\u00a0 Joe added, grinning at the aforementioned brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss rubbed his aching shoulder and scowled.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t easy going down a staircase that won\u2019t stand still.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked dubiously at the stairs, as if they couldn\u2019t quite be trusted.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c The stock\u2019s probably scattered over half the territory.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0You two get the hands moving.\u00a0 Then check the bunkhouse and barn for damage.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see anything obvious when we turned the horses out to the corral, but give it a good going over.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get the flue pipe for Hop Sing\u2019s stove put back together.\u00a0 Where is he, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s out lookin\u2019 for his chickens.\u00a0 He wants to round \u2018em up before the coyotes have a chicken feast.\u201d\u00a0 As he reached for his hat,. Hoss couldn\u2019t resist an I-told-you-so to his skeptical brothers. \u201cI told you fellas that there was something in the air\u201d.<\/p>\n

As if on cue, the chandelier over the dining room table tinkled as a slight aftershock hit.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore like something in the ground!\u201d\u00a0 Joe retorted as he scurried out the door.<\/p>\n

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

The stillness, the silence, those were\u00a0 the first things\u00a0 Ben\u00a0 was aware of.\u00a0 That and it was full daylight.\u00a0\u00a0 He was lying on his stomach, pinned under a pile of something.\u00a0 Pain shot through his forehead as he .turned his head to look \u00a0around.\u00a0 Bed springs?\u00a0 What the blazes happened?\u00a0 He breathed deeply to try to clear his mind and take stock of the situation.\u00a0 His ribs ached with the effort, but the deep breathing helped him to think.\u00a0 . \u00a0\u201cA dream.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>He was dreaming of being on the Wanderer during a fierce storm.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0He had woken to realize that it was the floor of the Stones\u2019 house that\u00a0 was heaving and rolling, not the deck of the ship. \u201c An earthquake? \u201c<\/em>\u00a0 That had to be it.\u00a0\u00a0 He had been in an earthquake years ago in Nicaragua.\u00a0\u00a0 Not one like this one, though.\u00a0 \u201cIra?\u00a0 Anne\u201d?<\/em>\u00a0 His thoughts reeled as he remembered that the last thing he heard was Anne screaming.\u00a0 He pushed on the debris lying on top of him, and something shifted, slightly. \u00a0He pushed harder, and pain seared through his ribs and head and he passed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Mister., just lie still and let us pull you out.\u201d\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t recognize the deep, gravely voice, but it was a welcome sound, nonetheless. He gritted his teeth as strong arms pulled him from the wreckage of the bedroom and placed him on litter, that what had been until this morning,\u00a0 someone\u2019s front \u00a0door.\u00a0 He was carried to \u00a0the town square, where the survivors, injured and uninjured, alike were congregating, and gently laid on a blanket spread on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no building left standing to take the injured to\u201d.\u00a0 one of his rescuers, a tall, spare man, dressed only in long johns and boots, explained grimly.\u00a0 \u201c Right now, anybody that can walk is looking for survivors and taking care of the injured.\u00a0 Someone will get to you, directly.\u00a0 We can\u2019t find the doc,\u201d He\u00a0 looked around, as if expecting the doctor to suddenly appear.\u00a0 Someone shouted and beckoned, and the man hurried off.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buildings left standing?\u00a0 Looking for survivors? I\u2019ve got to look for Ira and Ann!\u201d <\/em>\u00a0\u00a0Ben struggled to his feet and clasped his arms around his chest as he tentatively looked down at himself.\u00a0 His nightshirt was torn and dirty and his legs and feet were scraped, scratched, and bruised..\u00a0 His head was pounding\u00a0 and\u00a0 his chest felt as if it was being squeezed in a vice.\u00a0 He put a hand to his head and felt the stiffness of dry blood.<\/p>\n

He had not seen such devastation since the war with Mexico. The town looked as though an army had targeted every building with cannon fire.\u00a0 The wooden buildings were now piles of splintered wood, with here and part of a building left standing.\u00a0 The buildings built from adobe seemed to have faired worse;\u00a0 most were crumbled piles of dirt. Roof tiles, shingles, and glass was lying everywhere..\u00a0 Rows of injured were laid around him on blankets, tarps, coats, anything that could be found.\u00a0 Some were groaning or crying, some unconscious, and some just looking around them unbelieving.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and after picking up the blanket he had been lying on, started slowly down the rows looking for his friends.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He had only gone a few feet when he had to admit to himself that he had to rest for awhile.\u00a0\u00a0 He sunk down on what was left of a stone wall and buried his face in his hands.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know how long he sat there\u00a0 when he felt an odd sensation on his bare calf.\u00a0 He looked down\u00a0 to find a small dog busily licking his leg.\u00a0 It took him a minute to recognize Anne\u2019s pup, Daisy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u00a0 Ben!\u201d\u00a0 He looked over at the man who \u00a0excitedly called his name. \u00a0Ira Stone.\u00a0 Like Ben, he was clad only in a nightshirt and clutching a blanket around himself.\u00a0 Unlike Ben, and most of the people around them, he appeared unscathed.<\/p>\n

Ira clasped his friend\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThank God!\u00a0 I was dreading what I thought I would have to tell your boys\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ben was overcome with a wave of dizziness and let Ira support him for a minute till it passed.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 Thank God.\u00a0 You\u2019re unhurt?\u00a0\u00a0 I was looking for you and Anne, but had to sit down for a minute. Where\u2019s Anne?\u00a0 Is she all right? \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s got a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder. The main part of our house is sturdier than the two tacked-on bedrooms.\u00a0 It\u2019s still standing.\u00a0 I left her there with our neighbor, Mrs. Hanson.\u00a0 \u00a0Here, let me help you.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get to the house and take a look at your head.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid I\u2019m all you have right now to patch you up.\u00a0 They found the doc\u2019s body in the rubble of his clinic, along with two patients he was tending.\u00a0 Matt Lewis went to Independence\u00a0 for help.\u00a0 They have two doctors, and we\u2019re hoping that they can spare one of them to send here.\u201d\u00a0 Ira shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I\u2019m not hurt.\u00a0 It was one of those crazy twists of fortune.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t in the house when the earthquake hit\u201d\u00a0 He had to smile in spite of the circumstances.\u00a0 \u201cI had to make a trip out back, and was there when it hit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started \u00a0digging where our bedroom was. After I got Anne out, I couldn\u2019t tell how bad she was hurt.\u00a0 I had to get help, then I couldn\u2019t leave her right away, to go back and look for you.\u201d\u00a0 Ira studied his slipper shod feet. \u201cI went back to look for you as soon as I could.\u00a0\u00a0 I could see that someone had gotten to you.\u00a0 I was looking for you.\u00a0 You were married.\u00a0 If it was your wife or one of your sons buried under that rubble, injured and in need of\u00a0 help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, Ira, and would have done the same.\u00a0 Anyone would.\u201d\u00a0 Ben teetered and winced as Ira helped him to stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ira reached to steady his friend and prevented him from hitting the ground as he lost consciousness.\u00a0 He spied his neighbor, Stan Hanson, running toward him.\u00a0 \u201cStan!\u00a0 Can you help me get him to my house?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hanson\u00a0 stopped in front of Ira and Ben, breathing hard.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get your friend back there.\u201d\u00a0 He gasped between breaths.\u00a0 \u201cYou best go a\u2019runnin\u2019.\u00a0 Your missus needs you.\u00a0 She\u2019s in a bad way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Hoss stretched and yawned as he rose from the supper table.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know about you fella\u2019s, but I\u2019m turnin\u2019 in.\u00a0 I sure hope there\u2019s no more of that dadburn shakin\u2019 tonight..\u00a0 What do you think, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know anything about earthquakes, but I would guess that since we haven\u2019t had anymore tremors, it\u2019s all over with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure hope so.\u201d Joe added.\u00a0 \u201cSome of the hands said they\u2019re sleeping outside tonight.\u00a0 Maybe we should , just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss lightly patted Joe\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cYou sleep where you want to, little brother.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna take the chance of sleepin\u2019 in my soft bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take that chance, too.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stood to follow Hoss upstairs, but both men stopped at the sound of \u00a0the brass door knocker.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, seems like no one is turning in just yet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said as he went to the door.\u00a0 \u201cRoy.\u00a0 Come on in.\u00a0 what brings you out here this late in the evening?\u00a0 How did Virginia City fare in that earthquake? \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cEvenin\u2019, boys.\u201d\u00a0 Sheriff Coffey stood on the porch looking uneasy.\u00a0 \u201cVirginia City didn\u2019t fare to bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

The brothers stood aside to allow the sheriff to enter, and looked at him expectantly, as they all stood in the entry way.\u00a0 It hadn\u2019t escaped their notice that Roy had not answered the first question.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, Roy?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked. \u00a0\u201cYou didn\u2019t\u00a0 ride out here this late to talk about the earthquake and Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen went to Lone Pine?\u201d\u00a0 Sheriff Coffey asked?<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss answered.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t be back till next week sometime.\u00a0 What did you want to see him about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy absently stroked his bristly grey mustache.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it\u2019s you boys I came to talk to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can we do for you, Roy?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked..<\/p>\n

\u201cI just got word that earthquake hit Lone Pine hard.\u00a0 All of the buildings are damaged; the ones left standin\u2019, that is.\u00a0 Lots of folks hurt .\u00a0 I reckoned you would want to know right away so you could leave at first light.\u201d\u00a0 Roy twisted his hat in his hands before putting it on.\u00a0 \u201cI have to get back to Virginia City.\u00a0 The saloons are doin\u2019 a booming business tonight.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to leave Clem there by himself too long.\u00a0 Goodnight, boys.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see myself out\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow much further do you think it is to Lone Pine?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked anxiously.\u00a0 The brothers were packing up their camp and preparing for their seventh day on the trail.<\/p>\n

Hoss scratched his head and shrugged. \u00a0\u201cWe ought\u2019a be almost there, but the way the trail\u2019s torn up, I don\u2019t know how long it\u2019s gonna take.\u00a0 I figure we used up a couple days clearin\u2019 rock slides and downed trees, not to mention the time lost findin\u2019 a way around what we couldn\u2019t move.\u00a0 And the closer we get to Lone Pine, the worse things are lookin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave his cinch a final tug and had to sidestep quickly to move his foot away from Sport\u2019s stamping hoof.\u00a0 \u201cEasy, boy.\u00a0 What\u2019s got your temper up?\u00a0 Easy, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam spoke softly to the chestnut gelding as he swung into the saddle.\u00a0 The horse tossed his mane and snorted, but calmed down as his rider stroked his neck and murmmered to him.<\/p>\n

Cochise, too, snorted and pranced, when mounted.\u00a0 His actions seemed to frighten the placid little mare that Joe was leading.\u00a0 Hoss took the lead rope from his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horses are acting up like they did the day before that earthquake.\u00a0 Do you think we might be going to have another one?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.\u00a0 He was nervously biting his lower lip.<\/p>\n

Adam\u00a0 frowned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s possible.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard that there can be \u00a0smaller tremors for days or even weeks after a large earthquake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked apprehensively at the boulders looming around them.\u00a0 \u201c Let\u2019s get movin\u2019.\u00a0 The sooner I get to open country, the better I\u2019ll feel\u201d.<\/p>\n

They set off single-file on the narrow trail. The mounts\u2019 nervousness increased the further they picked their way along the rock-strewn and cracked trail.\u00a0\u00a0 Even the normally placid packhorse twitched her ears as she plodded along behind Hoss..<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s the valley floor, dead ahead.\u00a0 We\u2019re almost to Lone Pine.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Adam reined his horse to a halt and leaned forward in the saddle.\u00a0 .\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll rest the horses there. \u201d\u00a0 He grinned at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good and open.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll lead Sally now that Cooch has settled down.\u201d\u00a0 Just as Joe took the pack horse\u2019s lead rope from Hoss, the ground shuddered beneath the horses\u2019 hooves.<\/p>\n

Pebbles, followed by small rocks rolled down the slope onto the trail, further startling the animals.\u201dHead for level ground!\u201d\u00a0 Adam shouted to his brothers as Sport broke into a gallop.<\/p>\n

As their horses pounded toward the valley floor, the rock fall grew into a rockslide, roaring down the side of the mountain.\u00a0 Hoss looked back where Joe, with the packhorse, was bringing up the rear.\u00a0 The loaded down mare was having difficulty keeping up with the longer legged pinto.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u00a0 Turn loose of the lead rope!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe let go and Cochise, free of the pull of the slower horse, \u00a0lunged forward with a burst of speed.\u00a0 A few short yards behind them, the leading edge of the rockslide swept across the trail, catching the terrified mare in its path, her scream unheard under the thunder of the rocks.<\/p>\n

On the valley floor, the \u00a0men and horses huddled behind a protective buttress till the thunder stopped and the dust settled. \u00a0\u00a0The terrified scream of the packhorse still reverberated in their ears.<\/p>\n

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

Hearing of\u00a0 the devastation\u00a0 did not adequately prepare the Cartwright brothers for what they saw when they rode wearily into Lone Pine\u00a0 They rode silently, taking in the piles of adobe and\u00a0 the splintered wood that a week ago had been homes and businesses. In one corner of the town square was a mound, that they would later find out was a mass grave.\u00a0 \u00a0Most of the people they encountered were bandaged, bruised, or limped..\u00a0 Some wore expressions of bewilderment.\u00a0 However, the citizens of the town were resolutely clearing away rubble and rebuilding. The sound of wood being sawed and nails being driven filled the air.<\/p>\n

The men dismounted in front of a torn canvas tent that sported a wooden sign proclaiming \u201cSheriff\u2019\u201d, \u00a0and approached a middle-aged man sitting at a makeshift desk in front of the tent.\u00a0 His face was bruised and his left arm was in a blue calico sling. He grudgingly looked up from paperwork he was struggling with ..\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Sheriff Baker.\u00a0 If you fella\u2019s are lookin\u2019 for kin or friends, \u00a0the injured been taken to wherever enough of a buildin\u2019s been left standin\u2019 to give \u2018em some shelter.\u201d\u00a0 He started to rise awkwardly from his armless straight-back chair.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take you around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat might not \u00a0be necessary, Sheriff.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cCan you point us in the direction of Ira Stone\u2019s place?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheriff Baker pointed to a grove of\u00a0 trees.\u00a0 \u201cOver yonder, behind those aspen. \u00a0You friends of Ira\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur father is.\u201d\u00a0 Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s been visiting with the Stones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour pa would be the white-haired fella?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know him?\u00a0 Is he all right?\u201d\u00a0 Joe blurted out.<\/p>\n

The sheriff nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI know who he is, and that he\u2019s alive, but hurt some. \u00a0\u00a0My missus was just up there.\u00a0 The ladies that are able to are makin\u2019 the rounds takin\u2019 care of the injured.\u00a0 They\u2019ve been helpin\u2019 Ira with the baby, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBaby?\u00a0 We didn\u2019t know old Ira had a young\u2019un.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss said, surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cBorn right after the earthquake.\u00a0 Poor little tyke\u2019s ma didn\u2019t make it.\u201d\u00a0 Sheriff Baker said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a shame.\u00a0 Miz Stone was just banged up some, but she didn\u2019t make it through the birthin\u2019.\u00a0 Miz Hanson, their neighbor lady, did all she could. \u00a0She was more shook about not bein\u2019 able to do more for poor, young Miz Stone.\u00a0\u00a0Well, I\u2019ll get back to my paperwork and let you fellas get on your way.\u00a0 I can see you\u2019re chompin\u2019 at the bit to see your pa.\u00a0 Be careful ridin\u2019 up to Ira\u2019s.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of loose rocks and there\u2019s a good size crack across the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat on the rickety front porch, rocking Ira\u2019s daughter, absently humming a lullaby.\u00a0 His thoughts drifted back in time to other babies, and his own losses.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t speak of them to Ira.\u00a0 He knew that hearing of others tragedies did not lessen the pain of one\u2019s own, and there were tragedies aplenty in Lone Pine and the surrounding area this past week.\u00a0 He lent his presence to his friend, and made himself as useful as he could, while his injuries healed.<\/p>\n

The baby awoke with a wail as Daisy, the beagle pup, careened around the side of the cabin yapping shrilly.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t bring himself to yell at the young dog.\u00a0 She missed her mistress, and became excited over every sound, thinking she was returning home.\u00a0 While bouncing the infant and shushing her, Ben\u2019s eyes followed the beagle as she ran toward the leading into the Stones\u2019 yard.\u00a0 Three riders came into sight as they rounded the ash grove.\u00a0 Ben stood and smiled happily as he recognized the horsemen.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u00a0 Hey, Pa!\u201d Hoss waved his hat excitedly.<\/p>\n

After tying their horses to the hitching rail, the brothers gathered around their father, exclaiming at the healing bruises on his face and the bandage around his forehead.<\/p>\n

Frightened by the commotion, the baby in Ben\u2019s arms wailed.\u00a0 \u201cNow look what you\u2019ve done!\u00a0 You\u2019ve wakened the baby!\u201d Ben grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine, boys.\u201d He reassured his sons, his voice softening.\u00a0 \u201cIra didn\u2019t get a scratch, but he lost his wife.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t badly hurt, but didn\u2019t make it through the birth of this little one..\u201d<\/p>\n

Ira stepped through the tilted doorframe in answer to his daughter\u2019s cries.\u00a0 \u201cSupper\u2019s ready, Ben.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take Ivy, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t surprised to see his visitors.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, boys.\u00a0 I knew you\u2019d be here looking for your pa as soon as you could.\u00a0 \u00a0Turn your horses into the corral, and come on in.\u00a0 You\u2019re just in time for supper.\u00a0 Ben can vouch for me not being much of a cook, and it\u2019s just beans and burned biscuits, but your welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three young men rose from where they were crouched by their father\u2019s chair to greet Ira.\u00a0 \u201cThe sheriff told us about your wife.\u201d\u00a0 Adam took the lead.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re sorry to hear that.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a might pretty baby.\u201d Joe added.<\/p>\n

The praise for his daughter brought a smile to Ira\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cMighty loud, too.\u201d\u00a0 He reached for the infant.\u00a0 \u201cHere name\u2019s Ivy.\u00a0 Ivy Mae.\u00a0 Annie wanted to name her for our mothers.\u201d\u00a0 He swallowed and abruptly turned back into the cabin.<\/p>\n

Ben watched Ira, then nodded his head.\u201cWe\u2019ll leave Ira alone with the baby for a bit.\u00a0 He\u2019ll pull himself together by the time you get cleaned up.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you feel that earthquake at home?\u00a0 How did the Ponderosa weather it?\u00a0 How difficult was the trip here?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThank you, Ben, for the loan, and your friendship.\u00a0 Especially, your friendship\u201d. Ira\u2019s shoulders were slumped and he shook his head as he spoke. I\u2019ve never borrowed money from a friend, and I hate it that I\u2019ve had to do it now\u00a0\u00a0 I should be able to pay it back quickly.\u201d\u00a0 He looked around\u00a0 at the partially rebuilt town, and smiled ruefully.\u00a0 \u201cOne thing the folks in Lone Pine are going to need plenty of, and that\u2019s hardware.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at the baby gurgling happily in his arms while she played with his finger \u201c At one time, I was stiff-necked about making my own way.\u00a0 I\u2019ve learned over the years that it doesn\u2019t make you less of a man to accept some help from your friends, \u00a0I know you\u2019ll pay me back when you can.\u00a0 But, this young lady comes first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ira nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWith having to rebuild the store, I might not ever be able to build her the big house that I promised Annie, but I can provide something better than that cabin.\u00a0 I promised her mother, that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men were setting on a bench outside the repaired\u00a0 Overland Stage station in Lone Pine, waiting for the\u00a0 stage coach for Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere comes the stage.\u201d\u00a0 Adam straightened from where he was lounging against the wall of the stage station.\u00a0\u00a0 He grinned at Ira. \u00a0\u201c I think you\u2019re going to have to pry your daughter out of my father\u2019s arms. \u201c<\/p>\n

Ben turned the baby over to her father, laughing.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll miss her, but I\u2019ve done my share of baby-raising.\u201d\u00a0 He winked at Ira.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s past time for others in my family to start raising some babies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAhem!\u201d\u00a0 Adam cleared his throat and pointedly ignored his father\u2019s remark.<\/p>\n

The two Cartwrights bid Ira Stone goodbye and climbed into the crowded coach.\u00a0 Ben settled in beside Adam, grumbling about over-protective sons who insisted that their father, who got along for many years without them, \u00a0needed a nursemaid to accompany him home.\u00a0 Adam sighed and stretched out his long legs as best he could, pulling his hat down over his face.\u00a0 It was going to be a long trip.\u00a0 Not as long as the ride there, he reflected, when his brothers and he didn\u2019t know what they would encounter.<\/p>\n

Ira held his baby daughter against his shoulder and watched the stage depart., shielding\u00a0 Ivy from the kicked-up dust with his hat\u00a0\u00a0 After it was out of site he started in the direction of his hardware store.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Ivy, if you\u2019re going to learn the hardware business, we might as well get started.\u00a0 We have a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ivy sneezed from the dust and sucking loudly on her thumb, snuggled comfortably against her father\u2019s broad chest.\u00a0 Father and daughter began the first of many days together in Stone\u2019s Hardware Store.<\/p>\n

Under their feet, the earth quivered unnoticeable\u00a0 as the dragon twitched in its sleep.<\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

GF 6\/11\/06<\/p>\n

Author\u2019s note:\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>I\u2019ve taken time-line and geographical liberties with the <\/em>Owens<\/em>Valley<\/em> earthquake of 1872.\u00a0 The epicenter was at Lone Pine, Ca.\u00a0 Scientists believe it was as strong or even stronger than the 1906 <\/em>San Francisco<\/em> earthquake.\u00a0 Lone Pine was almost entirely destroyed.\u00a0 There is a monument there, today, dedicated to those who died and were buried in a mass grave.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: An earthquake strikes while Ben is visiting an old friend.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ (5,815 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":3483,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1042,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/3_shooting1.jpg?fit=846%2C665&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7654,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7654","url_meta":{"origin":3706,"position":0},"title":"Storms and Anchors (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Little Joe needs an anchor in the storm. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a01097","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/lightning.jpg?fit=200%2C252&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5197,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5197","url_meta":{"origin":3706,"position":1},"title":"Fruity Thoughts (by idmarryhoss)","author":"idmarryhoss","date":"April 15, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"All characters, settings,\u00a0and events\u00a0are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot belong to me, the ones known from Bonanza belong to their rightful owners and creators. \u00a0 Rating T WC 1700","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3989,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3989","url_meta":{"origin":3706,"position":2},"title":"Hoss, North and South (by Writing Woman)","author":"Writing Woman","date":"April 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0While on a cattle drive headed east, Hoss becomes involved in the war between the North and South. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0WC \u00a0625","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":3706,"position":3},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11320,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11320","url_meta":{"origin":3706,"position":4},"title":"Blink of an Eye (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"December 21, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Missing scene from Season 7\u2019s \u201cThe Fighters\u201d written by Robert L. Goodwin Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0\u00a0Word Count:\u00a0 792","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/The-Fighters.png?fit=929%2C608&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6829,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6829","url_meta":{"origin":3706,"position":5},"title":"The Longest Walk (by pkmoonshine)","author":"pkmoonshine","date":"May 5, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Adam faces what may be the most terrifying moment in his life. Rating K+ \u00a0WC 800","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Hoss"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Hoss","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1090"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3706","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\/121"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3706"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3706\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3483"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}