{"id":3840,"date":"2002-10-16T17:58:48","date_gmt":"2002-10-16T21:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3840"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:51:14","slug":"showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3840","title":{"rendered":"Showdown (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>What would have happened if Pardoe wasn’t really dead?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(10,370 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

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

 <\/p>\n

Sam Kirby wasn\u2019t sure what he should feel as the Cartwrights approached. He had hurt Adam before he sneaked away, and it was because of him that Little Joe had been held hostage, and beaten up. He wasn\u2019t completely reassured by Joe\u2019s promise that Sam wouldn\u2019t suffer. He didn\u2019t really believe that the Cartwrights would be his friends, just because he had had a change of heart, and been unable to go along with Pardoe\u2019s plans at the last.<\/p>\n

He was too tongue-tied to say anything as Joe tiredly explained to his father and brothers what had happened. Adam and Hoss took over guarding the two prisoners, and Ben Cartwright rode with Joe and Sam as they headed back to the ranch. They were all tired after their sleepless night, and Joe yawned all the way home. Sam, however, was too tense to want to sleep. He still had to face the sheriff \u2013 the same one he\u2019d pulled a gun on in the Ponderosa ranch house only the previous evening. Joe said it would be fine, but he didn\u2019t believe it.<\/p>\n

Hours later, as a stiff, sore, tired Joe was sent off to bed, Sam sat on the settee in front of the fire, scarcely believing that he was a free man, still. The sheriff was going to get Pardoe\u2019s body, and Sam could relax. He had a job and a home. His head nodded, and he flinched as someone touched his shoulder. It was Adam, who smiled. \u201cGo to bed, Sam,\u201d he suggested, his smile telling the younger man that the incident the previous night was forgotten.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I will,\u201d Sam agreed, and rose wearily to his feet. \u201cThanks, Adam, and I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all forgotten,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cGet some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he walked to the door, Sam reflected on the way the Cartwrights had accepted him. He had been so jealous of them that he almost choked on it. Now, he felt warmed and soothed by their gratitude. He fell onto the bunk, and closed his eyes. He was asleep in seconds.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cPa, honestly, its just a split lip,\u201d Joe said, in exasperation. Ben was holding his chin firmly in his hand, and turning his youngest son\u2019s face to the light so he could examine the bruises there more closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it is,\u201d Ben agreed, blandly, having satisfied himself that Joe wasn\u2019t putting on a brave face. \u201cWell, in that case, I think you and Sam should get on with breaking those horses. We\u2019ve put it off long enough, what with the bank robbery. Just try not to break anything other than the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah,\u201d Joe grumbled, and laughed when his father ruffled his curls. He had kept his ordeal the previous day to himself, as he didn\u2019t want Ben worrying in retrospect. Pardoe had been a bully, and Joe wasn\u2019t surprised that Sam had found it difficult to stand up to him. Joe had several places on his body that were very sore, and marked by nasty bruises. Fortunately, they were all hidden by his clothing, and after breaking a few horses, Joe could at least pretend they were from that. \u201cSee you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, son,\u201d Ben responded. He had been watching the play of emotions over Joe\u2019s face. His son seldom had a need to hide his emotions, and so seldom bothered. Ben was experienced at reading Joe\u2019s state of health by his body language alone, and could see that Joe was still sore here and there. He knew, too, that Joe hadn\u2019t told him everything, but reasoned that if it bothered him, Joe would tell someone. That was his way.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019, Sam,\u201d Joe said, as he arrived at the corral.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019, Joe,\u201d Sam replied, and glanced briefly at his boss and friend before dropping his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSam,\u201d Joe said, softly, \u201cits not common knowledge. The men don\u2019t know anything except that you helped find me and save me from the gang. That\u2019s it. Now, let\u2019s break these horses!\u201d<\/p>\n

As the day went on, Sam began to truly relax. The hard work and the camaraderie that horse breaking engendered helped immensely. Sam had never felt accepted before, not like he did that day. A number of the men thanked him for helping Joe, and each time, Sam flushed with a mixture of guilt and pleasure. Each time he did, Joe would grin at him, and the flush and guilt would die away, leaving only the pleasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s call it a day,\u201d Joe said, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. It was a scorching hot afternoon, and it was taking its toll on man and beast.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the boss,\u201d Sam said, not wanting to look to eager to quit, but too hot to want to go on working.<\/p>\n

Laughing, Joe plunked his hat back on his head. \u201cSam, these guys here have been belly-aching at me for the last hour to call it quits! You\u2019re gonna have to learn that I don\u2019t bite!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d laughed Sam. He started to climb down from the corral rails, but movement caught his attention, and he looked over Joe\u2019s head. Sudden tension gripped his body, and Joe turned slowly to see what had brought it on. Roy Coffee was just dismounting from his horse in the yard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder what Roy\u2019s doing here,\u201d Joe commented. \u201cCome on, Sam. Let\u2019s find out.\u201d As Sam hesitated, Joe said, \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right, honestly. I gave you my word yesterday, and I wasn\u2019t wrong, was I?\u201d<\/p>\n

They walked slowly up to the house, brushing the dust off their chaps. Sam thought desperately for something to say to take his mind off its morbid speculation. \u201cJoe, how come you have flowers on your chaps?\u201d he blurted.<\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Joe tried to hide his laughter, but it was a wasted effort. \u201cBlame my oldest brother,\u201d he said. \u201cHe was sent into town to buy me chaps, after I had an accident. They were meant to cheer me up. The storeowner had just got these ones in, and I think he despaired of ever selling them. So Adam bought them for me.\u201d Joe chuckled. \u201cI nearly murdered him! But, you know what? Nobody ever borrows my chaps, so I can always find them, which is more than Adam can say!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t mind any more?\u201d Sam asked, not sure he\u2019d have been so forgiving.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think they suit me?\u201d Joe asked, in an offended tone. Sam\u2019s eyes widened in horror, before he realised Joe was just teasing, and they were both laughing hard as they entered the house.<\/p>\n

The laughter died instantly as Joe sensed the atmosphere. Ben and Roy were sitting by the desk, and Ben\u2019s face was grim. Sam shrank back, and Joe put his hand out to touch his friend\u2019s arm reassuringly. \u201cWhat wrong, Pa?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

It was Roy who answered. \u201cLittle Joe, are you sure Pardoe was dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe answered, without hesitation. \u201cI didn\u2019t check for a pulse, but I shot him in the chest.\u201d He looked from his father to the sheriff and back again. He paled. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause there\u2019s no trace of his body,\u201d Roy answered. \u201cSome blood stains, but that\u2019s all. Pardoe is still alive, and still out there somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at the pale faces of the two young men standing in front of him, Ben tried to lighten Roy\u2019s comment slightly. \u201cHe probably crawled away to die somewhere,\u201d he suggested, but neither Joe nor Sam looked convinced. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, boys, we\u2019ll find him,\u201d Ben promised. \u201cThe posse is out looking for him now.\u201d<\/p>\n

At his words, Joe ducked his head slightly, a sure sign that something was troubling him. However, he glanced up again and smiled. \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you boys get cleaned up?\u201d Ben suggested. He hooked Roy with a look, and his old friend said no more until both Joe and Sam had gone. \u201cRoy, do you think the posse will find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Roy admitted. \u201cThe ground up there is pretty hard, and there weren\u2019t any tracks to follow. If he has crawled away and died, we might never find his body. If he hasn\u2019t, let\u2019s hope that he isn\u2019t up to coming looking for the boys. Pardoe has a bad reputation, as you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben said, troubled.<\/p>\n

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

Over supper, Ben told Adam and Hoss about Pardoe. Both of them looked at Joe, whose attention was on his plate, although he was just shoving his fork aimlessly though his food. Ben didn\u2019t think he\u2019d seem Joe eat more than one mouthful. As always, Joe\u2019s actions gave the lead to his emotions, and his appetite was always the first thing to suffer.<\/p>\n

\u201cPardoe\u2019s going to come after us,\u201d Joe said, almost inaudibly. He raised his head and looked round the table. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t crawled away to die somewhere. He\u2019s nursing his wounds, and he\u2019s going to come after Sam and I.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that, Joe,\u201d Adam said. He exchanged a glance with his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met him, Adam,\u201d Joe said, hotly. \u201cNot you! It wasn\u2019t you he was trying to get information out of! We double-crossed him and he won\u2019t forgive that! He knows where the ranch is, he knows where I am and he knows where Sam is! He\u2019s coming after us, I tell you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat information?\u201d Ben asked, signalling Adam to back off. \u201cWhat did he do to you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wanted to know about the soldiers,\u201d Joe said, his gaze still on Adam. \u201cHe just hit me, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo its more than just a split lip?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cHow much more?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a couple of bruises,\u201d Joe evaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what was making you so stiff this morning?\u201d Ben asked. At the look Joe gave him, he said, \u201cI\u2019m not blind, son,\u201d in a gentler tone.<\/p>\n

Trying to take the heat from Joe, as his brother nodded dejectedly, Adam said, \u201cJoe\u2019s right, Pa. He does know this man better than any of us. If he says Pardoe will come after them, then he probably will. We\u2019re going to have to keep an eye on Joe and Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once more, Joe\u2019s head was down. He hated to be caged, even if it was just nominal caging, like being watched. Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s wrist, and gently stroked. Joe looked at him. \u201cHow can he be alive?\u201d Joe whispered. The thought had been tormenting him all afternoon. \u201cI shot him three times!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben answered, troubled. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The posse was out searching every day, but they found no trace of Pardoe. The man was like an animal, which had holed up to lick his wounds, until he either recovered or died. Adam and Hoss joined the posse a few times, but they had no better luck. There wasn\u2019t a trace of the man.<\/p>\n

The detachment of soldiers didn\u2019t linger, since the bank\u2019s money had been found, and Mr McClure, the banker, was able to carry on as normal, with none of his investors suffering. Ellie, his daughter, was reportedly still furious with Joe and Sam for fighting at her birthday picnic, and had declared that she didn\u2019t want to see either of them again. Sam in particular felt very bad; Ellie had all but invited him to the dance the following night, and now she was mad at him. He had never been to a dance, and was no longer sure he wanted to go, but the Cartwrights were going along, and persuaded Sam to join them. Joe had even given him some dancing lessons, but Sam was pretty sure he\u2019d just sit on the sidelines and watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re pretty quiet, Joe,\u201d Sam commented, as they rode into town. Adam and Hoss were slightly behind them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like being watched,\u201d Joe said, gesturing to his brothers. \u201cI don\u2019t see how Pardoe can still be alive. You saw me shoot him. He must have died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t believe he\u2019s dead until I see his body,\u201d Sam said, darkly. \u201cAnd this time I\u2019ll check to make sure he\u2019s dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe agreed, shrugging to shake off the crawly feeling along his spine. He wondered if it was because someone was watching him, or if it was just because he knew Adam and Hoss were watching him. Either way, he felt uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

They dismounted at the livery stable, and left the horses there, walking to the hotel, where the dance was being held. As they arrived, Adam stopped them. \u201cJoe, Sam, no moonlit walks tonight, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Adam,\u201d Joe began, but Adam cut him off brusquely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it, Joe! I want a promise from you, or we go home right now!\u201d To add weight to his words, Adam put a hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I promise,\u201d Joe capitulated, unwillingly. However, he knew Adam was quite capable of picking him up and carrying him home, if need be, and Hoss was there to back him up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise, too,\u201d Sam said. \u201cI don\u2019t know any of the girls, anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n

That wasn\u2019t quite true, as was demonstrated when they went into the hotel, because the first person they met was Ellie McClure. For a moment, she almost smiled, but then she remembered that Joe and Sam were in her bad books for fighting at the picnic, and she turned away. Ruefully, Joe looked at Sam, and they gave each other a sheepish smile.<\/p>\n

The dancing was soon under way, and Joe took advantage of the crowd to go over to Ellie. She gave him an unfriendly look, but Joe was out to charm her. \u201cEllie, I just wanted to say how sorry I was for causing a scene at the picnic,\u201d he said. \u201cI was jealous of you talking to Sam, and it was wrong of me. Can you forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you apologised to Sam?\u201d she asked, coldly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have, and as a matter of fact, he saved me from Pardoe\u2019s clutches,\u201d Joe returned. \u201cWe\u2019re real good friends now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, he saved you?\u201d Ellie repeated. Smiling, Joe told the story of his abduction, painting Sam in the best light he could. \u201cOh, Joe!\u201d Ellie exclaimed, as he finished. \u201cYou weren\u2019t hurt, were you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a few cuts and bruises,\u201d Joe said, turning his head and pointing to the yellow discolouration on his cheek. He was quite pleased with the way things were going. Ellie McClure was a pretty girl, and Joe was quite fond of her. However, his good feelings were to be short lived, as Ellie soon spied Sam, and went across to talk to him. The next thing Joe knew, she was dancing with Sam.<\/p>\n

Disgruntled, Joe went back to join Hoss by the punch bowl. \u201cYou ain\u2019t on very good form tonight, little brother,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust be that bang on the head Pardoe gave me,\u201d Joe returned, gloomily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat bang on the head?\u201d Hoss asked, and Joe realised that he\u2019d let something else slip out.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I just got knocked out, is all,\u201d Joe said, wishing he\u2019d kept quiet. Hoss would undoubtedly tell Ben, who would then fuss about possible concussion. Joe heaved a deep sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, quit fussin\u2019, little brother,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cI won\u2019t tell Pa, if\u2019n you don\u2019t want me to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere ain\u2019t no point in tellin\u2019 Pa,\u201d Joe said. \u201cHe\u2019d just fuss for nothing. Thanks, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mention it,\u201d Hoss returned. He knew Joe had been fine all week, and he knew what Ben was like when one of his boys got hurt. Fuss, fuss, fuss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Adam?\u201d Joe asked, looking round, and not seeing him.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeepin\u2019 watch on the door, to make sure you don\u2019t sneak out,\u201d replied the middle son, matter-of-factly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave my promise!\u201d Joe protested. \u201cDoesn\u2019t he trust me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot where them gals is concerned,\u201d agreed Hoss.<\/p>\n

Making a face, and grunting under his breath, Joe went off to dance.<\/p>\n

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

Far up in the hills, Pardoe painfully shoved another stick on his small fire. The wound in his chest was sore, and he had lost some blood, but it wasn\u2019t anywhere near the fatal shot Joe had thought it was. Only one bullet had hit him, and it went straight through. When Pardoe came round, and realised that Joe, Sam and his other two men were gone, he dragged himself painfully away. He had remarkable strength of mind, and managed to keep going until he found a sheltered overhang, and settled himself there. There was enough deadfall nearby to make a fire, and he slept all night.<\/p>\n

Come morning, Pardoe had taken stock of his situation. He had managed to take a saddlebag with food and a canteen, and he knew that this would see him through several days. So he nursed his strength, and used his hate to make him well again. \u201cI\u2019ll get you for this, Joe Cartwright,\u201d he muttered to himself frequently. \u201cAnd you, Sam Kirby!\u201d<\/p>\n

By Thursday, he was well on the road to recovery, and was thinking of doing some stealing to bolster his dwindling supplies. He was still weaker than he expected, so contented himself with setting some traps, and by morning, he had a couple of rabbits to cook. He guessed that by the start of the next week, he would be almost back to normal. With this in mind, he began to make his plans.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat do you mean, I\u2019m not allowed to go into town?\u201d Joe said, loudly. He was glaring at his father, his temper on a hair trigger. \u201cWhy not? I went to the dance on Thursday, and nothing happened! I\u2019m not going to be caged on the ranch!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t take that tone with me, young man!\u201d Ben said, sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on, Joe,\u201d Adam said, reasonably, \u201cyou\u2019re hardly caged here.\u201d It was just a pity that the voice of reason wasn\u2019t the one Joe wanted to heed right then. \u201cAnyway, its only one Saturday night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, just one, then next week it\u2019ll be another and then another. How long will this go on? Pardoe hasn\u2019t shown up at all. Will I still be being followed around when I\u2019m old and grey?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you\u2019re just being ridiculous,\u201d Adam scoffed. \u201cJoe, this is for your safety. Will one week hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd will you still be using the same argument next week, too?\u201d Joe flared. \u201cI want to go into town and forget about my troubles for a while. Is that too much to ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam launched into another soothing explanation, but Ben stood there. Joe was right, he knew. But he was terrified to let his youngest son go into town, where his escorts could succumb to the temptations of drink, and anything could happen. Then there was the ride there and back, and in the dark. Interrupting Adam, Ben said, \u201cJoe, please, just this week. Next week, regardless, you may go to town. But for me, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down, Joe knew that he was out-manoeuvred. He couldn\u2019t turn down his father when he asked like that. It would\u2019ve been childish, and rude. But it was difficult to back down. Still\u2026 He took a deep breath and raised his head. \u201cAll right, Pa. Just for this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben breathed. He could see the pent-up disappointment and anger, but he ignored them. The boy was entitled to his feelings. Just as long as he was safe.<\/p>\n

Finding a counterfeit smile for Ben, Joe went out to put his horse away. Just for a moment, the urge to jump on and ride away was very strong. Then the door opened and Adam came out. \u201cYou did the right thing there, Joe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Joe said, bitterly. \u201cHave a good time in town.\u201d He walked towards the barn, his head down, a sure sign he was upset.<\/p>\n

Hesitating, Adam wondered if he ought to stay home and keep Joe company, but he figured that he might not be flavour of the moment, and so mounted Sport and rode away. From the shadows of the barn, Joe watched him leave.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHoss, you get the supplies in, and Adam, ride out to the timber camp and check on the progress of the logging. Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe interrupted rudely, \u201cyou have some barn chores, and wood chopping for me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a collective catch of breath round the breakfast table. Joe flushed deeply, but he didn\u2019t apologise. He hadn\u2019t been out of the yard in the last five days, and he was beginning to go stir crazy. He had never known the Ponderosa had so many broken bridles or dirty saddles. He didn\u2019t know why Hop Sing suddenly needed so much wood for the stove, or why the porch steps had needed every nail and board checked, when it had been done a few short months before.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t going to say that,\u201d Ben said, coldly. \u201cBut if you don\u2019t mind your manners, young man, you can do just that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe said, grudgingly. He could still feel the flush staining his neck and face, and he wished his brothers would look elsewhere. He glared at them. Hoss took the hint, and applied himself to his plate again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I want you to finish schooling that new driving team. I\u2019d like to be able to use them soon. Can you handle that?\u201d Ben glared at his youngest son, aware that Joe had had far more than his share of barn chores in the last few days, but still angry at the show of bad manners.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d he said, sulkily.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s get going,\u201d Ben said. He watched as his sons rose from the table and went out. Joe still looked angry, but Ben was sure he\u2019d work it out. He shook his head. The tension was getting to all of them. He hoped someone would find Pardoe\u2019s body soon.<\/p>\n

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

From his vantage point above the ranch, Pardoe saw Joe walking down to the corral. Sam was out with a bunch of hands checking on the herd. Joe was by far the easiest one to get to, although Pardoe wanted to pay Sam back. Lifting the rifle he had taken from the traveller he\u2019d killed, Pardoe made his way slowly down, until he was hidden in brush quite close to the corral. He had no intention of killing Joe just yet. He wanted to do that slowly, and so Joe could see his face. The thought gave him a lot of pleasure. Now, he settled down to watch, knowing that he only had to slink back into the undergrowth to become invisible to pursuers.<\/p>\n

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

Hitching the team to the buckboard, Joe spent some time soothing the nervous horses. They had been worked together before, and were well matched in size and strength. However, they hadn\u2019t had on the blinkered bridles before, and were uneasy. Finally, Joe was content that the horses were settled, and he climbed onto the seat. Lifting the reins, he snapped them and said, \u201cWalk on.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a couple of false starts, the horses got used to throwing their weight into the collars on their necks, and pulling together. Joe drove them round and round the corral, sometimes at walk, sometimes at trot. The horses quickly learned to move together, and Joe soon had them backing up, as well. Pleased with his work, he got the hands with him to bring some hay bales and load the buckboard. The horses might as well learn what weight felt like.<\/p>\n

It was almost like the first time again, but the horses quickly got used to it, so Joe decided to take them out of the corral. This was the acid test \u2013 how would they react without corral railings? Flicking the reins, Joe steered the horses out of the corral, and urged them into trot. He could feel a grin on his face. The work he had done that day had been satisfying and productive, and he felt better.<\/p>\n

Seconds later, something sang past his ear, and Joe realised that it was a bullet, as the sound of the shot echoed back at him. The horses threw up their heads, and Joe tightened the reins, speaking soothingly, even as he looked to find the marksman. Another shot fired, and another, and one pinged off the ground almost under the offside horse\u2019s foot. With a startled snort, it threw up its head and broke into a canter. Its unwilling partner became infected with its panic, and Joe suddenly found himself in charge of a runaway team.<\/p>\n

The road that ran past the corral was narrow. Joe tried desperately to steer the team down the road, but the horses had the bits between their teeth, and he was a helpless passenger. Another shot rang out, turning the horses again. The turn was too fast, and the buckboard tilted alarmingly. Joe clung on. With a crunch, the buckboard struck the corral rails and a wheel was ripped off. Joe was catapulted out of the seat, and into the rails. With a crash, the buckboard tipped up, hung for a second in the air, before falling away from Joe\u2019s crumpled form. The horses were dragged to a sudden halt, panting and lathered.<\/p>\n

From all around, the hands converged on Joe. Up on the hill, Pardoe slipped away, delighted with the results of his shooting.<\/p>\n

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

Riding into the yard, Adam looked with surprise at the supplies still loaded onto the wagon, and at the buggy hitched to the railing. He was pretty sure that they buggy belonged to Doctor Paul Martin, but he wasn\u2019t unduly alarmed, as Paul was a friend of the family. Hitching Sport, Adam went inside to solve the mystery.<\/p>\n

His attitude changed at once, as Hoss lifted his head from his hands, and gave Adam a look of pure misery. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam asked, crossing to his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone shot at Joe down at the corral, and the team bolted. There was an accident, Adam, and Joe\u2019s hurt right bad.\u201d Hoss dropped his head again, and ran his hands through his thinning hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow bad?\u201d Adam cried, the cold hand of fear gripping his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t sure,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cThe doc\u2019s with him right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning away, Adam leaned on the fireplace, trying to calm the anger and fear battling in his heart. He knew Pardoe had to be at the back of it. There couldn\u2019t be any other explanation. \u201cWhen did this happen?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouple o\u2019 hours ago,\u201d Hoss returned. He looked up, as footsteps sounded on the stairs. Ben came down, looking tired and drawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d he said, in greeting. \u201cI thought I heard your horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d Adam asked. He put a hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder. Hoss was standing, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been lucky,\u201d Ben replied, sitting down heavily. The boys sat down too, Adam on the fireplace and Hoss on the table. \u201cHe\u2019s got a nasty head injury, and has broken his right collarbone, and arm, plus three ribs on his right side, and his left ankle. His right side seems to be where he took the worst of the impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s lucky?\u201d Adam said, harshly. He was on his feet and pacing without knowing how he\u2019d go there.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied, steadily. He was keeping a tight rein on his emotions, because he knew that if he let out his anger and grief, he\u2019d break down and cry, and wouldn\u2019t be able to stop. \u201cPaul say he broke his ankle on the front of the buckboard. If his foot had caught, he would\u2019ve died. Yes, he\u2019s badly injured, but he\u2019ll live. That\u2019s the important thing. He\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Adam said. He pinched the bridge of his nose. \u201cIs he awake?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe\u2019s badly concussed. He got a bad blow on the head. But he knew who he was, and where he was.\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked up as Paul came down. \u201cI\u2019ve given him some morphine for the pain, Ben,\u201d he said. \u201cThat should see him through the night. By morning, he\u2019ll be a bit more comfortable, with the breaks all set, and in place. After that, I\u2019d like to keep him off painkillers whenever possible. I don\u2019t like to give drugs on top of a concussion like that, but he needed something. Keep an eye on him, and send for me if you\u2019re worried. He\u2019s a little hot right now, but that\u2019s just shock. It should settle as the night goes on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

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

Watching as Joe murmured something in his drugged sleep, Adam felt his anger growing again. It had come and gone all evening, and he had hardly been able to sleep. At his insistence, Ben had woken him to sit with Joe about 2 am. Ben looked shattered, as well he might. He had broken the news to Sam that Pardoe appeared to be on the loose again, and left strict instructions that Sam was not to go out of the yard until further notice. Sam had been white-faced at the news.<\/p>\n

Rising, Adam paced back and forth impatiently for a few minutes before settling himself by Joe\u2019s side again. Joe was swathed in bandages and plaster. There was a bandage round his head, a cast on his arm and ankle, and more bandages round his shoulder and ribs. Adam knew it would a long time before Joe was able to get out of the bed. His broken collarbone would prevent him wearing a sling to support the weight of the cast, and he couldn\u2019t be able to support his weight on a crutch. Adam could envisage weeks of misery for all the household, trying to keep Joe still long enough to allow him to heal.<\/p>\n

As dawn broke, Joe roused. Adam had realised that he was waking, and went to get Ben. He found his father already up and almost dressed. He was by Joe\u2019s side before Joe\u2019s eyes were open.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered, as he focused on his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi yourself,\u201d Ben replied, finding a smile. \u201cHow do you feel this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThirsty,\u201d Joe answered, and tried to move. He couldn\u2019t bite back a groan. He looked down at himself, as though he had forgotten how badly injured he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cSore, too, huh, buddy?\u201d Adam said, sympathetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019m gonna learn to fly,\u201d Joe joked, weakly. He winced again as a shudder ran down his back, as the memory of the accident popped into his mind for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you could eat anything, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, as he helped his son to drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe answered, laying his head down with relief. He gingerly lifted his left hand to scratch at the bandage. \u201cThis itches,\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s a good sign,\u201d Adam said, sarcastically. Ben grinned at him, as relieved as Adam that Joe was complaining already.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about breakfast?\u201d Ben asked again, and was in time to see Joe turning green.<\/p>\n

\u201cGonna be sick,\u201d Joe warned. His head was suddenly pounding, and sweat beaded on his forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cForget breakfast,\u201d Adam commented, as he left the room.<\/p>\n

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

Slowly, Joe made progress. After a few days, his persistent headache disappeared, and he found sitting up was less of a chore. He was still confined to bed, and would be for some weeks to come. One of his most constant companions was Sam, who, like Joe, was at risk from Pardoe\u2019s vengeance. Unlike the family, though, Sam didn\u2019t hesitate to pass the gossip on to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother man was robbed on the road yesterday,\u201d he said to Joe. \u201cThis one escaped alive, and from his description, it was Pardoe who held him up. He isn\u2019t going away, Joe, and they can\u2019t find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resting his head on the pillows propping him up, Joe sighed deeply, then winced as his broken ribs protested. \u201cThat makes three people he\u2019s robbed and killed, or tried to. Where is he hiding out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was him who tired to kill you, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Sam said, thinking out loud. \u201cHe\u2019ll be coming for me next, and this time, he won\u2019t miss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t dispute anything that Sam said. Sam knew the man; knew that he was a sadistic bully. Joe had only had a taste of Pardoe\u2019s temper, that day he had been Pardoe\u2019s captive, but he fully understood why Sam was worried. There didn\u2019t seem to be anything he could say to re-assure Sam either. After all, he had been attacked on the ranch. Surreptitiously, Joe moved his left hand down to touch the gun secreted under the covers. He knew how vulnerable he was to further attack, and had persuaded Hoss to bring his gun up to him. He knew Ben wouldn\u2019t approve, so he\u2019d said nothing to either Ben or Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019you think he\u2019s watching us?\u201d Sam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe admitted, reluctantly. He wished Sam would stop talking about it, but conversely, he was afraid that if they didn\u2019t talk about it, fear would eat away at his nerves.<\/p>\n

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

Both Joe and Sam were right. Pardoe was indeed watching the ranch. He knew the day-to-day routine off by heart.\u00a0 He recognised all the family by sight, and he was biding his time. From questioning the men he had robbed and killed, he knew that Joe Cartwright had survived the buckboard accident. He knew how badly injured he was, and Pardoe altered his plans. He no longer intended to catch Joe outside; he didn\u2019t have time to wait. The posse would find him eventually. He would go into the ranch house itself to kill him. From his observations, he knew that Sam spent a lot of time in the big house, and so he laid his plans.<\/p>\n

The dry weather gave him his idea. He knew the horror with which timber barons like Ben held forest fires, and so he decided to set a fire. It would draw all the hands, and the family, too, and he would have free access to the house and the two young men.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t wait any longer. It had been over a week since he caused the buckboard to crash, and he guessed that Joe would be over his concussion, so consequently aware of the horrors he was about to face. Early the next morning, he set the fire, and made his way to his vantage point.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, it wasn\u2019t long before the shout \u201cFIRE!\u201d went up, and the ranch hands and the family dashed out to waiting horses. There was a brief discussion between Ben and his sons, but they all rode away together. Pardoe allowed a smile to twist his thin-lipped mouth as he made his way down to the yard.<\/p>\n

Quietly, he let himself into the house. Thanks to what Sam had previously told him, he knew the rough layout of the building. He stood just inside the door, listening to the reassuring sound of silence. On cat-like feet, he walked across the room, and tiptoed upstairs.<\/p>\n

There were a number of doors. Most of them were shut, but some stood ajar. Pardoe eased his way along the hall, checking out each room. Then a voice spoke. \u201cYou want something to drink, Joe?\u201d Pardoe recognised Sam\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thanks, Sam,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cStop trying to distract me. You\u2019re losing, and that\u2019s all there is to it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re both gonna lose,\u201d Pardoe said, stepping into the room, and covering the young men sitting playing chequers on the bed.<\/p>\n

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

Dirty and coughing, Ben wiped the sweat from his brow, and looked at the men round about him. \u201cThanks, men,\u201d he said. It wasn\u2019t much, but his heart-felt tone was more than enough for the men. They muttered various things, shrugging off the praise, but pleased, nevertheless.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get home,\u201d Adam said. \u201cI\u2019ve got an uneasy feeling about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d ya mean?\u201d Hoss asked. He slipped his vest back on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d admitted his older brother. \u201cBut it seems odd that a fire should start way out here, miles from the nearest track, and in plain sight of the house. There didn\u2019t seem to be a camp fire to blame, it wasn\u2019t big, it didn\u2019t take long to put out, and with what\u2019s been happening recently, I\u2019m just nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Joe\u2019s in danger?\u201d Ben asked, mounting Buck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam said, honestly. \u201cBut I\u2019d rather be back home where I can check on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Ben agreed, and they rode off towards home. Adam\u2019s bad feeling had infected all of them now, and they raced back along the narrow trail with reckless abandon.<\/p>\n

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

Moving slowly, Joe tried to get his hand under the cover to grasp his gun. He moved his leg slightly, thinking he might push the gun nearer to his fingers, but he forgot about his cast, and his foot slid off the pillow it was cushioned on, causing Joe to grunt in pain.\u00a0 The chequers board toppled to the floor, and the outline of the gun was plain under the flattened blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou take that gun outa there, and drop it real slow to the floor,\u201d Pardoe ordered. He watched, as Joe, his loathing evident on his face, did as he was told.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Sam, how\u2019s the boy?\u201d he asked, and Sam shuddered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Joe asked, coldly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to kill you both,\u201d Pardoe said. \u201cI owe you, both of you. Sam, no one double-crosses me and lives to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSam did the right thing,\u201d Joe defended his friend. \u201cThe bank got its money back, and none of the innocent people you robbed suffered for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSave your moralising for someone who\u2019s interested,\u201d Pardoe sneered. \u201cYou cost me a lot of money, Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re going to take it out of my hide?\u201d Joe asked. He had stood up to this man before, and he didn\u2019t intend to back away from him this time, either. But this time, he was much more vulnerable, and he knew it. Unfortunately, Pardoe knew it too. \u201cWas it you who caused the accident?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you got that many enemies, son?\u201d Pardoe laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t, but its always nice to have things confirmed,\u201d Joe shot back. \u201cBut you didn\u2019t manage to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to kill you,\u201d Pardoe said. \u201cIt was more of a crash than I expected, but I wasn\u2019t sorry. It was just the start, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jumping to his feet, Sam threw himself at the outlaw. \u201cLeave him alone!\u201d he cried. All this, he felt, was his fault. He wanted desperately to protect Joe.<\/p>\n

Without missing a beat, Pardoe moved the gun and shot Sam at point blank range. The shot rang loudly in the room, and Joe could smell the cordite on the air. His eyes were glued to his friend. He knew there was no way Sam would long survive an injury like that. \u201cSam?\u201d he breathed. \u201cSam?\u201d<\/p>\n

For an instant, Sam\u2019s eyes met Joe\u2019s. The young man clutched his stomach, and blood poured through his fingers. \u201cSorry,\u201d he gasped, and his eyes glazed, and he went limp. His fingers fell to the ground and the blood continued to pour from the hole in his stomach. After a few moments, it slowed, then stopped. Sam was dead.<\/p>\n

Tearing his gaze away from Sam, Joe swallowed desperately to stop himself regurgitating the contents of his stomach. He had seen death before, but never like this. His room had always been a haven of security for Joe, and now it had been violated. He was shaking violently, and couldn\u2019t stop. His hands were slick with sweat, and he dimly recognised the symptoms of shock. His head dropped back on the pillows, as he fought for breath.<\/p>\n

After a couple of minutes, Joe had recovered slightly. Pardoe had enjoyed the whole performance immensely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was a bit sorry that Sam had died so quickly, instead of after the mental torture he had envisioned, but it didn\u2019t really matter. He had wanted Sam dead, and he was. He had been somewhat surprised at Joe\u2019s reaction, but he had found it interesting. And he still had Joe to torture.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou pig!\u201d Joe spat, as he gained control of himself again.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, boy!\u201d Pardoe said, and backhanded Joe across the mouth.<\/p>\n

Raising his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth, Joe glared at Pardoe. The moment seemed familiar to Joe somehow, and then he remembered; it had been at a moment like this that Sam had intervened that morning when Joe thought he\u2019d killed Pardoe, and Sam saved Joe\u2019s life. Joe realised that he had a fair idea of what he was facing now. He swallowed convulsively.<\/p>\n

\u201cBroken foot, huh?\u201d Pardoe asked, pushing aside the covers to examine the heavy cast on Joe\u2019s foot and ankle. \u201cAnd your arm, and ribs, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keeping his eyes on the outlaw, Joe said nothing. Pardoe laughed, and clapped a heavy hand onto Joe\u2019s injured shoulder. He couldn\u2019t prevent a cry escaping. \u201cOh, sorry, boy,\u201d Pardoe said, in a mocking tone. \u201cDoes that bit hurt, too? Broke something there as well?\u201d His grip tightened, and Joe was squirming with the pain, reaching across with his left hand to try and break the outlaw\u2019s hold. \u201cAh-ah!\u201d Pardoe chided, and rapped the base of Joe\u2019s thumb with the barrel of his gun. As he had known it would, it broke Joe\u2019s grip. Joe\u2019s hand dropped back to the covers. Blood spilled from the gash on his hand.<\/p>\n

Laughing, Pardoe\u2019s hand moved down to Joe\u2019s ribs, and he pushed brutally on Joe\u2019s side, feeling the partially mended bones move under his hands. Joe cried out, and swung his heavy cast against the outlaw.\u00a0 Pardoe was caught unaware, and fell onto the floor.<\/p>\n

Immediately, heedless of his injuries, Joe lunged from the other side of the bed to the floor, scrabbling after his gun. Pardoe was on his feet in a moment, and racing round the bed after Joe, who couldn\u2019t quite reach his gun. Pardoe kicked it, and it spun across the room. \u201cYou\u2019ll pay for that, boy!\u201d Pardoe swore.<\/p>\n

He froze, as the sound of hooves reached them through the open window. \u201cHELP!\u201d Joe yelled, as loudly as he could, and began to drag himself across the floor towards the door. Pardoe went after him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDid you hear that?\u201d Adam gasped, pulling Sport to a halt. He didn\u2019t wait for an answer, but ran across to the house, and threw the door open. Behind him, Ben and Hoss jumped down from their horses and followed him. They had all instinctively drawn their guns.<\/p>\n

From upstairs, they could hear yelling, and although the words themselves were lost, the voice was clearly Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took the stairs two at a time, Ben and Hoss at his heels.<\/p>\n

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

Kicking out at Joe, Pardoe caught the youth on his hip, as Joe desperately twisted to try and save his injuries another battering. It didn\u2019t work, as the shock from the kick reverberated up his body. Joe kept moving, desperate to reach the door. He knew he wasn\u2019t going to make it, but he had to keep trying.<\/p>\n

Reaching for him, Pardoe caught hold of Joe\u2019s hair, and hauled. Joe let out a screech, and swung his plastered arm again, to no avail. Pardoe had him in his grasp, and it was at that very moment that the bedroom door opened, and Adam raced in.<\/p>\n

He barely had time to register what was going on, as Pardoe swung his gun round and fired. Adam was already falling to the floor, but he didn\u2019t dare shoot back, for Pardoe had Joe hugged hard against his body, using the injured young man as a shield.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out, Adam!\u201d Joe yelled. Sweat was running into his eyes, and pain was consuming his body. He could barely move, but he threw his weight forward, trying to knock Pardoe off balance, so that he couldn\u2019t shoot Joe\u2019s beloved brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you, boy!\u201d Pardoe swore, as his next shot went wide.<\/p>\n

Pleased with his success, Joe tried the same manoeuvre again, but Pardoe was ready for him this time. However, the outlaw\u2019s attention had wavered, and Adam dived across the room to tackle Pardoe around the legs, just as Hoss shoved Ben aside and lunged at Pardoe.<\/p>\n

Distracted, unsure who to shoot at first, Pardoe hesitated for that crucial second, and the next moment, two Cartwrights hit him. His grip on Joe loosened, and Joe tumbled to the floor, where he lay gasping, and trying to avoid being stepped on by his brothers. Hoss wrestled Pardoe for control of the gun, and although it discharged once more, the bullet went harmlessly into the ceiling. Then it was over, and Pardoe was on the floor, out cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben was kneeling beside him. Joe looked at him sideways, trying not to groan, and failing. He hurt all over.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Sam…\u201d Tears broke free and rolled down Joe\u2019s face without him being aware of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him back to bed, boys,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in here, Pa,\u201d Adam said, panting. He gestured slightly to the body on the floor. Ben had been so intent on reaching Joe that he hadn\u2019t seen Sam\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, well, next door then.\u201d He stood back, and let Adam and Hoss gently pick Joe up. Despite their care, he groaned, and bit his lip. He was soon settled between the cold sheets in the next door room. Hoss went to get some wood to make up a fire, for Joe was shivering. It was mostly reaction \u2013 delayed shock. But the room was cool, compared to Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll send someone for the sheriff,\u201d Adam said, going out.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell him to leave the doctor behind,\u201d Joe commented.<\/p>\n

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Ben did what he could to make Joe comfortable. He didn\u2019t speak, letting his movements speak for themselves. But as Joe shivering grew worse, he drew the young man into a tight embrace, murmuring wordless sounds of comfort, and stroking Joe\u2019s hair. After a few minutes, the shivering subsided, and Joe drew a deep breath. \u201cFeel better?\u201d Ben asked, laying Joe down carefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cA bit,\u201d Joe said. \u201cHe shot Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry, Joe,\u201d Ben said, and he took the boy\u2019s hand, frowning as he felt the sticky blood there.<\/p>\n

He had no idea how long he just sat there, holding Joe\u2019s hand, neither of them talking. Joe fell into a light doze, which Ben thought was a good thing. From the next door room, he could hear sounds of someone cleaning up. He thought sadly of Sam, who had finally found peace, and had it ripped from him so brutally.<\/p>\n

His musings were broken by the arrival of Paul Martin and Roy Coffee. Joe opened his eyes. He didn\u2019t look surprised to see Paul, who immediately began to examine Joe. Ben rose, and joined Roy in the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot Pardoe on his way to jail,\u201d Roy said, gruffly. \u201cI\u2019m real sorry about the boy, Ben. It\u2019s real hard. Has Joe said anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not yet. Just that Pardoe shot Sam. I didn\u2019t want to push him until Paul had checked him over. Pardoe seems to have been free with his fists.\u201d Ben\u2019s hands clenched as he thought of what his son had suffered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is gonna be all right, isn\u2019t he?\u201d Roy asked. He had known Joe a long time, and was fond of the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Ben said. He shook his head. \u201cI never asked Adam and Hoss if they were all right,\u201d he said, suddenly remembering his seeming callous disregard for his older sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re fine, and I\u2019m sure they didn\u2019t need to be asked,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

The door to Joe\u2019s room opened and Paul came out. \u201cBen, Joe\u2019s not too bad hurt. His ribs are sore again, as is his collarbone, but nothing has had to be reset. Everything is sore, and he\u2019s going to have bruises on his bruises, but he was lucky. He was quite shocked, but you did the right things; kept him warm and didn\u2019t make him talk. I think he might be up to answering a few questions, Roy, but go easy. He\u2019s had a very traumatic afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

They went back in. Joe was settled lying flat on the bed, and seemed to be more comfortable than before. Ben noticed that his bandages had all been redone, and the gash on his thumb had been bandaged. \u201cJoe, can you tell me what happened?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

Unconsciously, Joe reached for Ben\u2019s hand and held it tight. His eyes slid to the door, and Ben turned his head enough to see his older sons entering. \u201cWe were playing chequers after you left for the fire,\u201d Joe began. \u201cSam was loosing, and trying to distract me. The door opened, and Pardoe was there. He said he was going to kill us. I tried to get my gun, but I knocked the board to the floor, and he saw the gun under the blankets. He made me throw it on the floor.\u201d Looking back, reliving the horror, Joe\u2019s eyes were misted with tears. \u201cI told him Sam had done the right thing, and he laughed at me. Then Sam suddenly jumped at him, and Pardoe shot him. He died right there, in front of me.\u201d The tears broke free, and Ben squeezed Joe\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts all right, son,\u201d he said. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d Joe declared. \u201cFor Sam. He was trying to save me again. Pardoe looked a bit surprised. I \u2013 I was shaking, and couldn\u2019t stop.\u201d He looked at Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cShock,\u201d Paul said, briskly. \u201cQuite normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen Pardoe grabbed my shoulder, and was talking about my injuries. He fired those shots that caused the team to bolt.\u201d Joe wiped the tears away impatiently. \u201cHe was hurting me, and I hit him with my cast, and dived to the floor to try and get the gun, but he was too quick for me.\u201d The words were pouring from Joe now, and nobody tried to stop him, although Paul looked a little concerned. \u201cI heard you ride in and shouted for help. He was angry, and I knew he was going to kill me, so I tried to get away. He caught me by the hair, and pulled me against him. Then you came, Adam, and I thought he\u2019d shot you, too! So I threw myself off balance, so he wouldn\u2019t have the chance to do it again.\u201d Joe swallowed. \u201cThen you attacked him and it was all over.\u201d Exhausted, Joe shut his eyes, closing out his audience.<\/p>\n

Moved by the graphic account, and appalled that his son should have had to suffer like that, Ben stroked Joe\u2019s hair soothingly, as hot tears seeped through Joe\u2019s lashes. There were murmuring voices all around, and Joe wished they would leave him alone so he could sleep \u2013 and mourn. Then a needle pricked his flesh, and soon he felt the warm tendrils of sleep curling through his brain. He didn\u2019t fight them.<\/p>\n

Out in the hall once more, Roy said, \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ll need Joe\u2019s testimony. Pardoe will hang for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben said nothing, although his spirit called out for a brutal death for the monster who had caused so much suffering. He briefly clasped his other sons to his chest, and they both hugged back, needing the reassurance of physical contact as much as Ben did.<\/p>\n

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

Later, downstairs, Adam said, \u201cWe\u2019ve cleaned up Joe\u2019s room, but I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll ever want to sleep there again. I wouldn\u2019t blame him, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNor me,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cI think we\u2019ll just make the room he\u2019s in his room from now on, unless he doesn\u2019t want that. We can ask him tomorrow, then move his stuff in. Give him his own bed, that sort of thing.\u201d Ben gazed into the fire. He\u2019d spent a lot of the day doing just that. \u201cBoys, I want to thank you for the risks you took to save Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, t\u2019weren\u2019t nothin\u2019,\u201d Hoss protested. \u201cJoe\u2019d do the same thing for us any day of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but still…\u201d Ben didn\u2019t go on. He was emotionally exhausted, as were they all. \u201cLet\u2019s get some sleep,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

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

Next morning, Joe seemed calmer, and Ben casually asked if he would like his belongings moved into the room he was in. Joe\u2019s face blanched, but after a moment, he shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to decide now,\u201d Ben said, sitting down on the bed. \u201cThere\u2019s no rush.\u201d He watched as Joe\u2019s gaze turned inwards. \u201cWhat\u2019s troubling you, son?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking about Sam,\u201d Joe replied, focusing on Ben once more. \u201cWe really didn\u2019t know much about him, did we? Like how he got those scars on his back. I wish he\u2019d told us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Belatedly, Ben remembered that Joe had been missing the evening when Sam\u2019s past came to light. \u201cWe did know, as it happens. When Pardoe was holding you, Sam told us. Roy had wired Ed Lemp, and he had sent details of Sam\u2019s prison record.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he do?\u201d Joe asked, his eyes glued on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe murdered his stepfather.\u201d Quickly, Ben outlined the story Sam had told them. Joe\u2019s face grew thoughtful. He understood, now, why Sam had been so worried by the thought of going prison. At the time, Joe had assumed that it was just a natural aversion, but this explained the depths of Sam\u2019s concerns, and why he had been so uncomfortable round Roy Coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor Sam,\u201d Joe commented, when Ben was finished. \u201cHe never said a word of that to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it could be that he\u2019d simply forgotten that you weren\u2019t there,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe\u2019d had a bad day, let\u2019s be honest, and he was struggling with his conscience, and he knew that we were worried by your absence, and he knew where you were\u2026 Well, its no wonder he didn\u2019t bring it up again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence fell. Ben could see Joe was miles away. He waited patiently, and after a few moments, Joe spoke again. \u201cThat afternoon, after the picnic. I followed Sam up to that canyon. I should\u2019ve expected something, and been more careful, but the two men \u2013 the ones we brought back \u2013 were on me before I knew. When I saw Sam in the camp, I let him have it. Pardoe hit me on the head, and when I came round, I was tied up. Pardoe was a bully, Pa. He bullied his men, and he bullied me. I stood up to him as best I could, but you know, he was intent on getting the information about the soldiers, and he was prepared to beat it out of me.\u201d Joe moved uncomfortably. \u201cHe kicked me when I was still tied up, but that wasn\u2019t enough fun for him so he had his men hold me. When Sam came, I hoped he would shoot me, like Pardoe wanted. Because I wouldn\u2019t tell him, Pa, and I knew he\u2019d just keep beating me until I wasn\u2019t able to move, or until I died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me this?\u201d Ben asked. He offered Joe some water, which he drank. \u201cI let you go off breaking horses the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t have the chance to hurt me really badly,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cSure I was bruised and sore, but I was okay. Sam came at the right time, and when I realised that he was going to help me, I didn\u2019t care what Pardoe had done to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have told me,\u201d Ben said. He shook his head ruefully. \u201cJoe, the world won\u2019t come to a stop if you admit you\u2019re hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to risk it?\u201d Joe asked, mischievously. \u201cIt might, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

A week passed without Joe making up his mind about changing rooms. He seemed to be recovering well, as he was impatient to get out of bed. Paul Martin said that Adam and Hoss could help him downstairs each day, so he wasn\u2019t as isolated, but on no account was he to walk on that ankle. Joe cheered up immensely with the change of scenery, and he was able to eat in the same room as his family, even if he wasn\u2019t sitting at the table with them.<\/p>\n

Late one night, Adam woke to hear a strange noise. Rising, he slipped on his dressing gown, and lit a lamp. He opened the door and went into the hall. \u201cJoe!\u201d he exclaimed, as the lamplight fell on his youngest brother, leaning awkwardly against the wall. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter? Where are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, Joe groaned. Adam didn\u2019t think it was a groan of pain, but a groan of despair at having been discovered. Without waiting for an answer, Adam put the lamp own and went over to put his arm round Joe\u2019s waist, to help him back to bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cI need to see my room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Adam said, wondering if Joe had lost his mind. \u201cWhat for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to, Adam. Please help me.\u201d Joe looked pleadingly at Adam, who could see in his brother\u2019s eyes just what this expedition was costing him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, kid,\u201d Adam said, and helped his brother the few steps along the hall to the door. Adam opened it, and helped Joe inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bed,\u201d Joe panted, and Adam set him on the bed before going and retrieving the lamp form the hall. Ben\u2019s door was open, and he stood there, a puzzled frown on his face. Adam put his finger to his lips, and beckoned Ben along, so he could hear what was being said.<\/p>\n

As the warm glow from the lamp illuminated Joe\u2019s room, Joe looked round, drinking in each familiar object. He ran his hand over the cover of the bed, and touched his mother\u2019s photo on his nightstand. Adam stood patiently, waiting for Joe to tell him what was going on, although he had a fair idea. Ben lurked in the hall, peering through the crack by the hinges.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a different rug,\u201d Joe said at last, his voice low.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cThe other one was destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought there would be \u2013 I don\u2019t know \u2013 an echo in here. A feeling in the air, that violence had been done here, but there isn\u2019t.\u201d Joe lifted his head, as though feeling the atmosphere. \u201cIt feels just the same as ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it?\u201d Adam said, although he could feel it himself. \u201cYes, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was my haven, Adam,\u201d Joe said. \u201cThe place where I came when I felt the world was against me. Pardoe intruded. No, that\u2019s not the word\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cViolated?\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s it. He violated it. I thought that feeling would still be here. But its not.\u201d Joe looked round again. \u201cIts not. The room feels just the same as it did. I thought it would feel different.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was tricky, Adam thought. \u201cPerhaps its because Sam died to save you,\u201d he suggested, tentatively. \u201cAnd because, although Pardoe did violate your room, you were, ultimately, still safe here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Joe asked, looking at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we came, and stopped Pardoe from killing you. So you were safe here in your room. And remembered comfort often outweighs sorrow or pain.\u201d Adam wondered if he was talking sense, and if Joe believed anything he said. \u201cHouses seem to pick up atmospheres,\u201d Adam went on, encouraged by the look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cAnd this house has a nice atmosphere. It permeates all the rooms. It\u2019s created by love. And there\u2019s been a lot of love in this room over the years, Joe. All those times we\u2019ve spent by your bedside, using love to help you get over your injuries. It marks a place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence. Ben resisted the urge to go into the room. Joe was obviously deep in thought, and he didn\u2019t want to disturb him. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Adam,\u201d Joe agreed, finally. \u201cThe atmosphere is nice in here. Its warm, and comforting.\u201d Joe yawned. \u201cI don\u2019t think I want to change rooms, Adam,\u201d he said. \u201cDo you think Pa will mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking that as his cue, Ben walked into the room. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t mind,\u201d he said, and went to sit by Joe. He thought his sons were right. The atmosphere in the room was the same as it had always been. \u201cThe choice was always yours, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling ruefully, Joe said, \u201cI might have known you\u2019d hear me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you just ask us to bring you here?\u201d Ben wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe said, reluctantly. \u201cI thought you might think I was mad. I didn\u2019t realise how hard it would be to get here alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s get you back to bed,\u201d Ben said, rising, but Joe put his hand on Ben\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t I sleep here?\u201d he asked. \u201cI want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hesitating, Ben searched Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cIf that\u2019s what you want, son,\u201d he said, softly, and Joe smiled at him, vividly.<\/p>\n

It only took the minutes to get Joe settled comfortably. \u201cMy own bed,\u201d he muttered, and snuggled down, a smile splaying over his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cSleep well,\u201d Ben said, picking up the lamp.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, Pa,\u201d Joe murmured, his voice already sleep-laden.<\/p>\n

Pausing, Ben stroked Joe\u2019s hair. Somehow, he sensed that this was a major step in Joe\u2019s recovery; that his son had made peace with the things that had happened to him, and before long, they would have their old Joe back, laughing and teasing and driving them all crazy.<\/p>\n

Walking to the door, Ben smiled at Adam. He couldn\u2019t wait!<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 What would have happened if Pardoe wasn’t really dead?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(10,370 Words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":11514,"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":[23,41,1007,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-joe-cartwright","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1941,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6003,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6003","url_meta":{"origin":3840,"position":0},"title":"Ponderosa Pachyderm (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"May 3, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Rating: K Word Count=4287 Summary:\u00a0A What Happened Next for Old Sheba.","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/OldSheba250.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/OldSheba250.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/OldSheba250.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6756","url_meta":{"origin":3840,"position":1},"title":"The Crazy Lady (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Hoss scare themselves one night, come to Adam's room and tell him the story of the crazy lady. 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