THE HUNT<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Chapter 1<\/p>\n
Adam leaned back against the support for the veranda roof with his head bent forward pinching the bridge of his nose with his right hand. It was starting all over again. His had thought that the argument between Little Joe and himself settled, but obviously it wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
What had started it he could not remember exactly. Probably him correcting Joe about something. Didn\u2019t Joe understand that he just wanted him to be more careful? This latest set to had to do with the breaking of a horse. That last mustang Joe had tried to break could have killed him when it broke through the fence.<\/p>\n
Adam could still hear Joe\u2019s reaction to his suggestion that he should leave that one to more experienced hands. \u201cI\u2019m not a child any more! Stop treating me like a five-year-old!\u201d From the there, the conversation had gone way out of control. Granted Joe was not five, but he was only sixteen. Sometimes that boy was hard to understand.<\/p>\n
Adam jerked his head up when he realized what he had just thought. Did he still think of Joe as a little boy? Maybe he had a point.<\/p>\n
Well, Adam hoped that tomorrow would lighten the mood between them. Pa was going to be sending them up to the north pasture to look for a mountain lion that had been sighted. As of yet only a couple cattle had been killed, but they were going to try to keep that number from going up. At least that they could both agree had to be done. Yawning, Adam hoped that it would work, he hadn\u2019t gotten a good night\u2019s sleep since this argument had started and he was tired.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s hope for a truce that day was short lived. It lasted about five minutes into breakfast. After everyone arrived at the table and started eating, Ben started explaining what needed to be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, Joe told me yesterday that Cochise has thrown a shoe. You\u2019ll need to replace it and check his others. Also, would you check the other horses, some of them have not been checked in a while and they may be getting a little loose.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Hoss said after he swallowed his mouthful of eggs.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle Joe, I\u2019m sorry to pull you from the breaking, but you and Adam need to go up to the north pasture. The men have sighted at least one mountain lion. You two need to get it before we lose any more cattle. Since Cochise has to be re-shoed, take one of the other, but check his shoes first.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t I go after the cat, and Adam stay here and help Hose with the shoeing?\u201d Joe asked, wanting to get out of having to spend the day with Adam. He was still a little mad at him for his comments last night.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know that I am not going to let any of you go after that cat alone. They are too tricky. Besides you and Adam need to sort out what ever it is that has been bothering the both of you. It has gone on long enough.\u201d The tone of Ben\u2019s voice, not to mention the look on his face, told Joe that the discussion was over, but Joe still did not like it. The expression on Joe\u2019s face told Adam that it was going to be a very long day.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
After getting their gear together and saddling their horses, Adam and Joe rode toward the north pasture together in body if not in mind. Adam wondered what to say to help Joe understand that he only wanted to help him not to get hurt. Maybe it would help if he let Joe lead on this hunt for a while. If Joe didn\u2019t pick up the cat\u2019s tracks for a while it would not make much difference, but it might let Joe know that he did know that he was growing up.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, which way do you want to start looking,\u201d Adam asked as they reached the area where the cat had been seen.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe? You goin\u2019 to let me lead?\u201d Joe asked with skepticism in his voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat better way to see if you are as grown up as you would have me believe?\u201d Adam responded with a glint in his eyes.<\/p>\n
“So you really don\u2019t think I can find that cat, do you, Joe thought. I\u2019ll just have to prove it. \u201cWe\u2019ll start where that last calf was found. It\u2019s over there a ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe pointed to their left. A couple minutes later they came to the spot where the dead calf\u2019s remains had been found. Apparently, the cat had been so hungry that it had tried to eat the calf where it had been killed. Charlie, the foreman, had marked the spot where the calf had been found with a stake and a piece of cloth. Thankfully there had not been any new snow since the calf had been found.<\/p>\n
Upon arriving, Adam hung back so that Joe could examine the area with his interference. After only a couple minutes, Joe straightened in his saddle and pointed off toward a stand of trees, \u201cTracks come and return to those trees. He must have a den up in that direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam breathed a sigh of relief that Joe found the tracks so easily. He knew that an offer of help from him would not be well received. Well, so far so good. This might just work out after all. As long as Joe didn\u2019t try to impress him by doing something risky.<\/p>\n
They rode together into the trees following the racks of the cat. The tracks continued for quite a ways into the trees. Some times they would have to ride single file because the trees were so close together. Other creatures rustled in the woods, but they just ignored them. All they wanted was to get that cat, and then to go home.<\/p>\n
At the base of a sheer rock formation in one of the wide spots in the trees, Joe stopped abruptly. Adam realized that the tracks had stopped and he was trying to find them again. Joe dismounted in order to see better, handing the reigns of his horse to Adam. After several minutes of searching, Joe came back to his horse, took the reins, and remounted. \u201cThey\u2019re gone. Let\u2019s split up and see if we can find them again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s reply was definitely not what Joe wanted to hear. \u201cNo way! We stay together like Pa said.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right. We\u2019ll start this way.\u201d Joe was too frustrated to think of this as only Adam\u2019s concern for his safety. His thought Adam simply didn\u2019t trust him to take care of himself. In his anger he urged his horse forward and to the right, cutting in front of Sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWATCH OUT!\u201d Adam\u2019s shout and the cat\u2019s scream were Joe\u2019s only warnings before a large, dark shape hit him from the top of the rocks. Both horses reared in fright at the sight of the big cat.<\/p>\n
Adam had been holding his gun at ready in case this happened, but Sport\u2019s rearing threw his aim off totally. He was able to get a shot off before he was thrown from his saddle. His bullet plowed into the back of the head of Joe\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n
Adam was not sure if he lost consciousness when he hit the ground, all he knew was that when he opened his eyes, the cat was on top of Joe clawing at his back. This time Adam\u2019s aim was perfect and he put a slug into the back of that cat\u2019s head, killing it instantly. As quickly as he could, Adam got to his feet and staggered to where Joe lay. The cat was pitifully thin, so Adam did not have as much trouble as he might normally have had getting it off of Joe. Joe\u2019s jacket was shredded and as was the shirt underneath. His back had some nasty gashed from the cat\u2019s claws. Quickly, Adam removed his own coat to put it on Joe to act as a bandage on his back and keep him warm. He quickly slipped over his left arm, but as he came to his right arm he saw a bullet wound. Adam hadn\u2019t thought that he had fired twice as he fell, but apparently he had. He was the only one there.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, no!\u201d Adam whispered. He used his bandana for a bandage, but he knew it wasn\u2019t going to be enough. Turning to where Joe\u2019s horse lay, Adam quickly jerked the saddle bags off of him. He knew that they all would carry extra, dry clothes with them. It was too dangerous to have wet clothing on this time of year. Finding Joe\u2019s extra shirt, he ripped it into strips. He knew this should be enough to get Joe town and the doctor. Adam had already decided to go straight to town. It was closer and Joe needed the doctor fast. After getting the bandage on, Adam finished getting his coat on Joe. Carefully grasping Joe\u2019s shoulder, Adam turned him onto his back. Adam\u2019s anxiety was compounded when he saw the gash that Joe had received from landing on a rock. The gash on Joe\u2019s forehead was bleeding badly. Hurriedly applying another bandage from the clothes scavenged from the saddle bags, Adam worried about how to get Joe out of there. Sport had run off as soon as he was free of Adam. True, Joe was not a big kid as Hoss had been, but Adam did not think that he could carry him all the way to town.<\/p>\n
After a few minutes of calling, hoping that Sport would hear and return, with no success, Adam figured there was no other way. Carefully squatting next to Joe, Adam pulled Joe\u2019s head up on his right shoulder and hooked his left arm under Joe\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n
Carrying Joe was no easy task, for Adam had the worst headache that he could ever remember having. But he managed to get to the edge of the trees in about two hours, having stopped a couple time to rest. He was immensely relieved to find Sport waiting nervously there. He had been afraid that Sport would run all the way back to the barn.<\/p>\n
Adam knew he should not let Joe\u2019s head hang, so he carefully propped Joe up on the front of the saddle, mounted behind him, and pulled Joe against his chest. Turning toward the road, Adam spurred Sport into an immediate gallop. He hoped it wasn\u2019t already too late. He could see where the blood was already starting to seep through the bandage on Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cHold on, Joe\u2026you have to hold on for me. You have fought before, don\u2019t quit on me now.\u201d Adam whispered in Joe\u2019s ear all the way to town.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Although Adam knew that Sport was going as fast as he could, it still seemed as if they were creeping. Riding Sport full speed up Main Street, Adam came to a screeching halt at Doc Martin\u2019s office. Quickly sliding off his horse, he caught Joe as he fell off. Adam was about to drop from exhaustion, but he knew he had to get Joe inside fast.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoc!\u201d Adam called as he tried to open the front door. Adam could not get his hand to the latch. The door was opened in less than a minute, but to Adam it felt like an hour.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam? What\u2019s wro\u2026..?\u201d Doc Martin did not bother finishing the sentence as Adam brushed passed him and walked toward the back room. \u201cJust lay him on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carefully Adam laid Joe on the table, but he did not leave. He could not seem to make himself walk away. Doc Martin quickly replaced the soaked bandage on Joes head. Looking up Doc noticed that Adam was still standing there. \u201cAdam, you\u2019ll have to\u2026\u201d Seeing that Adam was not paying attention he tried again. \u201cAdam?..ADAM,\u201d finally succeeding he continued, \u201cYou will have to wait in the outer room.\u201d Adam nodded and went out.<\/p>\n
When Adam got to the outer room, he realized that someone would have to go get Pa and Hoss. Peeking through door, Adam told the doctor that he was going to go find someone that could go get his father. Doc Martin\u2019s only response was a grunt.<\/p>\n
As Adam left the doc\u2019s office the only person he could think of to take the message was Roy, so he went to find him. Thankfully, Roy had just returned to his office. Adam quickly outlined what happened and then returned to the doctor\u2019s when Roy said that he send someone out to tell Ben. As Adam sat in the outer office, the only thing that he could think about was that he had shot his own brother.<\/p>\n
Chapter 2<\/p>\n
Ben had been trying to reconcile some accounts all morning, but they simply were not coming out right. He almost wished he could have taken Joe\u2019s suggestion and sent him out alone and kept Adam there to help him. No, that was too dangerous, besides Joe and Adam needed to work out what ever had been bothering them for the last week.<\/p>\n
Hoss walked in just as he finished work through that set of figures for the third time without getting them to line up correctly.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m finished with the shoein\u2019. Cochise got two new\u2019ens and Chub needed one. All the others look fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d Ben muttered distractedly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything else need doing? I done most of my regular chores already, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben stopped for a minute to think. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we grab some food, then head out and give Adam and Joe a hand at finding that cat, then we can all go into town tonight?\u201d They should have been able to work things out by now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds great, Pa.\u201d Hoss liked the sound of that. They hadn\u2019t been to town in almost a month. Maybe that was one thing that was making Joe and Adam irritable.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou go saddle Chubb and Buck and I\u2019ll get Hop Sing to put together something to take out to Joe and Adam.\u201d Ben said as he moved toward the kitchen door. Hop Sing might not be real happy about it, but Ben did think it sound like a good idea.<\/p>\n
Hoss went out to the barn and saddled Buck. He was just turning to go back into the barn to saddle Chubb when Roy Coffee rode into the yard in a hurry.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss! Where is Ben? We got trouble.\u201d Roy asked as he dismounted.<\/p>\n
\u201cInside.\u201d Hoss followed on Roy\u2019s heels, wondering what was going on to get Roy so worried.<\/p>\n
\u201cBEN!\u201d Roy called when he did not see Ben in the great room.<\/p>\n
Ben enter from the kitchen with a confuse expression on his face. \u201cRoy? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe\u2019s hurt bad. Adam brought him into town. Said to tell you \u2018the cat got him\u2019. Guess he meant a big cat. He\u2019s clawed up bad and hit his head when he fell from his horse.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the first sentence, Ben had bolted out the front door. Roy was almost running to keep up with him as they made their way to the front yard. Roy finally had to grab Ben\u2019s arm to stop him.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, I am sorry, but Adam also told me to tell you that he got the cat. Now, go.\u201d Roy released Ben\u2019s arm and stepped back to let his friend mount and ride off.<\/p>\n
Hoss too had bolt at the first sentence, to get Chubb saddled, and now returned to where Roy was standing. In a few sentences Roy filled him in on what he had missed. \u201cDid Adam say how Joe was doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he had just gotten Joe over to the doc\u2019s then he came to find someone to tell you. He looked real worried though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Both men mounted up and followed Ben down the trail to Virginia City.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam was sitting in the outer office with his head in his hands when his father barged in.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam? What happened? Is Joe going to be all right? What exactly is wrong?\u201d Ben was so worried about Joe that he did not take a good look at Adam for a few seconds.<\/p>\n
Adam used the time to compose his face and remove the traces of tears from his cheeks. By the time Ben actually looked at him, his face showed no signs of the turmoil that he had been experiencing. The only thing that Ben noticed was that he was very pale, but he put that down to the stress he had to be under, though he did not know the half of it yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cat jumped down on Joe from some of the rocks in the north woods. We had just lost his tracks so the best I can figure he climbed one of the trees and jumped from the tree to the rocks. Joe had been doing a great job of tracking until then,\u201d Adam explained, a trace of forlorn pride in his voice for his brothers abilities. Adam looked away from Ben as he continued, \u201cBoth of our horses went crazy when the cat jumped at Joe. He hit his head on a rock when he fell. I tried to get the cat, but when Sport reared, all I managed to hit was Joe\u2019s horse, and\u2026.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice trailed off as he remembered where his second shot had ended up.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d Ben urged Adam to continue, wanting to know exactly what had happened.<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s eyes were filled with pain when he looked back to his father. \u201cI hit Joe in the arm, Pa,\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n
Ben could barely hear Adam, but understood that Adam was blaming himself for all of his brother\u2019s injuries. First for not having figured out where the cat was before it attacked, then with a stray bullet. Ben started to try and reassure Adam, when the doctor entered from the back room.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen,\u201d Doc Martin greeted Ben as an old friend. \u201cGlad you got here so fast.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPaul, how is he?\u201d Ben asked anxiously.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s stable, but he is still unconscious. He\u2019s got a slight concussion, but it should be minor. I\u2019ve stitched gash on his forehead and the deeper ones on his back. He is weak from blood loss, but time is the only cure for that. He has no life threatening injuries, though the blood loss could have been if Adam had not gotten him here when he did. The only thing that has me worried is that bullet wound in his arm. I have gotten the bullet out, but it chipped the bone. If it caused any nerve damage, he may lose the ability to use the arm. You can come back and see him in a few minutes, but not quite yet. I\u2019ll come and get you.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the doctor spoke of the damage that his bullet might have done, Adam dropped his head back into his hands. Paul knew that Adam was not usually a demonstrative person, but did not realize the significance of this particular act on Adam\u2019s part. Ben, however, did and he knew the reason behind it. As Ben started to reassure Adam, he was interrupted again. This time it was Hoss rushing in from the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa! How\u2019s Joe?\u201d Hoss was obviously worried and did not notice Adam sitting dejectedly in a chair by the wall. \u201cIs he going to be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still unconscious, but Paul said that he\u2019s stable. He has a slight concussion, a lot of cuts and scratches, and\u2026\u201d Ben\u2019s voice trailed off just as Adam\u2019s had earlier. He cast a glance at his eldest son, not knowing if he should be the one to tell Hoss what else had happened.<\/p>\n
Adam settled the problem by speaking up, \u201cA stray bullet may have caused permanent damage to Joe\u2019s right arm.\u201d Adam quickly got to his feet and walked over to the door. \u201cI\u2019m going over to the hotel and get us a couple of rooms. I doubt that Joe will be able to go home tonight.\u201d He then left the office before Ben and Hoss had a chance to say anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cBullet?\u201d Hoss asked in amazement. \u201cBut\u2026Adam never misses. I don\u2019t think he has missed a shot since he was Joe\u2019s age!\u201d Hoss couldn\u2019t believe that Adam could have missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSport was rearing. It\u2019s amazing that he managed to get a shot off at all,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss murmured, more worried than before, now for both brothers.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam was almost to the hotel when he became very dizzy. Adam stopped and grabbed the hitching post out front to help regain his balance. Breathing slowly, Adam\u2019s balance returned and he made his way is side. He reserved two rooms, figuring that one of them would be with Joe the entire night. Since nothing else bothered him, he shrugged off the inconvenience to himself. He was just tired and worried. He would be fine as soon as he knew that Joe was going to be all right. Adam headed back to the doctor\u2019s as soon as he had reserved the rooms.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
After Adam returned, they each allowed to go back and sit with Joe for a few minutes.<\/p>\n
Ben went first. His first sight of Joe was far from encouraging. Joe was almost as pale as the sheets on which he lay and his head was swathed in bandages. His breathing though was regular and unlabored. That was a good sign.<\/p>\n
According to Paul, Adam had done a good job of getting Joe to the doctor\u2019s quickly. He had said that Adam had used his own coat to keep Joe warm and act as a bandage on his back on the way in. Doing this had probably save Joe\u2019s life for it had warned of shock to a certain extent, but Adam did not seem to realize that. All he could think of was the bullet that had been in his arm.<\/p>\n
Ben didn\u2019t try to talk to Joe, he simply sat there and rubbed his hand and arm as he thought.<\/p>\n
He knew he had to talk to Adam, but did not know how to go about it.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
When Ben\u2019s time was up Adam took his place, while his father and Hoss waited in the outer office.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam whispered. There was no response.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, I\u2019m so sorry. I \u2026\u201d Adam could not continue as his voice cracked. Suddenly dizzy again, Adam rested his forehead on the side of the bed as tears ran down his cheeks. After a few minutes, the dizziness and nausea faded. Adam knew if it kept up he was going to have to ask the doc about it, but right now he knew his time was up and it was Hoss\u2019s turn. Adam wiped his face and composed himself and went out to get Hoss.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Hoss entered the room tentatively. He and his father had not spoken while they waited in the outer office. Each had been lost in his own thoughts. Hoss had been remembering some of the good times that he had spent with both his brothers. Specifically he was remembering the many races they had enjoyed, and wondered if Joe\u2019s arm would ever be strong enough to allow him to do some of the crazy stunts he loved to do on horse back.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe?\u201d Hoss called softly. Joe still did not react, but Hoss hadn\u2019t really expected him to. Adam had told them that Joe had not moved while he had been in the room.<\/p>\n
Going to the left side of the bed, Hoss picked up his hand and started rubbing it. \u201cWell, Short shanks, Looks like you found a way to get out of fixing that fence that that stallion broke yesterdee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss kept his tone very light and filled Joe in on some of the things that had happened that morning. It wasn\u2019t much, but it was all that Hoss could think of to do.<\/p>\n
By the time his few minute were up, Hoss realized that he was crying, and had been for a while. After he dried his eyes, he returned to the outer office.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
After Hoss left the outer office, the silence was almost unbearable.<\/p>\n
Adam still sat with his head in his hands, while Ben sat trying to think of how to approach him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam?\u201d Ben said tentatively.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cI know you are going to tell me it wasn\u2019t my fault. I could not control where the bullet went when Sport reared. But it was still my hand that pulled the trigger!\u201d While Adam did not actually shout, it was said so forcefully that Ben did not know what to say to it. \u201cAt least I got the cat with the third shot.\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n
Ben was still trying to come up with an answer when Paul returned from getting his dinner.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
When Hoss rejoined them, Paul started telling them what needed to be done that night.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe should be regaining consciousness in a little while, so I would suggest that Ben stay for the first few hours. But I want you all to go over get something to eat first and then Hoss and Adam need to get some sleep. You will all need to maintain your own health too. I know that you are worried about Joe, but it will do him no good if you get sick.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, Paul.\u201d Ben answered and stood to lead the way out. All three of them went to the hotel and order dinner. None of them had the best of appetites, but Adam barely ate at all. Ben noticed, but nothing he said would get Adam to eat any more. Adam just said that he wasn\u2019t hungry. Ben hoped that he could be convinced to eat in the morning.<\/p>\n
When Adam told his Pa that he wasn\u2019t hungry he was being perfectly honest. He was so nauseated that he thought if he ate he would be sick. Adam hoped that some sleep would help his stomach and his headache. The headache he had had while bring Joe in had returned full force.<\/p>\n
After only a token resistance Hoss and Adam got the keys to their rooms and headed to bed. It had been agreed that Hoss would come and relieve Ben at about midnight.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam walked into his room with his head spinning. He knew he was getting sick, but did not want to worry his father further. He was sure that if he got some sleep he would be fine. Staggering over to the bed he collapsed.<\/p>\n
Adam was unconscious before he actually touched the surface of the bed.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Ben went back to the Doctor\u2019s off and sat down beside Joe\u2019s side. Within a few minutes Joe\u2019s eye lids began to flutter. When he opened them the first thing he saw was the worried face of his father.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa?\u201d Looking around he noticed that they were in the doctor\u2019s office not their home. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Joe was very confused for the last thing he remembered was Adam\u2019s shout.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to be all right. You got knocked out and scratched up badly when the cat jumped you. Adam managed to kill it, but it had already done some damage to you back,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cAdam did have some trouble though.\u201d Ben took a deep breath as he continued. \u201cWhen Sport reared, it threw off his aim and he hit you in the arm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe looked at his arm and lifted it slightly. Ben was quietly ecstatic, if Joe could move that arm that easily then there could not have been any nerve damage. \u201cHe hit me? Oh, well. Did he get the cat or just scare it off?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe got it.\u201d Ben thought over that for a moment. When the cat had been sighted before, it had run at the sound of gun fire. This time it seemed to have gotten over its fear of guns. \u201cAdam is feeling very guilty because he hit you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Joe dosed back off as he thought of that. He knew that Adam should not feel guilt over this but he could not stay awake to say it. After that Joe would wake for a few minutes then dose back off frequently. By the time Hoss arrived at midnight, Joe had been convinced to try to sleep for the rest of the night. Paul had agreed to let him go home the next day since there was no sign of nerve damage.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Hoss awoke at a few minutes to midnight. His sleep had been, as usual, untroubled, but his first thoughts when he awoke were of Joe and hoping that he had woken up. Hopefully his arm would be fine and Adam would not feel so guilty.<\/p>\n
On his way out he stopped to check on Adam. Opening the door, he saw Adam stretch out on the bed fully dressed. That was odd, he still had his holster and boots on. He must have been really tired.<\/p>\n
Hoss shrugged and was on his way.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam was bordering on consciousness when Hoss looked in on him, but it took him a few minutes to get the strength to get up. When he finally pushed himself up into a sitting position the room spun like a top. He shut his eyes and tried to breathe deeply. After another minute, the room stopped spinning, but he knew something was wrong. He had to get down stairs and to the doctor\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Adam was just stepping out of his room when Ben came through the front door. Adam walked to the stairs and grabbed the rail to stop himself from falling. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam, you supposed to be asleep.\u201d Ben said in frustration as he got the key form the clerk, not having looked up at Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa?\u201d Adam said again.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d Ben finally looked up at Adam and could not believe what he was seeing.<\/p>\n
Adam stood on the first tread of the stair case, whiter than Joe had been. As Ben watched in horror, Adam\u2019s knees buckled and he fell down the stairs. Ben raced to try to catch him, but he only managed to stop the fall three steps from the bottom and a second too late. Just before he could stop the fall, Ben heard the sickening crackle of breaking bones. When he looked up he saw that Adam\u2019s legs had gotten tangled in the railing to the stair case. Each leg looked as if it had two joints where there should only have been one. And to make it worse it was the lower leg.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam?\u201d Ben called softly.<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s lashed fluttered a little then stilled momentarily. Adam\u2019s eyes opened, but the pain in the depths made it difficult for Ben to look in his son\u2019s eyes. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry\u2026Pa. I\u2026.\u201d With that Adam lost consciousness again.<\/p>\n
Ben and the clerk, Tom, carefully pulled Adam\u2019s legs out of the railing. Though Ben was not young he was still very strong, and carefully hoisted his son into his arms and carried him over to the doctor\u2019s office in unknown imitation of Adam\u2019s actions earlier in the day.<\/p>\n
Chapter 3<\/p>\n
Ben and Hoss waited in the outer office, the worry on their faces clear to even the dullest observer.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, Hoss, come back here please,\u201d Paul called from the back room where he had been examining Adam.<\/p>\n
Ben and hoss looked at each other for a moment then hurried back to see what the doctor wanted. Their first look at the doctor\u2019s face told them that he didn\u2019t have good news.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, this is real bad. He must have hit his head when he fell off his horse originally. That combined with the fall down the stairs,\u201d he broke off shaking his head then continued. \u201cHe probably has a skull fracture. You have seen the damage to his legs already. There might be damage to his spine, but only time will tell there. He has three broken ribs and he is starting to develop a rattle in his breathing that worries me also. I am going to have to perform surgery, but it is a type of surgery that I have only performed once before, it is very tricky and I will need help. Ben, I need you to get Mrs. Harper. She has worked as my nurse before, and I think she would be willing to help even at this time of night. Hoss, can you do fine work on a forge?\u201d At Hoss\u2019s affirmative nod, he continued. \u201cI need a thin steel disk about an inch and a half in diameter. It has to be as thin as you can get it. No thicker that a couple of sheets of paper. And perfectly smooth. All right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYessir.\u201d Hoss took off for the black smith\u2019s shop to borrow his tools, while Ben headed for the Harper\u2019s place to get Mrs. Harper.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Ben returned with Mrs. Harper a few minutes before Hoss got back from his errand. \u201cHere ya go. Will this be good enough?\u201d Hoss said as he handed the doctor a disk as thin as a piece of paper. The disk shone like a mirror from the polishing that Hoss had given it.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect. Now every one but Mrs. Harper, out. We need to get started right away. I\u2019ll come out and explain later.\u201d Paul commanded.<\/p>\n
Ben and Hoss filed out to the waiting area and sat down to wait. After a few minutes Hoss spoke up.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa? You think I could go sit with Joe?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cDoc wouldn\u2019t want Joe left alone for long, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that sounds like a good idea, except we both will go and sit with him.\u201d Ben was relieved when Hoss the suggestion. Right now he felt that he needed to be with both his boys, but since he could not be with Adam, Joe and Hoss would have to do. Ben had worried about his sons for years, but never had he seen Paul so worried.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
About four hours later, Paul found them sitting one on either side of Joe\u2019s bed asleep. Joe was awake now and held his finger to his lips. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on? They should have gone to get some sleep long ago.\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n
Paul, suddenly very glad that he had thought to remove his bloodied smock, wondered how much he should tell this young man. True, his injuries were not a serious as Adam\u2019s, but he was still weak and should not get excited. He settled for as little as he could get by with. \u201cAdam was hurt in all the ruckus with the cat, but he did not let on until a little while ago. Ben brought him in a couple hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is he?\u201d Joe asked anxiously, but quietly as he was starting to drift off again.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs well as can be expected,\u201d Paul figure it was about time, so he mixed Joe\u2019s medicine and gave it to him. He added a dose of laudanum to help Joe sleep for a while. \u201cNow you need to rest, while I talk to your father.\u201d Paul waited until Joe was asleep before he spoke again.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen?\u201d Paul called softly hoping to get his attention, but not startle him.<\/p>\n
Ben looked up quickly, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. \u201cHow is he, Paul?\u201d Ben asked quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to talk.\u201d Paul stated and nodded his head to the door behind him. Ben got up and followed him out leaving Hoss and Joe to sleep.<\/p>\n
Once in the waiting area, Ben and Paul sat down.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, Adam\u2019s chances are still bad, but they are better since he survived the surgery. I almost lost him twice during the operations.\u201d Paul began.<\/p>\n
\u201cOperations?\u201d Ben interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me explain. I had to surgically set the bones in he legs. Those were straight forward, nothing strange, but the other was more tricky. The first time he hit his head, he must have had the worst headache in the world, for he had a massive concussion. But the second time, he fractured his skull and started to hemorrhage. I had to go in and relieve the pressure in the skull. Do you follow me so far?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben was totally bewildered, but nodded for him to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to remove a small section of bone to relieve the pressure below. After I drained away the accumulated fluid, I replaced it with the steel disk that I had Hoss make me. The scar will be under his hair so the will be no visual effects from the surgery. One concern is that the pressure may have already caused brain damage, but that I don\u2019t consider that likely. I have bound his ribs. He is running quite a fever at the moment, but Mrs. Harper has volunteered to stay the night and help try to bring it down. Riding in carrying Joe with out his coat on may have caused him to catch a chill. You know how dangerous that is.\u201d Paul paused a moment, then shook his head as he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still can\u2019t believe that I did not see how badly he felt. His hair may have hidden the knot on his head, but I should how badly he was hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben quickly reassured Paul that none of them could have known. \u201cAdam is very good as disguising discomfort and pain as well as his emotions. He hid them a little too well this time.\u201d That he had been scolding himself for exactly the same thing for the last four hours, he did not tell him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen can Hoss and I go in to see him?\u201d Ben asked tentatively.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive me a couple of hours to try to bring his fever down. He will have to stay here for a few days. We will have to be very careful to avoid infection. Oh,\u201d Paul quickly went into the back room and returned with Adam\u2019s gun belt, hat, and boots. \u201cHe left his hat here earlier, but we had to cut the rest of his clothes off.\u201d Paul handed these few things to Ben. \u201cHoss got some sleep earlier, Ben, so I want you to go over to the hotel and get those couple hours of sleep. I will send Hoss if there is any change. I don\u2019t want to see you back here before six o\u2019clock. All right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben wanted to argue, but he knew that that would get him no where, so he acquiesced. Ben looked at Paul. \u201cThank you, Paul.\u201d Ben gathered the things that he had just been given and headed for the hotel.<\/p>\n
When Ben got there, he went up to one of the rooms that Adam had engaged for them earlier. Adam. Ben was so worried that he did not even start getting ready for bed for over half an hour. By the time Ben got his boots off, laid his holster and gun on the table beside the lamp, and dosed off it was nearly five o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Ben tried to sleep, but all he managed to do was dose off for about thirty minutes, before sitting bolt upright in bed from a nightmare. Ben did not normally have nightmares but this one disturbed him greatly. Adam was being pulling away from him be something, and no matter how hard he tried, Ben had not been able to reach him.<\/p>\n
Ben lay back down, but he could not fall back to sleep. Too agitated to lie down any longer, Ben rose, lit the lamp on the table, and picked up the things that he had brought back for the doctor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Ben remembered when he had gotten that hat for Adam. It had been a birthday present when Adam had turned twenty-five. Joe had been envious of that hat with the silver decoration around it. As much as he hated for his sons to argue, he would have been overjoyed to hear them cross words one more time.<\/p>\n
The boots Adam had gotten last year for Christmas. They had been special made in Texas for Adam. Ben could remember the conversation he had had with Adam prior to ordering the boots. Adam had made the comment that he needed to go into town to get Mr. Jenkins to work on the boots he normally wore as the heels were getting loose. Adam hadn\u2019t worn his old boots since he had received the new ones. Tears came to Ben\u2019s eyes at the thought that Adam might never again wear those boots.<\/p>\n
The holster and revolver had been Ben\u2019s gift to Adam when he returned from college. He had picked them out at the time for Adam with the hope that he would not have to use them often. Ben thought of the times that that gift had saved lives. Adam\u2019s. Joe\u2019s. Hoss\u2019s. Ben\u2019s. And others. At different times Adam and that gun had spared their lives. Would he ever see his son standing, dressed, as was his habit, all in black, looking as if he could take on the world and come out on top?<\/p>\n
Out of habit, he pulled out Adam\u2019s revolver, spun the cylinder, and checked it.<\/p>\n
What he saw made him drop everything else he had in his hands. Ben bent closed to the lamp and checked the gun again.<\/p>\n
Ben quickly slipped into his boots and grabbed his hat and holster. He did not care what time it was, he had to see Hoss and Roy.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
First, Ben went to the doctor\u2019s office to get Hoss. He slipped into Joe\u2019s room and gently shook Hoss\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss?\u201d He whispered. When Hoss looked up at him, he continued. \u201cCome with me. We may have some more trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss looked up at his father and quickly got up to follow him. The last thing he wanted was more trouble, but if it was already here, he knew that he would face it with his father. Ben stopped to tell Paul that they were going to go down to the Sheriff\u2019s office to talk to Roy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Paul asked. This day had been frantic enough without any more hurt people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll tell you later,\u201d was Ben\u2019s answer as he rushed toward the front door. Suddenly he stopped with a thought. \u201cPaul, do you have the bullet that you took out of Joe\u2019s arm.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. I reported the wound to Roy, but I still have the bullet. Here it is.\u201d Paul handed Ben a small envelope with the bullet in it.<\/p>\n
Ben looked in the envelope and muttered, \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBen?\u201d Paul began. When he looked up Paul continued, \u201cOne piece of good news I can give you, Adam\u2019s temperature has already started to come down.\u201d<\/p>\n
A small smile pulled at the corners of Ben\u2019s mouth. With a nod, Ben disappeared out the front door with Hoss trailing confused behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure yet.\u201d Ben was trying to figure out what had happened to his sons. \u201cBut I am damn well going to find out!\u201d Ben quietly promised.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Ben did not bother to knock on the door to the jail and walk right on in.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen! What brings you here? Is Joe going to be all right?\u201d Roy was surprised to see Ben at this hour of the night. The expression on his face told Roy that this was not about anything pleasant.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe\u2019s going to be fine, but Adam is still on the edge. Roy, look at this.\u201d Ben handed Roy the gun. \u201cAdam thought that he had shot Joe as he fell from Sport. Adam told me that he saw his first bullet hit Joe\u2019s horse, and when he looked up after the fall, he shot the cat that was on top of Joe. That should have been three shots, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, there are only two used chambers in this gun!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that means that there was some one else in those woods. And this,\u201d Ben dumped the bullet from the envelope into his hand and held it out to Roy, \u201cis a rifle bullet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chapter 4<\/p>\n
The next day Roy went out and back tracked the boys trying to find out as much as he could about the fellow that had fired at them. About all he could find out about the man was that his horse had been newly shod and he used a Sharps rifle. For the rest of the week Roy asked around town if there had been any strangers asking about Adam or Little Joe without any success. Meanwhile the Cartwrights were still living in a vacuum of pain, worry, and frustration<\/p>\n
Ben and Hoss insisted that one of them be by Adam twenty four hours a day. Paul Martin kept Joe in his office for two days before he gave up and had him moved to the hotel. It was the only way he could think of to get Hoss and Ben to get some rest. Paul convinced Ben to get a suite with bedrooms off of a sitting room so that they could keep an eye on Joe. As long as Joe occupied a bedroom, whoever was with him could lie dosing on the settee in the sitting room.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s worry over Adam only increased as the days went by with no word as to who had shot at Adam and Joe. While could not be absolutely sure, It looked as if someone had followed Adam and Joe all morning. Whoever it was had fired at the same time as Adam, so which of the two boys he had been aiming at was questionable. When he had seen them lying still, he had either thought them dead, or left them for the cat to kill. Either way Ben shook with anger at the thought that anyone could be that cruel. He thanked God that Adam had come to in time to kill that cat.<\/p>\n
While Joe was improving with each passing day, Adam\u2019s condition remained basically status quo. Although his temperature had come down and he had not developed the chill that Paul had feared, he did not regain consciousness as he had expected.<\/p>\n
Many times Adam seemed to be close to regaining consciousness, moving around, and calling for his Pa and brothers. Once Adam even called for Papa, surprising Ben greatly. Adam hadn\u2019t called him that since Inger\u2019s death. More often than not though, he would call out for Joe.<\/p>\n
Ben and Hoss had heard from Joe that Adam had tried to warn him when the cat attacked, so they were not surprised to hear Adam telling Joe to watch out and such. It pained them to hear him trying to apologize for what they knew was not his fault. They tried to tell him, but he did not seem to hear them.<\/p>\n
As the week progressed, Paul added some more worries to his list for Adam. First, the longer Adam remained unconscious, the greater probability that there had been brain damage caused by the hemorrhage. Second, Adam was not getting nearly enough nutrition for his body to heal properly. While he was unconscious, they would have to feed him by liquids, but he didn\u2019t want to take them. Hoss had been the most successful at getting him to take the, but it wasn\u2019t enough. Adam had never been heavy, and he was losing weight rapidly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, I am getting very worried. Adam has got to come out of this soon. Every day he stays under increases the likelihood of brain damage,\u201d Paul told Ben at the end of the week. \u201cI have done very thing possible, but he doesn\u2019t respond. The only thing that I can think of is that he keeps calling for Joe. Usually I would not want Joe out of bed yet, but I want you to have Hoss carry him back over here. Adam might respond if he could here his voice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben nodded as he stood to go get Hoss and Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen,\u201d Paul waited until Ben turned back to him. \u201cPray this works, because if it doesn\u2019t\u2026\u201d He left the rest of the statement unsaid.<\/p>\n
\u201cPaul, I haven\u2019t stopped praying since this started.\u201d Ben said before he slipped out the door.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, Paul wants us to bring Little Joe back over to the office,\u201d Ben said without preamble when he entered the hotel suite.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa? Is Adam worse?\u201d Hoss said anxiously.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but he is not getting any better. He is hoping that hearing Joe\u2019s voice might bring him around since he calls for him so much. You\u2019ll have to carry him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, what you guys talking about? Is Adam all right?\u201d Joe\u2019s worried voice came from the bedroom.<\/p>\n
Both men went in, and Ben filled Joe in on what Paul had said concerning Adam. \u201cHoss will have to carry you over, for you are not strong enough to walk that far yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Joe started, but one look at Ben\u2019s face made him break off. \u201cYes, Pa.\u201d Joe pulled back the covers as Hoss went over to get the clothes they had bought for him to return home in. After Joe was dressed, Hoss carefully lifted his brother as if he were a child. Joe did not like being treated like a child, but he knew that he was still week from blood loss.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s first sight of Adam made him suck in his breath quickly. Since Joe had not seen Adam since the cat jumped at him, he was totally unprepared for the sight of his brother lying there as white as a ghost. Ben had explained that Adam had had to undergo surgery, but his first sight of Adam with his entire head covered in bandages and heavy casts on both legs, brought home exactly badly Adam had been hurt in trying to help him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe whispered as Hoss set him in the chair beside Adam\u2019s bed. \u201cCan you here me?\u201d<\/p>\n
At first did not seem that Adam heard, but after a few minutes of Joe\u2019s constant talking. Adam started to respond.<\/p>\n
Adam called for Joe, saying that he was sorry, but Joe immediately reached out and grabbed his hand. \u201cAdam, I\u2019m all right. I\u2019m right here and I am fine.\u201d This simple statement calmed Adam as Hoss and Ben had not been able to.<\/p>\n
Joe continued to talk and the longer he spoke the more emotion was in his voice. He desperately wanted Adam to open his eyes and say something, anything. Even if it was to scold him for get jumped by the cat.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam knew that he had hurt Joe, but in the fog of dreams, he kept see Joe shot again and again. He called to him, but Joe never answered. Joe just looked at him with anger in his eyes then turned away.<\/p>\n
Once again Adam called out, but this time he finally got an answer. Joe turned and looked at him, this time not with anger, but with \u2026 sympathy? Compassion? Adam could not figure out the emotion in his eyes, but it was not anger or hatred. \u201cI\u2019m all right. I am fine.\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s all right! Adam knew that Joe never lied. Adam closed his eye briefly in thankfulness. When he opened his eyes, he saw Joe standing in from of him beckoning to him. \u201cCome over and talk to me.\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n
Adam tried to follow Joe, but found that his feet would not move. He looked down but could not see anything holding him. Looking back at Joe, Adam could hear a hint of desperation in Joe\u2019s voice and saw a look of pleading on his face. Joe was really upset about something.<\/p>\n
Adam struggled to moved, but he could not. Again closing his eyes, Adam tried again. This time when he opened his eyes, he saw Joe sitting in a chair beside him. The dreams had ended and this was reality.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
When Adam opened his eyes, Joe wasn\u2019t sure exactly what to say, but Adam fixed that problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre\u2026\u2026. you really\u2026\u2026\u2026.. all\u2026\u2026\u2026 right, Joe? Adam whispered.<\/p>\n
Joe could barely hear him, but he understood that Adam must have been tearing himself apart about it. \u201cAdam, I am fine. I was not hurt all that badly except for blood loss. Adam, you did not\u2026\u201d Joe tried to tell Adam that he hadn\u2019t shot him in the first place, but Adam interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m \u2026\u2026\u2026. sorry, Joe,\u201d Adam whispered as he started to slip back into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you didn\u2019t shoot me!\u201d Joe exclaimed quickly, hoping to get Adam to understand before, he slipped away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWha?\u201d Adam murmured, trying to pay attention. He knew this was important, but he just could not concentrate.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou only fired twice, and they pulled a rifle bullet out of my arm.\u201d Joe explained. Adam\u2019s only response was a muffled \u201cBut\u2026?\u201d before he drifted off.<\/p>\n
Paul Martin had been standing in the doorway since the Cartwrights had arrived. \u201cHe should be all right, Ben,\u201d He said after Adam drifted off. \u201cIf he was lucid enough to understand that, it will go a long way toward improving his state of mind. He should wake up with a million questions next time.\u201d Paul added with a smile. His friend was going to get both of his sons back sooner or later. That was better than what happened many times. Paul vowed to do everything possible to make sure it was sooner not later.<\/p>\n
Chapter 5<\/p>\n
After another week past Adam was well enough to go home. Over the next month both of the boys improved, Joe was back to normal in less than a month but Adam\u2019s recovery was not nearly was quick or as complete. Paul had totally immobilized his legs and said that he would have to stay that way for at least six weeks. The forced immobility grated at Adam, but he knew that he could do nothing about it. Hoss would carry him down stairs in the mornings and back up in the evenings. While Joe got back to working on the ranch, Adam was still waiting to get rid of his casts.<\/p>\n
When the casts did finally come off, the muscles in his legs had atrophied so badly, that he could not stand, let alone walk or ride. Weeks of therapy only caused intense pain, but did little to improve either his mobility or his state of mind. Adam was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to be able to get around again. While every one else went about the business, the round up, branding, and various other things, Adam was stuck in that chair, unable to do anything but paperwork.<\/p>\n
Ben had had to let Hoss and Joe take the round up as he would not let Adam stay in the house alone. Hop Sing had been promised that he could go visit his family for a week after round up. Since Hoss and Joe were gone for four weeks, Ben was able to keep a close eye on Adam. While Adam faithfully did all his exercises and worked hard to improve his legs, Ben could still see the depression that was slowly seeping into Adams mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did well, boys,\u201d Pa said at dinner the night after Joe and Hoss returned. Joe and Hoss had done well on round up, getting a good price for the cattle. Hop Sing would be leaving the next morning early, so he had prepared a special dinner for them. Ben, Hoss and Joe talked about the round up and what needed to be done now, but Adam remained silent. Anytime one of the others addressed him, he answered in monosyllables.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it for me,\u201d Joe said as he pushed back his empty plate and leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam turned his chair away from the table and wheeled himself beside the settee and picked up the book that he had been reading the night before. Joe and Hoss walked over to set up the checkerboard. Joe looked at Adam wishing that there was something, anything he could do to help him.<\/p>\n
Ben walked over to his chair and sat watching his sons. As glad as he was to have Hoss and Joe home, he still was very worried about Adam. Adam was sitting there reading his book, not looking at anyone, not wanting to show that he was in need of help. Ben wondered how long it was going to take Adam before he realized that the book he was \u2019reading\u2019 was upside down. \u2018I hope the appointment with Paul tomorrow goes better than the last one,\u2019 Ben thought as he picked up his own book.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just takes time, Adam.\u201d Paul tried to reassure Adam for the twentieth time. \u201cI know you are trying hard, but sometimes it takes a special opportunity to get a person back on their feet. I will tell you, if you let yourself get depressed about this, it will only slow your recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben brought Adam into Virginia City for his appointment the next day. It was the third time they had done so. Having to be lifted on and off the buckboard had not helped Adam\u2019s mood. Neither had the stares of the townsfolk. Adam had noticed the first time, as Ben set him into the wheeled chair, that everyone had stopped and was watching him. He had kept his eye fastened on the door to the office on the way in from then on, and on the buckboard on the way out.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam wondered if any of his family could possibly understand how he felt. He could not do anything to help around the ranch. His whole life had centered on his family and the ranch. He had protected his brothers for all his life, and now he was helpless, and they had to protect him.<\/p>\n
One of the things that was bothering him, almost as much as his helplessness, was the fact that they still had not clue as to who had shot at Joe. Who ever it was, was still running around and could try again at anytime. And he could do nothing about it.<\/p>\n
Roy was still working to find out, but Adam knew that most people would no longer be looking, for it had been nearly two and a half months.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
With no new hopes offered, Adam went home in one of the worst moods his family had ever seen him in. Now he was sure that he was never going to walk again. He could not imagine how to try any hard than he was. He and Ben had planned to work that afternoon on the ledgers, while Joe and Hoss stayed in the city to get supplies. They had all seen Hop Sing off before they left for the appointment.<\/p>\n
While they worked Ben tried to broach the subject of Adam\u2019s future, but for his trouble all he got in reply was a grunt and a look pleaded with him on to talk about it.<\/p>\n
Ben sighed and pulled another bundle of papers out of a drawer. \u201cThese are the receipts from the last three months of bills. Would you double check that all of them had been entered in the ledger?\u201d Ben handed the stack of papers to Adam along with the ledger.<\/p>\n
They worked in silence, neither knowing what to say.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me? Are you Roy Coffee?\u201d came a soft voice.<\/p>\n
Roy looked up to see a young woman in the door to the jail. \u201cYes, I am. How may I help you?\u201d Roy did not recognize her, but maybe she had just gotten off the stage or something.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name is Jean; I work as a waitress over in Carson City. I found out a couple of days ago that you were looking for a man that might have been asking about the Cartwrights a couple of months ago?\u201d She said this as if looking for conformation.<\/p>\n
Roy nodded. He was beginning to hope that they might finally get some information.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, there was a man that came to Carson about five months ago and asked all sorts of questions about the Ponderosa and the Cartwrights; he said that he was going to be asking for a job. He looked more like a gambler than a cow puncher though. Anyway, he was back at about the time that you were asking about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did he look like? Do you remember?\u201d Roy stood as he asked this.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, he was tall, maybe six foot two. Dark hair. Blue eyes, though. And he had some kind of scar on the back of his right hand. Looked like it had been cut badly. Ran from the base of the pinkie finger to the base of his thumb. He usually wore gloves, but once in a while he would take them off.\u201d Jean replied. \u201cHe was riding a beautiful black horse with a perfect white star. I remember he asked me where the blacksmith\u2019s shop was, because his horse had thrown a shoe.\u201d<\/p>\n
That fits, Roy thought. \u201cThank you very much, miss.\u201d Roy said as he reached for his hat and gun belt.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere one other thing thought, sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw him ride into town again this morning. That\u2019s why I remembered him at all. He was still in Carson when I left, but \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, no,\u201d Roy practically ran out of the jail to go get his horse, not even letting her finish her sentence.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Ben looked up from the ledgers he and Adam were working on when the heard a horse in the yard. \u2018Who could that be?\u2019 he thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder who that is?\u201d Adam said. He really wasn\u2019t that curious, but it seemed like something to say. An uneasy silent can descended on the two men as they worked, neither knowing what to say. Adam wheeled his chair around the desk to continue working with the numbers while his father went out to see who had arrived.<\/p>\n
As Ben started to open the door, he looked back at Adam. Nothing they had done had had any effect. Adam\u2019s depression was deepening and he had no idea what to do to help. Sighing, Ben went out to greet the stranger in the yard.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, how can I help you?\u201d Ben greeted pleasantly. The man dismounted from his horse before answering.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes Mr. Adam Cartwright live here?\u201d His voice was pleasant, Ben thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, he does. I am Ben Cartwright, his father.\u201d Ben introduced himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name is Jonathan Critten. I met Adam about a year ago, and I promised that I would look him up sometime. I heard about the trouble he had a while back and thought that I would come and see him since I was in the area,\u201d the man explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s inside. I\u2019m sure that he would like to see you.\u201d Ben didn\u2019t remember Adam mentioning this man, but hoped that seeing a friend would help lighten Adam\u2019s mood. Ben led the way into the house. But the reaction that Adam gave to the visitor was anything, definitely not what he expected.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
Adam glanced up to see who had come in, then stared at the man that enter the great room. Ben was taken aback at the expression on Adam\u2019s face. It was a combination of surprise and revulsion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here, Critten?\u201d Adam demanded. His voice was quiet, but Ben saw the struggle going on behind the words.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinishing what I started.\u201d He replied pulling his gun to point it directly at Adam. His smile was feral, reminding Ben of a wolf.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on Adam?\u201d Ben backed up unto he was standing in front of the desk, across from Adam. Critten stood to the side watching the two men enjoying the advantage he had over them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Jon Critten. About a year ago, when I was in San Francisco, he tried to force a woman at the restaurant. When I stepped in he was foolish enough to challenge me. I hit his hand instead of killing him,\u201d Adam explained the incident. He had almost forgotten the man totally, until he walked in the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promised you that I would get you for that. No one interferes with me and gets away with it. At first I thought about killing you, but now I think I have a better way.\u201d Again Critten smile that sneer of a wolf. \u201cYou,\u201d he pointed at Ben with his gun. \u201cSit down over there.\u201d Critten briefly waved his gun to the chair that Ben had been sitting in behind the desk beside Adam.<\/p>\n
Ben sat down in the chair and waited. Critten pulled a piece of cord from his pocket and tied Ben\u2019s hands behind the chair, connecting them to the slats in the back of the chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that I\u2019ll wait for the whole family to get here,\u201d he continued after he was finished. He didn\u2019t bother tying Adam up. He had heard in Carson that Adam would never be able to walk again. \u201cI can\u2019t figure out how you survived the last time, but this time I\u2019ll be sure that you\u2019re dead before I leave. Sorry about the kid, but it couldn\u2019t be helped.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat kid happens to be my brother!\u201d Adam yelled at the man. \u201cI\u2019m the one you want so leave my family alone!\u201d His inability to protect his family from this man was making Adam desperate.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, can\u2019t do that either. I found out after the last try that your family is much more determined than I thought. It has taken this long for the search to ease off, but I am a patient man. As long as I get what I want eventually. I am going to get rid of all of you if I don\u2019t want to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. Now, first things first, when are the other two coming back?\u201d Critten spoke pleasantly, as if he were just discussing the time of day not the murder of four men, but the feral look never left his eyes.<\/p>\n
Ben and Adam looked at each other, both knowing that Joe and Hoss could be back at anytime. \u201cI\u2019m not sure when they will be back, should be before sun down though,\u201d Ben hedged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can wait, I got all the time in the world, like I said I\u2019m a patient man,\u201d Critten said.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think is going to happen with Adam?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI dunno, but if we don\u2019t get back to the house, Pa\u2019s goin\u2019 to have our hides for wasting too much time,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI hope he\u2019s in a better mood when we get home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe agreed readily as he loaded the last of the sacks onto the back of the wagon. \u201cThat\u2019s it. I don\u2019t know which is bothering Adam more, that he isn\u2019t able to walk, or that the man that caused this is still running around and may try again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss silently nodded. He suspected that not being able to walk was compounding Adam\u2019s worry over who had done it. Well, they could work on figuring out whom later. Right now they needed to get home and get ready for the round up.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
About an hour after he asked, Ben, Adam, and Critten all heard the wagon returning at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat should be Joe and Hoss if I\u2019m not mistaken.\u201d Critten still spoke pleasantly, but he stood, walked over to Ben, and aimed at Adam over Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, we got all the\u2026.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off as he saw his father tied to a chair. He looked at man standing behind him with his gun pointed at Adam. \u201cWho are you? What do you want here?\u201d Joe demanded.<\/p>\n
Critten sneered at him, \u201cWell, aren\u2019t you just full of questions. I suggest you just go sit over there, boy.\u201d Critten motioned to one of the kitchen chairs with his gun. \u201cUnless you\u2019d rather I just shoot you were you stand,\u201d he continued when Joe looked like he would like to argue.<\/p>\n
Joe went over and sat down, still with a belligerent expression on his face. Critten went over and tied Joe as he had tied Ben earlier and waited for Hoss to come in. A couple of minutes later, Hoss entered unprepared for what he found.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver here,\u201d Critten said as soon as Hoss came in the house. Hoss looked at his family securely tied up and Critten with his gun now pointed at Joe\u2019s head. Hoss obediently walked over to another of the kitchen chairs and sat down. He picked one he knew had a weakened support in the back. Critten tied him to the chair as he had Joe and Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, what shall I do first?\u201d Critten asked as he holstered his gun. \u201cFirst I am going to find out if what I have been told is true. Stand up!\u201d This command was directed to Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d Adam said quietly, not knowing what this man wanted now. Wasn\u2019t enough that he had crippled him for life!<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I have been told, but I\u2019m not sure if I believe it. I want to make sure that it\u2019s true.\u201d Critten walked behind Adam\u2019s chair and wheeled him out from behind the desk. Abruptly, Critten stuck his foot beside the wheel of the chair and jerked it over on its side, dumping Adam onto the floor behind the sofa table.<\/p>\n
Adam lay on the floor unmoving for a moment, then, slowly, he used his arms to push himself off the floor to look up at Critten. Critten moved to stand beside Adam and delivered a well aimed kick to Adam\u2019s ribs. Adam dropped back to the floor gasping for breath. After a few more kicks to various parts of Adam\u2019s body, Critten took a few steps back and stood beside Ben.<\/p>\n
Ben, Hoss, and Joe were all straining their bonds when Critten walked to Adam\u2019s chair and the exclamations of \u2018No!\u2019 had no affect on the man kicking Adam. They each pulled as hard as they could on the cords that bound their hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, seems they were right,\u201d Critten noted as Adam lay on the floor moaning.<\/p>\n
Just as Critten pulled his foot back for one more kick, Hoss was able to break the slat in the chair to which his hands had been bound. \u201cNO!\u201d he shouted as he lunged for Critten.<\/p>\n
Critten turned and started to pull his gun.<\/p>\n
Even though Adam was in a great deal of pain, he realized that Critten\u2019s attention was off of him for a moment and he would have no compunctions about shooting Hoss. Using all the strength he had he grasped the leg of the table to pull himself up off the floor. Bracing against the table momentarily, Adam took a deep breath and lunged at Critten as the man took aim at Hoss. The gun went off, but did no damage to anyone. Critten was knocked out cold when his head bounced off the edge of the desk.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam!\u201d Hoss said as he knelt beside Adam, who was sitting on the floor beside Critten\u2019s body. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam looked up at Hoss with wonder in his eyes. \u201cHelp me up!\u201d he practically shouted.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss was confused. Adam didn\u2019t wait for Hoss to figure it out. He simply grabbed onto the edge of the desk, pulled himself up, and leaned against it for a moment. Hoss stood up beside him with his hands stretched out to him. Adam waved Hoss\u2019s hands away and took a shuffling step away from the support. And he stood for the first time in over two months!<\/p>\n
\u201cADAM!\u201d Ben shouted with joy. Joe was silent, but the smile on his face spoke volumes.<\/p>\n
Adam looked at his father as tears of joy ran down his face. After only a few seconds his legs started to wobble. Hoss immediately lifted him off his feet and carried him to sit on the settee.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t bother with me, just get Pa and Joe untied,\u201d Adam ordered. Hoss grinned at him and turned to do as he said. Ben was sitting beside Adam on the settee when Roy walked in. Hoss was still untying Joe.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s about all,\u201d Adam finished telling Roy what had happened. He was sitting back in his wheeled chair, but now he knew that he would not have to stay in it for the rest of his life. Paul had been right; it had been a matter of wanting to badly enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll have to testify at the trial tomorra, Adam.\u201d Roy reminded him as he turned to leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith pleasure,\u201d Adam grinned in satisfaction.<\/p>\n
After Roy left, all of them decide to go to town for dinner and spend the night at the hotel. Adam agreed readily. He wouldn\u2019t mind people watching him this time. Adam knew that he would soon be out of the chair and everything would be back to normal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary:\u00a0 When Joe and Adam are hurt during a hunting trip, Adam’s determination to help his brother could cost him his life…\u00a0\u00a0