{"id":4241,"date":"2002-10-16T16:33:03","date_gmt":"2002-10-16T20:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4241"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:51:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:51:25","slug":"learning-curve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4241","title":{"rendered":"Learning Curve (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A small band of Indians are raiding ranches and homesteads, but are surprisingly inept. Joe stumbles on their secret.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (10,480 words)<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

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

Riding drag had to be the worst position of the whole round up, reflected Joe Cartwright, as another cloud of dust found its way under his bandanna, and into his mouth. His eyes stung and watered, and the green of his jacket was slowly but surely being obliterated by the dust coating every inch of him. The ground was as hard as a bone; there hadn\u2019t been any rain in almost a month. The pastures were quickly being exhausted, and they were once more having to move the herd to fresh grazing.<\/p>\n

One steer, more ornery than the rest, made a break for freedom once again. Joe was sick of this particular animal. It was quite distinctive, as one horn was twisted in a peculiar way. This was at least the fourth time Joe had had to chivvy it back into the herd, and he was beginning to be a bit short tempered about the whole thing. Urging Cochise out, he headed after the steer.<\/p>\n

As he snapped his quirt in front of the beast\u2019s nose, he heard a whoop from behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, Joe was astounded to see about a dozen Indian braves coming racing down the hill towards the herd. He dropped the quirt, and drew his gun, firing a warning shot into the air.<\/p>\n

Further along the heaving mass of cattle, Adam and Hoss heard the shot and turned. Immediately, they, too, drew their guns, and headed back in Joe\u2019s direction. The hands, seeing the braves, and hearing the rumpus, started to move to protect the herd and their bosses.<\/p>\n

Still whooping, the braves began to loose off arrows. They weren\u2019t really aiming at anyone; they were just trying to keep everyone back. Joe ducked as an arrow sang over his head. He fired again, but missed the brave he\u2019d been aiming at. The herd were getting uneasy, and Cochise sidled about anxiously.<\/p>\n

A few of the braves had singled out the steer Joe was trying to head off, and rode at Joe without hesitating. Reluctantly, Joe shot at them. One of the braves tumbled to the ground, blood pouring from his shoulder. By now, Adam and Hoss were galloping towards Joe, shooting at the Indians, although they had little chance of hitting them at that speed.<\/p>\n

Seeing, the reinforcements, the braves abruptly decided to back off. A few more arrows sailed through the air. Joe felt the tug of one on his right sleeve, but he paid no heed. He put his heels to Cochise, and galloped after them. There was something funny about these Indians, and Joe wanted to find out what it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Come back!\u201d Adam shouted, but it was no use. Joe didn\u2019t hear him over the uneasy lowing of the herd. \u201cHoss, I\u2019m going after Joe,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m comin\u2019, too,\u201d Hoss declared, and Adam didn\u2019t bother to argue. He simply nodded, and waved to the nearest hand. \u201cFred, keep \u2018em moving,\u201d he ordered, and they set off up the hill after Joe.<\/p>\n

Galloping after the departing Indians, Joe saw them disappear among the trees about half a mile away. There was quite a broad track there, well used by the Ponderosa hands when traveling between one pasture and another. Joe put his heel to Cochise again.<\/p>\n

Next moment, something hit Joe across the chest, and he was swept backwards out of the saddle. He landed with a crash on the road, and his head thumped cruelly off the rock hard ground. He was unconscious before he knew what had hit him. Cochise ran on a few yards more, then came to a stop, hopping lame. The braves might not have had much idea about rustling, but they knew how to stop pursuit. The braves who had pulled the rope across the road dropped it, jumped onto their ponies and fled after their brothers.<\/p>\n

Cresting the hill, the first thing Adam and Hoss saw was Cochise. Joe was sprawled on the road, and Adam hauled Sport to a stop, and jumped off. Hoss wasn\u2019t far behind. As Adam knelt by Joe, Hoss caught the pinto, and examined him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d Hoss asked, looking over Adam\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cOut cold,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cAnd look. Did you see this before?\u201d He pointed to Joe\u2019s right arm, where the shaft of an arrow protruded. It had obviously been broken in the fall, as the other bit of the shaft lay close by.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, no I didn\u2019t,\u201d Hoss declared. \u201cIs it serious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cGet me a canteen, and I\u2019ll see if I can rouse him.\u201d He doused his bandanna in the water, and wiped Joe\u2019s dusty face. After a moment or so, Joe groaned. Adam trickled a little water into Joe\u2019s mouth, and he swallowed. Shortly after, his eyes flickered open, and he looked dazedly at his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat hit me?\u201d he murmured. He moved and winced, and his left hand crept up to gingerly touch the back of his head. \u201cOh, my head!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you sit up?\u201d asked Adam. He slid his arm under Joe\u2019s shoulders, being careful to avoid the arrow. He gently eased his brother to a sitting position. He supported Joe while he looked at his head, and told him what had happened. \u201cIt\u2019s bleeding,\u201d he announced, \u201cbut it doesn\u2019t look too bad. Can you ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pinto\u2019s lame,\u201d Hoss said, quietly. \u201cThat rope must\u2019ve caught him, too, and he\u2019s sprained his fetlock. Ain\u2019t no way he\u2019s gonna carry Joe home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe protested, weakly. He actually felt ghastly. His whole body ached from the force of his fall. \u201cJust help me up.\u201d He started to extend his right arm to Hoss, but let out a cry of pain. \u201cMy arm!\u201d He looked blankly at the arrow. \u201cWhen did that happen?\u201d he wondered. He thought back, and remembered the tug on his clothes. He hadn\u2019t felt any pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take him back double on my horse,\u201d decided Adam. \u201cHoss, you go back and take charge of the herd, and send someone for the doctor. Give me a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Between them, they got Joe onto Adam\u2019s horse, and Adam mounted behind him, taking the pinto\u2019s reins. They set off slowly for home, and Hoss headed back to the herd.<\/p>\n

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

It was a few hours before Hoss arrived back at the ranch. He dismounted wearily, and put his horse away. Cochise was resting fairly comfortably, he noticed, and someone had put a poultice on the injured limb. He gave the pinto some extra hay, and a scratch behind the ears, and then went inside.<\/p>\n

The table was laid for supper, but there was no one in the main room. That didn\u2019t come as a surprise. Hoss went upstairs, and stuck his head into Joe\u2019s room. Ben was sitting by Joe\u2019s bed. Adam was nowhere in sight. Joe had a bandage around his head, and another one on his arm. He appeared to be sleeping. \u201cPa,\u201d Hoss whispered.<\/p>\n

Glancing up, Ben smiled at Hoss, and rose. He looked back at Joe once more before joining Hoss in the hallway. \u201cGood to see you, son,\u201d he said, warmly. \u201cIs the herd all settled?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure enough, Pa,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe? What did the doc say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Ben said, glancing back at the room, although he couldn\u2019t see Joe from where he stood. \u201cHe has a concussion, and the doc took a couple of stitches in his head. The arrow wasn\u2019t in deep. He was lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Adam?\u201d enquired Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d came Adam\u2019s voice from behind him, and Adam emerged from his room, newly bathed and changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see to Little Joe\u2019s pony?\u201d the middle brother asked, and wasn\u2019t surprised to get an answering nod. \u201cI\u2019ll go get cleaned up. When\u2019s supper gonna be ready? I\u2019m getting\u2019 plumb puny waitin\u2019 for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoon as you\u2019re ready,\u201d Ben answered, with a laugh. He stuck his head round Joe\u2019s door again, but his youngest son slept on peacefully.<\/p>\n

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

After supper, Hoss looked in on Joe, and found him awake. It was clear to Hoss that Joe\u2019s head hurt, but he made no reference to it. After assuring Hoss, unasked, he was fine, Joe said, \u201cThere was something odd about those Indians, this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOdd?\u201d repeated Hoss. \u201cHow\u2019d you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Screwing up his face, Joe shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know, exactly,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut no Indian in his right mind would try to rustle a single steer from a herd that was being pushed by a bunch of cowboys. They\u2019d come along and take it at night.\u201d Joe closed his eyes and thought back to the fleeting glimpses he\u2019d had of the braves. \u201cAnd there was something wrong with their paint, too. I just don\u2019t know what.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see them closely enough to notice,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I guess you\u2019re right there, little brother. I hadn\u2019t thought of that before. Wonder if Adam noticed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you ask him?\u201d Joe asked, sleepily. He had been kept awake for quite a while when the doc was treating him, and his injuries were catching up with him rapidly. \u201cYou can ask him, and tell me tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss said, taking the hint. He shut the door quietly behind him, and went back downstairs. He repeated to Adam and Ben what Joe had said about the Indians.<\/p>\n

Shrugging and making a small moue, Adam said, \u201cI didn\u2019t notice, either. But then, we were a lot further away from them than Joe. I was surprised that they tried to rustle a cow while we were there, but they looked young. Perhaps they are young warriors out on their first hunt or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that this drought doesn\u2019t mean the Indian are having a hard time of it,\u201d Ben said, thoughtfully. \u201cPerhaps we ought to find out if there\u2019s been any other trouble round about lately. You haven\u2019t heard anything when you\u2019ve been in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNor me,\u201d agreed Adam. \u201cBut the drought is only really beginning to bite now. Perhaps any trouble has only begun in the last few days. None of us has been in town this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the fire watch still on?\u201d Ben asked. The hills were tinder dry, and the least spark from could set off a conflagration that would burn the whole ranch. They couldn\u2019t afford for that to happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, still on,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cReckon I\u2019m gonna turn in. I\u2019m a mite tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be far behind you,\u201d Adam said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cNor me,\u201d agreed Ben. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

When the family gathered for supper the next evening, Adam and Hoss did most of the talking. Joe was there, but he was still pale and wan looking, and he picked listlessly at his food. The heat was incredible. All the windows in the house stood open, but there wasn\u2019t a breath of air.<\/p>\n

\u201cNate Jenkins said a bunch of Indians tried to run off one of his prize bulls. The bull had other ideas, and they left in a hurry when Nate turned the dogs loose.\u201d Adam took a bite of his meal, and Hoss took up the tale.<\/p>\n

\u201cMizz Johnstone says Abe woke up the other night and saw a bunch on Injuns in the corral. They didn\u2019t manage to get any of their cattle, but they took a ham and a side of beef that had been fresh butchered that day.\u201d Hoss settled back down to the important business of the day \u2013 eating.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the same story all over,\u201d Adam concluded. \u201cThey make a raid, but botch it totally. The only thing they\u2019ve managed to get away with was a ham and a side of beef. Nate says they weren\u2019t very young. Not braves out on their first hunt, not that young. He says they looked to be about Joe\u2019s age. And, like Joe, says there was something funny about their paint. It just didn\u2019t seem right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this is a mystery,\u201d Ben commented. He glanced once more at Joe, and stifled the comment he was about to make. Apart from Hoss, who seldom suffered a loss of appetite, the heat was making them all feel less like eating. \u201cKeep your eyes open, boys. These Indians might be inept right now, but who knows when they might start to improve, and I don\u2019t want to lose any of our head before we take them to market.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Adam agreed, and also looked at Joe. \u201cFeel all right, buddy?\u201d he asked. Joe\u2019s shirt was untucked, a sure sign that he wasn\u2019t feeling 100%.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cI was just thinking about those Indians. That trick with the rope across the road. That\u2019s more a white man\u2019s thing, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think you\u2019re probably right,\u201d Ben said, slowly. \u201cBut they could have picked up the idea anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d agreed Joe. He laid down his fork. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, I think I\u2019ll go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rest of his family watched as he made his weary way to the stairs. They all sympathized. It was bad enough to be unwell, without having to suffer thorough heat like this. They each silently hoped that tomorrow would bring rain.<\/p>\n

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

The drought continued unabated. Each day, the sun shone out of an arc of pure blue. The sky seemed to be bleached to almost colorless along the tops of the mountains. The grass shriveled and went brown. The watering holes dried up. The streams were barely more than trickles. Even the mighty Lake Tahoe began to go down. No one moved faster than they had to. People began to die as they drank stagnant water from almost dry ponds. There were many cases of sunstroke.<\/p>\n

But life had to go on. On the Ponderosa, chores still had to be done. Hay had to be cut and hauled, and it was a bumper crop this year. Horses had to be shod; fences had to be mended. The grazing for the herd had to be checked regularly. And through all the usual chores, a fire watch was maintained.<\/p>\n

The Indian raids continued, and they were still just as ineffective. The odd chicken went missing, and sometimes a pre-butchered ham or side of beef was taken, but generally, the Indians didn\u2019t seem to know what they were doing. Life was too tough, right then, for anyone to begrudge the Indians a few chickens. Everyone was battling for survival.<\/p>\n

As he drove the buckboard slowly into town to collect some supplies, Joe found himself thinking about the newspaper reports he had read the other day, which reported that the South was suffering from excessive amounts of rain. He fervently hoped that some of that rain would come their way soon. The sun was beating down on his bare forearms, and he thought sympathetically of one of the men who had a very bad sunburn. Joe had never been as darkly tanned as he was that year.<\/p>\n

The town was as busy as usual, but the people moved more slowly. Joe placed the order at the general store, and went across to the saloon for a beer. To his surprise, there wasn\u2019t any beer. \u201cNot enough water to make beer,\u201d Sam, the bartender complained. \u201cAll we\u2019ve got is whisky!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll pass on that,\u201d Joe said, making a face. \u201cSay, Sam, anyone been in here talking about those Indians lately?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, someone did mention seeing them off in the distance, Joe, but I don\u2019t recall who it was.\u201d Sam screwed up his face in thought. \u201cMight have been old Griggs. You know, the old trapper who comes about once in a while. Might have been him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wondered,\u201d Joe replied. He still found himself puzzling over the attacks. \u201cWell, see you around, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, Joe,\u201d Sam replied, and went back to polishing the glasses. Business was slow.<\/p>\n

The supplies were ready, and Joe and the storekeeper loaded them onto the wagon together, and then Joe climbed onto the seat, and headed for home. It was going to be a long journey, especially as he had to keep the horses to a walk.<\/p>\n

The team didn\u2019t really need a lot of driving; they knew where they were headed. Joe was almost drowsing as they plodded on. He stopped them for a rest a couple of times, and even managed to find a stream with just enough water to give the team a drink. So when the attack came, he was caught unawares.<\/p>\n

The Indians rose up out of the bushes at the roadside, and grabbed the team\u2019s bridles. Joe fumbled for his gun, but a sharp blow on his forearm numbed his fingers, and his gun clattered to the road. Undaunted, Joe resorted to his other weapon \u2013 his fists. He began to throw punches at the nearest brave, as the others started to loot the supplies on the wagon.<\/p>\n

It was hopeless; Joe knew that. But he couldn\u2019t let the supplies go without a fight. Outnumbered, Joe soon found himself in the strong grip of a couple of braves, while another punched him repeatedly. Even as he fought, Joe was aware that there was something odd about this attack. The braves\u2019 paint didn\u2019t look right. And he\u2019d seldom met an Indian who fought with his fists, and not a knife! But he had no time to think it through. A final blow to the head sent Joe\u2019s wits flying, and he fell to the ground, dazed. He was unable to resist as the Indians bound him hand and foot, and then left, taking the wagon with them.<\/p>\n

It was sometime before Joe revived enough to begin to struggle, and he realized very quickly that he had no chance of getting loose. This was one attack that the Indians hadn\u2019t botched. As the afternoon wore on into evening, Joe lay by the roadside, and suffered. His mouth was horribly dry, and his hat had got lost sometime in the melee. The sun beat down on his unprotected head mercilessly. He ached all over from the beating he had taken. \u201cOh, Pa, find me,\u201d he whispered, before drifting off into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cShouldn\u2019t Joe be back by now?\u201d Ben asked, as Adam and Hoss came in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe isn\u2019t here?\u201d Adam said, needlessly. \u201cBut he left this morning. Even if he went into the saloon, he should have been back long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked at each other, concern etched on their faces. \u201cI think we ought to go look for him, Pa,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cI\u2019d sooner he was angry with us for treatin\u2019 him like a baby, than find out somethin\u2019 had happened to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaddle the horses,\u201d Ben said, and he began to buckle on his gun belt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

The sun was well down, but the heat was just as intense. A very faint breeze rose off the water of Lake Tahoe, but it just made the anxious men feel even hotter than before. They had gone more than half way to town before Hoss shouted, \u201cThere!\u201d and pointed.<\/p>\n

Almost invisible by the side of the road, Joe lay unmoving. His eyes were closed, and bruises marked his face. His shirt was ripped. Ben threw himself from his horse, and knelt by his youngest son. He saw the sweat beading on Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cJoe!\u201d he exclaimed, and set about freeing him from his bonds.<\/p>\n

The blood on Joe\u2019s wrists gave mute testament to his struggles to free himself. Ben took the canteen Hoss offered him, and poured some water onto Joe\u2019s face. After a moment, Joe groaned. Ben lifted his head, and trickled a little of the precious liquid into Joe\u2019s mouth. Joe choked, and opened his eyes. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered, his voice little more than a breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, son,\u201d Ben said, offering him a little more water. Joe swallowed it eagerly, but Ben wouldn\u2019t allow him to drink too much too soon, knowing that it would make Joe sick. He could feel the heat coming from Joe. He gestured to Hoss to soak a bandanna, and bathed Joe\u2019s sweaty face with it. \u201cLet\u2019s get you home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

It was only after Joe was home that they were able to ask him what had happened. Joe told them as best he could. His head throbbed, and he couldn\u2019t seem to get enough water. He was soaked in sweat, and his speech wasn\u2019t entirely coherent. Ben, as he helped Joe out of his dusty, torn clothes, noticed that his son had sunburn on the back of his neck, and concluded that Joe had sunstroke. \u201cBring me some cool water,\u201d he instructed Adam, and his oldest son hurried to do his bidding.<\/p>\n

After about an hour of being wiped down with cool cloths, and getting small drinks of water, Joe\u2019s temperature was back to normal, and he was sleeping. Ben hadn\u2019t pressed him to tell them any more about what had happened to him. Time for that when Joe was feeling better again. He checked the window was open before he left Joe alone for the night.<\/p>\n

Downstairs, Adam and Hoss were sitting listlessly by the empty fireplace. They looked up at Ben as he came down. \u201cThe supplies are gone,\u201d Adam reported. \u201cIf it was those Indians, they managed to get this raid right. They must be learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find out for sure from Joe in the morning,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe was pretty badly beaten. He\u2019s going to be sore for quite a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t like Injuns to beat people,\u201d Hoss commented. \u201cThey\u2019s much more likely to shoot an arrow through ya, or knife ya in a close fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen Joe was lucky,\u201d Adam commented, throwing Hoss a black look. Ben didn\u2019t need reminding. \u201cTomorrow, we\u2019ll go and look for the wagon,\u201d he went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, all right,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut stay together. I don\u2019t want any more of my sons getting injured.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The next morning, they woke to clear skies, and high temperatures again. Joe was still slightly feverish, but he was lucid again, and was able to tell his story. Like his brothers, he was surprised that the Indians hadn\u2019t knifed him. Again, he mentioned the war paint looking wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir clothing was completely plain, like the Sioux, but they didn\u2019t look like Sioux,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they had been Sioux, you\u2019d be dead,\u201d commented Adam, dryly. \u201cPiautes? Shoshone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Joe said, frowning. He ached all over, and his headache still lingered. He moved slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position. But the movement just set up a protesting chorus from a different set of bruises. He winced. \u201cI wish I could put my finger on what it is, but I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might be worth having a word with Winnemucca,\u201d Ben said. \u201cPerhaps he might know something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Piautes are away down south,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cI saw Winnemucca a few weeks ago, and he told me he was heading down south till the weather broke. Said this weather is bad for fires.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hope he\u2019s wrong,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it was a thought,\u201d Ben commented. \u201cIf you two are going to look for the wagon, then for pity\u2019s sake, don\u2019t ride in the midday sun. Rest up then, and be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will, Pa,\u201d they promised, and after giving Joe a smile, they left.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I get you anything, son?\u201d Ben asked, as his older sons left.<\/p>\n

\u201cA cool breeze?\u201d joked Joe, and a smile crossed his bruised and battered face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I had one, I think I might keep it for myself,\u201d Ben teased. He hated to see Joe in such discomfort, but the youth\u2019s humor was a good sign. \u201cI\u2019ll leave the door open. If you want anything, just shout.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d Joe momentarily looked troubled, and Ben sat down again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it? Come on, out with it, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa,\u201d Joe said, wretchedly. \u201cAll the supplies gone. You\u2019ll have to get more, and someone will have to go for them. I\u2019m sorry I was so careless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can replace supplies easily,\u201d Ben said, stroking Joe\u2019s hair. \u201cBut I can\u2019t replace any of my sons!\u201d<\/p>\n

Those wonderful green eyes of Joe\u2019s were always a mirror for his soul. They blazed with sudden light, and the smile he gave Ben was blinding. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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

About two hours later, Ben heard the rumble of wagon wheels in the yard, and got up from the desk to go and look. Sure enough, it was Adam and Hoss, and they had both the wagon and the team.\u00a0 Ben went out into the yard to greet them, and saw that some of the supplies, at least, were still in the wagon. \u201cWhere did you find it?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUp off the road a bit from where we found Joe,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cThree or four miles on. The team were hitched loosely to a tree, and had access to a little water. They look as though they were well taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s get the supplies unloaded, and then we can see what we need to replace,\u201d Ben said. His mind wasn\u2019t really on the supplies; it was on the inconsistencies they kept meeting when these Indians appeared. No Indian would leave supplies in a wagon they had captured, nor would they leave the horses. They would keep any animals they came across. It didn\u2019t make sense.<\/p>\n

Later that afternoon, Hoss and Adam rode into town to get the supplies they still needed, and to tell Sheriff Roy Coffee about the attack on Joe. He promised to keep an eye out for the Indians, but with the ground so hard, it was impossible to track them very far. Frustrated, but understanding Roy\u2019s problem, the Cartwrights left for home, and this time got there unmolested.<\/p>\n

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

After a few days, Joe was up and about again, although still black and blue. He reluctantly accepted his father\u2019s stricture about staying in the house, but he was restless, and chafed against the restriction. Ben was out supervising the last of the haymaking, along with Adam and Hoss. Hop Sing was busy in the steamy kitchen, and Joe was bored. He wasn\u2019t in the mood for reading, and he wandered in and out of the kitchen until Hop Sing was ready to do \u2018number three son\u2019 serious amounts of injury.<\/p>\n

Taking the hint, Joe wandered outside. It was just as hot as ever. He glanced up at the sky, and wondered when it would rain again. Another few weeks of this, and they would be in real trouble! From somewhere drifted the elusive scent of smoke. For a moment, Joe\u2019s nose didn\u2019t register what it was smelling, but there was a tiny movement of air, and the scent of smoke was back in his nostrils.<\/p>\n

Smoke! It was what they had all been dreading. A forest fire in weather like this would be a disaster. There was no time to lose. Joe headed into the stable and hefted his saddle onto Cochise. It was an effort, but he barely noticed the strain. He had to get word to someone about the fire, and they had to track it down before the whole ranch burned to the ground!<\/p>\n

As Joe rode out of the yard, Hop Sing appeared from the kitchen, and promptly started screeching in Chinese. Joe understood a little of the language, but he hadn\u2019t the time to listen now. He kicked Cochise into a canter. A little further down the trail, Joe met Fred, who was riding back towards the ranch. \u201cFred! Quick, tell Pa and the others. There\u2019s a fire somewhere! I can smell the smoke!\u201d<\/p>\n

Without waiting for a reply, Joe kicked on, following some in-built instinct. Fred shouted, \u201cJoe! Come back here!\u201d But Joe ignored him. Cursing, Fred turned his horse and set off for the hayfields at a gallop.<\/p>\n

Pulling Cochise to a halt, Joe sniffed the air again. His pinto pawed nervously beneath him, and Joe absent-mindedly soothed his hand down the sleek, sweating neck. The hint of wood smoke drifted his way again, and Joe pinpointed it now. It was coming from a stand of trees near the lake. He rode on, clutching his ribs, which were aching from the strain.<\/p>\n

The fire was still fairly small, which was amazing under the circumstances. Joe dragged his bedroll off the back of the saddle, and ran towards the flames. As he got closer, he could see that someone had dug a fire pit for a camp, but hadn\u2019t made a good enough job of it, and the fire had escaped. Joe began to wield the blanket energetically against the flames. He hoped help would arrive before the fire got any worse.<\/p>\n

Fire is a tricky thing. Just as you think you\u2019ve got it under control, it turns on you. Joe straightened, coughing, and glanced back the way he had come. To his horror, the fire had circled round behind him, and he was trapped! The heat was intense, and Joe could almost feel it dancing along his skin. Frantically, he beat at the flames, knowing he had to keep going if he was to have any chance of surviving the conflagration.<\/p>\n

Vaguely, over the roar of the fire, he heard shouting, but he had no time to look and see who it was. The smoke was in his chest, and breathing was difficult. With each passing moment, Joe\u2019s movements became weaker and weaker. Suddenly, there was a crash from above, and Joe barely managed to dodge a flaming limb as it crashed to earth. A spark jumped onto his shirt, and suddenly, his clothes were alight.<\/p>\n

Yelling in shock, Joe dropped to the ground and rolled, as he had been taught. Then there was a body there, another person, and he bodily lifted Joe, slung him over his shoulder, and jumped through the barrier of flames. Joe\u2019s shirt was still alight, and he was yelling incoherently. Then he was falling, and the cool water of the lake closed over his head. Joe inhaled a mouthful, but the relief was immediate.<\/p>\n

As he came, spluttering, to the surface, he realized that his rescuer was Adam, who was also wet through. Adam pulled him roughly to his feet, and propelled him to the shore. Joe could barely move, he was so stiff and tired, but he sloshed his way to dry ground, and flopped down to rest. Adam dropped beside him.<\/p>\n

Coughing, Joe watched as Ben and the hands fought the fire. For a time, it seemed as though the flames would win, but gradually, they were beaten back, until there was only a patch of burnt forest. The Ponderosa was safe!<\/p>\n

Everyone was blackened with smoke, and coughing heavily. Ben dropped to his knees by Joe and Adam, exhausted. \u201cAre you both all right?\u201d\u00a0 he asked, worriedly. \u201cAre you burned?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so, Pa,\u201d Adam answered. He looked at Joe. His younger brother\u2019s shirt was burned away in places, but the skin underneath, although a touch red, wasn\u2019t blistered. Adam had arrived in the nick of time!<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Ben asked, and looked more closely for himself, pulling the remnants of Joe\u2019s shirt away. \u201cJoe, thank goodness you smelt the smoke! But why did you try and fight the fire yourself? Why didn\u2019t you get help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sent Fred,\u201d Joe protested. His voice was hoarse from the smoke. \u201cI couldn\u2019t not do anything, Pa! The whole ranch might have been lost!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re on the sick list,\u201d Ben pointed out, acidly. \u201cYou could have been badly hurt, Joe! How do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTired, \u201c Joe said, and smiled. \u201cI\u2019m okay, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get home,\u201d Ben said, rising. He put a hand down to help Joe to his feet, and Adam did the same. As he began to get up, Joe realized that his aggrieved muscles were even more painful than they had been. He tired to hide his wince of pain, but Ben had eyes like a hawk, and he looked sharply at Joe\u2019s face. \u201cAll right?\u201d he asked. \u201cCan you ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can ride,\u201d Joe answered. Nothing short of death would make him admit that he didn\u2019t feel up to it. He shivered slightly, and Ben frowned. Adam was shivering, too. After a moment, Ben realized that there was quite a sharp little breeze blowing in from the lake. Looking over to the mountains on the far side of the water, Ben saw clouds in the sky for the first time in 6 weeks. Finally, there was rain on the way.<\/p>\n

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

The rain arrived that night, battering off the hard ground. The temperature dropped abruptly, and that night in the Ponderosa, there was a fire lit. Adam and Joe had both had a bath and a nap, and were up and about again. Joe was obviously very stiff. His muscles hadn\u2019t recovered from the pounding they\u2019d had from the Indians, and he had aggravated them when he fought the fire. Ben was still exasperated by his youngest son\u2019s behavior, but had to admit that if Joe hadn\u2019t begun to fight the fire, the whole ranch could have gone up In flames.<\/p>\n

Watching the flames dancing in the hearth, Ben thought back to the moment they had arrived at the fire, and seen Joe falling to the ground, his shirt alight. Ben\u2019s heart had been in his mouth, but Adam hadn\u2019t hesitated. He had jumped from Sport, and leapt right over the flames, scooped Joe up and charged for the lake. By the time he had got Joe to the water, Ben was organizing the hands into fighting the flames. He realized that both his sons were at least mostly all right, and he could fuss over them later, once the danger was passed. But the picture of his sons trapped by that ring of fire was one that would haunt his dreams for many a night.<\/p>\n

With a start, he realized that he had almost fallen asleep, gazing into the tamer flames of the fireplace. He looked at his sons, and saw they were all sleepy, too. Even though it was still early, they had had a long day. \u201cLet\u2019s get to bed, boys,\u201d he suggested, and they all stirred, stretching the kinks out of their abused muscles. \u201cNeed a hand, son?\u201d he asked Joe, who was sliding his butt towards the edge of the settee in preparation for getting up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said, gratefully, for once not too proud to accept the help he needed. As he straightened up, he looked across at Adam. \u201cAdam, I never thanked you earlier for saving my life. I would\u2019ve died if you hadn\u2019t come when you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019d have hated Pa to be upset,\u201d Adam joked, not sure how to respond. He didn\u2019t want to dredge up the whole scene again. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t mind having you around, sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not deceived by the kidding, Joe\u2019s face remained sober. \u201cThanks anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, kid, let\u2019s get you to bed,\u201d Adam said, and for once, Joe didn\u2019t protest at being called a kid.<\/p>\n

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

It rained steadily over the next few days. The ground was initially so hard, that the rain sat in great pools on the land. Gradually, it seeped its way into the earth, and the land began to turn green again. However, the rain kept coming, and it wasn\u2019t long before all the rivers and streams were back to their full flow, and then, as the rain still continued with scarcely a break, they began to reach overflowing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never saw such contrary weather,\u201d Joe moaned one morning. It had been quite bright when they left the house, but the rain had blown in suddenly in mid-morning, and the brothers were soaked to the skin in a matter of minutes. The only consolation was that the hay had been gathered in early, and they weren\u2019t trying to dry it in the wrong kind of conditions. However, roundup was due to start shortly, and although eating dust wasn\u2019t wonderful, eating mud was even worse. \u201cOne minute we have no water, the next we have too much!\u201d He turned up the collar of his blue jacket, but it didn\u2019t stop the rain from running down his neck!<\/p>\n

\u201cQuit belly-aching and just get on with it,\u201d Adam replied, grumpily. He was as miserable as Joe, but the fences still needed mending, and the sooner they got done, the sooner they could get home and dried off.<\/p>\n

The deluge lessened and finally stopped, and Joe and Adam got the fence repaired, and headed for home. \u201cHave there been any more reports about those Indians?\u201d Joe asked, as they rode back. They weren\u2019t in any hurry. Wet pants on wet saddles at any kind of speed could mean a fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cThey must have moved on. Or else they got washed out. But who\u2019s had time to look for them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood point,\u201d conceded Joe, and they jogged on in silence. But his mind was still on the mysteries of the summer. Adam was unaware of Joe\u2019s silence. He was concentrating on not sliding off his saddle. He urged Sport to a slightly faster pace, but the ground was saturated and the horse\u2019s hooves made sucking noises as it plucked them out of the mud. After a few steps, Sport slowed down, and Adam respected his mount\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019you suppose Winnemucca knows about these new Indians?\u201d Joe asked, calling ahead over the few yards that separated them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d Adam answered, shortly. \u201cDrop it, Joe! They haven\u2019t been seen since the rains began. Let\u2019s just leave it at that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, pardon me for breathing,\u201d returned Joe. \u201cWho rattled your cage? No, scratch that, I know it was me! I was trying to make conversation, that\u2019s all!\u201d<\/p>\n

Irked by Joe\u2019s tone, and annoyed with his own shortness of temper, Adam did what he frequently accused Joe of doing \u2013 acting without thinking. \u201cThen choose an interesting topic! You\u2019ve harped on about those Indians since you managed to get yourself shot by one of them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you can be sure I won\u2019t bore you any further!\u201d Joe exclaimed. He was furious with Adam\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, hang it all, Joe,\u201d Adam began, but a sudden tremor of the earth beneath his horse\u2019s hooves cut him short. It only lasted an instant, but both horses began to panic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, now. Whoa!\u201d Both men soothed their hands, but the horses sidled and half-reared. The wet ground beneath their feet churned into soupy mud.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get out of here!\u201d Joe said, the quarrel forgotten. \u201cThis whole slope is loose!\u201d<\/p>\n

But it was too late. This latest deluge of rain had loosened the soil, and Sport\u2019s few steps in canter had knocked loose a stone. That one tiny thing was enough to start the whole slope going, and there was nothing Joe or Adam could do. With a roar, the ground gave way, and men and horses fell down the slope in a flurry of arms and legs.<\/p>\n

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

Coming into the house, Hoss shed raindrops alo9ng with his slicker. Unlike his brothers, he\u2019d learned not to trust the weather, and had taken his slicker with him. It had kept most of him dry, but there was still a tidemark of wet halfway up his thighs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Ben protested, as a drop or two hit him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, contritely. He rolled up his gun belt and put it on the credenza. \u201cI sure thought Adam an\u2019 Little Joe woulda in home by now. That fence didn\u2019t need that much repair, did it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think so,\u201d answered Ben. He frowned. \u201cNeither of them had their slickers. They\u2019ll be soaked to the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t guess they\u2019ll shrink none,\u201d joked Hoss, heavily. \u201cAt least they\u2019ll be clean!\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Ben clapped Hoss affectionately on the shoulder. \u201cGo put on some dry clothes, son. Supper won\u2019t be long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Supper was soon on the table, and Adam and Joe hadn\u2019t arrived. Neither Ben nor Hoss had much appetite and they soon admitted how concerned they were. \u201cWhat should we do, Pa?\u201d asked Hoss, standing aimlessly in front of the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to look for them,\u201d Ben responded. He walked to the door, and reached for his gun.<\/p>\n

There was a sound at the door, and it opened to reveal Adam, caked in mud, his clothes torn. There was a gash along his head, and he cradled his right arm. \u201cAdam!\u201d Ben exclaimed in horror, and caught his oldest son about the waist as his legs gave out.<\/p>\n

\u201cLandslide,\u201d Adam said, obviously exhausted. \u201cJoe\u2026 is\u2026 missing.\u201d Safe home, his duty done, Adam collapsed into his father\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

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

There was pandemonium for quite a while at the Ponderosa. Doc Martin was summoned. Hoss went out in the yard and found Sport and Cochise. They were both covered in mud and scratches, and were dreadfully lame. He tended to them while Ben gently washed the mud off Adam.<\/p>\n

While Doc Martin set Adam\u2019s broken arm, and bandaged the gash on his head, Hoss paced the great room, consumed with worry about both his brothers. He had sent out some hands to look for Joe, but there had been no reports back from them yet. As soon as Ben told him Adam would be all right, Hoss headed out to look for Joe.<\/p>\n

The landslide had been easy to find, but a thorough search failed to turn up any sign of the youngest Cartwright. The light faded away, until Hoss was finally forced to go home, empty handed.<\/p>\n

Half soaked, and worn out, Hoss miserably confessed to Ben that Joe was still missing. The hands had had no luck, even though they had been digging through the mud with shovels.\u00a0 \u201cHe might be dead,\u201d concluded Hoss, flatly.<\/p>\n

Wordlessly, Ben stared into the flames. Over the summer, Joe had been in one scrape after another, but Ben hadn\u2019t really feared for his life through any of them. Now, he did. He had faced landslips before, and knew that it was quite conceivable that Joe\u2019s body might never be found. Deep within, he suspected that he would never be able to accept Joe\u2019s death without seeing the body. He would always be hoping that Joe was alive somewhere, and that hope would eventually destroy him and his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll look again tomorrow,\u201d he said, starkly. \u201cI\u2019ll go and sit with Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Slowly, Joe fought his way up from the dream that had held him captive. He dreamt that he and Adam were falling, and Adam\u2019s voice was calling out his name. Then Adam\u2019s voice disappeared, and Joe bolted upright. \u201cADAM!\u201d he screamed.<\/p>\n

For a moment, his eyes saw nothing, then adjusted to a different darkness, and an Indian tepee swam into focus. Joe caught his breath. He wondered if he was hallucinating, but details began to impinge on his consciousness. The furs he sat on, and which covered him, were poorly treated and smelt. The tepee walls weren\u2019t as wind and watertight as they should be, for rain leaked in all around the hide structure.<\/p>\n

The flap was pushed aside, and a young man entered. His buckskin clothing fit poorly, and his hair hung loose, rather than in braids. He wore no paint, which wasn\u2019t a surprise, and when he spoke, Joe discovered that his English was excellent.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked, and Joe wondered again if he was hallucinating. But then, the young man touched him, and Joe winced in pain. From all over his body, he was assaulted with pain, and he sank back, biting his lip to stop from crying out.<\/p>\n

It was true! He and Adam had fallen! \u201cAdam!\u201d Joe cried, again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, you were alone,\u201d the Indian said. \u201cI am \u2026 White Deer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright,\u201d muttered Joe, trying to keep a hold of the grief that bellowed through him. Adam might not be dead, he thought. He swallowed. The pain was centring itself on his left arm and shoulder. He caught his breath as he tried to ease it slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re quite badly hurt,\u201d White Deer went on. \u201cWe wanted to take you to your home, but we didn\u2019t know where it was. You\u2019ve been out of it for quite a few hours. You\u2019ve had a bad bang on the head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPonderosa,\u201d Joe said, his tongue feeling thick. \u201cPlease, take me there. No harm will come to you, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is dark,\u201d protested White Deer, taken aback.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d Joe repeated, and gathered his wandering wits. \u201cMy should is dislocated, and I think my arm is broken. I\u2019m left-handed. If it\u2019s not set soon, I\u2019ll be unable to use that hand again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, we should have known,\u201d said the other. \u201cRest, and I\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d He gave Joe some water and left.<\/p>\n

A short time later, he was back, and with the others. Joe fought back the pain, and asked for their help. There was soon a full-scale argument going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe stole their food,\u201d said one. \u201cThey will want to arrest us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t matter,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cJust take me home, and my father will give you what you ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have stolen from others,\u201d interjected another.<\/p>\n

And so it went on. Joe repeated again and again that it didn\u2019t matter what they had done. Finally, desperately, he said, \u201cIf you need help with finding food and making what you need, we\u2019ll help you!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a stunned silence. White Deer broke it. \u201cWhat makes you think we need help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Too sore to think of keeping quiet, Joe pointed out the discrepancies they\u2019d noticed over the months. Again, the braves were silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right,\u201d white Deer said, at last. \u201cI\u2019m going to get him home, and if they help, I\u2019ll be grateful to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another argument broke out, but it wasn\u2019t as heated as the last one. Gradually, one by one, they came round to White Deer\u2019s way of thinking. Joe was helped to a crude travois and they headed for the ranch.<\/p>\n

It was just daylight when they got there. Ben and Hoss were saddling up, ready to resume the search for Joe. Hearing the hooves, they went out into the yard.<\/p>\n

For a moment, they gazed at the Indians disbelievingly, then their eyes fell on Joe, and they rushed to his side. One glance told them both that Joe needed a doctor at once. His green eyes were glazed and he felt feverish. \u201cLet\u2019s get him inside,\u201d Ben said, to Hoss, who gently picked Joe up, and carried him away.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for bringing my son back,\u201d Ben said, eyeing this group of young men. \u201cI\u2019m very grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe spoke of another,\u201d said White Deer. \u201cWe didn\u2019t find anyone else.\u201d It wasn\u2019t quite a question.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy other son, Adam,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cHe made it home last night. We were all worried about Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry we weren\u2019t able to set his shoulder,\u201d White Deer went on. \u201cWe don\u2019t know much about medicine. Joe said that you would help us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that I can do,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cJust ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need help to live like Indians. We are sorry that we have been raiding ranches over the summer, but we did not know how else to get food.\u201d<\/p>\n

Intrigued, Ben said, \u201cPlease, come inside. Have something to eat, and I\u2019ll tend to Joe. Then we can talk about what you need. Please. I won\u2019t be sending for the sheriff, I give my word.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, they dismounted. Ben sent one of the hands for Doc Martin (he wondered if Doc Martin shouldn\u2019t just move to the ranch, the number of times he\u2019d been out that summer), and escorted his guests inside. Hop Sing soon had some food on the go, and the young men fell on it as though they were starving. Looking more closely, Ben thought they just might be.<\/p>\n

By the time Paul Martin arrived, the Indians were replete, all of them having almost rivaled Hoss\u2019 capacity for food. Hop Sing was delighted his talents had been appreciated. Hoss came down to join them as Ben went upstairs. After a few minutes, they heard Joe scream in pain, and Hoss blanched.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts not easy to hear one you love in pain,\u201d said White Deer. \u201cWhen we were younger, my brother, Running Deer, was injured, and I remember crying as his arm was set.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s the youngest,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cI\u2019ve always looked out for him. He sure does get into a lot of trouble!\u201d<\/p>\n

When Ben came downstairs with Paul, Hoss and the braves were fast friends. After seeing the doctor out, Ben came and sat with them before the fire, and had a restorative cup of coffee. It was then that he heard the tale of White Deer and his friends.<\/p>\n

They had been orphaned as very young children. White Deer had only been 3, Running Deer a babe in arms. A missionary had taken all the orphaned children from the lodges, and raised them as white men. When he died suddenly, earlier that year, they were turned away from the mission by the new man, and suddenly found themselves abandoned. They had been unable to get jobs, because they were Indians. Their own people were no longer on the reservation, and they drifted from place to place, until they decided they would return to the ways of their ancestors. The only problem was, they didn\u2019t really know how to do anything. Hence the badly cured furs, and the poorly made tepee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had to steal to live,\u201d said White Deer. \u201cWe knew it was wrong, but we didn\u2019t know who to turn to for help.\u201d He blushed. \u201cIt was Joe that we shot when we were trying to steal one of your cattle. I don\u2019t know how to tell you how sorry we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a minor injury,\u201d Ben said. \u201cBut we will help you. We\u2019ll teach you all you need to know about tracking, and trapping. About curing furs and making a tepee. Why don\u2019t you stay with us for a while? Help with a few chores around the place as you\u2019re learning, and we\u2019ll feed you, too. How about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eyes shining, the young men looked at each other, unable to believe this stroke of good fortune. \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright, we accept,\u201d White Deer said.<\/p>\n

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

Opening the door, Ben saw that Joe was awake. He smiled and went in, sitting down on the edge of the bed. \u201cHow do you feel, son?\u201d he asked, tenderly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSore,\u201d Joe replied, honestly. He was still slightly feverish, but Paul wasn\u2019t concerned. His chest was clear, and his shoulder had gone back into place very nicely, considering how long it had been left. The break in his forearm wasn\u2019t complicated, and Paul had set it easily. Luckily, with it all being on the one arm, Joe still had a hand free to feed himself, and see to other personal needs. \u201cPa, White Deer\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Deer and his friends are going to stay here in the mean time, and learn all the crafts they would have learned if they had been raised as Indians. \u201c Ben told Joe the story. He listened intently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew there was something,\u201d he said, afterwards, almost to himself. \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you, sore,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cNow, Joe, don\u2019t go saying \u2018I told you so\u2019 to your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Joe said, looking so innocent, that Ben wasn\u2019t fooled for an instant.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you!\u201d He laughed. \u201cI know you.\u201d They laughed together. After a moment, Ben sobered. \u201cJoe, you were both incredibly lucky. I could have lost you both.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Adam was dead,\u201d Joe admitted, bleakly. \u201cI suppose he thought I was dead, too.\u201d He looked thoughtful. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I scared you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re safe, that\u2019s all that matters now,\u201d Ben said, a lump forming in his throat. He took Joe\u2019s uninjured hand, and squeezed. \u201cYou rest and get well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door opened, and they both looked round. It wasn\u2019t Hoss, as they had both expected. It was Adam. His head was still bandaged, and his broken arm was in a sling. Various lumps and bruises had formed on his face in the last few hours, and he looked all together dreadful. But that cool smile was on his face, and there was warmth in his deep brown eyes. \u201cWell, little brother, I see you\u2019ve turned up again.\u201d The words were tart, but the tone was warm, and Joe grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I was right about those Indians,\u201d he blurted, quite forgetting what his father had said to him such a short time before.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was probably you being right that caused that landslip,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cIts not often you\u2019re right!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben rose. He put his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead, just to check that the fever was still down. \u201cI\u2019m going,\u201d he said. \u201cPlease keep the noise down as you fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not fighting, Pa,\u201d protested Joe. His eyes twinkled, merrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we\u2019re just having a discussion,\u201d Adam chimed in. \u201cWe don\u2019t have the energy to fight, do we, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cAdam\u2019s getting on a bit now, Pa, and I have to make allowances for him, you see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting on a bit?\u201d Adam repeated, and Ben made a hasty exit. He knew this was just their way of showing their love, and reacting to the close call they\u2019d both had, but he could only take so much. He went downstairs, and sank down into a chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I hear Adam up?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben responded, dryly. \u201cHe and Joe are having a discussion. I left them to it. If blood starts to flow, they are all yours!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa, that ain\u2019t fair,\u201d protested Hoss. \u201cThey\u2019re just my brothers, but you\u2019re their pa. Surely you can make them behave?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it,\u201d Ben said, seriously.<\/p>\n

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

As Adam and Joe recovered from their injuries, they took on the bulk of the teaching of the young braves. They explained how to make traps, and the best places to set them. Hop Sing showed them how to skin and gut their prey, and the best ways to cook over an open fire. Adam, who was a fair hand at furs, showed them how to cure furs so they didn\u2019t go off. Joe explained how to make leather. Hoss took on the teaching of tracking, and they picked it up with enviable ease.<\/p>\n

After a few weeks, Adam returned to light duties, but Joe\u2019s shoulder was taking a long time to heal properly, and he was still forbidden to ride. In truth, it had taken Cochise quite a while to get over his lameness, and Joe admitted that he would find it too painful to ride. Instead, he took the braves round the trees, and showed them which nuts were good to store, and which trees had sweet inner bark that could be tapped for late winter sweetness. He taught them the best place to make a fire, and how to find dry deadfall, even in the wettest conditions.<\/p>\n

Finally, as the trees were just beginning to show the first changes of color, Joe was allowed to ride again. He was restricted to light duties, until his arm regained its full strength, but that suited Joe. By now, the braves were living part of the time at their camp, and part of the time at the ranch. Joe waited until they were spending a few days away, and rode off one morning, not telling Ben or his brothers where he was going.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long to find Winnemucca\u2019s camp. Joe rode in slowly, making it clear to all that he came in peace. He was well known in the camp, but it never hurt to be careful. Dismounting, he didn\u2019t protest as he was relieved of his gun, and he followed a brave to the chief\u2019s tent.<\/p>\n

Winnemucca was getting on in years, but he still stood as straight as a Ponderosa pine. Joe had always admired the chief. He had a vast amount of dignity, and was adapting to a world where his values were generally ridiculed. Joe had been brought up to respect everyone, whether they were Indian, black or white. It made no difference to him. He respected a lot of the Indians\u2019 beliefs. Many of them held true to the Christian religion, and Joe thought it appalling the way the Indians were treated.<\/p>\n

After the ritual exchange of greetings, Joe told Winnemucca why he had come. \u201cI am sure you know about these braves,\u201d he said, after explaining how they came to be around. \u201cLittle happens in this land without Winnemucca being aware of it. They wish to live with their people, but have no one. I wondered if Winnemucca would be willing to adopt them into the Piautes, so they would have a people, and the chance to live as their people do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this the wish of your father?\u201d Winnemucca asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cI thought of this myself. I did not discuss it with my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a long time, Winnemucca was silent, staring at the youngest Cartwright. He respected Ben Cartwright immensely.\u00a0 He had been treated with nothing but respect from the man. The sons were good men, too. They weren\u2019t afraid to come into the camp, or to help the tribe when it was needed. What this young man asked was very unusual, but it could be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will ask the people,\u201d Winnemucca said. \u201cYou return this time tomorrow, and I will say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Winnemucca. I am grateful to you,\u201d Joe said. He was elated. He had half expected the chief to say no at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright, why do you do this?\u201d asked the chief. \u201cDid they ask this of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe answered, startled. \u201cThey are my friends, and I know they want to live the way their ancestors lived. But they haven\u2019t had a chance, and I wanted to help them, if I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time tomorrow,\u201d Winnemucca said, and went away.<\/p>\n

Unsure if he had just helped or hindered his friends, Joe rode home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

The time went past very slowly for Joe. He was restless, which his father and brothers put down to his being almost well. Joe found it very hard to keep his secret, but he didn\u2019t want everyone to know, in case it fell through. Then, he would be the only one to be disappointed. He tossed and turned all that night, never quite hitting the deep sleep he was accustomed to, and he rose next morning feeling as though he hadn\u2019t slept at all.<\/p>\n

Several times over breakfast, Ben asked him if he was feeling all right, and Joe was beginning to get really quite sort with him. \u201cPa, I\u2019m fine!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cHonestly, I\u2019m fine!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, son,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI was only asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe apologized. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to snap.\u201d He smiled. \u201cBut I am fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

It seemed to Joe to take an age before he could slip away. He rode towards the Piaute encampment, his anxiety spiraling out of sight with each passing minute. He tried to keep his hopes under control, but he didn\u2019t quite succeed. Optimism came naturally to Joe, and he couldn\u2019t help but hope for the outcome he wanted.<\/p>\n

The entire camp was gathered waiting for him. He slid down from Cochise’s back, and walked slowly forward, his heart in his mouth. Winnemucca didn\u2019t keep him waiting. \u201cI talked with the people,\u201d he said. \u201cI told them of Joe Cartwright wanting to help his friends. I told them where the friends came from. They have agreed to allow them to be adopted into this tribe. Tell your friends. The ceremony will take place at full moon, in two days time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Winnemucca,\u201d Joe gasped, barely able to get the words out. A smile broke free, and he looked round the gathered tribe. \u201cThank you all!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

He was literally dancing on air as he arrived home. White Deer and his friends had returned earlier that day, and Joe couldn\u2019t wait to tell them the news. He cornered them in the big house, as Ben, Adam and Hoss all arrived home. \u201cWhite Deer, you know you wished that you had a tribe to belong to? Well, Winnemucca has agreed to adopt you all into the Piautes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would he do that?\u201d asked White Deer suspiciously.<\/p>\n

Warily, suddenly realizing that he might have offended his new friends, Joe explained what he had done. There was a long silence. Joe caught his father\u2019s eye, and ducked his head, recognizing the anger he saw. Adam had his arms folded across his chest, and had one cynical eyebrow raised. Hoss just looked embarrassed. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to offend you,\u201d Joe said, wretchedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOffend us?\u201d said White Deer. He grasped Joe by the shoulders and the young man looked up into the other\u2019s face. \u201cJoe, do you know what you have done for us?\u201d White Deer was smiling, as were the others. \u201cYou have given us the chance of a home, and a people. How can we ever thank you for this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe happy,\u201d Joe said, simply. He felt his mouth twitch, and then his wonderful smile broke through. Glancing back at Ben, he saw that his father was smiling, too. He knew he would get a lecture about interfering, but he no longer cared! He had made his friends happy, and that was all that counted.<\/p>\n

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

Two nights later, the Cartwrights stood near White Deer and his friends as they were formally adopted into the Piautes. Joe wore a huge grin, which even his father\u2019s lecture hadn\u2019t been able to shift. The ceremony was solemn, but the celebrations after were joyous.<\/p>\n

After a time, Ben signaled to the boys that they should take their leave. Winnemucca came over, and nodded to Joe. \u201cThey are good men, Joe Cartwright,\u201d he said. \u201cI am glad you brought them to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWinnemucca is a good man,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cAnd his tribe are good people. Thank you for taking them in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at Ben, Winnemucca went on, \u201cBen Cartwright is a fortunate man to have one so thoughtful for a son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Winnemucca, \u201c Ben said. He looked at Joe, and placed a loving hand on his shoulder. \u201cI know I am.\u201d<\/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 A small band of Indians are raiding ranches and homesteads, but are surprisingly inept. Joe stumbles on their secret.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (10,480 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":3962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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":""},"categories":[23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1610,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/tenlittleindians4.jpg.png?fit=738%2C462&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":4241,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5659,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5659","url_meta":{"origin":4241,"position":1},"title":"School in a Hundred Years (by DanceDiva)","author":"DanceDiva","date":"May 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A new teacher is in for Ms. Jones and he is strict. Wanting to make a good impression Joe tries to think of what it may be like in school a hundred years from now. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (650)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2951,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2951","url_meta":{"origin":4241,"position":2},"title":"The End (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"June 8, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"It's the end. The end of everything--or is it? No KAOS in this story. Honestly! 700 words, rated K","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/The-Gift-of-Water-4.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\/04\/The-Gift-of-Water-4.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/The-Gift-of-Water-4.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13179,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13179","url_meta":{"origin":4241,"position":3},"title":"Half Brothers (by No1ButJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"July 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe asks Adam the meaning of the words \u201chalf brother\u201d. Can Adam explain it correctly so a ten-year old Joe can understand? Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count: 1250","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7641,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7641","url_meta":{"origin":4241,"position":4},"title":"None Were The Lovingest (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Ben and Little Joe discuss his father's three wives. Rated:\u00a0K\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0658","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7055,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7055","url_meta":{"origin":4241,"position":5},"title":"Pride of a Woman (by Cheaux)","author":"Cheaux","date":"September 6, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for Pride of a Man.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe has one more lesson to teach. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0 T -- \u00a0 WC \u00a01000","rel":"","context":"In "What Happened Next\/Later"","block_context":{"text":"What Happened Next\/Later","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4241"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4241\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}