A Question of Loyalty<\/strong><\/p>\nThe wolf watched with interest awakened by the fight, as the man searched the pockets of the dead man\u2019s jacket. His teeth were chattering loud, but he couldn\u2019t get the jacket off the other man. He looked around, hiding in his shirt some bloodied papers found by the dead man, and wearily scrambled to his feet. The wind blew up some of the thin layer of snow and whirled it around the dark, hunched silhouette.<\/p>\n
Three Feathers pulled the soft bear\u2019s skin tighter around himself against the piercing wind, letting his eyelids fall lower to hide the gleam of eyes from any passer-by, whether four- or two-legged.<\/p>\n
The night was coming on slowly, and temperature dropped dramatically. The thin layer of late snow lay on the ground, softening both sight and sound of the forest\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
The moonlight was creating another world of living shadows, moving around Three Feathers no louder than a breath. That particular breath and that particular movement seemed for a moment to belong to the moon\u2019s world as well.<\/p>\n
Three Feathers got up swiftly and ran up to the dark shadow. Distrust
\ndissipated after the first two steps, and caution stopped counting. The man was cold to the touch, clothed far too lightly for the falling snow and temperature. There was blood on him, and it seemed his. Three Feathers lifted the limp form and took him inside his shelter.<\/p>\n
The blood had come from the shoulder; the wound bled no more. The man was thin; his skin had acquired an alarming shade of blue, especially his face, hands and chest. He must have crawled. Three Feathers put away the drenched, bloodied paper, set water to boil, and undressed the man completely to then cover him with a woollen blanket and a buffalo skin.<\/p>\n
The water began to boil, and Three Feathers dressed the man\u2019s wound and bathed his body with a moist cloth. The man only reacted when a sip of hot herb beverage moistened his throat, and he shook violently with a moan. The next swallow caused him to open his eyes a slit, and a feeble movement of his hand disturbed the covers. He drank thirstily, burning himself in the process; he didn\u2019t seem to notice.<\/p>\n
Exhausted by the effort, the man slipped back into unconsciousness. Three Feathers glanced outside, then fed the fire in the shelter.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Ben dismounted wearily in front of the sheriff\u2019s office, not as anxious to learn his missing son\u2019s fate as he was afraid of what exactly they might learn. The telegram was worded precisely; yet they still harboured some hope for a mistake. Since the news of Adam\u2019s stage having been overtaken by Thomson\u2019s gang almost two weeks ago, they\u2019d been determinedly feeding the hope of finding him alive.<\/p>\n
When they\u2019d gone to see Roy to ask whether he knew something about the missing stage, about two weeks ago \u2013 Ben shook his head wearily. The news had hit them hard.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Roy shifted in his chair, toying with a pencil.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam\u2019s stage was attacked by bandits. Probably James Thomson\u2019s men; there are some ex-cons and escaped felony convicts among them…\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s eyes grew darker and more dangerous and he leaned slightly forward, his whole body language screaming at the sheriff to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the best of my knowledge, Adam did get on that stage,\u201d Roy glanced at Ben with a hint of sympathy in his matter-of-fact expression. \u201cIt\u2019s possible that after robbing him they would keep him for ransom.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s alive, then.\u201d It was more of a statement, although tense, than a question.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey found the driver \u2013 but the traces showed that two other men had been taken away. Alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben seemed to have remembered how to breathe, and leaned backwards in the chair. \u201cWhen does the posse gather?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has already been sent,\u201d Roy put down the pencil, put his fingers together, straightened a paper lying awry, took the pencil and started toying with it. \u201cWe\u2019re supposed to be on the lookout should Thomson come to the area \u2013 but no one really knows where he\u2019s headed. If he knows who Adam is, he might, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat can I do?\u201d asked Ben matter-of-factly, a silent mantra replaying in his head \u2013 Let him be alive, don\u2019t let them hurt him, don\u2019t let them hurt him, don\u2019t let them hurt him…<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll let you know whenever I have any news about him, Ben,\u201d Roy put the pencil down again, reached for it in a second, realised what he was doing and put his hands on the desk, resting them.\u201dYou\u2019ll be the first one to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
~~~<\/p>\n
\u201cBen?\u201d Roy glimpsed the familiar figure through the window and opened the door to call his friend. \u201cI was just about to… Come in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben strode into the office, with Joe following. \u201cNews?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood news, Sheriff?\u201d asked Joe hopefully, almost at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems that the posse found something \u2013 please sit down,\u201d Roy took his place behind the desk unhurriedly. When his friends were comfortably seated, he disclosed softly, \u201cThey found the other man \u2013 Mr Stocks \u2013 who was with Adam on that stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlive?\u201d Joe perked up, almost forcefully fuelling his hope, while Ben sank deeper into the chair, reading Roy\u2019s tone correctly. The sheriff glanced at him, then at Joe and answered mutely with a sad shake of the head. Clearing his throat and averting his eyes from Joe\u2019s both shocked and crestfallen expression, he continued, \u201cIt seems that Thomson\u2019s divided his men and dispersed them in a rocky area. It\u2019s difficult to say which group has Adam. The sheriff\u2019s quite positive that Adam\u2019s alive,\u201d noted Roy gently. \u201cThey have to split up and follow as many groups as they can trace. I may be gathering a posse here in a couple of days to help, if Thomson gets close enough, as he seems to be making a kind of circle. If he keeps it up, he may end up quite close to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know where you can find us, Roy,\u201d Ben sat up in the chair, solemn but with a spark of hope in the dark eyes. \u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all I know right now.\u201d Roy smiled at him sympathetically. \u201cI\u2019ll keep you updated, and I know where to look for you when the posse gathers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben nodded and patted Joe\u2019s shoulder absently. \u201cWe\u2019ll be there, right Joe?\u201d He smiled at his youngest, noting with heartache the pain and the hope in the green eyes. \u201cWould you get the mail, son? I\u2019ll be right behind you, just want to ask Roy a favour.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Joe hesitated for a fraction of a second, uncertain if he shouldn\u2019t be there to hear the request, too, but then he nodded and left the office.<\/p>\n
After a minute, Ben raised his head to look at Roy earnestly, every trace of smile gone from his suddenly aged face. \u201cThose are cruel men, Roy \u2013 how was this man \u2013 Mr Stocks \u2013 found?\u201d<\/p>\n
Roy shrugged his shoulders. \u201cDead. Everything points to the theory that he was killed by a man\u2019s hand. That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it?\u201d Ben reassured himself, piercing the sheriff through with his still darkly suspicious eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it,\u201d confirmed Roy calmly.<\/p>\n
Watching Ben leave the office slowly, Roy prayed silently that if it came to the worst, Adam\u2019s body wouldn\u2019t be found in the same condition as Mr Stocks\u2019. Ben turned to look at him once again, and the sheriff sent him a smile of friendly sympathy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll keep you updated, Ben.\u201d No way was he going to tell Ben and break his heart with the thought alone.—<\/p>\n
One day, Roy brought them news again \u2013 and the message. That message. As much as he wanted to learn Adam\u2019s fate, Ben fervently prayed for that particular message to be a mistake.<\/p>\n
A large hand rested on his back. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he straightened, drawing strength from the mere presence of his middle son.<\/p>\n
The sheriff, a lanky middle-aged man, rose to meet them; after learning their names, he directed them to the doctor. \u201cHe\u2019ll tell you more. Follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n
After hurried introductions, the doctor nodded to himself, as though making a mental note or ordering the facts, and asked them to sit down.<\/p>\n
\u201cA young man, around 30, dark hair, 6 feet something?\u201d he assured himself gently. Ben nodded mutely.<\/p>\n
\u201cDied most probably from a knife wound to the chest.\u201d The doctor regarded the two distressed men with deep sympathy. \u201cThe body was in a bad condition, it was three days old already; thankfully it was cold enough…\u201d he stopped and hesitated. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t much to help identify the body. He didn\u2019t have any papers with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to see him,\u201d claimed Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve buried him already,\u201d said the doctor gently. \u201cI told you the body was in a bad condition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss frowned. \u201cWe have a photo,\u201d he suggested. \u201cWe\u2019d like to make certain…\u201d<\/p>\n
The doctor shook his head, however. \u201cI\u2019m afraid my stomach wouldn\u2019t be strong enough to make guesses as to how he might have looked like. I allowed myself to keep something for you to identify, however \u2013 you\u2019ve included it in your description.\u201d<\/p>\n
He rose and left the room for a moment. He came back with a bundle, the colour of which made Ben catch his breath and Hoss look away for a second.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the one thing you could identify,\u201d said the doctor quietly. \u201cIs it your son\u2019s coat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben fingered the familiar yellow fabric, now with new dark stains on it \u2013 dark like dried blood. He touched the long repaired places, remembering how Adam had asked Hop Sing to fix the damage. He felt the newest, dark-stained cut more than he saw it, his eyes misting with the final realisation, the surrounding colours kaleidoscoping in the slowly forming tears.<\/p>\n
The doctor got up quietly and reached to a shelf with some bottles, vials and small boxes. He pushed a glass in each man\u2019s hand and prodded them to drink the contents. They did so automatically. Slowly, Hoss pulled out a photo with a shaking hand and offered it to the doctor with a painfully hopeful look. The man glanced at the smiling face of the dark-haired man in the picture and returned the photo with an equally painful smile, yet holding sympathy rather than hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t help me,\u201d he said softly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. He looks like a nice guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss drew in a shaky breath. \u201cCould it be \u2013 that it\u2019s not him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe matches the description. I never knew him to tell more,\u201d answered the doctor. \u201cThe man had dark hair, was about 6 feet tall, quite well-muscled, had dark pants and the yellow jacket on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHis eyes…?\u201d<\/p>\n
The doctor hesitated, then looked away. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss winced, reading the man\u2019s face accurately. He felt almost grateful for not having seen the body. His eyes sank to his feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was out there for three days, exposed to…\u201d the doctor stopped uncertainly, then added softly, \u201cBut it didn\u2019t cover the fact that a human hand took a lot of care to render him unrecognisable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss looked up, frowning.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone wanted him not to be recognised,\u201d explained the doctor. \u201cI don\u2019t know if it helps any, but it might be something you\u2019d like\u2026 or need\u2026 to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence reigned for a long, heavy moment, then Ben asked hoarsely, not looking up from the jacket he was holding in a death grip, \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d best show you,\u201d the doctor put on his jacket and together with Hoss helped Ben out of the chair and to the door. \u201cWe… didn\u2019t put a name on the cross yet. We wanted to wait for you to decide…\u201d<\/p>\n
The doctor\u2019s voice trailed away slowly, but the sheriff didn\u2019t need to hear the rest as he knew it all too well. He looked at the little sad group heading towards the cemetery, then sighed and turned to re-enter his office. Once a father himself, he knew the pain and felt with the white-haired man and his son.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Someone could be heard knocking softly at the door; after the knocking repeated, Hoss glanced at his father and brother, and seeing no reaction forthcoming, got up himself and went to the door.<\/p>\n
Roy looked rather self-conscious, however Paul exuded comfort and confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d gestured Hoss wearily. Before they could speak, he added in an undertone. \u201cI know \u2013 I know it\u2019s a neighbourly thing to do, but just don\u2019t say anything \u2013 we can\u2019t take \u2013 condolences \u2013 right now \u2013 not yet \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just came to ask if you need anything,\u201d Roy straightened and tried to look matter-of-fact. \u201cI thought you might want something from town \u2013 I\u2019m not sure you wanna face all those people just yet.\u201d The matter-of-fact mask dropped and the grey moustache moved quickly from left to right, as though nervous in its own right.<\/p>\n
Paul cleared his throat, stealing a glance at Roy, and pulled several envelopes from his black bag. \u201cHere\u2019s the mail.\u201d He rummaged through the bag again, his back to the fireplace. Roy quickly reached to his pocket and, unseen by Ben or Joe, handed Hoss a few more envelopes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam\u2019s mail. We thought your Pa didn\u2019t need to see it right now, but there may be some business dealings,\u201d he explained in a muted voice. \u201cAnd Hoss \u2013 we\u2019re looking for the men who did it, and you\u2019d better leave it at that. No taking the law in your own hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss nodded mutely, just as Paul came up with a small bottle, having made a lot of noise as he searched.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to see Hop Sing about this,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cHis uncle asked me to send him that herbal mixture. Helps when someone can\u2019t shake off bad feelings, at least that\u2019s what I understood.\u201d He glanced at Ben and murmured, \u201cHow are you taking it? Ben behave like after Marie was gone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s trying to fight it \u2013 stay alert, work the ranch.\u201d Hoss mustered up a wan smile. \u201cThat mixture will help?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I was thinking,\u201d confirmed Paul. Roy grimaced, aware that Paul had much more to offer than he, and that awareness vexed the old friend a little.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s Joe taking it?\u201d Paul continued his interrogation in an undertone.<\/p>\n
\u201cNumbly, for now. Either he sinks deeper into it or explodes,\u201d sighed Hoss. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t gotten over the shock yet, I think, although it\u2019s been a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you?\u201d Paul scanned him with friendly concern. Hoss shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone\u2019s gotta help them,\u201d he nodded towards his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss,\u201d Paul squeezed the big shoulder a bit. \u201cI know that old song, Adam sang it after Marie\u2019s death everyday. Give yourself time to grieve, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss winced at the sound of his brother\u2019s name, but nodded. \u201cI know, doc. I\u2019m grieving in my own way \u2013 just privately. Besides, there are no two little scamps to look after…\u201d he smiled wanly.<\/p>\n
At the fireplace, Ben raised his head, finally acknowledging their guests.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on in, Paul, Roy,\u201d he gestured automatically. \u201cDon\u2019t stand in the doorway. You… uhm… Any news from town?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe brought you mail,\u201d Paul seated himself comfortably on the settee. \u201cWe were a bit worried about all of you, Roy and I. I hope you don\u2019t mind a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course not, it\u2019s good to see a friendly face,\u201d admitted Ben slowly and produced an automatic smile. \u201cCoffee?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPresent,\u201d Roy raised his hand like a pupil at school and smiled lop-sidedly at his own joke, adding, \u201cGladly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe sent Roy an expression resembling a memory of a smile, and the sheriff\u2019s moustache widened in a more satisfied response.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I\u2019d ask if you need me to take care of anything in town,\u201d he added, not to let Paul be the only matter-of-fact one. \u201cI thought you wouldn\u2019t want to see all those… essentially well-meaning people… just yet.\u201d He cleared his throat self-consciously.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re quite right, Roy, thank you for your offer,\u201d Ben nodded and turned towards the kitchen. \u201cHop Sing? Please bring some coffee for our guests.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul nodded to himself; it wasn\u2019t Ben\u2019s usual volume yet, but at least he spoke above a whisper.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d The doctor included all the Cartwrights in the question with a quick glance. \u201cMind you, it\u2019s a professional question, and even Joe won\u2019t get away with \u2018Fine\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
The questioned ones responded with more or less wan smiles \u2013 which, however, seemed natural.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to cope,\u201d Ben looked into the fire, his eyes suddenly old. \u201cThere are things I think I should have… but we all…\u201d He sighed heavily. \u201cI know \u2013 we know \u2013 that this is not the way to deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right on that one,\u201d remarked Paul calmly. \u201cHave you felt detached from it all? Any of you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe it,\u201d murmured Joe into his forearms. He was sitting in Adam\u2019s armchair with his knees pulled up to his chest and his face half-hidden in his forearms. \u201cIt\u2019s like Adam\u2019s still \u2013\u201d his voice broke on his brother\u2019s name, and he finished in a whisper, \u201cstill on some business trip.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTake your feet off the furniture, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss looked at his father with appreciation for the gesture, which attempted to restore some of the old order, and received a half-smile in return. Even Joe smiled at his father gratefully while following the request.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s only natural to feel that way, Joe,\u201d said Paul softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might be easier if we didn\u2019t wake one another with dreams… we get up more tired in the morning than we were in the evening…\u201d Ben rubbed his face wearily. \u201cMaybe you could… I mean, no strong drugs, we have to get up with a clear head to be able to work…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing\u2019s uncle sent some herbal mixture,\u201d answered Paul softly. \u201cIt might be just what you\u2019re looking for… I might be surrounded by pills and drugs, but I can appreciate the power of nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chinese cook entered the room just then with the coffee, nodded at the guests and began pouring the beverage into the china cups.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have any business to deal with in Virginia City \u2013\u201d Roy seated himself closer to one of the cups rather hurriedly, eliciting small smiles on his friends\u2019 faces \u2013 which was exactly his intention. \u201cI\u2019ve missed your coffee something awful, Hop Sing \u2013 like I said, if you have any business to take care of, let me know, even if it\u2019s just the list of supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing have list of supplies to get,\u201d announced the cook. \u201cHow many pound the sheriff take in one hand?\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul chuckled, and the Cartwrights smiled again; Roy\u2019s moustache moved in a funny way while the sheriff was trying to look indignant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean, \u2018how many pounds\u2019? I\u2019m not going to carry them here, I\u2019ll have them loaded by the storekeeper\u2019s help and unloaded here!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, the sheriff too lazy and Hop Sing too puny! Who unload?\u201d argued Hop Sing in his best ranting manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, what do you feed Hoss for?\u201d protested Roy. \u201cYou always talk him into unloading the supplies anyway, I\u2019ve seen it often enough \u2013 and I\u2019m NOT lazy!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHmph,\u201d Hop Sing put down the coffee pot, turned and ranted off into the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Paul chuckled and got up to follow the Chinese cook with the bottle containing the herbal medicine from Hop Sing\u2019s uncle in his hand.<\/p>\n
Hoss finished his coffee and smiled slightly at his father. \u201cI\u2019ll go through the mail, Pa. I think you owe Roy a game of checkers \u2013 don\u2019t let us interrupt you. We\u2019ll get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the concealment of the office, he slowly looked through the four envelopes addressed to his brother. From Mrs Bradstreet, Boston \u2013 John… er… Dawson, St. Joseph (Hoss quickly wiped his eyes to clear them of the strange mist) \u2013 Olympia Sims, Boston again… a daughter of Adam\u2019s friend, Hoss recalled \u2013 Mr Darvey, San Francisco \u2013 ah, that one might deal with business. They had recently concluded a timber contract with him \u2013 Adam had.<\/p>\n
He hid the first three letters deep in the drawer and fingered the last one, hesitating before opening his brother\u2019s correspondence. It felt like he were intruding on Adam\u2019s privacy. At last, however, he opened the envelope and scanned the contents. Yes, it was something about the contract, thus not so much a matter of private correspondence. He sighed with some amount of relief and began reading, when a young voice asked in a rather disinterested manner, \u201cWhatcha reading?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss folded the letter, careful not to show the name of the addressee, and shrugged his broad shoulders. \u201cSome business letter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said we would get back to work,\u201d noted Joe, playing with some piece of paper. He was clearly looking for something to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that Charlie is a competent foreman,\u201d Hoss smiled at him, \u201cbut it wouldn\u2019t hurt to check the timber operation. What do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe sighed heavily. \u201cI\u2019d rather check the horses,\u201d he admitted. Timber used to be Adam\u2019s responsibility, and Hoss understood Joe\u2019s reluctance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has to be done,\u201d he said softly, the pursed his lips thoughtfully. \u201cI think we could do with some more wood for the fireplace \u2013 why don\u2019t you chop some? I\u2019ll just read this here letter and then I\u2019ll go to see how the work\u2019s going up there. You could go with me, then, if you\u2019re finished with the wood. I don\u2019t fancy going there myself,\u201d he admitted. \u201cIt would be nice to have some company.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe nodded once, accepting the plan. \u201cAnd Pa?\u201d he questioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Hoss patted the ledgers. \u201cHe\u2019s the only one who hates doing ledgers less than we do. What do you say we get out of this chore?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe flashed him an appreciative grin, almost like the one from better times, and left to take care of the wood. Aim, Hoss repeated to himself. No \u2013 bad word. Goal. When you have an attainable goal, a task, you strive to reach it and you stop worrying over other things \u2018cause you don\u2019t have time on your hands for that. He sighed, aware that Joe was looking to him for guidance. He\u2018d have to talk to Pa, so that he didn\u2019t have to bear the whole responsibility alone.<\/p>\n
He looked back at the letter and forced himself to read on. Focus on the facts, he told himself. Focus on the goal.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Ben gazed into the distance with a stony expression, while Hoss read the telegram he held in his shaking hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cCaught murderer of Adam Cartwright stop found guilty stop claiming innocence stop asking for a Cartwright to identify stop execution on Monday, Sheriff Gowds, Stockton, California. Sent Thursday \u2013 two days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wires were down; that\u2019s why it was late,\u201d supplied Roy quietly. \u201cSomeone from Carson was nice enough to bring the telegram here when they realised we didn\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do they need to identify?\u201d asked Joe woodenly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho,\u201d corrected Hoss, in an equally unemotional tone. \u201cThe… the murderer,\u201d he stammered. \u201cThe guy claims he\u2019s innocent. Maybe he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes it matter?\u201d mumbled Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine for him it does,\u201d reasoned Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben raised his eyes to his son\u2019s face, but didn\u2019t speak yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll get… get… some of Adam\u2019s things,\u201d Hoss\u2019 hand shook more strongly. \u201cAnd I think… if the man\u2019s innocent…\u201d he stopped and took a deeper breath. \u201cAnd it will give me some sense of direction, some goal. I\u2019d sure need that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s Saturday. Will you make it in two days?\u201d asked Ben quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll do my best, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t let an innocent man hang, son. And if \u2013 if \u2013 Leave it to the law, son.\u201d Ben fingered the cuff of his jacket absently, with unnatural calmness. \u201cAdam would like you to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. I will, Pa.\u201d Hoss hesitated, then said, \u201cI\u2019ll go right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll need a bedroll and some food,\u201d said Joe. \u201cAnd maybe a rifle, you said there seemed to be something wrong with yours.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roy got up from his chair. \u201cTake mine. And get some food from the restaurant in the meantime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will,\u201d Joe got up with a new sense of aim. \u201cBe right back.\u201d<\/p>\n
It seemed as though the Cartwrights were virtually snatching at the possibility of saving another life. They were thankful for something that important to aim for, which would take their mind off the recent pain even in the slightest degree \u2013 and not allow the already burning flickers of vengeful feelings to surface.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see if the wires have been repaired and try to send a message to Stockton,\u201d Roy offered. \u201cBen, you know where I keep my rifle and bedroll \u2013 take them and check to see if everything\u2019s fine, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben nodded with a ghost of a smile. He knew that a sheriff\u2019s rifle was checked every day, but it would busy his hands and he might just focus on checking it enough to stop thinking for an instant. Yet, he found a moment to breathe a prayer for the son he\u2019d lost, another for the one that was hurrying to maybe save a life, and one for the man who might have been innocently sentenced to death. If he was, Lord God deliver him from injustice.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Hoss brought his horse to a sharp stop. The trapdoor opened, escaping from under the man\u2019s feet, and his body jerked at the rope with its weight.<\/p>\n
Hoss averted his eyes. He had come too late. He could at least take Adam\u2019s things \u2013<\/p>\n
As though that changed anything.<\/p>\n
The wave of hushed surprise made him look towards the gallows. The line hung loose.<\/p>\n
He brushed the last of the people aside, and stepped towards the coughing man on the ground. Not even the condemned man expected the noose to be tied too loosely, although he must have prayed for it. Hoss stepped to the man sentenced for murdering his brother, helped him sit and took his chin, raising the man\u2019s head to look at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cMister,\u201d the sheriff touched his arm. \u201cMister, leave \u2018im. We gotta bring him up again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss slowly turned to gaze at him silently, then his eyes wandered over to the man behind the sheriff, without any badge. \u201cAnd who\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s Mr Thomson, who gave us the evidence to convict him,\u201d explained the sheriff. The newcomer looked business-like, and his clothes, though plain, were of good quality. All in all, he had the air of someone rather wealthy and important about him, so the sheriff decided to allow him the benefit of an explanation. \u201cHe\u2019ll bring all the murdered man\u2019s things to his family. Please let the law handle it now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss felt a slight movement in his hand; the man\u2019s head rested on it wearily. His breathing was getting slowly under control.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Thomson, or whatever is your name,\u201d said Hoss thoughtfully. \u201cWhat kind of evidence is it that sentences a man to a double death?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe killed Adam Cartwright,\u201d answered the asked man self-confidently. \u201cAnd robbed him. I have all the papers, and I aim to bring them to Adam\u2019s family \u2013 I\u2019m a friend of the family. I have to see to it that he is punished.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre there any bank drafts among the papers?\u201d asked Hoss in sudden realisation. The prisoner\u2019s head moved once in his hand in affirmation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you, Mister?\u201d asked the sheriff rather suspiciously. Something was fishy about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name is Hoss Cartwright. You should know if you were really the one to send the telegram, sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n
That said, he carefully held the prisoner against his chest and untied his hands. The man\u2019s whisper in his ear was still trembling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never been so scared in my life. Never \u2013 never, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Through the doctor\u2019s office flowed the sound of a subdued voice. Hoss shot another murderous glare at the sheriff, but refrained from commenting on the man\u2019s story. Deep down, he knew people could believe Thomson\u2019s smooth tale, especially as the man had made sure his story was the first and therefore the basic version. Adam\u2019s unkempt appearance hadn\u2019t made him more believable, at least to some, and his own version of the story, or as much of it as he was allowed to tell, might have seemed a lame attempt to turn the tables on Thomson in feeble defence. Yet they could have checked!…<\/p>\n
\u201cMr \u2013 er, Cartwright asked me to send a telegram,\u201d admitted the sheriff in response to Hoss\u2019 accusations. \u201cI thought… I decided to do that, and so you are here \u2013 you\u2019ve received the telegram, haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
At that point, Adam shifted in the bed to the sound of voices and squinted up at Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cShh,\u201d the big hand stroked his pale forehead in immediate reaction. Adam\u2019s eyes carefully slid to the sheriff, as though making sure everything was fine after all.<\/p>\n
\u201cSent…?\u201d he wheezed quietly, trying not to irritate his abused throat too much.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I\u2019ve sent it,\u201d confirmed the sheriff. \u201cI thought if they were interested, someone would come before the \u2013 in time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThomson… know?…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t talk, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sheriff shook his head in answer to Adam\u2019s inquiry. \u201cI didn\u2019t tell him. Only me and the telegrapher knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShould told me…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow would you stop,\u201d Hoss put his hand firmly on Adam\u2019s mouth. \u201cYou ain\u2019t allowed to talk, says the doc, and so you ain’t talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I should have told you,\u201d agreed the sheriff. \u201cFrankly, I didn\u2019t know what exactly to think of it. Thomson\u2019s story was completely transparent; the telegram was just to make sure. Call it a gut feeling or what…\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam pulled feebly with annoyance at Hoss\u2019 hand, but his brother shook his head. \u201cNo, you don\u2019t, Adam. Sheriff, I think big brother here is trying to tell you to trust your gut feelings next time,\u201d he turned to the man, and the annoyed tugging on his fingers stopped, so he withdrew the hand, turning back to Adam. \u201cHappy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam nodded. \u201cWater…\u201d<\/p>\n
The sheriff gazed thoughtfully out of the window for a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I will. I mean trust my gut feeling,\u201d he said eventually. \u201cAnd I swear I\u2019ll think twice next time when the noose breaks off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was loose,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second one was,\u201d admitted the sheriff carefully and moved quickly closer to the window, but Hoss was stopped in his sudden movement by a hand holding the front of his shirt in a tight fist.<\/p>\n
\u201cSit,\u201d hissed Adam with effort, but there was enough command in his voice to make Hoss obey. The big man growled under his breath, something about hanging a man dadblasted three times, then he took a deep breath to compose himself, and eventually patted Adam\u2019s hand. \u201cYou can let go now, I\u2019m calm.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hand obediently loosened its hold, and Adam\u2019s heavy eyelids slid down as his hand did.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was lucky that we didn\u2019t have a second noose ready,\u201d mused the sheriff quietly. \u201cIf not for the hurry, it might not have been too loose… You\u2019ll wake him,\u201d he said quickly, raising his hands as though in surrender and stepping backwards. \u201cI\u2019ll be in my office if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Ben and Joe appeared in the patient\u2019s room after reaching the city, Hoss greeted them with a finger to his lips. Adam\u2019s haggard appearance made his father take in a sharp breath, and Joe wince as though in sudden pain. Just then, the sleeping man stirred, shifted to his side and sighed contentedly, the action so natural that they breathed their relief almost audibly.<\/p>\n
Hoss pulled them further from the bed. \u201cDoesn\u2019t call me in his sleep anymore,\u201d he informed them. \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine. Won\u2019t be hollering for the next few days with his throat the way it is, but beside that he\u2019s just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow on earth…\u201d Ben growled, trying with all his might to control the volume of his voice.<\/p>\n
Hoss understood all too well. \u201cLater, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut hang him?!…\u201d the exclamation echoed more in Ben\u2019s eyes than in the room, for which Hoss was extremely grateful. \u201cJust on someone\u2019s say-so?\u201d<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t know half of it yet, Pa; Hoss shook his head, but kept quiet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe gallows are still standing,\u201d murmured Joe, somewhat discomforted himself at the mention of the object.<\/p>\n
Oh. The gallows. \u201cFor Thomson,\u201d explained Hoss. \u201cAny day now.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the bed came another sigh, this time different in quality, and Adam shifted to prop himself up on his elbow and look around the room. \u201cI thought I heard…\u201d he mumbled sleepily on a wheeze. Then his eyes fell on Ben and Joe, and he broke out into one huge smile. \u201cHome?\u201d he asked, unable to keep the yearning out of his voice.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cSheriff Lawson,<\/p>\n
I\u2019m writing to you in connection with the assumed murder of Adam Cartwright. Having obtained new evidence in the case, we were able to determine the identity of the dead man beyond doubt; I feel obliged to inform you of the evidence and the final results of the investigation.<\/p>\n
As you were informed, Adam Cartwright was kidnapped by James Thomson\u2019s gang and declared missing. He was found alive some time after you had informed us of the discovery of the body. According to his testimony, he was able to escape while being left with only one of Thomson\u2019s men. He was forced to kill the man \u2013 who probably had the order to get rid of the prisoner \u2013 and so made his escape. The dead man was wearing Adam\u2019s jacket, which he had taken from Adam some time earlier. By coincidence, he was close enough to Adam in colouring and build to fit the supplied description. As a matter of fact, only the jacket was recognised by the closest relatives as belonging to the missing man, as the body could no longer be subjected to that procedure. The damage rendering the dead man unrecognisable was done by Thomson\u2019s hand in order to hinder and at the best stop the investigation, as far as we could discern.<\/p>\n
We are all aware that all the then available evidence pointed to the conclusions you had reached, and so you cannot be blamed for the misassumption. Both the Cartwright family and I would like to thank you for your quick reaction and thorough and conscientious fulfilment of your duties as well as for the sympathy you expressed towards them in that difficult situation.<\/p>\n
The dead man\u2019s name was Carlile or Carlisle. It was probably a surname. His first name or nickname might have been Charlie, according to Adam\u2019s testimony, but this is still very much a guess on our part. We leave it to you to decide on what name to put on the cross.<\/p>\n
Sending my and the Cartwrights\u2019 regards, I remain<\/p>\n
Roy Coffee\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary: Adam falls into the hands of kidnappers. Will he be found, and if so, then in what condition?…
\nRating:\u00a0 PG
\nWords: 5,800<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12436,"featured_media":41001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,1005,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47381","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\/12436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=47381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=47381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=47381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=47381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}