{"id":4927,"date":"2011-06-25T16:40:49","date_gmt":"2011-06-25T20:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4927"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:25:21","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:25:21","slug":"shades-of-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4927","title":{"rendered":"Shades of War (by Krystyna)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: \u00a0 Joe departs with a light heart to attend a friends wedding little knowing that Frederic Kyle has a longer shadow that any in the family realize and it isn’t long before Joe,and Adam, are drawn into the War between North and South.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ (32,815 words)<\/p>\n

Note: My thanks to Eileen K for her research into the historical aspects of the War that were used in this story.
\nThe final page contains reviews\/comments from the Old BonanzaBrand Library.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shades of War<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright slammed shut the stagecoach door and raised his hand in farewell as he stepped back onto the boardwalk of the depot.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you in three weeks time, Joe. Make sure you don\u2019t git yerself into any trouble now, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

His deep voice was greeted by a chuckle from the interior of the coach and a tousle headed young man leaned out of the window with a grin on his face that stretched from ear to ear,<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, what kind of trouble can I get into, Hoss? I\u2019m only going to be Andrew\u2019s groomsman at his wedding. What kind of trouble can I get into doing that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, when Andrew was at school with you, we were forever having to bail you two outa trouble.\u201d Ben Cartwright reminded his youngest son with twinkling eyes and a smile on his tanned face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and I ain\u2019t fixin\u2019 on travellin\u2019 across the territory to git to bail you out again, thet\u2019s all I\u2019m sayin\u2019.\u201d Hoss added, draping one arm across his father\u2019s shoulders in a display of family fortitude.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems to me the only trouble Andrew\u2019s going to git himself into now, is getting his groomsman to the wedding in time.\u201d Joe chuckled, shaking his father by the hand and giving him a wink of the eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care, son. Give Andrew our best regards for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure will, Pa. Take care of yourselves and make sure that you don\u2019t burn the Ponderosa down before I get back.\u201d Joe chuckled.<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed, a deep belly of a laugh that gave his brother a warm feeling inside. He waved his hat in a final farewell and then settled back into the gloom of the coach\u2019s interior as the coach lurched just prior to lunging forwards.<\/p>\n

Hoss waved his hat above his head even though he knew Joe would be oblivious to the fact, whilst Ben turned and began to walk towards the horses. Hoss watched the coach disappearing down the Main Street of Virginia City for a few seconds more and then, smiling at nothing in particular, he slapped his hat back onto his head and returned to where his father, and the horses, were patiently waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree weeks without Joe rattling around the ranch.\u201d Hoss grinned, \u201cIt sure will be quiet around the place.\u201d He un-tethered the reins of both Chub and Cochise and then mounted into his saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam will be back from San Francisco in about two weeks time, if not earlier.\u201d Ben turned Buck in the opposite direction from the coach, and side by side with his second son, they trotted slowly through the Main Street. \u201cIt\u2019s not the best timing for them both to be away at the same time, but we\u2019ll just have to double up and get on with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned and darted his father an anxious glance with his blue eyes. Doubling up usually meant that he, Hoss, did his brothers\u2019 as well as his own share of the chores, while his father concentrated on the paperwork. His face dropped at the thought of all the waterholes that would be needing a clear out at this time of the year and a shiver trickled down his back at the memory of how many saplings needed attention just now.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, couldn\u2019t you send a cable to Adam and tell him to get a spurt on? I sure hate the idea of him missing out on any work around the place right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you do, Hoss.\u201d Ben glanced over at his son and smiled, \u201cFact is, Adam has important work to carry out in San Francisco and he can\u2019t hurry through it or he could lose us a great deal of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, ain\u2019t that jest typical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew Buckley and Joe gitting together right now at my inconvenience, jest like they used to always do when they were kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew could hardly help it if his wedding coincides with Adam being away, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were out of town now, and able to ride at a faster pace towards home. Hoss frowned and thought of the time when Joe was at school and Andrew Buckley was his closest \u2018buddy\u2019. It seemed that Miss Abigail Jones was forever sending messages to (mostly) Adam to sort out some problem or other caused by the two of them.<\/p>\n

It was not even that Andrew was a bad child. Like Joe he was high spirited and always looking for some kind of \u2018adventure\u2019. A day would be boring if something exciting did not happen, and if the day looked as though it were going to be boring, then the pair of them made sure something exciting happened to make sure that it was just that \u2013 exciting.<\/p>\n

It was never anything cruel or malicious, just little jokes that sometimes went rather wrong. But intentional or not, when the two of them got together, there always seemed to be complications of some sort or another. Ben and Adam and Hoss all heaved a sigh of relief when the Buckley family moved away. That had been four years ago and apart from the occasional letter from Andrew to Joe, they had not seen them since.<\/p>\n

\u201cI cain\u2019t imagine anyone wanting to marry Andrew Buckley.\u201d Hoss had declared when Joe had received the news that his best friend was getting hitched and wanting him, Joe, to be his groomsman.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast I knew he was quite a good looking youth.\u201d Ben had replied from behind the newspaper.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll mean I\u2019ll be away for some time, Pa, about three to four weeks.\u201d Joe had said, which annoyed Hoss because he had made a statement rather than a request. Ben had only sighed audibly and acceded.<\/p>\n

\u201cJest make sure you don\u2019t git mixed up at the altar and you end up with the wedding ring and the gal.\u201d Hoss snorted angrily and Ben had chuckled at that, while Joe had pulled a face at his brother and continued reading his letter.<\/p>\n

That had been only a few days earlier. Hoss sighed, he wondered if he could conjure up some friend in Sacramento or Reno or even Genoa, just so that he could get away for a few weeks. It would be ideal if he could just clamber aboard the stage and ride away without a care in the world for three full weeks without any chores or brothers to worry about at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t look so worried, Hoss.\u201d Ben consoled, \u201cJust think of all the meals that Hop Sing will cook solely for you to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned, and sighed. True enough, Hop Sing loved it when he had the chance to cook only for Hoss and Ben. He thrived on Hoss\u2019 praise. Sometimes Adam and Joe would complain that Hop Sing cooked mainly for Hoss and did not consider them at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t no kind of consolation, Pa. Fact is I\u2019m gonna be so doggone bone weary doin\u2019 all the work around the place thet I won\u2019t have no energy left to enjoy eatin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it has never stopped you yet, Hoss. I always thought you believed that hard work gave an edge to your appetite.\u201d Ben said serenely, looking straight ahead so that he could keep the smile from his face.<\/p>\n

Hoss decided to think about that for a while. Somehow he felt that he was still suffering some form of injustice, but, as Ben had said, to have Hop Sing\u2019s undivided attention was some kind of bonus. Slowly the good humour returned to his pleasant features and a smile once again graced his lips. By the time they arrived home he was even humming, and for some reason that he could not recall, it was the Wedding March.<\/p>\n

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

The day of Adam Cartwright\u2019s return to the Ponderosa was exactly ten days after the departure of Joe Cartwright. He had tethered Sport to the hitching rail and hurried towards the house, confident that he would find his father and brothers about to sit down to supper. He smiled to himself at having successfully completed his business earlier than expected and pushed up the latch to the door. He walked into the main room of the house and in the middle of taking off his hat realised that the room was quite empty. He cleared his throat noisily. He coughed. He called out \u201cPa? Hey, anyone at home here?\u201d<\/p>\n

There came only the pall of silence. He frowned, unbuckled his gunbelt and laid it down beside his hat on the bureau. It was quiet throughout the house but yet it had that strange feeling one can get that someone was actually in the building. He called out again. Then he walked to the kitchen and looked around Hop Sing\u2019s domain. Everything was in its proper place and in neat and tidy order, just like the cook preferred it to be, and Adam was promptly reminded that today would be laundry day. The day Hop Sing rode into town to cousin who knows what number with a basket of laundry to be dealt with by the cousins.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Hoss? Joe?\u201d He stood in the centre of the room, called out their names again and listened to the answering silence.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. It had been a strange period of time, these past days. He sat in his bed and stared at the cracks that gravitated out from the centre of the ceiling.<\/p>\n

He turned his head slowly and stared out of the window and saw the peaks of the pine clad mountains in the background and closed his eyes again. He wished Adam were home. He felt the sensation of sleep drifting over his body and thought he heard his son\u2019s voice calling him. Of course, Hoss was home, and he was pleased about that because, well, because he was just so tired.<\/p>\n

The accident had taken place only a week earlier. His horse had been skittish that particular day and Ben\u2019s own mood had transferred its way through the reins to the beast. Buck could sense the tension and became increasingly restless as a result. He had began to chomp more heavily on his bit, and succeeded in getting his tongue beneath it sufficiently well to remove it from the position that gave the rider the control over him. With a roll of the eyes and a toss of the head, Buck had lunged forward and gone from a skittish trot into a full gallop within seconds. Ben grappled with the reins. He was no novice at riding and breaking horseflesh, but his own loyal steady animal suddenly losing his head unnerved the rancher. Man and beast surged forwards, each fighting the other for control. Then there was the heart stopping skid as Buck lost his footing on some loose shale and Ben realised that if he did not slip his feet from the stirrups and prepare himself to leap from the saddle, he would be crushed beneath the horse as it fell.<\/p>\n

So Ben did all that he could to save himself. He let go of the reins, slipped his feet from the stirrups, lunged sideways from the saddle and fell to the ground. He rolled some way, a little distance, but stopped finally amongst some rocks and boulders. Buck, in the meantime, succeeded in keeping his feet, steadying up, and galloping on towards home and stable and fine oats to eat.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Hop Sing had found the rancher prone amongst the rocks, and to all appearances, cold and dead. It was one of those moments that were heart stopping for Hoss. Even the memory would send his heart churning over and his stomach tightening in fear. They had brought Ben home, sent one of the men to get Paul Martin, and put the older man to bed.<\/p>\n

Since that time Ben had hovered between life and death several times over. He had fought demons of his own in his nightmares. Now he was recovering, but it was to be a slow and prolonged recovery. Paul had told Hoss not to expect Ben to get up for some time, for apart from the internal injuries he had sustained, there was some severe concussion that was causing the older Cartwright a deep depression. This, Paul believed, was preventing a swifter all-round recovery.<\/p>\n

Ben heaved a sigh. All he wanted now was his son to come home. He wanted, needed, Adam to be there by his side so that he could talk to him about \u2018the problem.\u2019 The fact that he could not even recall \u2018the problem\u2019 was academic. There was something at the back of his mind that needed his urgent attention, and if he could not handle it, then Adam would have to take on the responsibility. He forced his eyes open and glanced wildly around the room. He really, really needed to talk. Sounds from downstairs. His ears picked them up and sent tiny electrical pulses thudding in his brain. His breathing became more rapid. He felt dizzy and faint and yet strove to sit up and push back the covers. Someone was downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? Pa? Joe? Is anyone home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam began to mount the stairs. He took each step quickly, as though some instinct drove him to look up there even though logic told him that his father and brothers were more than likely out on the range or in town or in the timber yards. If he listened to logic then he would have gone to the stables, or just remounted Sport and ridden out to wherever, or just stayed home and brewed up a good pot of hot coffee. But sometimes instinct pushes logic to one side and drives a man elsewhere. He hurried to his father\u2019s room and pushed open the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s deep voice was sharp with anxiety as he saw the man in the bed struggling to get onto his feet. Within seconds Adam had crossed the floor and had his arm around his father and had helped him to return, albeit rather unwillingly, to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? What\u2019s happened?\u201d he asked, his eyes wide and perplexed as they scanned the haggard face of his beloved father.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up and squinted just slightly, for the light in the room hurt his eyes. He put out a hand and touched Adam\u2019s cheek. His son, his eldest son, was here now. Those brown eyes, looking so anxiously down at him, just as they had done so often during the years. Just as they had throughout the fevered dreams of the past few days. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

The deep bass of the voice was so weak that Adam winced visibly. He held tightly to his father\u2019s hand and clasped it to his chest while he tried to work out a logical reason for what had happened and also for the absence of his brothers. Ben allowed a smile to touch his lips and he closed his eyes again.<\/p>\n

He could remember when Adam had been a child of three or four, and he, Ben, had been ill out there in the wilderness, and he had opened his eyes to look up into the white drawn features of the child with the big brown troubled eyes looking down at him and the tears streaking the pale cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? You ain\u2019t gonna die, please, don\u2019t die, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

It had been a thin, treble, little boy\u2019s voice, a frightened, insecure child\u2019s voice, but those brown eyes were just the same, yes, just the same as the brown eyes that looked down on him now. He knew without asking that Adam was saying the same things in his head that he had said then, all those years ago. Oh, how selfish love can be, and Ben felt the emotion tug at his heart once again at the memory of the dangers he had put his little boy through in the pursuit of a dream.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Can you tell me what happened? Where\u2019s Joe? Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and forced open his eyes. He looked up at Adam and squeezed his son\u2019s hand. What could he say? Thoughts and words and memories tumbled one after the other in his head and he wasn\u2019t sure which words were the right ones to speak. He forced himself to focus upon his son and say, as gently as possible, \u201cJoe\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGone? Joe?\u201d Adam jerked back, the surprise contained in those two words had hit him hard and he stared at his father uncomprehendingly. \u201cBut why? Surely not while you were ill like this? Pa? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam leaned forward to catch the words slipping from his father\u2019s lips. He saw Ben\u2019s eyes look stricken, as though grief had suddenly overwhelmed him and a terrible thought came into Adam\u2019s mind. Had there been some tragic accident that had caused Ben\u2019s injuries, and Joe\u2019s death? He stared at his father\u2019s lips as they struggled to frame words that held no meaning to him and while doing so, a gentle hand touched his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? When did you get here, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright looked down at his brother and father and sighed. He allowed his hand to drop back to his side and bowed his head. He was an exhausted man. A man spent emotionally. When he felt Adam\u2019s hand grip his arm he moved his body into his brother\u2019s and wrapped his arms about him and held him close. Knowing his brother so well, Adam knew instinctively that Hoss needed him to hold him, reassure him, just as in the days when they had been children. It would not change things, but it made one feel better able to face whatever was to come. He held Hoss close, and knew that it was with some difficulty that Hoss was able to hold back the tears.<\/p>\n

In his own time Hoss released his brother and stepped back from him and then forced a smile of welcome.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you got home alright, Adam. Did you get my cables?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I sent several of my own, but didn\u2019t receive any replies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWal, it was a long shot. I just sent some out by random and hoped for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got back as soon as I could, Hoss. I didn\u2019t need to hang around so made for home. Thank God.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmen to that, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men turned now and gazed down at their father. There was a flush of pink on the haggard cheeks now, and the bloodless lips were touched by a slight smile. But there was no denying the fact that Ben Cartwright looked what he was, a very sick and frail man.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed, he rubbed the back of his head, and then looked at his brother. Adam surveyed Hoss carefully as the light from the window fell fully upon his brother\u2019s face. He could see the hollowed eyes, the dark sockets around them, the paler than usual face and the look of weariness in the droop of his shoulders. Adam grimaced and raised his eyebrows, then reached out, tapped Hoss on the arm and nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go downstairs and talk. Pa can rest better without us talking here and disturbing his sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss turned away gratefully and led the way downstairs. At the door of the room, Adam turned and looked at the sleeping figure of the man in the bed, then, with a deep sigh, he closed the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this about Joe being gone? Where is he? And what happened to Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Adam with a startled look on his face, and then relaxed, he allowed a slight smile to touch his lips<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing to be concerned about, Adam. Did Pa tell you about Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he just said \u2018Joe\u2019s gone\u2019. Seeing Pa in the state that he\u2019s in I feared the worst. I thought \u2013 I was afraid that something had happened to them both and that Joe \u2013 Joe was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks no, that\u2019s the least of our worries. Joe\u2019s gone to visit Andrew Buckley. He\u2019s going to be groomsman at his wedding \u2013 or rather, he was groomsman. The wedding day was two days ago.\u201d Hoss sighed and sat down, the chair creaked just slightly in protest, but it had been doing that for years so no one, least of all Hoss, took any notice of it. \u201cPa had a riding accident last week. He was on his own longer than was good for him. Shock, pneumonia – ,\u201d Hoss heaved a deep sigh, \u201cand he isn\u2019t as young as he used to be, Adam. It takes longer to bounce back from this kind of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought, the way he spoke about Joe, that something terrible had happened -.\u201d Adam chewed on his bottom lip, \u201cBut, Pa will be alright, won\u2019t he? He looks really terrible, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul seems confident enough. It\u2019s just going to take time, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you sent word to Joe? Does he know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I cabled him rightaway.\u201d Hoss shrugged and glanced away from his brother\u2019s penetrating gaze, \u201cHaven\u2019t heard back from him, as yet though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 3.<\/p>\n

Joseph Cartwright dismounted outside the shabby looking hotel in what amounted to little more than a one horse town. He hitched the horse to the rail and then looked about him. The sky was velvet black studded with diamonds. He sighed heavily and with his head bowed, entered the hotel.<\/p>\n

A fat man bustled over to him and pushed the register under his nose and watched as Joe signed his name and address. \u201cRoom 6. First floor.\u201d The fat man announced and passed Joe the key.<\/p>\n

The youth took the key and wearily turned to mount the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst floor,\u201d the clerk yelled and Joe nodded, held the key aloft as if a trophy and walked down the corridor to the door with No. 6 upon it.<\/p>\n

He was tired. If anyone had asked him if he had ever felt this weary before, he would have said quite categorically, no. He allowed himself the luxury of dropping onto the bed, closing his eyes and just thinking about the events that had led him to this little town. He sighed, had it really been just a week ago when he had clambered down from the stagecoach and then stood there in that depot cooling his heels? It had been an hour, a full hour, before the door had opened and this girl had walked in.<\/p>\n

Joe had whisked off his hat faster than Hoss could despatch a flapjack. The girl was beautiful. She was tall and willowy, her hair was a mass of golden curls piled up under a cute little fluffy bonnet and her eyes were clear green. She was so lovely to look at that Joe was speechless, while his head filled with all manner of things to say to her. Then she had turned to him and surveyed him with those wide green eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you Little Joe Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am, miss I mean. Yes, Joe Cartwright.\u201d Joe licked his lips, his mouth had gone dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Lucy. Lucy Burnette. I was \u2013 I was -,\u201d that was when the springs broke. Not the springs in the couch, but the springs of water in her eyes\u2026Joe had never seen a gush of tears spring out of a girl\u2019s eyes in such a volume before, and he hurried over to offer her his cleanest handkerchief. She pulled out a freshly laundered one of her own, which showed that even at her most emotional she could still observe good sound common sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucy Burnette?\u201d Joe repeated after her, while he wondered whether or not to put his hands on her shoulders or arms to comfort her, \u201cYou\u2019re -?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLucy Burnette.\u201d She nodded, and dabbed at her eyes, \u201cI\u2019m Andrew Buckley\u2019s fianc\u00e9e. We were supposed to be getting married tomorrow.\u201d Another well of water streamed from her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupposed to be? What\u2019s happened? Has something happened to Andrew?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s disappeared.\u201d Lucy whispered and blew her nose loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean \u2013 he\u2019s run away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Lucy stared at him indignantly, \u201cNo, I do not mean that he\u2019s run away. Andrew had no reason to run away as you put it. He had to go to a Cattle Associations Committee Meeting and \u2013 and something\u2019s happened to him because \u2013 because he hasn\u2019t come back. He was supposed to have come home last week. I\u2019ve cabled his hotel but they just cabled back that he had left town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned. Mentally he repeated to himself the fact that Andrew had run away. Cleared out. Dumped the poor girl. Chickened out no less. He sighed and took hold of her by the hand and patted it gently,<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps he just felt that he \u2013 well \u2013 couldn\u2019t go through with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright!\u201d Lucy pulled her hand away indignantly, \u201cI thought you were Andrew\u2019s friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am. Of course I am.\u201d Joe looked at her in amazement, \u201cI was only trying to be practical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sick to death of folk being practical and telling me that my Andrew has run away. Well, he has not, he\u2019s \u2013 he\u2019s just disappeared, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe braced himself for more tears, but this time Lucy just took a deep gulp of fresh air and steadied herself. She looked at Joe with large distressed eyes and surveyed him from head to foot before arriving at a decision. She grabbed at his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome with me. I want you to come to my home and I have to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged, he slipped his hat back upon his head and picked up his valise. Trailing behind her he finally arrived at her home, or rather, her parent\u2019s home. A big house behind a white picket fence in the better area of town. He followed her into the hall and, placed the valise down by the door and once again, removed his hat.<\/p>\n

Lucy unpinned her bonnet and tossed it down onto a chair. She walked determinedly onwards to where a door stood open and beckoned to Joe to follow her.<\/p>\n

Gifts of all shapes and sizes stood arrayed upon table after table. The sun shone through the windows and gleamed upon crystals, upon gold and silver, and upon all manner of things that Joe speculated would have cost a small fortune. It occurred to him that Andrew must have been doing something right to have found himself not only such a beautiful girl, but to have moved himself into such influential circles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you showing me all this for?\u201d Joe asked her, as she stood at one table regarding him solemnly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s to show you how seriously Andrew viewed our marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. Showing me all these gifts doesn\u2019t show me, or prove to me, how seriously Andrew viewed you, or your marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

He bit his bottom lip, and looked at her again, and wondered whether or not he should go further and suggest that the sight of all these gifts, these expensive reminders of his future commitment, may very well have been the cause of Andrew \u2018disappearing.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d Lucy pulled her back straight and nodded once, as though the thought had never occurred to her before now. \u201cMr Cartwright, I am sorry to have been so rude. You\u2019ve had no refreshments. Perhaps we can have something to drink and eat, while we talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s fine by me, Miss Lucy.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled at him, and gave him another appraising look, her green eyes sweeping over him from head to toe. Joe nearly dropped his hat.<\/p>\n

They had refreshments and talked. As a result of that conversation Joe was dozing in a shabby hotel, in a grubby little town, with every bone in his body aching in protest.
\nThis was the town where the Cattleman\u2019s Association had held their conference. This was where Andrew had gone and never returned. Somehow or other during the course of the conversation with Lucy, and then, subsequently, with her parents, Joe had made a promise to come here and find Andrew and bring him back home.<\/p>\n

It had never occurred to any of them that Andrew may not have wanted to go back \u2018home\u2019. Their stubborn refusal to even consider such a thing made Joe wonder more and more often during the days of travelling here, whether they really knew Andrew at all.<\/p>\n

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

Through the window came the tinkling sound of a piano and Joe got to his feet and walked over to look down at the darkening town. Lights glowed like so many oversized glow-warms in windows overlooking the sidewalks. Joe stretched and yawned. It had been a long day, several long days in fact. Before sleeping perhaps he should wander over to the saloon and have some refreshment. Maybe there, someone would have seen or heard about Andrew Buckley and the so called Cattleman\u2019s Association Conference that he, Joe, was beginning to have serious doubts about every having existed.<\/p>\n

A young woman watched the youth as he sat in a far corner cradling his half full glass of beer to his chest. A handsome boy, she mused, too handsome to be wasting time on his own. She glanced over at the barkeeper and as she passed him on her way to the youth\u2019s table she gave a slight nod of her head. The barkeeper immediately foraged beneath the counter for a bottle of good quality whiskey and two clean glasses.<\/p>\n

She pulled out a chair and sat down and looked at him. Close up she could see how right she was in thinking him a handsome youth. He looked clean as well. That, she knew, was different. Most young cowboys loose from home forgot anything they ever knew about cleanliness being next to Godliness, even if all they knew could be the size of a mustard grain. This young man had obviously bathed and shaved and taken time over his grooming. She liked that and gave him her 100% almost genuinely sincere smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you waiting for anyone in particular?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe aroused himself from his lethargy and glanced up at her. He had been so deeply depressed that he had not even noticed her arrival. Now the full force of her cheap perfume and blowsy appearance impacted on him. He glanced around, and then shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t mind then if I join you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you already had? Joined me, I mean.\u201d Joe said quietly, as he saw the barkeeper walking over with the whiskey and glasses in his hand. He raised his eyebrows, at the realisation that he could hear the echo of his eldest brother\u2019s voice in his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou looked so forlorn, sitting here like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at her more closely and realised that she was a good looking girl, even with all the powder and paint on her face that made her look ten years older than she must have been in reality. He nodded to the barkeeper, pulled the cork from the bottle, poured the golden liquid into the two glasses and pushed one over to her. He picked up the other and raised it to his lips,<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019m just tired.\u201d Joe said quietly, wondering how much the whiskey was going to cost him because it surely tasted expensive. It slid down his throat like silk.<\/p>\n

\u201cBin travelling long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems a long time.\u201d Joe took another gulp of the whiskey and the silk now became a fire that tingled through his veins and behind his eyes and even made his ears throb.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you headed then? Not aiming on settling down here, surely?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m just passing through. I needed a good bed, a bath and a decent meal.\u201d Joe smiled at her and poured out more of the whiskey. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPriscilla.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrishcilla. That\u2019s a pretty name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is, the way you say it.\u201d Priscilla\u2019s eyes twinkled and she laughed, very lightly. \u201cSo, what\u2019s your name? You do have a name, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone does.\u201d Joe replied, and then gulped down some more whiskey and was delighted to feel as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Even his head felt light. \u201cJoseph Cartwright, from the Ponderosha.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy home. My Pa and my brothers run a big spread called the Ponder \u2013 OSA,\u201d he concentrated on getting the word out correctly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa. I\u2019ve heard of it recently.\u201d Priscilla frowned and stared at him as though gazing into his hazel eyes would bring back the memory in greater clarity than if left to her own devices, like staring at the ceiling or the bald head of the cowboy lounging against the bar. She turned to the counter and beckoned the barkeeper over,<\/p>\n

\u201cTom, do you remember the name of the guy who was talking about that place, the Ponderosa in Nevada Territory?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom frowned and screwed up his eyes a little. Screwing up ones eyes was like winding up the key to ones brain cells. It certainly seemed to work for Tom. His eyes suddenly popped open wide and he beamed a smile at them both and nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cSure do. The Ponderosa ranch in Nevada Territory. One thousand square miles of timberland and mines and cattle grazing pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been there?\u201d Joe frowned, wondering if Tom had ever been anywhere in the vicinity of the ranch and should have been accorded some form of recognition.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no. Mind you, the way this feller was talkin\u2019, I sure wouldn\u2019t mind seeing it. Near Lake Tahoe, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, near Lake Tahoe.\u201d Joe sighed, and a picture of the favourite view of the lake flashed into his memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis youngster \u2013,\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat youngster?\u201d Joe perked up, throwing aside fond memories and realising that he was letting a golden opportunity to slip by, \u201cThis guy you were speaking of \u2013 what was his name? \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t say.\u201d Tom looked at Priscilla who now took it that it was her turn to screw up her eyes and try to get her grey cells working. Sadly no matter how much she screwed her eyes up, her grey cells, in this instance, remained dormant. She poured herself more whiskey to try and revive them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a good looking young man though. About your age.\u201d Priscilla said, the whiskey having worked a minor miracle and sparked some life in the necessary memory cells of her brain.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say he was expecting to meet someone from the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom and Priscilla looked at one another again. This question was obviously far beyond even their combined brain power for they didn\u2019t bother to screw up their eyes and think about it, they just shook their heads. Joe sighed, and picked up his glass and stared at it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he about my height and dark haired?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he could have passed as your brother.\u201d Priscilla said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long ago was this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see now \u2013 nearly two weeks ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you don\u2019t remember his name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me his name and I\u2019ll see if I can remember it.\u201d Priscilla suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t on his own.\u201d Tom said brightly, \u201cHe met up with another guy. That was why we remember him so well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother guy?\u201d Joe frowned and looked at them both suspiciously, \u201cWhat was he like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it. It was him that gets your attention. He\u2019s tall, well built, white haired and has only one arm.\u201d Tom frowned, \u201cI can\u2019t remember whether it\u2019s his left or his right arm but he doesn\u2019t seem to let the loss of an arm bother him. Swaggers about like he were the State Governor.\u201d<\/p>\n

This information had much the same reaction on Joe as would a bucket of cold water being thrown over him, he felt a shiver go down his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember his name at all?\u201d Joe asked slowly, with a sense of foreboding welling up inside of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, his name was Kyle. Frederic Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom looked at Priscilla for affirmation of the fact and she nodded in agreement. She looked at Joe, and frowned as she saw the wary look that had fallen across his face at mention of the name.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was an older man and seemed to know his way about people There seemed to be a small group of men who were always hanging around wherever he happened to be, and when they left town there must have been at least a dozen of them went with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid my friend go with this man, Kyle, and his men?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Priscilla nodded, \u201cThey left mid-day on a Thursday. I can remember it quite clearly because it was the first time I had had a chance to actually talk to the young man. He was telling me about his friends on the Ponderosa and about Lake Tahoe, and I was getting to think what a good looking guy he was when this Mr Kyle came by and told him to saddle up as they were leaving. He said it was a long way to Beaconsville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeaconsville?\u201d Joe\u2019s brow creased a little and the hazel eyes widened, dilated and then narrowed, \u201cHow far from here is Beaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite some distance from here.\u201d Tom said pleasantly enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly how much distance?\u201d Joe replied rather testily, lowering his brow in a dark line of concentration. It seemed easier to him to dig a tick out of Cochise\u2019s hide than get sensible information from his two current companions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWal, we kin only tell you what we heard, youngster, and all we heard was that Beaconsville was some way from here.\u201d Tom looked at Priscilla for affirmation and she nodded, looking at the youth in a way that indicated that she probably knew even less than Tom.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis may sound a strange thing to ask you \u2013 but was there a conference here, the Cattleman\u2019s Association Conference?\u201d Joe looked at them both and they looked at one another. Priscilla shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no conference here, sonny.\u201d Tom replied, shaking his head. \u201cSeemed a lot of people were here though, to meet up with this Kyle. They all took off together as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my friend \u2013 was he with them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell us his name, kid? There were so many strangers in town thereabouts.\u201d Tom replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew Buckley. His name is Andrew Buckley.\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked at one another and nodded, a smile broke over Priscilla\u2019s face<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have told us in the beginning. That was the name of the guy we were talking about, who met up with Kyle. They were talking about the Ponderosa together just over there.\u201d Tom jabbed his thumb in the direction of a table in the far corner of the saloon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Andrew went with them, when they left for this place \u2013 Beaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he left with them.\u201d Priscilla said quietly, staring into her glass of amber liquid with her eyes strangely large and bright.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, then stood up and pulled out his wallet and flung down some money. He muttered his thanks and picked up his hat and was about to walk away when Priscilla said in a husky kind of way,<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a nice young man, your friend, Andrew -,\u201d her voice trailed away and she hugged the glass closer to her chest and looked blankly ahead of her.<\/p>\n

Joe said nothing, frowned a little and walked hurriedly away, brushing past several cowboys as they pushed their way through the saloon\u2019s swing doors.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/p>\n

\u201dDear Pa, Adam and Hoss,<\/p>\n

You must have been wondering what has been happening since I left home. You probably think I\u2019ve been having a great time at Andrew\u2019s wedding, but the fact is, there has not been any wedding.<\/p>\n

Everything got a bit complicated when I saw Miss Burnette, that\u2019s Andrew\u2019s fianc\u00e9e. She said Andrew had gone to a conference, a Cattleman\u2019s Association Conference. When I rode into the town I could see this was no place for a conference of that kind being held here.<\/p>\n

Well, I found out that he has been this way. I got more information than I had reckoned on, in that Frederic Kyle was here as well, and that Andrew went off with him to a place called Beaconsville. That\u2019s way down south. I rather think that they are heading to Kansas where Kyle comes from, so I have to get to Andrew before they reach there, because once Kyle has him enrolled in his private army I don\u2019t think anything I say will prise Andrew loose.<\/p>\n

Of course, I may be jumping the gun somewhat here, but you know how hot tempered and all het up about things Andrew could get at times. I think he lied to Lucy about the Conference, but he knew Kyle was going to be here and it was his intention to meet up with him and get involved in the war down south.<\/p>\n

Has Adam got back home yet? I don\u2019t want either one of them coming along after me, Pa. This is between Andrew and myself. He\u2019s my friend and I know that if he were me, he would do this same thing for me. Do you understand, Pa? I want you to understand, and not be angry in anyway with me. I only want to get Andrew home safely, because I know Lucy wants him back, and there is such a great future ahead for him if he just sticks to it.<\/p>\n

I love you, Pa.<\/p>\n

Your ever-loving son, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe chewed on the pen a little and then scrawled a line beneath his name, which was a mistake as it left a blot at the end of it. With a sigh he wrote the address on the envelope and folded the paper and slipped it inside. After sealing it he took it to the mail depot and paid the necessary postage and watched the clerk drop it into a sack.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you tell me how to get to Beaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

The clerk glanced up and stared at Joe. His pale eyes resembled two under-ripe gooseberries. Joe stared back at him and finally the clerk shook his head,<\/p>\n

\u201cNever heard of it.\u201d He replied adamantly. \u201cBest to ask around, mister, I don\u2019t know anything about any Beaconsville.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head wonderingly, and turned and walked away. Standing on the sidewalk, he looked left and right and then stayed where he was, unmoving. How could someone dealing with mail that went everywhere not know the whereabouts of this place?<\/p>\n

He glanced up and calling to mind the location of the stage coach depot, strode purposefully to where the wood was blistering in the heat of the small office.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeeding anything?\u201d a thin wiry young man appeared from an inner room and smiled at Joe. \u201cTickets for a journey to Sacramento or Reno? Stage is due to leave in twenty four hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Beaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. How much are tickets to Beaconsville?\u201d Joe lounged against the counter and watched as the young man began to think. To engage this particular brain activity necessitated the wide opening of the eyes, rolling of eyeballs and licking of dry lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. I don\u2019t recall no stagecoach to or from Beaconsville ever passing through here, mister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever heard of a place called Beaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s hazel eyes bore steadily into the young man\u2019s pale blue orbs, and he noticed the way the pupils dilated. The young man frowned and leaned down and pulled out a thick well thumbed and dog eared folder. He licked his thumb and forefinger and began to flick through the pages, then run his finger down a list of place names. He shook his head,<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t no place mentioned here sounds anythin\u2019 like Beaconsville. Unless it\u2019s a new settlement happened up,\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and turned on his heels. Pulling his hat snappily slightly lower and shading his eyes, he strode down the road to the saloon and pushed open the swing doors. They creaked as they swung to and fro.<\/p>\n

Tom glanced up and after momentarily looking startled at seeing Joe, he smiled. The lips parted, the eyes remained aloof and cautious.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems no one around here has heard of Beaconsville.\u201d Joe said quietly, \u201cNow, why don\u2019t you pour some of that very expensive whiskey that I paid for last night into a glass, which I shall drink, while you tell me why you wanted me to ride into nowhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom pulled out a bottle and glass and poured out the whiskey. He looked at Joe and then his eyes shifted slightly, to look, for a fraction of a second over Joe\u2019s shoulder, then he looked back at Joe and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI must have got the name of the place wrong, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it?\u201d Joe raised his glass to his lips and then lowered it, un-tasted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Anyone can make a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you didn\u2019t hear a bit more about this place? Like what state it happened to be in, or what county?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry, I could only tell you what I had overheard. Folks seemed to be real cagey about where they came from and where they were heading out to, believe me -\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom frowned and looked thoughtfully at the young man, \u201cI think I know someone who could help you though, someone who took a real shine to your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Priscilla?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes widened, and he glanced over his shoulder in case she was anywhere nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, another young lady though \u2013,\u201d Tom said and gave Joe a conspiratorial wink.<\/p>\n

The door opened slowly and a face peered around to look up at him. Seeing a handsome young man clasping his hat firmly to his chest emboldened her to open the door wider.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes? Did you want my father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know \u2013 I don\u2019t think so. Who is your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the doctor.\u201d The young woman smiled. She had large blue eyes and the longest lashes Joe had ever seen on a woman. She lacked Lucy\u2019s beauty, but there was something warm and vibrant about her that made her equally as lovely. Joe stood there for some seconds before realising that she was expecting him to speak,<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m Joe Cartwright and I was told that you knew my friend, Andrew Buckley?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stood still and stared at him. Her cheeks reddened and her eyes went wide. Her lips formed a coral \u20180\u2019 and then she heaved a sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

She remained standing at the door as though nothing mattered compared to the importance of this information. She heaved another sigh and then lowered her eyelids and stepped to one side.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, do come in. My name\u2019s Audrey Knowles, and, yes, I do know \u2013 I mean \u2013 I did know your friend, Andrew.\u201d Audrey smiled reassuringly at him and he smiled back at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seemed surprised when I told you my name, Miss Knowles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, not surprised. Just pleased. Andrew kept saying you would come and now that you\u2019re here, I am so pleased.\u201d Her cheeks were slightly rouged, and not just because of the pleasure of meeting him. She nodded again, and allowed a small smile to play about her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he?\u201d Joe asked, leaning forward and grasping her shoulder, \u201cDo you know if he\u2019s safe or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what worries me, Mr Cartwright, I don\u2019t know where he is or if he is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you do know who he is with, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Audrey\u2019s affirmation came with a sigh and she indicated a chair for him to sit down, while she chose to sit opposite him. \u201cMr Cartwright, can I be honest with you?\u201d She narrowed her eyes, scanning his face which every girl in Virginia City would swear on a stack of bibles was the most honest and trusting face in Nevada Territory.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me whatever you have to say, Miss Knowles. If it concerns Andrew I want to know every detail.\u201d Joe lowered his voice to a conspiratorial level which seemed to reassure the girl for she leaned forward and began to tell him about her first meeting with Andrew Buckley.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was having some trouble in the store with some men. They were harassing me, pushing me between them and yelling and laughing. There seemed to be a bunch of these kind of men, mostly young, who had ridden in together and seemed to be hanging around just causing trouble. Andrew came to my aid and with the help of the storekeeper got rid of the men. Then he insisted on carrying my things to the wagon, even though there was such a little distance from the store to here, but \u2013 he was so kind, Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, that\u2019s Andrew, as kind as they come.\u201d Joe smiled easily and his eyes twinkled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw him the next day, looking a bit like a fish out of water, just lounging around. I said \u2018You look as though you were waiting for someone, Mr Buckley.\u2019 He just smiled, shy-like, and took off his hat and looked at me, he just kinda looked at me,\u201d she sighed, and glanced away, and Joe knew that this moment in her memory was a cherished one, she then looked back at him, \u201cWe started talking again, and then we went for a ride to a place just outside town that I love. He told me all about himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cALL about himself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Audrey looked up and met the full force of his hazel eyes, \u201cI know all about Lucy and his intended marriage. He told me all about her and how he had left her on the pretext of attending a conference here. He said that once you knew where he was, you would come here, looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLucy\u2019s expecting him to come back with me.\u201d Joe replied, very gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose she is, after all, she is his fianc\u00e9e.\u201d Audrey turned away, a slight frown furrowing her smooth brow, \u201cBut as you know, he isn\u2019t here, and I don\u2019t know where he is -. Do you know, Mr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I was led to believe that you would be able to tell me. Didn\u2019t he tell you anything before he left?\u201d<\/p>\n

Audrey looked up at him, and the soft smile on her face, that had lingered as she talked of Andrew, disappeared. Her eyes looked wary, then she nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he told me. He said that he had gone to a place called Placerville some months ago and he heard a man talking about the Civil War and how a man should not be afraid to stand up and be counted. He said that the more he listened the more he realised that he had done nothing in his life to prove to anyone, particularly himself, that he even existed. People were crowding around the man, listening and heckling. Some agreed and some disagreed as is often the case when there are more than one side to an argument. Andrew said that he felt himself carried along with what had been said, that the atmosphere and the feeling in the crowd made him want to do things that others would be proud of hearing about and associating with him. He didn\u2019t want to ride on the backs of Lucy\u2019s family, nor even his own. He didn\u2019t want to live comfortably because he happened, by chance, to have influential contacts. He wanted to do something for himself, by himself, and for his country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, miss, he had nothing to prove to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe felt that he did. Mr Cartwright, for the first time in his life he felt he had to make a decision that would be significant to his future. He had to make choices.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery man has to do that in his lifetime. I had hoped that Andrew had made his choice, and that his future would be a happy one with Lucy.\u201d Joe frowned, and then looked at her, \u201cThis man who was making the speech, did Andrew tell you his name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes, it was Mr Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe lowered his head and stared at the pattern on the carpet at his feet. Frederic Kyle. He thought of Andrew. In all the time they had known one another, neither he nor Andrew had ever discussed the politics of this war. They had never given it a thought, never indicated to the other any interest in either side or faction.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Andrew decided to make a choice, did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mr Cartwright, he did.\u201d Audrey looked at him and saw the plaintive look on the young man\u2019s face, \u201cYou\u2019re fond of him, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my friend, and friends look out for one another. Andrew and I always felt that way about each other, and this doesn\u2019t change anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a lot of time with Andrew. Well, maybe in the long term a week does not amount to much but it was enough time to get to know him and \u2013 and fall in love with him. I didn\u2019t want him to go away from here with Kyle. I asked him to stop and think about his decision, and then to think about the future he could have, if we were to \u2013 to marry and stay here.\u201d Audrey bit her bottom lip and then looked down at her clasped hands, \u201cI even suggested that he should consider Lucy, and return to her. That he should marry her and \u2013 and be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, would you have wanted that,\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes widened in sympathy. He could not see how Andrew could have rejected the love of such a pretty young woman. Blue eyes, chestnut hair, heart shaped face and coral lips. What more could a healthy young man want in a wife? But then, Andrew had an equally lovely young fianc\u00e9e just a few days ride away from here. Joe swallowed hard, and shook his head. Trust Andrew to have messed up yet again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that loving me meant that he had even more of a reason to prove to himself that he was not a coward, that he could do something that he would be proud of all his life. He wanted to be able to look back at this time in our nation\u2019s history and tell his sons that he had done something, even if only a little something, in the fight for freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFreedom?\u201d Joe frowned, \u201cIs that the goal that Kyle was holding out to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just to him. There were about twenty young men who had gathered here to meet up with him and ride off. Andrew said that all of them had been affected by the things Kyle said. They made a sworn oath at the end of the meetings they attended to join the cause and to fight. Then they were told by Kyle where they would meet \u2013 which was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid \u2013 did Andrew mention to you a place by the name of Beaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at him and nodded, \u201cYes, it\u2019s the name of Kyle\u2019s home in Kansas. That\u2019s where they are headed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned, he leaned back in the chair and stroked his chin thoughtfully with his forefinger, and stared at the ceiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs anything the matter?\u201d Audrey said quietly, and looked at him thoughtfully. She had her hands folded demurely in her lap and her eyes were as blue as the sky as she regarded him with a look of pensiveness on her face.<\/p>\n

Joe stared at her and then his brow crinkled in thought as the significance of what she was saying trickled through his head,<\/p>\n

\u201dNo, I was just thinking that Kansas is a long way from here, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audrey nodded, and then stood up and looked at him, kindly, \u201cMy father should not be long in coming home. Would you like some coffee, Mr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was about to speak when there came a light tap on the door, and Audrey hurried to open it. Priscilla stood on the doorstep, her hand frozen in the act of knocking and when the door opened, she slowly lowered it and stared at the girl before her. Both of them reddened a little, for they both recognised the incongruity of a saloon girl knocking on the door of a respected doctor\u2019s house. There were neighbours who could pass by and think it very improper. Audrey stepped aside and admitted the older girl into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you want to see my father?\u201d Miss Knowles asked, her face showing her aloofness and causing the other woman to hesitate before answering. Seeing Joe, however, encouraged her to step further into the room,<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I needed to speak to Mr Cartwright.\u201d Priscilla replied, giving the other girl a flash of her eyes before confronting Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you want me for?\u201d Joe asked, realising that if he did not speak the two women could have stood there gawping at each other until winter came.
\nPriscilla looked back at the youth, and took a deep breath before she began to speak, rapidly at first, gaining confidence, then falling into a regular pattern of speech.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t tell you everything. I didn\u2019t want Tom to know what I knew because sometimes he doesn\u2019t know how to be discreet, you see? The fact of the matter is that I got to know Andrew quite well.\u201d She looked hastily at Audrey who had emitted a little squeak of protest, \u201cNot in the same way as you, Miss Knowles, nothing like that. He talked about you so much, you know. He loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Knowles said nothing to that, she bowed her head, it were as though hearing such a thing from someone like Priscilla somehow cheapened the love she and Andrew had so briefly shared. Priscilla took a deep breath and turned once again to Joe,<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me all about you, Mr Cartwright. He talked to me like an old friend. Sometimes you can get to meet someone like that, and know right off that you can talk and confide in \u2018em and trust \u2018em. He said that was how he had felt about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this leading anywhere?\u201d Joe asked when she had lapsed into another silence and seemed to need another prompt to get restarted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew told me all about why he wanted to go with Mr Kyle. I begged him not to because \u2013 because what point is there in going out there to fight in a war that will always be just a bloodied stain on our history? He couldn\u2019t guarantee coming back alive, could he? I said to him, what if all you get is six feet of soil to be buried in? He just said it wouldn\u2019t happen to him.\u201d Priscilla stopped as there came another squeak from Miss Knowles who was now in the process of tearing a small handkerchief to shreds, \u201cAnyway, he told me that when Mr Kyle found out how he was connected to the Cartwrights, he started asking all manner of questions about them. He wanted to know if you or another one of the family \u2013 I can\u2019t place the name he said \u2013 had ever discussed the Civil War with him, and Andrew said that it had never been discussed, although he knew that there were strong views, opposing views between you and the other one \u2013 your brother, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, my brother, Adam.\u201d Joe said quietly, and he thought of his family then and felt a longing deep in his heart, like a craving, for the security of being with them all at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Kyle got to drinking rather heavily that evening. He told Andrew that it was important to get as much support for the Confederacy as he could and that he had tried to get silver and gold from the Virginia City mines but that the Cartwrights had forestalled him. He told Andrew how he had known Mr Cartwright\u2019s wife, and he showed him a picture of her. They had been close once, in their youth, but he had married another and by co-incidence, both had named their son \u2013 Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis son was killed the same evening that Kyle lost his arm.\u201d Joe said, recalling back the facts as he had been told them, and the way Kyle had looked at his dead wife\u2019s body as though he were staring at the remains of a complete stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that he didn\u2019t want you around. Andrew said that you would come and join up with him, and fight for the Confederacy. He was sure of it, because you were the son of a Southern born lady. You were restless and young. Kyle said that the last thing he wanted was to be responsible for your life, or death. He owed it to your mother, because he had let his own wife and son down, he wanted to go to his own grave without you being involved. Andrew said then, what was the point of it. Why should he go and get killed? What about all the others? Kyle just said everyone had to make their own choice, not to be swayed by anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at her intently. He wondered, and not for the first time, what relationship had there really been between his mother and Kyle. He looked away and thought of his father, and wished that he could ask him for some advice and counsel. Everyone had to make their own choices, that was true, but it was good to have the wise advice of someone who cared to give a person a nudge in the right direction. He sighed, but in this instance, what was the right direction?<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard some other men talking about this place, Beaconsville, and thought it was a town, but it isn\u2019t, it\u2019s a house somewhere in Kansas. That\u2019s where they\u2019re headed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve no idea where this place is, this Beaconsville?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard it referred to as the headquarters of the organisation Kyle has set up. It\u2019s his house. I think it\u2019s not too far from the Missouri border.\u201d She stopped there, and with a quick glance at Audrey, she mumbled her excuses and hurried out of the house. Joe looked at the other girl and raised his eyebrows,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t make her feel exactly welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe and I don\u2019t get along too well, Mr Cartwright,\u201d she paused and looked at him, \u201cI want Andrew back here, safe. I can\u2019t bear the thought of him out there with that man and all that fighting. He\u2019ll see things, and experience things that will change him, hurt him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph Cartwright nodded, he placed a placating hand on her shoulder and wondered how many other Andrew\u2019s were out there. All of them seeing and experiencing things that young men should not have to see in the whole of their lifetimes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bring him back, Miss Knowles. I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned away from him. What point was there in saying such a thing when the whole issue was bigger than any one man or woman? What did one couple\u2019s happiness matter compared to the fate of a nation? With a pang, Joe recalled that only a few days earlier he had said precisely the same words to another beautiful young woman.<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright sat in the big chair by the rather ostentatious hearth of the grand room, and stared at the letter in his hand. He could read the words, they made some sense to him but he could not feel anything about them. It seemed as though he had not felt anything except this dead heavy weight in his heart for weeks now and the lethargy it created was exhausting.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you read it yet, Pa?\u201d Hoss leaned forward, his blue eyes scanning the face of his father and seeing only the weary blank look on the older man\u2019s face that had been there for far too long. He glanced over at Adam who was seated on the blue chair with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together upon which he was resting his chin. He raised his eyebrows in response to Hoss\u2019 unspoken question and Hoss leaned forward and took the letter from his father\u2019s hand and passed it back to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201c What do you think we should do, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked wearily as he sank down upon the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d Adam asked, re-reading the letter he held.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know! About Pa? About that \u2013 that letter thar?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced up, his dark eyes flicked over to the older man sitting in the red leather chair with one hand now supporting his chin, staring blankly at the logs piled on the grate.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul said there was nothing we could do about Pa. It was just a matter of time and waiting for the healing process to get started .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sure taking its time.\u201d Hoss growled, the anxiety in his voice a mere reflection of the fear and sadness that had gnawed at his heart for all the long weeks of his father\u2019s illness. \u201cI jest can\u2019t see it ever ending.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as you say, it\u2019s taking time.\u201d Adam replied bluntly. He felt just as worried about Ben, but anxiety about things over which he had no control, made him irritable and to those who did not know him as well as Hoss did, he could appear cold and uncaring.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first letter we\u2019ve had from Joe since he left,\u201d Hoss rubbed his face with one hand, his eyes still fixed on his father, \u201cI would have thought there would have been some response, some comment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t let your hopes get raised too much.\u201d Adam said abruptly, \u201cPa\u2019s suffered a lot from that accident. We should be grateful that Paul was able to deal with it and Pa had the strength to fight it and come through. The fact is that Pa\u2019s suffered emotionally as well and this is a fight that is going to take some time. Paul warned us about that, he told us not to expect miracles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, but even though he heard Adam\u2019s words, he couldn\u2019t accept them, anymore than he had been able to accept them from Paul. It just didn\u2019t seem right that his father, so capable and so strong, could allow himself to sink so far away from them. It were as though his father\u2019s mind had decided to go on a holiday and had forgotten to tell them when it was going to come back. He stood up and walked over to Ben and placed a gentle hand on his father\u2019s arm. Ben turned black eyes trustingly towards him and smiled,<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa, it\u2019s me. Did you understand the letter that Joe wrote, Pa? Did you know what Joe was saying to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at the face of the young man and wondered why he looked so worried. That frown did not suit him. Hoss always looked much handsomer when he smiled. This letter now, what was there to be so steamed up about? Joe had gone. Ben heaved a sigh. Yes, that\u2019s what it was, Joe had gone. He looked away and leaned against the chair back and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

He opened his eyes and found himself looking up into Adam\u2019s dark eyes. Ben sighed, and waited. Adam knew him too well, had shared his life with him, he would handle the matter now. It was just too much, too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s written about a place called Beaconsville. Do you recall such a place ever being mentioned?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Ben shook his head and looked into the face of the man and saw the face of the boy, the child who had walked by his side through the wilderness and who had grieved at the loss of his wives. He could see the same sadness in those dark eyes now as he had seen then. He lowered his head and shook it, after all, who cared about an unknown place called Beaconsville. He had more serious and complex things to concern himself about now.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Joe mentioned here about Frederic Kyle being involved in Andrew\u2019s leaving his bride at the altar. Do you remember Kyle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle? He had one arm. He had a son called Joseph, like I had\u2026\u201d Ben\u2019s voice drifted as he called to mind the face of the man who had so misused their trust. He had crept into Joe\u2019s confidence like a serpent, and now here Adam was talking about him. Ben could remember the way Kyle had looked at the crushed body of the woman as though she were a stranger to him, and yet had clasped her cloak to himself as though it were the most precious thing in the world. \u201cYou can\u2019t trust that man, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts exactly, Pa.\u201d Adam nodded, the letter still in his hand and he stared at it as though he were re-reading it through although he was actually relishing the fact that Ben had made some coherent comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Kyle is involved with Joe, then our boy\u2019s in trouble.\u201d Ben asserted, leaning forward, and a spark of emotion shone in his eyes. \u201cFrederic Kyle is a dangerous man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam exchanged looks. This was the most their father had said by way of an intelligent conversation for so long that their delight, their relief, their hope was like a charge of electricity between them both. Hoss\u2019 face beamed with pleasure, while Adam raised a warning hand and looked at his brother as though telling him to back off.<\/p>\n

Ben thought of Joe. He could see the little boy with white blond curls and wide hazel eyes reaching out to him from his cot. Chubby arms that wrapped themselves warm and tenderly around his neck and held him close. Time passed and he had seen the child grow into a handsome youth, with a quick smile, twinkling eyes and ready temper. Always trying to prove something to them all, even though it was never necessary. Perhaps it was to himself that he was trying to prove things, perhaps that was what it was, Ben pondered as he slipped back into the murky corridors of his memory and time.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and looked at his brother and shrugged. He had asked the same question now three times and received not even a glimmer of recognition. Their shared moment of joy was gone. However, it had happened, and was the promise of better things to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Hoss asked as Adam strode over to the bureau where his hat and gunbelt had been left earlier. He watched as Adam began to buckle the gunbelt around his hips,<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve thought of someplace where I might be able to find out where this Beaconsville could be, Hoss.\u201d Adam picked up his hat and slipped it over his hair, settling it comfortably upon his head. \u201cI\u2019ll be back later. I\u2019ll call in on Paul while I\u2019m in town.<\/p>\n

The hotel clerk listened as Adam made his request and then ducked down and foraged around the shelves beneath the counter. He eventually emerged, red faced and puffing slightly, and placed down a register, which he began to leaf through, eventually getting slower and slower, scanning the pages, running down the names with his forefinger. He paused, then glanced up and nodded<\/p>\n

\u201cHere it is, Adam, just as you thought. Frederic Kyle, Beaconsville, nr Lawrence, Kansas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and allowed his eye to wander a few names further down to where a lady by the name of Mrs Lily Van Cleet had signed her name. She had merely put down Kansas which was hardly anything at all to go by. He smiled to himself, Kyle had two weaknesses \u2013 his ego and his pride.<\/p>\n

He thanked the clerk and slipped him some coins and hurriedly left the hotel. He paused at the sidewalk and looked up and down the street and saw, with some relief, that Paul Martin\u2019s buggy was outside the surgery. He turned and made his way there with long legged strides.<\/p>\n

Paul paused in the act of signing a prescription slip for Mrs Hawkins. He smiled and nodded over at Adam and asked him for news of Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seemed to come out of himself for a little while today; it was just a little while but it was better than anything else we\u2019ve seen for a while.\u201d Adam replied, perching on the corner of the desk. He turned his hat round and round in his hands and looked at the doctor with his face a controlled mask, \u201cHow long will this take, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long before our father becomes our father again, instead of this empty shell of a man who sits brooding all day long?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul sat down and leaned back, he surveyed the dark young man standing before him and knew that this was probably one of the hardest tests he had ever had to deal with, the mental and emotional strengths he himself gained from his father was now denied him, and patience was not one of Adam\u2019s greatest gifts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I can\u2019t tell you. I don\u2019t know enough to be able to tell you something like that. If it were measles or pneumonia I could give you the incubation period, and recuperative time, but with something as delicate as the human mind, and emotions, I\u2019m groping in the dark, like most other people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you must have some idea. Paul, you aren\u2019t most other people, you\u2019re a doctor, for Pete\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father will get better, Adam. The improvement will be slow, but it will be there. You just have to be patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam ran his fingers through his hair and scowled, once again his twisted the hat round and round between his fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just seems to be taking so long. I don\u2019t know the cause, the reason why – ,\u201d Adam chewed on his bottom lip, \u201cIf I could understand that, perhaps I could help him get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t.\u201d Paul said bluntly, \u201cYou can\u2019t, Adam. Even with a physical injury you can\u2019t order it to heal itself within so many days, you just hope that it is repaired by the normal length of time that experience has shown such healing takes. With the mind however,\u201d Paul shrugged. \u201cWhat happened today is a good sign. A very good sign. It shows that with proper stimulus Ben can respond. That\u2019s all I can say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I have to go away for a while. It\u2019s important that I go, but I can\u2019t leave my Pa in this condition. At the same time I can\u2019t just stay here.\u201d Adam stopped, and looked away from the doctor\u2019s scrutiny, then he turned back, and faced him, \u201cI know what you\u2019re thinking, Paul. You\u2019re thinking that I\u2019ve so little patience with this that I\u2019m opting out, running away from it. I\u2019m not. I just have to go and find Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAaah, well, now then,\u201d Paul smiled, and nodded, \u201cNow you may just be doing the right thing. I believe that Joe\u2019s disappearance is the key to this problem. If you find him, and bring him home I am sure Ben will make a positive return back to health.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, he allowed himself a half smile, but that was all. He closed the door quietly behind him and left Paul to complete Mrs Hawkins\u2019 prescription. Now, all he had to do was find his brother.<\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/p>\n

The tread on the stair was light, but even so the young man seated at the desk glanced up to see who it was who had come to invade his early morning arrangements. He relaxed when Hoss came into view, squinting against the light of the lamps and his grey and white chequered nightshirt swaying against his legs as he paused abruptly, as though surprised at the sight of his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s early morning, Adam, what\u2019re you doing this time of the day?\u201d Hoss yawned, settling the lamp down carefully on the desk and adding to the pools of light that were already flickering there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could ask you the same question, except that I know the answer already.\u201d Adam replied tersely. He raised his eyes from the map that was spread out before him and scanned his brother\u2019s face and relaxed. \u201cHoss, I thought I\u2019d leave here and go and get Joe. It\u2019s time that young man came home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know it and you know it\u2026.but does he?\u201d Hoss scowled, and leaned forward to look at the map, \u201cYou know it\u2019ll be a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it does help knowing that ultimately he will have to get to Kansas. That\u2019s where Andrew is heading with Kyle, and Kansas is where Kyle has his headquarters for the Free State Movement for the South. If I just head in that direction to start with, I should come across some sign of Joe along the way. If God wills, I may even pick up his trail early enough to bring him home before we ever get near Kansas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam.\u201d Hoss stroked his chin thoughtfully, \u201cIt\u2019s a mighty big risk you\u2019re taking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Joe\u2019s prepared to do it for a friend, Hoss, the least I can do is do it for my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my brother to.\u201d Hoss murmured sadly, and he bowed his head, \u201cI should be going along with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what would happen to Pa?\u201d Adam said gently, and he reached out a hand and clasped Hoss by the arm and looked up into the blue eyes and smiled slowly, the brown eyes softening as he did so, \u201cHoss, you\u2019re so needed here. Pa has come to rely upon you, even if he doesn\u2019t show it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wish \u2013.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, so do I.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two brothers looked at each other and both sighed. They resumed their examination of the map, knowing that each felt the same way and understood the other. Adam traced a line with his forefinger and then glanced up at Hoss,<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll send a cable from the places I stay, and I\u2019ll wait for an answering one from you. I\u2019ll need to know if you have heard from Joe and could give me any indications as to where he would be located. Also, I\u2019ll need to know how Pa is progressing.\u201d Adam frowned, the furrows lining his smoothly tanned brow, \u201cI\u2019ll only stay long enough to get your answers, so make sure you keep close to town as I\u2019ll not be able to hang around for long, I don\u2019t want to be wasting time waiting for information.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, if you git to be in that much of a hurry, p\u2019raps you had better leave a forwarding address each time so that there would be a cable waiting for you at the next place ahead of yah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea.\u201d Adam flashed his brother a smile and again clapped his hand against his brother\u2019s arm by way of thanks. Then he leaned back in the big chair and looked at the stairs, \u201cPaul seemed pretty positive, Hoss. Pa will get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss heaved another sigh. He sat down in a chair opposite the desk and leaned upon his hands, elbows on the edge of the desk as he stared down at the map.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you bring Joe home it\u2019ll be the best thing for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. Joe needs to be here, not roaming around looking for a lost bridegroom.\u201d Adam frowned, and placed a brotherly hand on Hoss\u2019 arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long do you expect to be away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. As long as it takes I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot to do here, Adam. We can\u2019t spare you or Joe for too long, you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we have some good men working for us, Hoss, you\u2019ll have to use them and work them a bit more. None of us can be in two places at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, what do I tell Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell him the truth, I\u2019ve gone to find Joe and bring him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

A door clicked shut. Ben Cartwright opened his eyes and stared about him. He was in bed and in his own room. Familiar shapes and shadows surrounded him. For an instant of time he tried to recapture the dream he was having during the long hours of sleep that never seemed to be refreshing.<\/p>\n

Nothing came to mind. Dreams, as elusive as cobwebs, had drifted away and disappeared. He sighed and closed his eyes again. He could hear the clock ticking away the hours of his life. He remembered that a door had closed and his heart raced for a second or two. Had Joe returned home?<\/p>\n

He sat up and listened hard but there was no sound now. He vaguely recalled hearing the sound of a horse\u2019s hooves in the yard but had thought that as a part of his dream. Now he felt a surge of adrenalin through his veins. Joe was home. Yes, Joe was home.<\/p>\n

He pulled on his dressing gown and slipped his feet into the slippers by his bed and shuffled his way across the room. Stealthily he opened the door. No need to waken the other boys. He wanted this moment to be just his and Joe\u2019s. Welcome home, son, welcome.<\/p>\n

He pushed open the door to Joe\u2019s room. It was dark and in shadow. Familiar comforting shadows. He walked to the window and realised the curtains had not been pulled across. The moon beamed down into the room and scattered light across the rug and the bed. He turned with a smile on his lips in exultant expectancy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Joe, is that you, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no response. There was no shape, familiar and beloved, curled in the bed. He stared at the pillows waiting to cradle the tousled head of his youngest boy. They were white and gleaming and unmarked. There was no sign of Joseph there at all.<\/p>\n

A light shone golden in the doorway, and Hoss stood there, the lamp held aloft, shining down upon them both.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? What\u2019re you doing in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought Joe had come home.\u201d Ben said slowly. \u201cI was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. But he\u2019ll be home soon. Adam\u2019s gone to find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s gone?\u201d Ben raised a dark eyebrow and his black eyes deepened in colour, \u201cGone? Gone where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGone to find Joe, Pa, and to bring him home.\u201d Hoss said gently, taking his father by the elbow and carefully leading him back out of the room.<\/p>\n

Ben allowed himself to be taken from the room and led back to his own. He was silent as Hoss helped him out of the dressing gown and took off the slippers, and helped him back into bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard a horse outside. I thought Joe was home.\u201d Ben said eventually, settling back into the pillows of his bed and looking up at Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam wanted an early start.\u201d Hoss replied, watching his father\u2019s face, and seeing the anxiety etched in every line.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t say good-bye.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa, he didn\u2019t want to disturb you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s mouth set into a thin line and for an instant Hoss wondered if the Ben of old was about to spring back into life. But there was just silence.<\/p>\n

Chapter 7.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Pa, Adam and Hoss,<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been some time now since I last wrote to you all. I hope this letter finds you all in good health. I think of you all so often and wish that I were home.<\/p>\n

This has been a long and lonely trip and I have now crossed the Colorado border. I\u2019ve made camp by a small creek and thought I would write this letter and get it mailed off to you as soon as I hit the next town which I should reach by noon tomorrow. It\u2019s a place called Endurance.<\/p>\n

I lost track of Kyle and Andrew a way back, so decided to head straight for Kansas where Kyle has his headquarters. I know that Kyle will be getting there eventually but for some reason best known to himself he made a detour.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t fully understand what the detour was until last week when I was riding south of here and heard what I thought to be thunder. The ground was shaking and the horse got real skittish. I pulled him into a clump of shrubbery and calmed him down some, because by then I realised that it was not thunder at all, but gunfire and cannon fire.<\/p>\n

I clambered up some scree and had a look around and saw a vast dust cloud on the horizon. Then I thought that perhaps I had been wrong after all, and what I had been hearing was an approaching sand storm. But it didn\u2019t figure because the terrain wasn\u2019t right. I had my telescope with me, the one you bought for me, Adam, when you went to Sacramento last time.<\/p>\n

I could vaguely make out what was going on then. Vague figures amongst the dust. I could hear the faint sounds of what must have been Hotchkiss cannons, and artillery fire. Thankfully I could not hear anything else. It was obviously some battle or skirmish going on. I scrambled down.<\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t too sure what to do. You know, just for an instant, I wanted to ride into the fight and join in. Then I realised it would take over a day to reach the battlefield so that cooled my ardour pretty quickly. It was just a strange feeling. I didn\u2019t even think what side I would have fought on, just being there was my only thought.<\/p>\n

It made me think about how easy it is to get drawn into things, Pa. Like you can be sane and sensible one minute and then suddenly everyone starts acting crazy and your whole world is changed and you\u2019re dragged right into the centre of it all. No reason, no sense to it. Just this overwhelmingly hot feeling to be part of it all.<\/p>\n

It made me think too about what really is going on here. Everyone talks about causes and principles. The closer one gets to where it is all happening, the more people talk about it, and the more fear there is because no one is sure who their friends are anymore. Both sides have good reasons, and both sides have bad reasons. Why can\u2019t I see it so black and white anymore? I thought I would find it the easiest thing to don the Confederate uniform, but now I find myself realising that I could not. That doesn\u2019t mean I would don the Yankee uniform, but just that I can\u2019t justify being part, or taking a part in this war if it means \u2013 well, if it means going against my conscience.<\/p>\n

Then I tell myself, why say this when just a while back I was so prepared to ride right in there and fight anybody? Pa, I\u2019m so torn up about this whole business. Is it wrong to be neutral? Am I neutral if I know that I feel more for one side than another?<\/p>\n

I should tell you about what happened next I guess.<\/p>\n

The sounds of the fight went on for hours and hours. I made camp and tried to sleep but found it difficult with the rolling sounds of continuous gunfire going on. I kept thinking how many people have died while I slept. By morning, and I must have gone to sleep, it was very quiet. I made coffee and then climbed up the escarpment to view the horizon, but there was nothing there to see, or see very clearly. What I could make out was that the casualties had been numerous.<\/p>\n

So I rode through the day towards the area of the fight because that was where I thought Andrew may have been. It was a miserable sight. I shan\u2019t go into details except to say that I was sick after and wished I had not bothered. What\u2019s happening to us all? So many young men cut down and dead in their prime.<\/p>\n

It was then that I thought it best to ride straight on to Kyle\u2019s place in Kansas. I had no chance of finding Andrew\u2019s trail amongst the chaos there. I only hoped that he had not been part of it all, or even, one of those dying or dead there on that battleground, because I would not have known.<\/p>\n

I keep thinking, why not go home. Just go home and forget it. But I just don\u2019t seem able to do so. I want to come home. I want to be with you all there and away from this situation and the loneliness of this journey. But then I keep thinking, Andrew\u2019s my friend. Whatever the result of this journey I have to keep going for his sake.<\/p>\n

I feel full of self doubt just now, Pa. I wish you were here to give me some good advice. Please give Adam and Hoss my fondest regards and love<\/p>\n

From your ever-loving son,<\/p>\n

Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

TO ADAM CARTWRIGHT<\/p>\n

RECEIVED NEWS FROM JOSEPH TODAY. STOP. HEADING ENDURANCE COLORADO TERRITORY. STOP. LETTER DATED FOUR WEEKS AGO. STOP. PA DOING WELL. STOP. HOPE YOU ARE WELL. STOP. NOTIFY ANY CHANGES.STOP.<\/p>\n

FROM HOSS CARTWRIGHT VIRGINIA CITY 10 JUNE 1863<\/p>\n

TO HOSS CARTWRIGHT<\/p>\n

RECEIVED YOURS TODAY. STOP. ALL PROCEEDING AS EXPECTED.STOP. LETTER FOLLOWS. STOP. CLOSING IN ON JOE NOW. STOP. TELL PA HOME SOON. STOP.<\/p>\n

FROM ADAM CARTWRIGHT ENDURANCE COLORADO TERRITORY 14th JUNE l963<\/p>\n

Dear Pa and Hoss,<\/p>\n

I reached Endurance today and went straight to the telegraph depot and received your cable. It was heartening news to learn that Joe was here just four weeks ago, which means that I am catching up on him.<\/p>\n

I left Sport in a livery stable and no doubt you will have started receiving the bill for his quartering and feeding. I felt it better to leave him there than lose out on time as the stage took me some way on the journey and reduced the spent time travelling alone. I caught a train which brought me here to Endurance.<\/p>\n

While on the train journey we were flagged down by a convoy of Union soldiers who boarded and were none too gentle in their handling of the passengers. It\u2019s a sad fact of life that the closer to the situation one becomes the more wary one has to be, for everyone looks suspiciously at their neighbour and no one speaks freely as to their beliefs or principles. At the time of the soldiers boarding the train the tension amongst the passengers was tangible. Something I had not experienced before then so I was rather unsure as to what was going on.<\/p>\n

Apparently such border patrols are quite common, it is just that no one is sure which side will be boarding. It depends who is in control of the territory at the time. There were obviously Confederate sympathisers on board and some of the younger men were interrogated at some length by the officer in charge and then hustled off the train.<\/p>\n

Thankfully my papers were satisfactory and in order. The officer gave me a long look of disapproval though. I had the feeling he thought me a shyster for not being in uniform and fighting along with them. I asked him if he had any knowledge of a man called Frederic Kyle and he asked me what business I had with him. His tone of voice was pretty abrupt so I had the impression that Kyle was not unknown to him. However, be that as it may, they eventually disembarked and we were able to resume our journey.<\/p>\n

At the depot we had an overnight stop at the boarding house in Cheyenne, and I made some discreet enquiries about Joe. As usual I picked up his tracks at a saloon. A young woman by the name of Susan was very obliging. It was encouraging because it meant that I was heading in the right direction. I had thought it a sensible idea to just go straight on to Kansas, but when one is travelling alone over any length of time, one starts to get doubts and other ideas creep into one\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Feeling quite a bit more confident about things I settled down and the next day went to board the train at the appointed time. However, we had to return to the boarding house due to fighting nearby. A little skirmish we were told by the sheriff.<\/p>\n

It was two days before the little skirmish came to an end and the damage to the railway lines repaired. I had been planning to hire a horse and ride on, but felt that the likelihood of meeting war weary stragglers who would take a fancy to the horse and beating my brains out really made train travel a more sensible choice.<\/p>\n

I shall ask about Joe after mailing this letter to you. I was more than pleased to hear that Pa is improving. I am sure that soon he will be chomping at the bit to join me but with things as they are here, it would be wiser to stay put and keep things ticking over on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

It becomes harder and harder for me, as I travel along and through the war torn states of our country, to come to terms with the reasons behind this war. I keep saying to myself, \u201cWe\u2019re Americans. We fought the War of Independence to establish ourselves as a free and liberated country and yet here we are at each other\u2019s throats and killing our own kith and kin.\u201d There is no sense to it. Watching the Union soldiers as they rough handled us made me realise that no matter what the ideals, it is not long before it just dulls a man\u2019s finer qualities and living in what amounts to a charnel house destroys ones God given conscience. No matter which side one proclaims allegiance it all boils down to the same thing in the end \u2013 man dominating his fellow man to his ruin.<\/p>\n

From Endurance I shall continue on to Kansas. If by God\u2019s good grace I get the opportunity to come across Joe or Buckley, then it will mean we shall be home sooner.<\/p>\n

On a more logical note \u2013 should anything happen to me and I don\u2019t get home, don\u2019t forget that Sport is eating his fill at your expense. Please collect him and bring him home. I mention this because the Indians in this territory appear to have come to some agreement to show complete impartiality in this war, in that they don\u2019t care what colour the uniform they\u2019ll just wade in for the kill. Getting through this territory to Kansas will not be easy.<\/p>\n

Thinking of you and missing you,<\/p>\n

Your ever-loving son and brother<\/p>\n

Adam. Endurance, Colorado Territory, 14.06.63\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Pa, Adam and Hoss Ellsworth, Kansas, 21.June.1863<\/p>\n

Just a quick letter while I am here waiting to get my horse shoed. The blacksmith told me that Kyle and a party of twenty four men had ridden through only two days earlier. I asked him if he had any knowledge of Andrew but he said there were too many young men like that in the group for him to say.<\/p>\n

He did say that they had obviously been involved in some of the recent fighting around here. Some of them were injured. He said quite a few looked pretty green and scared sick of the whole business. Some of them were just kids of about 14 years of age and one of them died and was buried here.<\/p>\n

I narrowly missed getting picked up by a Union patrol. Nearly rode right into them one night about two days back. I was able to make a detour around them but I think they were so battle weary that a whole Confederate convoy could have trundled through their camp and they would not have noticed.<\/p>\n

I come across places where there has been fighting. The worse thing is coming across the occasional farmhouse which has been burned down and the occupants shot. I find that hard to stomach. I came across one settlement of about six places where most had been burned out. Everyone was trying to help one another, but every family had lost members and none of them really understood why it had happened. One man said that it just came down to the fact that there were some men who put on any uniform just as an excuse to scavenge and prove just what animals they really are\u2026except that I doubt if animals would turn on their own kind in this way.<\/p>\n

Hey, I am missing you all so much.<\/p>\n

Love
\nJoe\u201d<\/p>\n

To ADAM CARTWRIGHT<\/p>\n

RECEIVED NEWS FROM JOSEPH TODAY. STOP. LETTER SENT FROM ELLSWORTH.STOP. TAKE CARE. STOP. MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT SHORT OF FUNDS. STOP. WIRE ME IF YOU NEED DRAFT. STOP. MAKE SURE YOU GET HOME SAFE. STOP. PA. STOP.<\/p>\n

FROM BEN CARTWRIGHT. VIRGINIA CITY. 2nd July 1863\u201d<\/p>\n

TO BEN CARTWRIGHT 10th July 1863<\/p>\n

RECEIVED YOURS TODAY. STOP. JOE WAS HERE ONLY A WEEK AGO. STOP. GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU PA. STOP.<\/p>\n

FROM ADAM CARTWRIGHT ELLSWORTH, KANSAS.<\/p>\n

Chapter 8<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright carried the water in his hat to where the horse stood. The animal was still trembling and his withers were white with the slime of sweat. The loyal creature looked at his master and then dipped his head and began to gulp down the water.<\/p>\n

He sank down upon his haunches and rubbed his face with his hands. He was exhausted now. So many nights without proper sleep had taken its toll on him. He dared not light a fire for fear of some Indian war party tracking him down as a result. He had just escaped near death only with thanks to the horse\u2019s nimble footing. A hunting party had emerged from seemingly nowhere and upon seeing him had turned their attentions from the deer that had been their intended lunch, to him as their intended entertainment.<\/p>\n

Thinking of them now, Joseph turned and got to his feet and began to clamber over the shrub covered escarpment. It was quite possible that they were creeping up on him right now. Taking his telescope with him, he edged from boulder to boulder to the top and then putting the glass to his eye, he carefully scanned the terrain before him.<\/p>\n

There was neither movement nor sound anywhere. A bird called out a song of love to its mate, which trilled a reply. Joe tensed then relaxed when the bird in question flew lazily across the horizon of his vision. Perhaps the deer had been more interesting sport after all.<\/p>\n

He stayed there for a while, too uncertain as to the whereabouts of his pursuers to leave the high ground too soon. It was thirst that eventually forced him to retreat and return. Taking his water canteen he drank its contents dry and then walked hurriedly to the stream.<\/p>\n

It was a fast flowing stream, clear and cold and replenished from the underwater springs in the mountains. He knelt upon one knee and leaned down to fill the water bottle when something caught his eye. It was the movement of an arm in the water. It swayed with the current and moved up and down. He promptly dropped the canteen, pulled out his gun and approached the reeds from where the movement was coming.<\/p>\n

It took only a moment to drag the body out of the cage of reeds that had entrapped it. A young man wearing the blue uniform of a Union soldier. From all appearances he had been in the water for several days and was far from being a pretty sight now, if, in fact, he ever had been so. Joe chewed on his bottom lip and wondered whether he had been killed by the Indians that seemed to haunt that region or was the victim of some war activity. He checked the sodden pockets for any evidence of the man\u2019s identity and found a worn wallet with a few dollars and a silver medallion which must have been of some sentimental value .<\/p>\n

Joe walked further along, taking care to keep to as much ground cover as possible, his gun in his hand. Now he found two more bodies, locked in a deathly combat. Tattered grey and bleach blue. God have pity on them. Joe shuddered and walked on. The remains of a blown apart Hotchkiss gun, keeled over on its side, remnants scattered. Human remains, picked over by scavenging birds and animals. Joe averted his eyes and stopped.<\/p>\n

He wished to look no further. He knew what was there before him, sprawled out like a canvas upon which some fanatical artist had splattered his gory trademark of war. Joe turned away and retraced his steps. He picked up his canteen and emptied the water back into the stream. The water here was fouled by the blood and gore of men, brave and foolish though they were as they reaped the result from the maelstrom of war.<\/p>\n

He kept to the banks of the stream, constantly walking upstream and away from the sight of the conflict. He led the horse behind him so as to allow the animal some respite even from his light weight. After a while he stopped at a secluded area and filled his canteen. It was closing in to evening and he was tired enough to need the time to sleep.<\/p>\n

He sat with his back to a rock and his hands folded listlessly in his lap. What weeks these had been? There was no point in bemoaning his fate, he had chosen it for himself, rashly. Yet again he chided himself for not returning home instead of pursuing his erstwhile friend. He closed his eyes and imagined being there now, walking into the big room, smelling food that would soon be inside his belly.<\/p>\n

Two weeks ago he had eaten so little that he was going light headed and dizzy. A hunting project had provided some meat in the form of several rabbits and a fish. After that repast of plenty, for he had foraged for green leafed stuff with which to eat it, there had been another famine and he had to scavenge for berries and roots. Then for several days he was sick with cramp and severe pains in the stomach relieved only by vomiting and diarrhoea. It had taken him days to recover and the thought of food now sent his stomach muscles into a pang of craving.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlenty food now\u2026why you no eat\u2026you big boy now you eat plenty befoah Mistah Hoss come on home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blinked and shook his head. Hop Sing\u2019s voice floated away and he forced his eyes open to observe the face of whoever was shaking his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, mister, don\u2019t say nuthin\u2019, jest come along quiet like with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his mouth to protest and then closed it again as the barrel of a Colt.45 loomed large right beneath his nose. The man behind the gun was staring at him in a way indicative of trouble if he resisted. Meekly Joe got to his feet, raised his hands slowly above his head and looked once again at the man in front of him.<\/p>\n

Not very tall, balding, with a fuzz of several days facial growth. His eyes were tired, and apprehensive. From long experience Joe knew that more deaths were caused by this kind of person than the cold and calculating gun fighter. When a man was tired he made clumsy mistakes, when apprehensive as well\u2026.everything could be interpreted as a mistake.<\/p>\n

\u201cMove yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

This voice came from behind him. Without turning his head Joe followed the first man with meek obedience.<\/p>\n

They led him to a clearing where tents were huddled and small fires lit. Joe smelt the sweet smelling odours of food cooking and his salivary glands began to water. He looked about him at the groups of men sitting about the camp and realised they must be the remnants of the Confederate soldiers involved in the skirmish downstream.<\/p>\n

A youthful voice demanded a password which was mumbled back. Whether it made sense or not, the two men continued walking into the camp, their prisoner between them with his hands held high. Joe found his mind focusing more on the smells of coffee and roasting meat than the fact that he was a prisoner being led to who knew what fate? The sky had succumbed to the night and the camp was now a warren of shadows and flickering lights where the camp fires were positioned to cater for the men\u2019s needs. He was shoved unceremoniously forwards until he came to a tent more or less central to the camp. A lamp gleamed from a pole at its entrance, and a burly soldier, a Corporal, stood guard.<\/p>\n

The soldier who had first appeared to Joe, stepped towards the Corporal and mumbled something beneath his breath and something was mumbled back in return. Joe wondered how orders were given in this army, and if any battles were ever won by them, for the amount of mumbling that went on.<\/p>\n

The Corporal disappeared into the tent and after a minute reappeared and beckoned the soldiers\u2019 forwards with the prisoner. They then left Joe in the charge of the Corporal who indicated that he enter the tent. As Joe passed the Corporal he felt his gun being removed from his holster and once again wondered how anyone ever won a battle with such a lack of discipline.<\/p>\n

He and the Corporal were now confronted by a makeshift desk behind which a thin middle aged man was seated. There was nothing particularly striking about the man, except that he was a Colonel in the Confederate Army, and had blue eyes and blond hair and beard. He sat for a while writing what appeared to be a letter and after signing it, and putting it to one side, he deigned to look up. He asked the relevant question by raising his eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cTroopers Murphy and Smith found this \u2013 person \u2013 hanging around close to our camp, Sir. Thought it best to bring him in for questioning, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Corporal. Just go and wait outside will you?\u201d the Colonel frowned, \u201cDismissed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Corporal found the single word easier to comprehend than the lengthier request. He snapped a smart salute and stepped outside where he could hear every word as easily as though he were standing right there beside the \u2018prisoner\u2019.<\/p>\n

The Colonel sighed again. It was obvious that the strain of being an officer in anyone\u2019s army would take its toll on a man such as he who not so long ago had enjoyed a life of comfort on his father\u2019s plantation in Charleston. He looked Joe up and down and liked him.<\/p>\n

He saw a slim built young man not overly tall in stature. A mass of dark brown hair rose in waves from his tanned brow. The hazel eyes were large, and framed by long lashes, they were also indicative of an intelligent, bright mind as they returned the officer\u2019s gaze without flinching. The nose was well proportioned and the mouth was agile and generous, the chin stubborn and well formed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour name and reason for being here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe licked his lips. The coffee pot by the Colonel\u2019s desk was emitting strong bitter smells that made him crave for the taste in his mouth. He forced himself to pay attention to the officer who was lounging back in his chair, observing him thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Joseph Cartwright from the Ponderosa, Nevada.\u201d Joe licked dry lips, normally he introduced himself as Joe, but somehow he felt that would not be impressive enough for this person.<\/p>\n

\u201cNevada? That\u2019s not a state yet, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir, not yet it isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think it\u2019ll declare for the South should it become a state before this war if over?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has a 50-50 chance of doing so, sir, if one were to judge from the population of Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd yourself? Where does your allegiance lie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEr \u2013 you asked me what I was doing here just now, sir, if I may remind you?\u201d Joe said hurridly, and the Officer looked at him, and gave a half smile and a nod of the head. \u201cI\u2019ve been looking for a friend of mine who left Virginia City some months back now. He joined forces with a man called Frederic Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle?\u201d the Colonel gave a start and frowned slightly, \u201cWhat\u2019s your friend\u2019s name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew Buckley.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t recall the name particularly, but I do know Mr Kyle. Now I recollect, did not his wife get killed in an accident in Virginia City?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, she did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you know Mr Kyle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what is your connection with Mr Kyle, Mr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell -,\u201d Joe paused, bringing to mind the rather abrupt way their association had come to an end, he swallowed in a dry throat, \u201cMr Kyle knew my mother years back and travelled to Virginia City to make his acquaintance known. He had not realised she had died some years earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother was Southern born?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Orleans, sir.\u201d Joe replied with the humble air of a man who could be acknowledging that his mother was the wife of George Washington.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Orleans?\u201d The officer looked more keenly at Joe, and then turned to look at the man who had entered the tent. He raised his eyebrows as though surprised at the appearance of the man who had intruded upon the interview, then he rose to his feet and with a nonchalant air addressed the visitor \u201cMr Frederic Kyle? I believe you know this young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, Colonel Hansard, and when I heard that he had arrived I made all haste to renew his acquaintance.\u201d Kyle smiled disarmingly, and then turned to Joe, extending his hand in an open gesture of welcome, \u201cJoseph, although it is good to see you here, I wish you had not come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did get a warning that you felt that way, sir,\u201d Joe smiled, and took the proffered hand willingly, \u201cBut I had promised myself that I would find my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll this time travelling just for a friend?\u201d Kyle raised an eyebrow questioningly, \u201cSurely you can\u2019t have dedicated so much time to just looking for a friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFriends are precious to me, Mr Kyle. No time spent looking for one, is wasted time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle narrowed his eyes and scanned the young man\u2019s face thoughtfully, then he nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel, I can vouch for this young man. May I take him with me? I have a lot to discuss with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hansard nodded, whether or not he personally wanted such an abrupt end to what was little more than a diversion to him, he did not say. He watched Kyle and Joe leave his quarters, before sitting down to resume the perusal of his paper work.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joseph, how are your father and brothers?\u201d Kyle asked quietly, as they walked side by side from the Colonel\u2019s tent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell when I left them, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes \u2013.\u201d Joe replied, wary now as he caught the subtle inflection in the other man\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t heard then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard what?\u201d Joe stiffened, mentally preparing himself for bad news \u201cHas something happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing that should not have been apparent long ago. Your brother, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle shrugged and sat down on an abandoned chair, he gestured to Joe to take the chair opposite so that they could talk over the little table that had obviously been used for some card game by the previous occupants.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have \u2013 er \u2013 friends in Virginia City from my last visit there. They send me news every so often of what is happening and \u2013 it seems that your brother Adam has left home and not been seen for some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeft home? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems that he wanted to get involved in things. I recall he did indicate that he had Northern sympathies when I was at your home and -,\u201d Kyle heaved a sigh, as though it hurt to impart bad news to the younger brother. He placed a hand on Joe\u2019s arm, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe. I didn\u2019t want to be the one to pass on bad news.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas he been hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to my knowledge. The last news I had about him was that he was headed to Kansas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe froze. His large eyes widened and he stared blankly at a dark place just above Kyle\u2019s shoulder. Adam headed this way? His eyes flickered to Kyle,<\/p>\n

\u201cHas he joined the Union Army?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSadly so.\u201d Kyle replied smoothly. He took a cigar from the pocket of his vest and placed it between his teeth, then he struck a match and lit it. It was a ploy to delay time, to give him an opportunity to see how deeply the dart had struck. He watched Joe\u2019s face, always so transparent, as he puffed on the cigar and blew out smoke.<\/p>\n

Joe bit down on his bottom lip and stared at Kyle anxiously, \u201cPa would not be too pleased to see Adam gone. No doubt it would not have helped with me being absent as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re looking for Andrew Buckley, I believe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I am. He\u2019s a good friend of mine. I didn\u2019t think he would get so hot headed about fighting in this war, but he did and I thought I should find him and bring him back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joe, no doubt you meant well. The fact is that Andrew is not an errant kid who has played truant from school. He\u2019s a grown man and he\u2019s made a decision to fight for the Confederacy. You can\u2019t expect to come here and just tell him to come home. You may find he\u2019ll not want to get back to the future you want for him.\u201d Kyle blew out a thin line of smoke, all the time watching the expression on his young companions face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate what you\u2019re saying, sir.\u201d Joe paused and rubbed his chin with his hand, \u201cMay I ask you something, Mr Kyle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKansas has declared for the Union, if I recall rightly. How come your home and headquarters is close by here? Beaconsville seems a strange place to have a Southern protagonist quartered there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt belonged to my wife. Was part of her family possessions, but as I was her next of kin, I inherited the property. Her father was a Northern Senator\u2026\u201d Kyle let his voice trail off, his mind returning to the evening when his wife\u2019s shattered remains were brought to the Ponderosa for his inspection. It had only been Adam Cartwright who had suspected something wrong, and the hot words exchanged between him and Joe had given Kyle all he needed to know about both their allegiances.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I was just curious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to apologise. Look, Joe, you\u2019ve heard of the Trojan horse, haven\u2019t you? What better place to have as a rallying point for Southern sympathisers than my place near Lawrence in Kansas.\u201d Kyle smiled, and then shrugged, \u201cI was on my way there when we were attacked by Northern troops. Possibly your brother was amongst them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe paled, although the darkness could conceal his pallor, Kyle was cunning enough to discern from the ensuing silence how the young man had reacted to that comment. He leaned back and puffed into the air,<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you should have a word with your friend now, Joe. He\u2019s not so far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew? You mean, he\u2019s here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly he\u2019s here.\u201d Kyle raised his arm and beckoned, the tip of the cigar glowed like a small insignificant glow-worm in the darkness.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice snapped out the word so abruptly than Kyle was caught by surprise and left his arm upraised for some seconds before slowly allowing it to fall to his side. \u201cBefore I see him, there\u2019s a few other things I need to clear up with you first. All this riding without company gives a man time to think. Sometimes too much time, and things get confused. I need you to answer some questions first, Mr Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I can quite understand, Joe.\u201d Kyle drew hard on the cigar, the tip glowed red and he slowly allowed the smoke to drift from his mouth and nostrils, as though anything the boy could ask was hardly going to rock his world. He smiled slowly, \u201cWell, fire away, I\u2019m listening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all \u2013 that time you came to Virginia City and claimed to have known my mother. Is it true? Did you know her?\u201d Joe leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the face in the shadows, trying to discern from what he could see the truthfulness of the reply he was waiting for now.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother? Yes, I knew her. Not very well, that\u2019s true, but I did know her. It was before her first marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew her well enough for her to give you her picture.\u201d Joe lowered his voice, and his eyes dropped momentarily to the ground, as though the comment would lead to answers he was unprepared to receive.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, she gave the picture to my wife. It was Lily she knew more intimately than myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pondered on that for a while and a small furrow creased his brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say so before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it suited my purposes not to do so. Two years ago I needed you to help me get those silver and gold reserves for the Confederacy. Thanks to your father\u2019s ostrich tendencies and your brother\u2019s hard headed arrogance, it didn\u2019t work out.\u201d Kyle frowned and stared at the tip of his cigar as though it would give him inspiration, truth was an odd companion for him, he had not been familiar with it for a long time. \u201cMy son died in a stupid altercation with Northern sympathisers and I lost the use of my arm. My marriage ended then,\u201d he scowled and flicked the ash from the cigar with his little finger before turning to Joe and searching out his eyes for contact, \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe it when I found that Marie had a son called Joseph. It seemed like an omen. We needed that silver and gold, Joe, the cause, the Confederacy, was desperate for the funds that would have been available to us then. This war would have ended years ago and needless bloodshed would have been curtailed. But your father\u2019s \u2018let\u2019s pretend it is not happening\u2019 attitude put an end to all that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong about my father, Mr Kyle. He knew all about what was happening, but if you prefer to think he was deliberately ignoring it, then you didn\u2019t really know him. My Pa puts his family first and what happened beyond the borders of our territory was not something he wanted to introduce into our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he knew it would send you boys hurtling in all different directions and he wanted to protect you. Isn\u2019t that right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it didn\u2019t work, did it? You\u2019ve left, your brother has left. As far as Virginia City is concerned you both left to join different sides in this conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s not true. I\u2019ve not joined any side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did say, as far as Virginia City is concerned you have. You see, Joe,\u201d he flicked ash from his trousers and sighed, \u201cMy informants tell me a great deal about what\u2019s going on there. You left home supposedly to attend a friend\u2019s wedding, but rumour has it was to join the Confederacy. Adam decides that what is good enough for you, is good enough for him. He didn\u2019t waste much time at home before leaving, I can assure you of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe bowed his head and frowned. He tugged nervously at the toggle on his green jacket and wondered what his family must be thinking of him, to have let the story of his joining the war, the Confederacy, to have taken hold in Virginia City. He chewed on his thumb as he thought of the implications of such a rumour, so strongly embedded that Adam had chosen to leave home as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have your mother\u2019s birthright flowing through your veins, son, and you know for sure how you feel about the South. The townsfolk already believe you and your brother are fighting on opposite sides, so why not just pitch in and roll your sleeves up and get signed on. You know you want to really.\u201d Kyle drawled, letting the lies slip from his tongue as easily as grease.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was told,\u201d Joe said softly, recalling the time he was in Endurance, \u201cthat you had told Andrew that you did not want the responsibility of my blood on your hands \u2013 in respect to my mother\u2019s memory?\u201d his eyes flashed up to meet Kyle\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue enough and I meant it. But, the fact is, son, that you are here now, and of your own doing. You can\u2019t hold me responsible for that now, can you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that -,\u201d Joe paused as there came the sound of boots scrunching on the ground, and he glanced up to see a stocky young man coming to attention in front of Kyle. The soldier snapped a salute and passed over a slip of paper.<\/p>\n

Kyle struck a match, for the night was drawn in darkly now, albeit a summer\u2019s evening. In the flare of the light Joe was able to see the jaw line tighten and the vein at the man\u2019s temple throb while the eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBad news?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Kyle snuffed out the flickering flame of the match and tossed it to the ground. He glanced over at Joe and nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems Beaconsville has been reclaimed by my wife\u2019s family. It\u2019s now crawling with Northern militiamen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/p>\n

The tall young man took the pen and dipped it into the inkwell and slowly wrote his name in the hotel register.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas there been any other guest registered under the name Cartwright?\u201d he asked the Hotel Clerk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa, Virginia City, Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir. Only Cartwright signed in over the past six months was an old man called Ephraim Cartwright from Baxter Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright nodded and with inscrutable features, accepted the key to his room, picked up his bags and turned to mount the stairs. His progress was halted when a tall man of his father\u2019s age stood up and hailed him from the foyer.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright? I\u2019m Seth Van Cleet, you may not recall the name but-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a relative to Lily Van Cleet?\u201d Adam said in his clipped rather abrupt voice, and he surveyed the older man from his position halfway up the staircase of The Eldridge Hotel.<\/p>\n

The older man nodded, staring up at Adam politely, and with a slight smile beneath the white bushiness of his moustaches. Adam, bone weary though he was, descended the stairs and accepted the outstretched hand, which he shook warmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew her personally,\u201d he began to say, but the older man nodded and shrugged,<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that, but when I heard your name and the location you gave, I could not let the opportunity to make myself known to you pass me by. I\u2019d like to thank you for what you did for Lily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my father who deserves the thanks, Mr Van Cleet. Apart from which her husband was there and oversaw the final arrangements for her funeral – eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand what you mean. Before he went elsewhere to cause trouble. Look, Mr Cartwright, may I prevail upon you to join me for a meal this evening? The hotel has an excellent restaurant and I would be more than pleased to share some time with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced warily at the man and then nodded. He would have preferred sleeping from the time he entered the hotel room until the following day. He had ridden hard to make up for time, and his horse had been near collapse when he had taken it into the livery stables and requested it to be fed the best oats they had as it\u2019s reward.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be fine by me, Mr Van Cleet. I\u2019ll see you about 6 o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another grip of hands and a firm shake. Then he mounted the stairs slowly, one at a time. It had been a long time in the saddle and he ached in every bone. The sounds of a battle going on had added some hours to his journey as he had circled round it in order to avoid being involved. That had been some days back now, but even so he could only hope that he had arrived in Lawrence in time to catch Joe. Later, he promised himself, he would go to the mail depot and check for any correspondence from his father and Hoss. He yawned, and pushed open the door to his room. Within ten minutes of falling flat on his back on the bed, Adam Cartwright was sound asleep. So sound and deep, in fact, that anyone passing the room could hear him snoring.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just in time, mister, I was just about to close on up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam acknowledged the comment with a brief nod of his dark head, and followed the clerk into the office.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to send a cable to Virginia City, Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFill in this form. Do you want it sent now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Adam glanced at the clerk and noticed the disgruntled look mantle the man\u2019s face. He picked up the pen \u201cI\u2019m sorry. It is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t git no reply until tomorrow, you know that, don\u2019t\u2019cha?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I know that.\u201d Adam replied, writing his brief message to his father and Hoss and making it even briefer as a peace offering to the irate clerk.<\/p>\n

He handed it over and watched as the words were counted out and then paid the sum total required.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna stand thar and watch me send it, young \u2018un?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ve an appointment. I\u2019ll see you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

The clerk nodded, and started to tap out the message. He did not even glance up as the door opened and closed upon the young man. The only thought that crossed his mind was that he would no doubt see him first thing, probably hanging around by the door, when he started work in the morning.<\/p>\n

TO BEN CARTWRIGHT STOP VIRGINIA CITY STOP NEVADA STOP HAVE NOW REACHED LAWRENCE STOP NO SIGN OF JOE STOP SHALL JUST WAIT UNTIL HE GETS HERE UNLESS INFO. DIRECTS OTHER LOCATION STOP TRUST ALL IS WELL STOP FROM ADAM CARTWRIGHT STOP LAWRENCE KANSAS STOP 20 AUGUST 1863 STOP<\/p>\n

He slipped his black hat from his head and stepped into the restaurant and glanced around the interior. Van Cleet was not difficult to recognise and Adam walked towards the older man with his eyes on the Union Officer standing by his side. Both men stood up to acknowledge him, and extended their hands, which he accepted and shook warmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Mr Cartwright. I\u2019ve taken the responsibility of ordering your meal. Knowing the cuisine so well gave me an advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam said nothing, but acknowledged the favour with a nod of the head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my son, Alan Van Cleet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow d\u2019you do?\u201d Adam said curtly, seeing the resemblance to the older man clearly enough in the regular features and strong chin of the young officer. He turned his attention back to Seth Van Cleet, \u201cIt seems rather a co-incidence meeting you here, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really. There\u2019s a federal garrison at Baxter Springs, and we have a headquarters of a kind here in Lawrence. My son and I often liaise between one or the other. The co-incidence is your being here, Mr Cartwright. I found that rather surprising.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA man can travel where he wishes still, despite the war, can\u2019t he?\u201d Adam replied coolly, raising one eyebrow to emphasise his dislike of such a personal comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrederic Kyle had his headquarters here, at a place called Beaconsville, not far out of town. Perhaps you were on your way to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo reason to see him.\u201d Adam replied cautiously. He waited until the attendant had brought the food to the table before relaxing to speak any more on the subject, \u201cYou said Kyle had his headquarters here. Has he moved on then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a manner of speaking he has, although he may not yet know it, of course. The property belonged to the Van Cleets, and this being a Union town, in a Union state, we have requisitioned it back. Kyle will be none too pleased to hear about it, I daresay, but that\u2019s the fortunes of war, and I have no intention of letting him use the family home as headquarters for his infamy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you here, Mr Cartwright?\u201d Alan asked, his pale blue eyes looking with interest at the other man.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonal reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Father and son looked at one another, then their eyes lowered to look at their plates. For some minutes nothing else was said, but it was Seth who spoke first,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that Kansas is a young state, the 34th state of the Union.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that \u2013 January 29th, 1861.\u201d Adam raised his eyebrows, surely they were not going to just spend the evening discussing the history of the state. \u201cWe\u2019re still going through the process of Statehood. At present we\u2019re neutral territory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that go for you as well, Mr Cartwright? A Boston born young man like yourself with strong principles and beliefs in the Union, should be standing up for what he knows to be right.\u201d Seth responded.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes narrowed and he looked at father and son coldly, then he drew himself upright and put down his fork,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve done some checking up on me and my family?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as we got the information about Lily\u2019s death, and who were involved in helping her, and Kyle, at the time. Yes. We started checking up on you all. Nevada may be a neutral territory, but it has northern and southern sympathisers, sir. Some of those sympathisers are getting funds through to the Confederacy via Kyle\u2019s network which he ran from Beaconsville. We found out how he was trying to get the silver and gold past the blockades, and how your father was instrumental in flushing him out and exposing his little game to those whom Kyle was trying to use. The fact of the matter is, however, that Kyle was still able to set up an underground network and gets information and money from various sources in Virginia City. I don\u2019t suppose you knew anything about that, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. It doesn\u2019t interest me, nor involve me. The Ponderosa remains neutral.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father\u2019s hope \u2013 what about yourself?\u201d Alan asked, his eyes now cold as he looked at Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam said nothing for a moment or two. He felt he was being manoeuvred into some kind of box canyon by the two men and in no way did he wish to compromise himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe war has nothing to do with The Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we were to tell you that silver from your own mines was being sent to the Confederacy, what then?\u201d Seth snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t believe you.\u201d Adam replied coldly, \u201cBut, I would question your motives as to why you would claim that was happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any idea who would support the Confederacy and send the ore to them from their mines?\u201d Seth asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone whatsoever.\u201d<\/p>\n

He picked at his food. His mind dwelt on various characters in Virginia City who had prosperous mines and strong views about the war. He had, up to now, never even thought or suspected that gold or silver could be shipped from those men\u2019s mines to the Confederate cause. He knew the men, and liked them. He had known their families and even been best man at the wedding of one of their sons. He kept his face inscrutable as he thought of those families and of the youth who had gone away from home several weeks after the wedding. He would never return home having been killed at the first battle at Bull Run.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can understand your desire to be loyal to your friends, Mr Cartwright. That\u2019s understandable. What you need to remember is that while money is being sent to finance a lost cause, young men are being killed by their hundreds. Needlessly. Here in Kansas, out of 30,000 men of military age, we have 23 regiments and four batteries. We\u2019re a young state, but prepared to nail our flag to the mast. It seems more should do likewise, or have the courage to stand up for their beliefs.\u201d Alan declared hotly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t disagree with you, sir.\u201d The dark eyes flashed in Alan\u2019s direction, and were then lowered, long lashes formed a silken crescent over the high cheekbones. \u201cA man may have a variety of beliefs and principles by which he lives. If he lives by them, as his own conscience dictates, then he should not be condemned by another.\u201d He looked thoughtfully at Seth, then at Alan, \u201cI understand your concerns, and they are valid. If the gold and silver ore being sent to support the Confederacy were stopped, then the war would eventually end. By the same token, if gold and silver were not sent to stock up the Union war chest, the war would end even sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we could lose.\u201d Alan protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly any chance of that, seeing how you have control over factories churning out munitions and weapons. The South can\u2019t use tobacco and cotton to fight cannons and rifles, can they? The blockades prevent them getting full recompense for their produce as it is.\u201d Adam snapped back in irritation at the way the conversation was turning.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me, sir, but you\u2019re beginning to sound like a Southern sympathiser.\u201d Seth drawled, dabbing at his moustaches with his napkin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m only stating facts. The waterways are controlled by the Union, aren\u2019t they? If they are not, they soon will be. Once they are under Union control, the war will come to a halt\u2026bloody or otherwise.\u201d Adam frowned, and then pursed his lips, \u201cIt\u2019s something my father and I have discussed often.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019ve never discussed the concept of taking part in the fight yourself? You would rather defend the men who support the South than stand up and fight for the North.\u201d Alan growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a neutral territory a man keeps his sympathies close to his chest and steps back from stepping on the toes of his neighbour who may have different views. That way we keep things neutral and we manage to keep our businesses running, and the economy of the territory solvent. Should it be that we gain statehood then it may be necessary to take a more aggressive stance.\u201d Adam frowned, \u201cWhen Kyle came to Virginia City he succeeded in whipping up a lot of trouble. We saw, in miniature, the corrosive damage a civil war creates upon a country. In order to preserve neutrality, it was necessary to step back, take a good hard look at ourselves and then get on with our lives. However, on a personal level – ,\u201d here Adam paused and took a deep breath, \u201cI\u2019ve never kept my opinions a secret. My brothers will tell you that so far as they\u2019re concerned I\u2019m a granite headed Yankee and not just because I\u2019m New England born, but because I value the principles set down by Government. If I were not bound by a promise I made to my father,\u201d again he paused, and bit down on his bottom lip as he thought back to the last time he had seen his father. He shook his head and shrugged, \u201cMy promise to my father takes precedence over anything else I value. I could never, in all conscience, go against that promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems your Ponderosa takes precedence over the whole nation.\u201d Alan growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems to me that what I think or believe will not affect the outcome of this war. I see no reason to continue this conversation.\u201d Adam set down his napkin and got to his feet. He was a tall man, broad shouldered, and momentarily seemed to tower over them as they looked up at him. Seth pushed back his chair and stood up, followed immediately by his son. \u201cGood day, gentlemen, thank you for the meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we have said anything – ,\u201d Seth said to the retreating figure heading now for the doorway, and as the door swung shut behind the man in black, he turned to his son and shook his head, \u201cI like the man. He\u2019s a man we could use.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave to find the right bait first, Pa, before we can reel him in.\u201d Alan said quietly, picking up his cup and with a slow smile he brought it to his lips.<\/p>\n

Chapter 10<\/p>\n

Joseph Francis Cartwright leaned heavily upon the pommel of his saddle and looked over at Andrew. The other young man was drinking from a canteen of water, long gulps to quench a raging thirst. Joe watched as drops of water caught the sunlight and made them gleam like diamonds.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound thirsty enough to drink the Washoe dry,\u201d he grinned over at his friend who put the canteen down and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon I could at that.\u201d Andrew replied, a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eye.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s generously proportioned mouth twitched into a smile. It had been good to see Andrew again, and they had spent most of the night talking about what had happened to them during the intervening weeks since they had last seen each other.<\/p>\n

Andrew had listened to all that Joe had to tell him about Lucy, and about Audrey. He had sat silently for while, staring down at his hands which were hanging loosely between his knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cI loved Lucy, Joe. More than anything in the world. Then I heard Kyle talking to some crowds in Placerville. I tried to ignore it, but somehow the words ate into my heart. I realised that I had worn myself a comfortable little rut back there with my family, and Lucy. To marry her, and be an extension of the Burnette family would have been the ultimate success story as far as my parents were concerned.\u201d He glanced over at his friend who was shredding blades of grass between his fingers, \u201cYou know what a rut is, don\u2019t you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a coffin, without a lid.\u201d Andrew scowled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t agree with that \u2013,\u201d Joe replied slowly, \u201cyou might as well accuse everybody alive about the same thing, but all they\u2019re doing is living their lives the best they can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew shrugged and flopped on his back beside Joe. He stared up at the night sky and closed his eyes,<\/p>\n

\u201cI lied to Lucy. Told her I was going to a convention when all the time I was just going to listen to Kyle. I didn\u2019t intend to sign up and become a soldier, especially when I met with Audrey. Then I got to thinking about Lucy, and Audrey and \u2013 and I guess I just thought that facing some Yankees would sure be easier than getting in between them two gals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAudrey loves you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. So does Lucy. But – ,\u201d he gulped hard, \u201cI love Audrey. I know that now, after these past few weeks. Joe, I thought it was exciting the first time I got into a fight.\u201d Andrew said quietly as he leaned towards his friend, the flames of the small fire between them casting shadows on his face. \u201cMy blood was up and I was whooping loud for all the world to hear as I rushed up the slopes of that hill. There were about a hundred of them and 75 of us, but the numbers did not seem to matter. We just wanted to kill them before they killed us. Guess that was the sum of it really. Politics and principles did not seem to matter no more, we jest had to shoot \u2018em down and make sure they stayed down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you win ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure we did. Weren\u2019t many of them rode away I kin tell ya. We didn\u2019t take no prisoners. Jest didn\u2019t have the food to spare for them as well.\u201d Andrew\u2019s brow crinkled at the memory and he looked away and stared at the shrubs some distance away. \u201cThat was when I realised that there weren\u2019t no glory in war after all. It\u2019s all well and good rushing in and doin\u2019 all thet thar shooting an\u2019 stuff, but afterwards, when the heat is cooled in yer brain, and yer heart ain\u2019t poundin\u2019 so much and an officer comes up and says there ain\u2019t going to be no prisoners \u2013 well, thet\u2019s when you kind of sober up some.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you know?\u201d Andrew narrowed his eyes to scan his friend\u2019s face as though he could not believe the youth\u2019s naivety, \u201cWhen you ain\u2019t takin\u2019 no prisoners, that don\u2019t mean you let \u2018em go to rejoin their pals. It means you go round the battlefield and shoot \u2018em. Some you\u2019re glad to put out of their misery, even those who are wearing the same colour uniform, when they put out their hands and beg ya to kill \u2018em to put an end to their pain. But the others -,\u201d he bit his lip and shook his head, \u201cShucks, Joe, you jest kin\u2019t imagine what it\u2019s like, worse than anything I ever thought it could be, and their eyes haunt your nights forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had swallowed the lump in his throat and shivered. He put out a hand and placed it gently upon Andrew\u2019s arm, but his friend pulled it away, as though he did not deserve any comforting.<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle said that Adam\u2019s joined up. Did you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said something about Adam having left Virginia City some time back. I didn\u2019t know he had joined the military though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t \u2013 you haven\u2019t seen him at all?\u201d Joe looked down on the ground, as though it were too much to ask, to hope for, and he waited with bated breath for Buckley\u2019s reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, never seen him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. It was a relief. It had been like a knife in his heart to imagine Adam being wounded in a field of battle, with hands outstretched, begging for his life as someone, like Andrew, came by under orders to take no prisoners.<\/p>\n

Now here they were riding into Lawrence. Kyle had thought it a good idea for someone as neutral as Joe to ride into the town and check out the defences. Joe had said that would mean he was no longer neutral but working for the benefit of the Confederacy. Andrew had raised his eyebrows and shaken his head good humouredly, as though to say everyone knew how Joe felt, what side he was on, so did it really matter?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be wearing a uniform, boy.\u201d Kyle had said with a smile fixed on his face and Joe had nodded. It seemed such a small thing really.<\/p>\n

Andrew had been ordered to ride along with him, minus his uniform jacket and pants. Now in civilian gear he rode beside Joe and over the miles they had shared jokes and old times and hopes for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you go back and marry that Miss Audrey, Andy?\u201d Joe had asked as they rode into Lawrence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure will. Ain\u2019t she something else, Joe? I\u2019ll marry her and take her back to Virginia City. I\u2019ll have to make my peace with Lucy though.\u201d Andrew grimaced, as though, somehow, that might just happen to slip his mind.<\/p>\n

Joe thought back to when he had met Miss Audrey Knowles and agreed with Andrew. But then he thought of Lucy, and remembered how he had felt when he had first set eyes on her lovely face. He smiled to himself and realised that his friend Andrew had not changed much from the time he was a little boy at school. This was just one more scrape he had got himself into, and would, most likely, expect Joe to get him out of it.<\/p>\n

They rode past The Eldridge Hotel where a tall young man was eating a hasty breakfast and gulping down black coffee in the hope of getting to the Telegraph Depot before it opened. They rode past the United Brethren Church where Rev. S.S. Snyder was locking the door. He had plans for the day which began when he had milked the cow and taken the milk over to the restaurant. He was a lieutenant in the 2nd Coloured Regiment and had his duties to perform, of a secular and military kind. The two young men touched the brim of their hats as they passed Snyder, who nodded and smiled in acknowledgement.<\/p>\n

The First Methodist Church had its doors closed and locked. The windows gazed blankly out onto the street as Joe and Andrew rode by and finally dismounted outside the Telegraph Depot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to send a cable to my Pa. We can see a lot from here, but it won\u2019t hurt to take a good walk about the place.\u201d Joe glanced up and down the street as he tied the horse\u2019s reins to the hitching rail.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll wait for you here.\u201d Andrew said, leaning against the post, flicking the reins of his horse back and forth with an air of nonchalance that disguised his discomfort.<\/p>\n

He watched Joe enter the Telegraph Depot and frowned. The discomfort had grown and grown during the night and the ride into Lawrence had seen it bear full fruition. Seeing Joe again had forced him to confront his demons, his desires, and his longings. He knew that all he wanted was to get back home, and for him, home was with Audrey Knowles as his wife. He wanted done with the war, and the fighting and the dirt and the hunger. All the rhetoric in the world would not hold him to whatever principles he had believed in that had compelled him to ride along with Kyle.<\/p>\n

He took a deep breath. When Joe came out of the Telegraph Depot he knew exactly what he would tell him. He would look him square in the eyes and say, \u201cJoe, let\u2019s cut our losses and get back home.\u201d Yes, that\u2019s what he would say. He could hear his voice saying the words and felt the discomfort fading away and relief taking its place.<\/p>\n

The clerk took the written form from Joe and scanned it quickly and priced it. He took the money and gave Joe some cents in change. He sat down on his stool and began to calmly tap out the message.<\/p>\n

TO BEN CARTWRIGHT STOP VIRGINIA CITY NEVADA STOP PA HAVE FOUND ANDREW STOP SHALL RETURN HOME AS SOON AS I CAN PERSUADE HIM TO RIDE BACK WITH ME STOP FROM JOE STOP LAWRENCE KANSAS STOP 21st AUGUST 1863<\/p>\n

The clerk glanced up and frowned, the name sounded familiar. He racked his brains for a second and then remembered the cable he had sent the previous evening. Like many tradesmen he recalled the tools of his trade rather than the faces of the men who drifted through his office. He only knew the man had been called Cartwright and was a stranger in town. He looked at Joe and concluded the message,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re Cartwright, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait there.\u201d<\/p>\n

He returned within minutes, with a crumpled envelope addressed to Joe Cartwright in Hoss\u2019 writing, another envelope addressed to Joe Cartwright in Adam\u2019s writing, a long thin envelope addressed to a Mr Cartwright in Ben\u2019s writing and a cable.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cable came jest a minute before you stepped through the door, Mr Cartwright. That\u2019s what I call good service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure is\u2026\u201d Joe chortled, pushing his hat to the back of his head and his eyes twinkling.<\/p>\n

He walked out of the depot with the letters in his hand, weighing them carefully, and pleasure mounting his cheeks in anticipation of reading them. He looked at Andrew,<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve mail from Pa and my brothers. Let\u2019s find a place to eat, so\u2019s I can read \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, but bring your horse along with you. In this place, we may have to make a quick exit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned, but catching the direction of Andrew\u2019s gaze he realised the wisdom of what his friend had advised. A tall young man in the dark blue uniform of a Union Officer was walking down the street towards the hotel. It reminded Joe that the situation in Kansas was far different from Virginia City and that he was there on an assignment from a man who supported the military of another colour. He swallowed a lump in his throat. Without even resisting it, he had crossed over the line and put himself in the Confederate camp.<\/p>\n

He un-tethered the horse and together the two young men walked down the street to where a small restaurant could be seen. They glanced at one another as the smell of ham and eggs and fresh bread wafted towards them. With a nod and a smile they hitched the horses up to the rail. Stepping together they entered the building and closed the door behind them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned at the door of the hotel at the sound of his name and frowned slightly as Alan Van Cleet strode hurriedly towards him. He squared his shoulders as though mentally preparing to do battle, and watched as the officer came nearer.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright, I just came to ask you if you would join me for breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo late I\u2019m afraid, I\u2019ve already eaten. Thanks anyway.\u201d Adam tipped his hat and turned to walk away. He was prevented from going too far by Alan\u2019s hand on his arm, and he turned his head to survey the soldier with a cold look in his eyes. Alan immediately dropped his hand and then shrugged,<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I realise I was out of order yesterday evening. I just wanted a chance to be alone with you and talk things out. Would you join me in some coffee, at least, and hear me out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced, narrow eyed, down the street to the Telegraph Depot and then looked back at Alan. The young man had an open countenance and the blue eyes were earnest. Adam nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I don\u2019t see why not although I had intended to go and check on whether or not there was a cable arrived for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo it later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded again. The young man was certainly keen to make amends and Adam had no reason to waste the opportunity to befriend someone who could, in future, be of some help to him. Together they walked down the street to the restaurant that Alan recommended from being a regular client there. They were well matched in height, and build. Both handsome men and in their prime. Alan\u2019s fairer colouring was offset by his blue uniform, while Adam with his black hair and black garments provided an interesting comparison.<\/p>\n

They pushed open the door and it was as though the action propelled them into total chaos and pandemonium. It was the strangest of chain reactions. Alan had pushed open the door and turned to smile at Adam, who had paused at the doorway to look at a horse, black and white, that was hitched to the rail outside. In that instant of time there were the sounds of screams, gunshots, explosions. The thunder of horses galloping full tilt and the screams of the animals as they collided, got entangled, became injured in the melee and maelstrom that now took place.<\/p>\n

As bullets whistled towards them, Adam and Alan pulled out their guns. From their table within the restaurant Little Joe and Andrew did the same. Women clutched at husbands and children and did not know whether to run from the restaurant or duck under the tables. Gunfire raged about them and glass shattered and splintered into devastating shards. The explosions of dynamite, hurled at buildings or into them, thundered and echoed throughout the town.<\/p>\n

Rev. S.S. Snyder of the United Brethren Church was already dead. He had been shot while milking a cow as the raiders entered town.<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright fired time and time again from behind the shelter of a table, while Andrew knelt by his side and did likewise. Adam and Alan had closed the door of the restaurant and had found refuge just as the glass had exploded into a million fragments. They now knelt side by side behind the cover of an overturned table and several chairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know who they are? \u201c Adam asked Alan, leaning down and having to shout the question above the noise of the horror in the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cWilliam Quantrill and his men.\u201d The officer replied, straightening his arm and firing directly at some horseman who did not even notice the bullet as it winged past him.<\/p>\n

Adam frowned, and stood up. Buildings were now blazing. There were bodies strewn like rag dolls in the street. The thin wails of children from various directions floated through the dust and noise and then stopped. He leaned against the wall and began to reload his pistol.<\/p>\n

Joe wiped sweat from his brow. He looked up at Andrew who shrugged back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know who they are?\u201d he asked, wondering if he were firing at Confederate or Unionist.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuantrill and his men.\u201d Buckley replied, \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be here, Joe. We have to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I agree one hundred per cent, but how?\u201d Joe asked, closing the chamber of his gun and wondering whether he would have enough bullets to get him through what could possibly be the worst moment of his young life.<\/p>\n

Adam checked the bullet chamber to his gun, closed it and looked around the restaurant to see just how many there were who would be in a position to defend the place. There was no point in pretending that lives were not at stake here. He turned and looked down the body of the restaurant, past the overturned tables and chairs and the weeping, crying women and children.<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright stood up and straightened his back and looked over his shoulder at the entrance to the restaurant. Across the overturned tables and chairs and the weeping, crying women and children.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d \u201cJoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Relief. Joy. Confusion. Love. All the emotions tumbled one over the other. Adam\u2019s eyes were alight with excitement and his mouth opened in a smile of sheer joy. His little brother was safe, well, as safe as the circumstances allowed at the moment. He moved forwards, pushing against the table that had been his protection, and \u2013<\/p>\n

The stick of dynamite casually thrown into the building exploded.<\/p>\n

Joe was already moving towards Adam when the explosion took place. He saw his brother\u2019s body half turn, fall forwards and then back, and then in a strangely slow and graceful way, slump onto the floor. Within seconds the body of another man, Alan Van Cleet, had fallen across the black clad body and did not move again.<\/p>\n

Andrew grabbed at Joe\u2019s arm and pulled him back. Even as Joe saw his brother fall and the soldier collapse on top of him, so he was hauled back towards the rear of the building. It was an action that saved his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Adam. I saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStay right here, Joe. You can\u2019t do anything for him now. Jest stay put.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe forced Andrew\u2019s hand away. He tried to get to his feet but something was holding him back and when he looked behind him, he saw the anguished face of a young woman whose hand was gripping hold of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me. Help me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned and glanced over at Andrew and together they pulled against the joist that was pinning the girl down. As the joist was lifted so the girl screamed, and screamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it down, put it back down.\u201d Joe cried realising that there was nothing that they could do for her, and that the movement of the joist was creating more anguish than relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean? She\u2019ll die anyway.\u201d Andrew stopped and looked and then without a word began to lower the joist back into position.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t leave me here,\u201d it was barely a whisper and yet it screamed loud in his head. \u201cDon\u2019t, please, don\u2019t leave me alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down at her and felt tears sting his eyes for pity for her. She was young, with all her life ahead of her and she was going to die. Then he thought of his brother, whom he could not see, who could be dead. He blinked rapidly, and heaved back the sob in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go and see to him.\u201d Andrew whispered and stealthily crept from their section of the ruins.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t leave me, will you?\u201d she whispered, clutching at his hand so tightly that the flesh went white and Joe winced in pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I won\u2019t leave you.\u201d He glanced around the debris, hoping to find some water, anything that could ease her discomfort, \u201cAre you in much pain? Is there anything I can get you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWater? Just a little. I\u2019m so thirsty. No, the pain is not bad, unless I move or the \u2013 the wood here \u2013 across me \u2013 don\u2019t lean on it, sir, it hurts when you lean on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slumped back. There was no water at hand, and she would not release her grip on him. It was impossible to ease her unless he moved the joist which would cause her agonies. He wondered how Adam was faring. Had it been Adam or a figment of his imagination induced by the nightmarish situation he was in? Would a stranger look so happy to see him? Happy? That was an understatement. He couldn\u2019t even remember the last time Adam had looked at him with that same look of rapt, one could even say, delirious, delight.<\/p>\n

A hand touched his shoulder and he jumped. Andrew looked down at him and shook his head,<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t get to them. Some of the ceiling has come down now. Could just make out their bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t be dead.\u201d Joe groaned and this time the tears slipped from his eyes and down his cheeks. He tried to release his hand but the grip from the girl grew tighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we\u2019ve got to get out of here.\u201d Andrew whispered, \u201cQuantrill don\u2019t just ride through. He and his men pick over all the buildings and git what they can outa them and whoever\u2019s in \u2018em. We gotta git out of here before he reaches this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t leave here. This girl needs help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s beyond help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to make sure Adam\u2019s safe.\u201d Hazel eyes filled with tears, lashes spiked by anguish, peered up into the face of his friend, appealing to him for reassurance, help, strength.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me. Water. Oh, sir, please don\u2019t go, don\u2019t leave me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped her face with it, his tears fell upon her greying face, and she raised a hand and touched his cheek and wiped a tear from it with her finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t cry for me, mister, don\u2019t cry. I\u2019ll try not to be long in dying, it\u2019s jest that I can\u2019t bear to die alone. Jest stay and hold my hand a minute longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, sure I will. What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnne. Anne Blunt. I was going to get married next week in the Methodist church here. My fianc\u00e9\u2019s a preacher. He preaches a real good sermon. What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe \u2013 Joe Cartwright.\u201d His voice came through his lips in barely a whisper for his throat ached with tears and unshed sobs.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe. Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noticed that her eyes were brown. Her bonnet was all askew, the feather in it was broken. Curls of dark brown hair clung with sweat to her forehead. Her lips were changing colour, becoming bluer.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Anne?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did this happen to us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I guess it\u2019s because of the war.\u201d He looked up at Andrew, who was chewing his bottom lip and obviously wishing that she would die sooner. He knew that Andrew was not being cruel in wishing it, for he was wishing the same thing. It was just too unbearable.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother died because of the war. Joe \u2013 will you pray for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2013 yes \u2013 of course \u2013 yes, I\u2019ll pray for you.\u201d He placed his other hand around hers already intertwined with his, and he opened his mouth to speak the words when he saw her eyes lose the light of life and a soft sigh escaped her lips.<\/p>\n

Chapter 11<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I open my eyes,\u201d Adam thought, \u201cI shall find myself in the hotel bedroom. It was all a dream. Just a nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet still he kept his eyes tightly closed. The weight of something heavy upon him, making it impossible to move his limbs and the sensation of something warm and wet dripping onto his brow and creeping slowly down across his flesh, made him resist the desire to wake up and end the nightmare.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw Joe.\u201d Joe \u2013 the reminder brought a jolt of life into him and his eyelids opened wide. Just for a fraction of a second his brain could not register where he was, for his eyes were seeing something unfamiliar, yet fitting to his dream.<\/p>\n

Wrecked and ruined furniture, blackened walls, smoke billowing towards him. A battle scene. He closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath but the weight upon him inhibited his lung capacity. There was a thudding in his ears, and he closed his eyes as pain began to thud in rhythm to the pounding. He made an attempt to move, but his legs were caught in something that held them fixed down and his arms were pinned down. He realised that his own weight was on his right arm, but until he could move his body, or remove the burden that was a dead weight upon him, then he had to remain immobile. He wondered what the burden was, perhaps a joist, a beam of some kind.<\/p>\n

He summoned all the power he could harness in his body and heaved upwards. He had to move or go mad. The feeling of being forced into immobility created a swell of panic within him, of claustrophobic proportions. He heaved himself up and rolled to one side. Alan Van Cleet\u2019s body rolled with him and fell, lifeless, onto the floor.<\/p>\n

Adam looked about him and saw once again the ruins of what had been a pleasant enough eating house. He saw a body, or part thereof, hidden by a shattered table. Alan\u2019s eyes stared unseeingly up at the ceiling. Adam reached out a hand and pushed back the debris of furniture in an attempt to get to his feet, while with his free hand he wiped away the warm wet stuff on his brow. His fingers came away red with blood, Van Cleet\u2019s blood.<\/p>\n

If this was not a dream, he thought, then seeing Joe was a reality. He struggled once again to get to his feet, but was unable to do so. The pounding in his ears had now reached a frantic pulsating that echoed the rapid beating of his heart. He was finding it hard to breath, to catch his breathe, and his eyes were blurring, his vision fading.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe. Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

His head was splitting in two with pain and he put his hands to his ears as though in some way they would either hold his head together, or stop the anguish from driving him completely crazy. He looked up at the ceiling. Was it his imagination or was it about to collapse? If he did not move out of the way, would it collapse on him?<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hear that, Andrew? It was Adam. He\u2019s still alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grabbed at Andrew\u2019s arm and shook it, but his friend was more concerned with getting out of the building. He pulled his arm away and looked at Joe askance.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe, I told you already, we got to git out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot without Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t get through to him now. The whole place is about to collapse. We can\u2019t get through to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to try.\u201d Joe\u2019s hazel eyes widened in a plea for help, but Andrew just shook his head and continued to claw at the debris to fashion some means of escape from the rear exit.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe, you don\u2019t understand. Quantrill and his men have drawn up a list of people they want to kill. Kyle\u2019s on that list. If they find out that we\u2019re here because of Kyle they\u2019ll make us lead them to him. Don\u2019t you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mouth tightened into a thin line of protest. His eyes hardened and the nerve at his temple began to throb, he leaned forward and grabbed Buckley by the front of his shirt and shook him,<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does Kyle mean to you, Andrew? Adam\u2019s a good friend to you, and he\u2019s my brother. Don\u2019t you realise what he\u2019s done for us? He came to find us, to help us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew pushed his hand away, \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t ask him to, anymore than I asked you to come looking for me. You should have stayed at home, Joe, with your family. Why did you have to come for me in the first place? Didn\u2019t I make it clear enough to you that I wanted to make my own way? Don\u2019t you know what it\u2019s been like for me never to have been able to make choices for myself before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about, Andrew? I left home, if you recall, to be your groomsman for your wedding to a lovely young girl whom you now claim you don\u2019t love. You haven\u2019t even been able to tell Miss Audrey how you felt for her. You didn\u2019t even have the courage to tell Kyle that you wanted to leave him and settle with Audrey and make some kind of life for yourself with her. And you tell me that you\u2019re making your own choices? Are you trying to fool me or yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand, Joe. I\u2019m a soldier. I can\u2019t just up and leave when I want to because I\u2019d be shot for desertion if I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe narrowed his eyes and looked into the face of his friend and then sat back on his heels and allowed his arms to drop to his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had best go then, Andrew. Adam and I don\u2019t need you. We can fend for ourselves. Huh, you talk about making your own choices and you can\u2019t even see the truth for what it is -.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Andrew\u2019s attractive face reddened and his eyes filled with what Joe thought were tears, but even so the young man\u2019s body language was one of defensive aggression.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou left Lucy, and then Audrey, to follow Kyle. You reckon you made your own choice then, but what has it given you since? You can\u2019t do a thing without fear of being shot \u2013 you can\u2019t leave without fear of being shot \u2013 some choice!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI made a choice to fight for my cause.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou made a choice to follow a man with too much to say for himself and who couldn\u2019t care a plugged nickel for you. You just exchanged one institution for another. You never cared about the Southern cause before Kyle appeared so why put on the pretence that it matters so much to you now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Several bullets winged through the shattered glass of the windows as a reminder that beyond their small world a battle was still raging. Andrew shook his head and bit his lip. Joe leaned forward and gripped his arm once again, and this time he did not shrug it off, but looked miserably crestfallen, and downcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucy and the Burnette\u2019s cared about you. You had friends back there, people who cared because they had trust in you, and respected you. How could you just walk away from all that? I could have ridden home when Lucy told me you had \u2018disappeared\u2019, but I came on after you because you were my friend. I didn\u2019t want you to lose out on the best chance of your life to be free and happy. I didn\u2019t want you to walk away from all that was being offered to you just for six feet of dirt, which is what you\u2019ll get if you carry on in this war. You can\u2019t win this way, Andrew.\u201d<\/p>\n

They stared at one another over the debris of restaurant and the body of the girl. For a fraction of a minute it was as though time stood still. Andrew finally lowered his head and put out a hand, which Joe took in his and held.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go and find Adam.\u201d Andrew whispered \u201cThen get on outa here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright stared up at the ceiling and watched as the cracks in the plaster continued to splinter away from the centre of the widest gap. It crept along like the makings of a large spider\u2019s web. He knew that once a certain thread met up with another thread then the whole mass of plaster would come down.<\/p>\n

He closed his eyes. He was bone weary and the pain was eating away whatever strength he had left. He could no longer feel his legs or feet. The thudding in his head was the loudest noise he had ever been forced to listen to for so long. He wanted to go to sleep and never wake up.<\/p>\n

Chapter 12<\/p>\n

At The Eldridge Hotel guests were waving a white sheet in surrender. Men belonging to Quantrill surged in through the foyer and took their time in robbing the hotel\u2019s clientele and plundering the hotel. As they left they set the building alight.<\/p>\n

The two young men succeeded in leaving the restaurant by the rear exit only to be pinned down by a group of horsemen. The gunplay drove them back into the precarious security of the building until eventually the horsemen tired and rode on to fresh areas of the town to terrorise.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled his brother\u2019s name. Several times he called and each time other voices called back to him, begging for water, for help. No voice sounded like Adam\u2019s and Joe looked blankly over at Andrew who shook his head and indicated that they should try the back exit once again.<\/p>\n

Smoke was billowing from the area of the hotel. Gun shots were less regular now and there was no sign of the horsemen.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst things first,\u201d Joe said grimly, recovering from the shock of not seeing his horse as soon as he could, \u201cWe get Adam out of here and make sure he\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe, you find Adam while I go in search of the horses. We\u2019re going to need them, and there\u2019s no point in losing time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave his friend a searching look before nodding and hurrying to the shattered doorway of the restaurant. Stepping inside was like stepping into bedlam.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me, please. I\u2019ve two children here that need help.\u201d<\/p>\n

A woman held out her arms to him for assistance, and he could see the two children sprawled by her side, and knew that he could not walk by and ignore her. He hurried over to her and after a struggle to get the debris cleared from them, he managed to get her to her feet. He lifted the little boy up and placed him in her arms, and looked reassuringly at her as the boy bellowed a protest and began to howl.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sounds healthy enough to me, ma\u2019am.. D\u2019you know where the doctor\u2019s surgery is hereabouts?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I\u2019m scared to go outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get the little girl first, then you just follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The little girl whimpered and sobbed and clutched at her doll. She took a while to be convinced that she could come out from her hiding place. Once out she clung to her mother\u2019s skirt. It was obvious that she had suffered nothing worse than shock and several slight scratches. The force of the explosion had thrown her into a safe area, which had saved her life.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey \u2013 git me outa here.\u201d<\/p>\n

A fat man wedged in the shattered remains of the counter yelled his protests at seeing others assisted while he was left struggling to get out of his prison. He reminded Joe of an upturned beetle with his legs and arms gyrating and himself getting nowhere fast. Joe stepped over boards and glass and carefully cleared away what wood and rubbish were keeping the fat man from getting to his feet. Having succeeded in getting the man upright he asked him to take on the responsibility of the woman and two children.<\/p>\n

Behind the remains of the counter two heads suddenly reared up. The woman had blood streaming from a gaping wound in her head to which she was holding a bloodied towel. The man, her husband, was groaning in pain as he clutched at his arm which he declared was broken. With some assistance from Joe they were able to scrabble clear of the litter and reach the door.<\/p>\n

The fat man, with the woman and the two children, the proprietor and his wife, stepped warily out onto the sidewalk. Looking from left to right, and right to left, they scuttled down towards the doctor\u2019s surgery. The town looked like a victim of war, which it was.<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright was sprawled on his back. His eyes were closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m dying,\u2019 was the thought running through his mind, \u201cEverything is black and quiet. There\u2019s no pain now. No strength. No resistance. I can just drift off now and leave this world in peace. I\u2019m not afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph Cartwright stood surrounded by the rubble of the building. Joists and plaster from the ceiling had fallen since he had helped the people out of the wreckage earlier and dust swirled upwards and enveloped him as he looked about him. Perhaps he had imagined it after all. That one brief look and the recognition between them. Perhaps he had been so desperate that he had seen only what he had wanted to see and Adam was nowhere near here at all.<\/p>\n

He began to pull aside the mess and realised then the enormity of the task for just one man. He wiped sweat from his brow and smeared dust across his face as a result. A joist slipped precariously, showering down dust and dirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned as Andrew Buckley stepped towards him, his boots scrunching and crunching shards of glass and pieces of plaster and wood.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you found him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you saw him, didn\u2019t you? It was Adam, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew looked down at his friend. The wide hazel eyes filled with doubts and questions and fear. The sweat beading the tanned skin and streaking the dust on his face. Plaster dust settling upon the dark curls of his hair, giving him the appearance of a young man turned suddenly grey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see him, Joe. I only heard you call out his name and then everything went crazy.\u201d Andrew glanced up and touched Joe\u2019s shoulder, \u201cI think we had best get out of here, Joe. The whole lot\u2019s about to collapse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I can\u2019t go, Adam\u2019s still here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt may not have been him. It may have been a complete stranger or \u2013 or a \u2013 a thingy – you know \u2013 imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to find him.\u201d Joe cried, beginning to toss bits of rubble to one side in a panic- stricken attempt to lessen the mass before him, \u201cIf he\u2019s here and I just walk away, I could never face my Pa again, not as long as I live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook -.\u201d Andrew gripped Joe\u2019s arm and pointed ceiling-wards and Joe looked up and saw the wisdom of what Andrew was saying as the ceiling cracked with small explosions of sound \u201cLet\u2019s move outa here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 13<\/p>\n

\u201cMen on the left, women on the right.\u201d The Pastor stood at the door of the church and pointed to the rows of shrouded bodies on either side of the aisle.<\/p>\n

Looking at them, Joe felt a shiver trickle through his body, and not just due to the cold of the building. He licked his lips and glanced nervously at Andrew and placed his hand upon his heart, as though to still its pounding. His fingers felt the brittleness of the letters he had secreted in his top pocket. They were as yet unread, but were a tangible link to those he loved back home and with this in mind he stepped forward towards the centre aisle.<\/p>\n

As he approached the rows of white shrouded bodies, he recalled the previous hour following the attack, and everything bloody and chaotic. The local doctors\u2019 were panic stricken as they struggled to assist the dying, the wounded, the friend, the neighbour and the stranger. Joe and Andrew had scoured the scorched town in an effort to locate the tall man dressed in black. Questions were answered by a shake of the head, mumbled words, shocked listeners too terrified to think coherently enough to remember just another stranger.<\/p>\n

A doctor had looked up at them briefly and listened to what they had to say while he spread a sheet over the face of a 14 year old boy. He sighed wearily and shook his head. Then got to his feet,<\/p>\n

\u201cA tall man, did you say? Dressed in black?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. He was in the restaurant \u2013,\u201d Joe waved a hand in the direction of the restaurant and the doctor nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were two men brought out of there just half an hour ago. I saw them both. One of them was Van Cleet\u2019s boy. He had fallen across the body of the other man. He fits your description. A stranger here though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOver there -,\u201d the doctor pointed to the Church, \u201cI\u2019m sorry -.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now here he was wondering whether his brother\u2019s body was one of the many lined up on trestles in the church building. Joe nodded to the Pastor\u2019s instructions, stood in the centre, tried to concentrate. Left? Left \u2013 same side as his gun hand. He nodded, and began to walk from one body to the next, lifting the sheet and peering down at the face, if there was still a recognisable face to be seen.<\/p>\n

The cold of the building seeped into the young man\u2019s body and he shivered. He forced open his eyes and wondered why someone had put a sheet over his face. He raised a hand and pulled it off and sat up.<\/p>\n

The Pastor shrieked and dropped the key that clanged onto the floor with such an irreverent clatter that Joe turned to see what had happened. His first thought was that the raiders had returned and his hand went immediately to his gun butt. He saw their faces, staring at the bodies, or rather, in particular, one body. He turned and watched as Adam disentangled himself from the sheets and looked dazedly about him. Then his eyes settled upon his brother and he stared at the youth as though he were seeing a vision.<\/p>\n

In the gloom of the building and with the sunlight outside and behind them, Joe, Andrew and the Pastor stood in shadows. Three shadows within shadows. Equally so Adam\u2019s face was merely a pale moon reflected back from the long pale drapings over the rows of bodies. Tentatively he raised a hand,<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Is that you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 14<\/p>\n

The doctor closed the door behind him and looked among the throng of people for the two young men who had brought in the bloodied man whom he had just examined. Anxious faces turned towards him. Faces of others who had brought their wounded and dying to him. Some had asked for miracles and been disappointed. Now those faces turned away in despair as his eyes passed over them. Joe and Andrew stepped forward,<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he, Dr Morrissey?\u201d Joe asked, twisting his hat round in his fingers. He had already spent a considerable time chewing his nails for the waiting had never seemed so long. He rubbed his face with his hand, as though even now the seconds between his question and the reply was stretching his nerves to the limit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, apart from a concussion and bruising to his body he\u2019s remarkably well. I believe he was spared most of the damage due to another victim of the explosion taking most of the blast and landing on him. He needs complete bed rest. If you can find a bed in this place, get him to it, and keep him there for at least two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you see to him earlier instead of declaring him dead and bundling him off as though of no account -.\u201d Joe declared, his temper fired up as a result of the hours of distress and shock. \u201cHe was alive, and needed help, for Pete\u2019s sake, and all he got was to be signed off as another corpse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung man,\u201d the doctor placed a gentle hand on the youth\u2019s arm, \u201cMost of those corpses in the church there are dear friends and neighbours of ours. People we have lived with and cared about all our lives long. What happened today was a devastating shock to all of us. Some of the victims of this attack needed urgent attention. I\u2019m sorry about what happened to your brother, obviously, because he was a stranger here he was given less than the best attention. The fact is that the shock to his system was so severe, and the amount of blood on his body so great, that to all intents and purposes he appeared dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I hadn\u2019t \u2013 if I\u2019d just \u2013 just gone? I\u2019d have never known-.\u201d Joe stammered, twisting his hat round and round in his hands nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was distracted by the fact that Van Cleet\u2019s son was the other victim. I have known that boy since he was a child and cared for him throughout all that time. To see him as he was then \u2013 ,\u201d the doctor sighed and turned away, \u201cI was shaken by seeing him. I was fond of the boy. I don\u2019t think I even felt for your brother\u2019s pulse but -,\u201d he smiled slowly, \u201cwhether you had stayed or gone, would have made no difference to your brother. As you saw for yourself, when it was time to regain his senses, he did so, with interesting results.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Andrew shared a smile, the memory of the Pastor collapsed at their feet and needing more attention for his cracked head than the newly resurrected Cartwright had brought an element of amusement into the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s asleep. The concussion and shock to the system has exhausted him. He\u2019ll recover in good time, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut can I go in and see him?\u201d Joe repeated and the doctor nodded, opened the door, and left them as he walked over to another anxious, frightened relative of yet another unfortunate victim of the raid on Lawrence.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s breathing was so light that Joe had to lean close to his body to hear him. Then he stepped back and surveyed his brother thoughtfully, before turning to Andrew.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he knows that we\u2019re here?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should think so.\u201d Andrew whispered back.<\/p>\n

Adam felt the touch of his brother\u2019s hand upon his arm, opened his eyes and turned to observe him. With a sigh he sat up and pulled his brother to him, giving Joe an unaccustomed embrace that was so long lasting that he wondered whether the concussion had affected Adam more than the doctor had realised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank God you\u2019re safe, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you, Adam.\u201d Joe whispered, as he pulled away from his brother\u2019s hug. How easy it could have been to have ridden on and not known that he was alive. The thought made the guilt rise up in his throat like bile and he pushed Adam aside and looked at him,<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were dead. I thought perhaps it hadn\u2019t been you at all and I had just imagined seeing you there.\u201d Joe looked into Adam\u2019s face and noticed the way his brother was looking at him. There was an intensity in every line of his face that was so profound that it was disconcerting. The brown eyes watched the young face with a slight frown. Adam sighed, he turned to observe Andrew, standing a little further back, \u201cHello, Andrew, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew nodded and shook Adam\u2019s hand. Adam nodded back, then looked at Joe,<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to get back home as soon as possible, Joe. Are you coming back home with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can hardly leave you to go on your own, can I?\u201d Joe retorted with a good humoured grin, he nodded, \u201cSure, Adam, I\u2019m coming home with you. So is Andrew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as far as Endurance anyway, I\u2019m going to cable Audrey to meet me there.\u201d Andrew said and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to get to the hotel and collect some of my things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hotel doesn\u2019t exist anymore. It was burned down, in fact, it\u2019s still burning.\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, and smiled, and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder,<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s go then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo where?\u201d Joe asked, with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201dWell, if the Telegraph Depot is still standing, I need to collect \u2013,\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome letters?\u201d Joe grinned, and pulled them from his pocket with a flourish.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, some letters -.\u201d Adam agreed with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc here said you needed to find a bed\u2026\u201d Joe put his arm around his brother for support and Andrew moved in to offer his assistance, only to have his arm brushed aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps so.\u201d Adam replied, realising suddenly that his legs were buckling beneath him and his head seemed to be floating from his shoulders towards the ceiling.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/p>\n

Frederic Kyle dismounted in what had once been the garden of their home. \u2018Beaconsville\u2019. He stood in the mess of the driveway with the horse\u2019s reins in his hand, just staring at the smoking ruins. The signs of plundering and looting of the property were everywhere he looked. Broken delicate chinaware trodden into the mud, and here and there silverware gleamed amongst the grasses. He swallowed a lump in his throat and fought the tears that welled up in his eyes.<\/p>\n

So much had happened here in this house, their home. Lily and he had been happy here once. He recalled the times when a small child would run down the driveway with wide open arms and call out a welcome. He would swing the child up in his arms and hug him tight. Then his eyes would travel to find his wife, Lily.<\/p>\n

If only he had not taken Joseph to that meeting that evening. If he had only kept silent instead of jumping to his feet and denouncing them all as Yankee sympathisers and no good to God nor men. If only ! He swept off his hat and bowed his head. He should have listened to Lily that day in Virginia City. They could have returned here and had some kind of life together. Memories would have meshed their lives back into the harmony they had once enjoyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned slowly. The familiar voice sent a shiver of finality down his back. He raised his chin arrogantly, as was his style, and stared at Van Cleet as the other man walked towards him from the roadway. He had a broken framed picture in his hand. This he held out to Kyle who took it cautiously, his eyes still on Van Cleet\u2019s face. There was a coldness in the man\u2019s eyes that made Kyle conscious of the pistol he had secured under his jacket. But now, his one hand was occupied with holding the picture. He looked down and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were happier days, Seth.\u201d Frederic Kyle murmured slowly. The faces in the broken picture looked back at him, smeared with smoke and dirt though they were. The faces of those he loved. Lily, and Joseph.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph died, you know. Three, maybe four years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard.\u201d Seth Van Cleet replied, \u201cLily wrote to tell us all that had happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLily \u2013,\u201d Kyle paused and glanced up at the other man \u201cLily\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe heard about that too.\u201d Seth\u2019s lips thinned, \u201cThanks to you and your henchmen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know that she was going to be on that stagecoach, Seth. For pity\u2019s sake, do you really think I would have wanted any harm to befall my wife? I loved her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know the meaning of the word, Kyle. Every word you utter is a lie. You deceive and inveigle your way into people\u2019s lives and destroy them. I know why Lily was in Virginia City that day. She wrote to tell me how she was going to beg you to return here with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was trying to stop me working for the cause I believe in. The cause for which my son died.\u201d Kyle protested loudly, his eyes now wild and the anger in him causing the colour to redden his neck and face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour son did not die for a cause. He died because Lily sent him with you to make sure you returned home safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it is not. Lily told us what had happened. She went to Virginia City to bring back the man she loved. She had lost her son. She felt she had lost you and wanted you home with her.\u201d Seth Van Cleet paused and stared at the one armed man with loathing so apparent that Kyle swallowed fear along with bile, \u201cYour bitterness at the loss of your arm, and your son, drips from your mouth with every word you utter. Well, I have lost a son now. My son died here yesterday. You and Quantrill between you weaved a fine web of hate and deceit and evil. The sad thing is you have no compassion for any one of those people down there, have you?\u201d Seth waved an impassioned arm, and pointed to the smoking, plundered town of bewildered distraught people.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t blame me for this? Do you think I wanted this to happen to Lawrence? These people were my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be so ridiculous. These people were Unionists. You couldn\u2019t care a plugged nickel for any one of them, and that includes my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle saw the action of the man\u2019s hand as it swept towards his gun, but too late, his one hand still clutched the picture and his impotency to defend himself brought a snarl of fury to his lips.<\/p>\n

The gunshots trickled away into silence. What were three gunshots after so many? Van Cleet looked down at the body and wondered why he felt no satisfaction at the sight of it. There had been a bullet for Alan, and a bullet for Lily, and one because for years he had hated the man. Now the wretched fellow was dead at his feet, his hand clutching the picture of a smiling woman and her son. Van Cleet stared down at the body of Frederic Kyle for some more minutes and then turned away and walked back down into the town that was draped with plumes of black smoke as though in mourning for its dead.<\/p>\n

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

Ben Cartwright stood in the yard of the Ponderosa with a cup and saucer in one hand. He wanted to spend a few minutes alone now. He wanted to savour the memory of the day, of being amongst friends and family. He took a deep breath of clean pine laden air and allowed a small smile to play about his mouth.<\/p>\n

It had been a good day for the wedding. Joseph had looked as proud as a peacock as he stood there by Andrew\u2019s side to act as his groomsman. Andrew had looked, well, and here Ben smiled at the memory of the nervous young man. Audrey looked beautiful as every bride should on her wedding day. Somewhere, in another town, a young woman called Lucy Burnette was weeping copiously into her handkerchief and bemoaning her loss.<\/p>\n

He raised the pink and white patterned cup to his mouth and gulped down some of the hot liquid and enjoyed the sweet bitterness of it. His eyes scanned the ponderosa laden mountains and hills. Snow would soon be settling there, and filling the passes. He wondered, as the young couple had ridden away in their hired buggy, if they would ever meet with Mr and Mrs Andrew Buckley again.<\/p>\n

He turned at the sound of voices as others in the house began to emerge and spill over onto the porch. He could hear Joe giggling, as he recounted, yet again, how he had been designated the task of telling Miss Lucy that Andrew Buckley would not be coming home after all. Ben sighed, and wondered why some misfortunes could cause so much hilarity. He only knew that he was more than relieved to have had his two sons arrive home, safe and well.<\/p>\n

Beyond the borders of the Ponderosa the war continued to gather momentum. Hundreds more would die \u2013 brother against brother, father against son. As Ben watched his sons now, and allowed his gaze to drift over the remnants of the wedding feast he thanked God yet again for bringing Adam and Joe home to the Ponderosa. If the searing hatreds raging beyond the border had scorched them at all, he knew for certain that the love within the family would comfort, heal and serve to unite them closer together.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Reviewer: jfclover<\/a> Signed
\nDate: 28 Jun 2011 05:46 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n

Great story, Krystyna.\u00a0 I was doing some re-reads and picked yours to read during my vacation.\u00a0 It had been a long time since I’d read this one and it almost seemed brand new!\u00a0 Loved Joe getting trapped into helping his friend.\u00a0You did a nice job and the total connection between brothers – very nice.<\/p>\n

Author’s Response: Thank you, jfclover, that’s just about the nicest thing any writer would like to hear that the story remains as fresh now as it was when first read, thank you very much indeed. Good to know you’re here, jfclover.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: jojay
\nDate: 27 Jun 2011 10:06 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n

Read this before on BW, thank you for posting it here for us!<\/p>\n

Author’s Response: My pleasure, jojay Anonymous. Thank you very much for posting this comment for me.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: freyakendra<\/a> Signed
\nDate: 26 Jun 2011 01:46 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n

A riveting read! You thoroughly caught me and held me, word for word, right to the end! I loved Adam and Joe spotting each other, finally, and then…. Just loved it!<\/p>\n

Author’s Response: Freyakendra, I really am always so pleased when a good writer sends in a review like this, I feel like I’ve achieved something because you are so good at writing yourself. Thank you very, very much indeed. Krystyna<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0 Joe departs with a light heart to attend a friends wedding little knowing that Frederic Kyle has a longer shadow that any in the family realize and it isn’t long before Joe,and Adam, are drawn into the War between North and South.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+ (32,815 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":3071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1635,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/civilwar.jpg?fit=384%2C348&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5391,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5391","url_meta":{"origin":4927,"position":0},"title":"The End of a War (by BnzaGal)","author":"BnzaGal","date":"June 30, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Written using the five words (Bachelor, Medieval, Commence, Culmination, and Tassel) from the Chaps & Spurs Challenge, June 2011. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,110 words)","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\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1705,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1705","url_meta":{"origin":4927,"position":1},"title":"Setting the Course (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"September 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 At the end of \u201cA House Divided\u201d, have you ever wondered why Adam wasn\u2019t farther along to join the cause before Little Joe caught up with him?\u00a0 Adam had emotionally left the night before Ben\u2018s encounter with Frederick Kyle and Joe in town.\u00a0 Me... I don\u2019t think it had\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4809,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4809","url_meta":{"origin":4927,"position":2},"title":"No Such Thing As a Civil War (by Storm)","author":"storm","date":"April 29, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0I have been mulling this story over for some time and now seems like the right time to post it.\u00a0 What if two brothers left the Ponderosa to fight in the burgeoning war between the States? \u00a0 Rated: K+ \u00a0WC 2200","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\/Pdvd_014.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Pdvd_014.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Pdvd_014.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Pdvd_014.jpg?fit=720%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5255,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5255","url_meta":{"origin":4927,"position":3},"title":"Wenn Ein L\u00f6we sein Haupt senkt (by angelina)","author":"angelina","date":"March 4, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Ben hat seinen Lebenswillen verloren. 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