{"id":49497,"date":"2002-07-22T12:31:57","date_gmt":"2002-07-22T16:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49497"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:47","slug":"back-where-we-started-by-jillp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49497","title":{"rendered":"Back Where We Started (by JillP)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Synopsis:\u00a0 <\/b><\/strong>Following Hoss’s death, Adam returns to run the ranch with Joe and their father. After an ambush goes wrong, the brothers are separated, one severely wounded, the other lost.
\nRating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 (31,225 Words)<\/p>\n

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The Brandsters acknowledge that the authors are the owners of their stories.\u00a0 Should an author included in the project reach out to us and indicate they do not wish their work to be archived in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library, we will remove their stories.\u00a0 We would also be happy to change the e:mail address for any authors who wish to continue to have their stories archived in the Library.<\/p>\n

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BONANZA has always held a special place in my heart, and always will. It set in motion for me a dream that I have held for over thirty years, and that is to be a cowgirl. Not a real cowgirl, but to have a horse, a small ranch with room to breathe, surrounded by mountains and pastures. To be able to roam on a saddled horse is the ultimate escape especially with someone you love. Soon that romantic dream will come true. I dedicate this to my husband, because he has and always will, make all my dreams come true.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Back Where We Started<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright sat at the bank manager\u2019s desk on the outskirts of Sacramento, his eyes slowly closing. As his mind drifted, Joe imagined being warm and comfortable in his own bed, the smells of Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen luring him to the breakfast table. The family\u2019s Chinese cook had that effect with each of the Cartwright\u2019s. Joe\u2019s chin began to droop to his chest as his mind drifted farther away. He suddenly jerked and startled himself awake. Pushing himself up from the chair, he stretched out his arms. Shuffling his feet around the room, he tilted his head from side to side, breathing deeply to wake up. He was tired and dirty. After three weeks on the trail, he was ready for a bath, clean clothes, and most of all, sleep.\u00a0Ah, sleep, it sounded so good.<\/i><\/p>\n

The bank manager, finally returned, “Sorry for the delay, Mr. Cartwright. Here is your bank draft. Just sign this receipt.” He handed the receipt to Joe for his signature.<\/p>\n

Joe signed the paper. “Thank you for handling this transaction so promptly. It\u2019s appreciated.”<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll file a copy here, and this one is for your records.” He gave Joe his copy. “It\u2019s been a pleasure doing business with you, sir.”<\/p>\n

Joe shook the manager\u2019s hand and turned to leave the office. Walking through the bank lobby he spotted one of his drovers.\u00a0What was his name? He was always so quiet, a young boy around twenty maybe, but knew his job as well as any thirty year-old man. Luke, that was his name.\u00a0<\/i>“Luke, you stayin\u2019 in town a while?” Joe walked over to him reaching out his hand in greeting.<\/p>\n

“Yes, sir.” Luke seemed startled by the acknowledgment. He didn\u2019t think the Boss would notice him. Luke wiped his right hand on his pants then held it out to Joe. “Yes, sir. Um…just long enough to get my….m…. money. I want to….um….thank you for the bonus, Mr. Cartwright. My….ah…. ma sure will appreciate it.” He spoke very softly, trying not to be heard among the other bank patrons.<\/p>\n

Joe could see that the boy was uncomfortable with the conversation, so Joe kept his voice low too. “You\u2019re welcome, Luke. You did a fine job for us. I hope you look us up again next year, and if you ever want a more steady job, you know where the Ponderosa is.” Joe gave him a light slap on the back, “be seein\u2019 ya,” and continued through the bank lobby. As he reached for the door, Joe looked back at Luke, wondering what it was about the boy that made him feel uneasy. He supposed the feeling was one of a fatherly nature, wanting to help the boy overcome his shyness of strangers.<\/p>\n

Holding the door for another bank patron, Joe quickly put Luke out of his mind. He placed his hat on his head, and glanced up the street toward the telegraph office. Adam should have already wired their father, he thought, and is probably waiting with a cold beer. He headed toward the saloon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Luke watched Joe leave the bank, then moved toward the door. He hadn\u2019t expected Joe to recognize him. He had kept to himself during the drive, did his work and minded his own buisiness. He should have been more careful, he thought. No harm done, he hadn\u2019t suspected anything. He watched Joe cross the street, then he slipped out of the bank. He followed slowly as Joe stopped to look into the windows of the saddlery and then the restaurant, until he came to the saloon. Luke stopped and ducked into a nearby alley while Joe stood in front of the swinging doors peering in. He then pushed them open, and went inside. Luke stepped back onto the street and headed to the saloon.<\/p>\n

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

Joe entered the saloon and stood briefly, looking around. The establishment was packed with cowboys just like him, all in town to sell their cattle. He soon spotted his brother, Adam, standing at the far end of the bar staring into a beer. Dirt covered him from head to toe. His brow was sweaty. The top half of his shirt was open, and his sleeves were rolled up over his elbows. He looked tired.<\/p>\n

Joe waded through the crowded room, and approached Adam motioning to the bartender for two more beers. “I must be getting old,” Adam admitted, “I don\u2019t remember being this worn out after a drive.” He chugged the rest of his beer as the fresh ones were placed before them.<\/p>\n

Joe tossed some coins on the bar. “I know what you mean, but I\u2019ll never have to be worry about being older than you.” Joe smiled as he gulped down half his beer, and leaned on the edge of the bar.<\/p>\n

“Just watch it, short shanks.” Adam returned the smile and elbowed Joe.<\/p>\n

Their brother Hoss had always referred to Joe as the short one of the family. Hoss had always been Joe\u2019s protector. His large build was usually enough to turn any man away from trouble with the brothers.<\/p>\n

Joe grinned his usual mischievous grin, “I guess I better. Hoss can\u2019t protect me anymore from you.”<\/p>\n

Only a year and a half had pasted since Hoss died. The two brothers quietly took a deep breath as they remembered their middle brother. They both enjoyed the coolness of their drinks.<\/p>\n

“Got the telegram off to Pa.” Adam changed the subject. ” Told him we should be home by Friday. I figure a day here to rest and clean up. We can start out tomorrow morning and be home in four days.” Adam thought for a moment. Being the oldest, Adam was use to being in charge. This drive was solely Joe\u2019s job, and he suddenly remembered that fact. “Sorry, Joe. Habit. What were you thinking?”<\/p>\n

Joe could tell Adam was dealing well with the big brother\/ little brother conflict they always had. He knew Adam had held back during the three weeks they had been on the trail, keeping his suggestions to himself and letting Joe handle all the decisions. “You read my mind. I was thinking Thursday or Friday, as long as we don\u2019t run into bad weather. We\u2019ve been pretty lucky so far.”<\/p>\n

The two brothers finished their beers, and ordered two more.<\/p>\n

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

Luke quickly entered the saloon, and joined a group of four men gathered around a table in back. He sat down with his back to the bar, next to a tall, large, muscular man in a black hat. “That\u2019s them, Nate, at the end of the bar. The shorter one, Joe, has the money, the bigger one is his brother, Adam.”<\/p>\n

“Just remember,” said Nate, “when we catch up to them, we need Joe alive. The brother is a dead man. You all got that?” The group all nodded in agreement. “We\u2019ll take shifts watching them until they leave town. Jerry, you follow them when they leave the saloon. I\u2019ll relieve you at the hotel at midnight. Matt, you spell me at 6 AM. Red, you\u2019re to stay with the horses at the stable. When they\u2019re ready to leave town, Matt, Jerry and I will meet behind the stable, and give them a head start. Luke, since they know you, I want you out of sight, at the place we agreed on. You stay there until we\u2019re ready to ride. Any questions? Anyone?”<\/p>\n

Each man looked at one another shaking their heads. “No.”<\/p>\n

“Okay, Luke you get going, and don\u2019t let them see you leave.”<\/p>\n

“Yes, sir.” Luke left the saloon with his back to the Cartwrights The bar was a crowded place that day with drovers from all over the territory there to sell their cattle to eastern buyers.<\/p>\n

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

“Let\u2019s get a room while we can,” said Joe. “This place seems to be filling up quick,” he pointed his finger around the room. “Besides, even though it\u2019s only a bank draft, I\u2019m a little nervous carrying this around.” He patted the front of his coat, and finished the last of his beer.<\/p>\n

“The price for cows sure has gone up considerably in the last eight years. I couldn\u2019t believe my ears when you and Pa were talking about what price to get.” Adam wiped his brow, and followed his brother out to the street.<\/p>\n

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

Jerry left the group in the saloon, and followed Joe and Adam.<\/p>\n

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

Joe and Adam found the hotel, and checked into their room. It was small, but adequate. It had two beds, and was located on the quiet side of the building, not facing the street.<\/p>\n

After a long soak in a hot bath they found a barber to relieve them of their three weeks\u2019 worth of stubble. The restaurant was their last stop where they enjoyed the special of the day.<\/p>\n

“Joe, I\u2019ve been meaning to tell you…..” Adam took the last bite of food and put down his fork. “I\u2019m really proud of the way you handled this whole operation, from beginning to end. You hired a great bunch of guys. I don\u2019t know when I\u2019ve worked with such a good group of men. The cattle were in good shape from the start, and we didn\u2019t loose a single head. You knew where each watering hole would be. You moved the drovers around so they wouldn\u2019t be bored with the same job. The bonus was a nice touch too, and well deserved of them all. The chuck wagon was great too. Hoss would have been happy with that.”<\/p>\n

He and Joe chuckled. “I just wanted you to know…..what I mean is…..I don\u2019t know…..I think saying that I\u2019m proud of you may sound condescending, but I am proud of the way you have matured, and I\u2019m glad to be home with you and Pa again.” He took a sip of water.<\/p>\n

“Adam, what you said means more to me than I can say. Thanks. We\u2019ve both come a long way in eight years.” Joe looked him square in the eyes. “It\u2019s good to have you home, big brother.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin, and pointed a finger at his brother. “I learned from the best.” He picked up his water glass in a toast. “To us.”<\/p>\n

“To us,” Adam raised his glass, and the two brothers clinked glasses.<\/p>\n

With their bellies full, they returned to the hotel, and climbed the stairs to their room. That night they slept peacefully in warm, soft beds that they had longed for after so many nights on the rocky, cold ground.<\/p>\n

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

In the lobby of the hotel, Nate relieved Jerry at midnight, and at 6 AM, Matt arrived to spell Nate. Nate and Jerry met up with Red at the stable to await Matt\u2019s morning report. Matt arrived after following the Cartwrights to the restaurant where they ordered breakfast.<\/p>\n

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

When morning came, Joe had to wake Adam. “Use to be the other way around, you dragging me out of bed every morning.” Joe tossed Adam his boot. ” Is this what getting old is all about?”<\/p>\n

Adam snapped at Joe with a towel, and pulled on his boots. “Yea. And watch out for my cranky temper too.”<\/p>\n

They packed up, and headed down the stairs to check out of the hotel. Before starting on the trail again, they treated themselves to breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Trail food for four or five days was going to be hell again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright brothers were never so glad to be leaving Sacramento. They used to find the populated city exciting and alluring, but now they found it to be crowded, dirty and loud. They were anxious to get back to the peacefullness of the Ponderosa, and the daily chores that awaited their return home. They made good time the first day, finding a pretty spot on a lake to camp for the night. With moss to sleep on, and fresh fish to eat, the night wasn\u2019t too uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

The second day took them to higher ground. As night fell they settled on soft dirt among boulders and rocks. The temperature dropped and a trace of snow fell.<\/p>\n

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

On the third day, once again, Joe was the first one up in the morning. He added wood to the fire, and put on a pot of coffee. Then relaxing with his cup and sitting on a small knoll, he watched the sun rise over the freshly covered snow-capped mountain peaks.<\/p>\n

The sun had been up for nearly an hour. Joe watched his brother sleep, and was glad to have him along. Years before, he never would have thought he would be glad to have his older brother around so much, since all they did was argue. How perfect everything would have been if Hoss had lived to see Adam come home. So many times he and Hoss commented on how much they missed Adam. When Adam left, eight years ago, Joe was twenty-five, and Adam was thirty-seven. Adam had always wanted to see more of the world, and he had waited a long time. Joe had always thought that Adam was just waiting for his littlest brother to grow up before leaving, so that Joe would be more help to his father. Adam had always been like a second father to Joe rather than a brother. Seeing Adam sleeping now, Joe still saw the same man, just through different eyes. Joe was a man now, not the smart-mouthed, quick-tempered kid he was when Adam was still at home. Joe was the one who had changed. Adam was still his patient self. Joe admired his brother so much.<\/p>\n

Joe finally crept over and nudged his brother awake. “Hey, Adam what\u2019s keeping you asleep for so long?” He refilled his coffee cup, and poured one for his sleepy brother. “You better start moving around.”<\/p>\n

Adam rolled over onto his side, and sat up stretching his arms above his head yawning. “Long legs and sweet lips.” He rubbed his eyes as the brightness of the day descended on them.<\/p>\n

“Anyone in particular?” Joe passed his brother a cup filled with steaming coffee.<\/p>\n

“Nope.” Adam accepted the hot beverage, and warmed his hands around the cup. “In all those years away, I never met anyone I wanted to settle down with.” His look became solemn as he glanced at Joe. “What a remarkable woman Alice must have been. I envy you. She must have been something, to capture your heart……I wish I could have seen that.”<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s wife, Alice, had come into his life six months after Hoss\u2019s death. She was beautiful and loving, and brought laughter back to the Ponderosa. But as suddenly as she became part of the family, she and their unborn child died in a tragic fire set by theives. Once again the Cartwrights lives were full of sadness. Time healed their hearts, and now, a year later, Adam was home.<\/p>\n

Joe quietly looked out across the mountain tops, “She was the best thing that ever happened to me.”<\/p>\n

Adam stood and walked over to his brother, lightly putting his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulders. “Sorry, Joe, I didn\u2019t….. mean to……”<\/p>\n

“No, it\u2019s okay, Adam.” Joe patted him on the back. “I have great memories, and I like talking about her, like the way Pa does about our mothers. I wish you had met her, too. She brought a lot of joy to both me and Pa after Hoss died.”<\/p>\n

Joe took another gulp of coffee and poured the rest into the fire. “Now what say we head for home. We\u2019ll stop tonight in Summit and get a good night\u2019s sleep in the hotel. Maybe we can surprise Pa, and be home early for a change.”<\/p>\n

Adam poured the rest of the coffee from the pot onto the fire. “I\u2019m with you.”<\/p>\n

They shared a glance, then gathered their belongings, and packed their horses. Joe, feeling like an equal in Adam\u2019s eyes, and Adam, well Adam knew he had come home to find a man instead of the boy he once knew. He was very proud to be Joe\u2019s brother. They headed up the trail towards Summit.<\/p>\n

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

Joe rode for most of the day listening to Adam\u2019s stories of his travels. He had been all over the world. He finally had lived out his dream, of sailing ships to Africa, South America, Europe, Australia, encountering everything from pirates to kings. It was fascinating to listen to him. “Adam, you should write a book.”<\/p>\n

Adam laughed, “Yea, and I\u2019ll dedicate it to my number one fan, my kid brother, Short Shanks.”<\/p>\n

Joe nudged his horse forward. “Hey!”<\/p>\n

Adam took off at a gallop.<\/p>\n

They chased each other laughing all the while, acting like children again. It felt great to let loose, relax and have fun.<\/p>\n

After a few miles they slowed to a walk, out of breath and still laughing. As the road narrowed, Adam took the lead. Large boulders lined one side of the road. A steep embankment dropped off the other side with tree roots, brush and rocks following down to the river below. The road ahead made a ninety degree turn into another set of boulders.<\/p>\n

As Adam turned the corner he looked back at Joe peering down to the river. At the same time a shot rang out from behind some rocks. Adam jerked back, his horse reared, and he fell to the ground.<\/p>\n

Hearing the shot, Joe was off his horse in an instant, gun in hand. Two men, coming from the boulders, immediately came up from behind him, knocking his gun to the ground. He lunged at them both. Hats flying, all three fell to the ground. Joe was quickly overtaken by two more men approaching from the other direction. They had Joe by his arms. He struggled to get away, to get to his brother. Finally freeing his left arm, he shoved at the man holding it down. With his fist he connected with the jaw of the man holding his right arm. He was then dragged to the ground and again restrained.<\/p>\n

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

Looking up, Joe recognized Luke, as the one whose jaw he hit.<\/p>\n

Luke, clutching his own chin, booted Joe in the ribs.<\/p>\n

The others let go of him. Joe doubled over. Rolling on the ground he gasped for air. Pressing both hands to his stomach, he wheezed and coughed. Finally he was able to take a breath. “You bastard…..my…..bro….ther…..Why?….. Luke?” He coughed some more. Rising to his knees, he wiped blood from his mouth.<\/p>\n

Matt and Jerry lifted him to his feet. They dragged him to where Adam lay, unconscious, on the ground. Luke and Red held their guns on Joe, as Nate appeared from behind the boulders.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face was gray. His chest was barely moving. Joe felt a lump in his throat, and his body went limp as he scrambled to kneel at his brother\u2019s side. Adam was bleeding from a bullet wound to the chest. There also was a gash on his forehead. Joe quickly took his bandanna from around his neck and pressed it tightly to Adam\u2019s chest wound. “Adam…..Adam can you hear me?……” Joe wiped his brother\u2019s forehead with the sleeve of his ripped shirt. He fumbled, trying to stop the bleeding from his chest. “Adam…..” He shouted. “Adam.” Tears welled up in his eyes. He bent down to his brother\u2019s ear and whispered, “Adam….I\u2019ll get us out of this….please don\u2019t die.”<\/p>\n

Joe was grabbed again and lifted to his feet. He struggled with the men, and tried to fight them off, but to no avail. Standing before him Luke stood with Nate. The other three, tightly held onto their captive. “Hand over the money,” Nate ordered.<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t believe what he was hearing. “What?” Did they really think he was carrying money? “You can have anything you want, just let me help my brother.” He started to move toward Adam again.<\/p>\n

Grasping Joe\u2019s jacket , Red ripped it off and handed it to Luke. Matt and Jerry held Joe tighter. “You know what he means, the bank draft for the $25,000.” Luke checked the outside pockets first, then found the receipt and the draft in the inside pocket. Handing it to Nate, he then tossed the jacket to the ground.<\/p>\n

“It won\u2019t do you any good. I\u2019m the only one who can cash it.” Joe looked to his brother on the ground, then back at Nate and Luke.<\/p>\n

“We know that. Get the horses, boys.” Nate motioned with his gun to the other three men. Joe turned to see the men backing away toward the animals. “Get on your horse, Cartwright.”<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Luke, then to the horses, and back to Nate again. “Please,” begged Joe, “you got what you wanted. My brother\u2019s in bad shape.” He tried to move past Nate and Luke.<\/p>\n

“You heard him, get going.” Luke stepped in Joe\u2019s way. Pulling back the hammer on his gun he pointed it an inch from Joe\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n

Anger was boiling in Joe\u2019s eyes at this boy who had pretended to be shy and awkward.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m not leaving my brother.” Joe stared through Luke. “Why are you doing this, Luke…..?”<\/p>\n

Luke cut in, “It ain\u2019t personal, it\u2019s just a job.”<\/p>\n

With that remark, Joe\u2019s anger exploded. He grabbed at Luke\u2019s wrist, pushing his arm toward the ground. The noise of the gun was deafening as it went off . The bullet buried deep in the earth. They struggled as their arms went up in the air. The gun went off again. Joe held and squeezed Luke\u2019s wrist in the air until he finally dropped the gun. They exchanded blows. Luke fell to the ground. He scrambled toward the gun, but Joe jumped on him landing more blows to Luke\u2019s face. They rolled over and over, toward the embankment. Joe landed punches to Luke\u2019s body. Joe finally pulled him to his feet near the edge of the embankment. Luke then landed a blow to Joe\u2019s jaw. As Joe took a step back, the soft ground under his feet gave way. He tried to balance himself, but his feet twisted and he tumbled over the side, free-falling about twenty feet. He landed head first and continued to fall and roll over roots and brush, landing on the rocks, sixty feet below near the water\u2019s edge.<\/p>\n

Luke stepped back to keep himself from falling. He fought to catch his breath, bending his torso up and down and leaning his hands on his knees.<\/p>\n

Nate ran over to the cliff\u2019s edge. Seeing Joe\u2019s motionless body below, he turned to Luke. “You dumb little sh…..you knew we needed him to get the money from the bank.”<\/p>\n

Luke stood up to face Nate. Breathless, and with his hands now on his waist, he wiped blood from his mouth and panted. “You….. could have….. got him…..off….. me,” he yelled back. “And don\u2019t…. call me dumb. You couldn\u2019t have….. got this far….. without me.”<\/p>\n

With fire in his eyes, Nate faced Luke and drew a deep breath. He still had his gun in his hand by his side. Slowly he cocked back the hammer.<\/p>\n

“Nate…..Nate now wait a minute,” pleaded Luke. He took a step back, then another. “You need me…..don\u2019t do this…..Nate…..”<\/p>\n

Nate\u2019s hand rose from his side. Without any hesitation he shot Luke square in the chest. He fell dead to the ground.<\/p>\n

Red came running over. “From the south, there are riders and a wagon coming this way. Let\u2019s get out of here.” He looked down at Luke\u2019s body, and started to bend down.<\/p>\n

“Damn!” Nate let out a loud gasp. “Leave him. We ain\u2019t got time……”<\/p>\n

In seconds, Nate, Jerry, Matt and Red were gone, leaving their cohort dead, Joe, below at the edge of the river, and Adam in a pool of blood on the trail.<\/p>\n

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

Jaris McGinnis, his brother Paul, and his son Andy were returning home to their ranch from the same cattle auction in Sacramento. The sun was just beginning to set behind the western peaks. There were no clouds in the sky. It was going to be a cold autumn night. They were following a narrow path high above the river. At the top of the hill, after the hairpin turn, the trail would split. To the right, five miles away, was Summit. To the left, another five miles,would take them home..<\/p>\n

Andy, eighteen, was on horseback, in the lead. He turned around on his saddle and addressed his father. “Pa, I\u2019m gonna ride on ahead, get some supper started, and a fire to warm the house up before it gets dark.”<\/p>\n

“All right , son. We\u2019ll be right along.” Jaris and his brother were seated together in a wagon. They were three years apart, and looked a lot alike, except Paul was about sixty pounds heavier. They continued their conversation as Andy disappeared around the turn and behind some rocks.<\/p>\n

No sooner was Andy gone, when he was back again. He called out to his father and uncle. “Pa, Uncle Paul, hurry up here. There are two dead men in the road.”<\/p>\n

Jaris gave the horses a slap of the reins and quickly climbed the trail. They came upon the first man at the top of the hill laying face down. Halting the horses, they jumped down off the wagon and ran to him. Jaris bent down to examine the man. Turning the man over onto his back Jaris knew Andy was right. “He\u2019s dead all right. Bullet right through the heart.”<\/p>\n

Andy motioned Paul to see to the other man. As they approached him, Paul could hear the man\u2019s labored breathing. “This one\u2019s alive” he shouted to Jaris. He bent down to check his wound. The man was laying face up with a bandanna bunched up on his chest. “Someone must have tried to stop the bleeding.” He pulled back the cloth, only to replace it with his own, pressing hard against the wound. Andy offered his bandanna as well.<\/p>\n

Jaris came and knelt next to his brother. The man\u2019s face was colorless, and his breathing was very shallow. “It looks really bad. We should get him to town, and the doctor right away.” He stood up and motioned to Andy. “Let\u2019s get the wagon, and give me a hand with the other man. We should take him along as well.”<\/p>\n

“Pa, there seems to be a lot of footprints around. What do you suppose happened?”<\/p>\n

Jaris thought as they raced to get the wagon. “It looks like they may have been ambushed. We\u2019ll have to bring out the sheriff and let him get a look for himself.”<\/p>\n

Together the three men placed Adam and Luke gently in the wagon. As quickly as they could they traveled the five miles to Summit, in hopes of getting help to the man who was still clinging to life.<\/p>\n

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

It was dark when the McGinnis\u2019s arrived at Doc Taylor\u2019s an hour later. Andy had ridden on ahead to prepare him, and to tell Sheriff Baker about the men they found on the trail above the river. The sheriff was waiting with the doctor when they arrived.<\/p>\n

After Adam had been brought in and placed on the surgical table, the doctor closed the door and went to work. It was several hours before anyone would hear from the doctor again.<\/p>\n

Luke was put in another room to await the arrival of the undertaker in the morning.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Baker had lots of questions, but the McGinnis\u2019s had no answers for him.<\/p>\n

“There were lots of footprints all around,” said Andy. “Pa thinks they were ambushed.”<\/p>\n

“Ambushed?” The sheriff rubbed his chin in thought. “I\u2019d like to go out there early tomorrow, and have you show me where you found them. Do you have any idea how long they had been there? Did you hear or see anything? Gunshots? Men riding away?”<\/p>\n

“Sorry, Mike.” Jaris shook his head. “We never saw or heard anything. They could have been laying there several hours before we came along.”<\/p>\n

“Did you recognize either of them?” The sheriff glanced up as the door opened and Doc Taylor finally reappeared. He was a fairly young doctor, but had proven himself quite capable since a fever epidemic a few years before. He was wiping blood from his hands onto a towel and shaking his head.<\/p>\n

“He took a bullet to the chest, and has lost a lot of blood. I\u2019m afraid it\u2019s really bad.” Doc Taylor handed a billfold to the sheriff. “I found this is his pocket. If it\u2019s his, his name is Adam Cartwright.”<\/p>\n

“Adam Cartwright?” Paul and Jaris looked at each other.<\/p>\n

“Of the Ponderosa? The sheriff responded.<\/p>\n

The doctor looked puzzled. “The Ponderosa? I\u2019ve heard of that.”<\/p>\n

All together, they nodded their heads.<\/p>\n

Jaris was the first to speak. “The Cartwrights are pretty well known in these parts. They have the biggest ranch in Nevada, the Ponderosa. It\u2019s about two days ride from here, near Virginia City. They have a respectable reputation, and are very well liked by anyone I have ever heard talk of them.” The sheriff and Paul nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

“Well, Mike,” Doc Taylor turned to the sheriff, “You had better wire his family. I can\u2019t say for sure if he\u2019s going to make it yet. The next forty-eight hours will be the real test.” He left the room again to see to his patient, closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Baker stuffed the billfold into his pocket. “I\u2019ll wire Sheriff Coffee in Virginia City right away.” He headed toward the door.<\/p>\n

The McGinnis\u2019s also stood to leave. Paul scratched his head as he suddenly remembered something. “I seem to recall hearing that a Cartwright was at the auction with a herd to sell.”<\/p>\n

“How did you happen to hear that a Cartwright was there,” asked the sheriff?<\/p>\n

” Just different people talking about the size of the herds, and that Cartwright had a big one, that\u2019s all. Others ranchers were mentioned, but Cartwright was the only name I recognized. I wonder, if we had come along earlier, maybe we would have been the ones attacked.”<\/p>\n

“Do you think that someone could have been waiting there for you?” The sheriff asked.<\/p>\n

“I really doubt that, Mike,” said Jaris. ” Not with the small number of head we had. It wouldn\u2019t have been worth all the trouble. Besides, the location was perfect for a set-up. It must have been planned. Someone must have thought he would have a lot of money on him from selling the herd.”<\/p>\n

Sheriff Baker took out Adam\u2019s billfold again, and examined the contents. “There\u2019s about a hundred dollars in here. I guess if a larger amount of money was stolen from the sale of the cattle, the money in the wallet would be piddlins.” He replaced the money , and put the billfold back in his pocket. “We\u2019ll get into more of this tomorrow.” The sheriff opened the door, then turned back. “Meet me at 9:00, and you can show me where you found them.” He headed down the street to the telegraph office.<\/p>\n

Jaris, Paul and Andy closed the door of Doc Taylor\u2019s office. They silently rode home thinking of what had happened that day, and wondered if Adam Cartwright would live.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Sitting at his desk in his office, Sheriff Roy Coffee was finishing some paperwork. He was about to start on his evening rounds of Virginia City, when there was a quick knock on the office door, and Ken, the telegraph clerk, burst into the room, breathless. “Sheriff, this just came in for you. You\u2019d better read it right away.”<\/p>\n

Roy took the telegram from Ken\u2019s shaky hands, and leaned forward. With elbows on the desk he read the telegram out loud. “SHERIFF, VIRGINIA CITY. STOP. ADAM CARTWRIGHT INJURED. STOP. ANOTHER MAN DEAD. STOP. ROBBERY SUSPECTED. STOP. NOTIFY RELATIVES TO COME QUICKLY. STOP. SHERIFF MIKE BAKER, SUMMIT.<\/p>\n

Roy was out of his chair, grabbing his coat, and to the door before remembering Ken was still there. He turned back. “Go to Clem\u2019s. Tell him what\u2019s happened. Tell him to come to the office. I\u2019m going to the Ponderosa.” He put on his coat and grabbed his hat, and hurried Ken out the door. Roy ran across the street to the stables. As he saddled his horse, he whispered, “I can\u2019t believe Ben has to go through this all over again.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright had just finished the last chapter of a book Adam had recommended he read while he and Joe were away on the cattle drive. Ben was anxious to hear his son\u2019s comments on the book. Since Adam\u2019s return from the sea, they had picked up where they had left off, exchanging books and critiquing them to each other. Some nights became pretty comical. Joe would be reeling with his unique hyena-like laugh, while his father and brother would be arguing plots, character developement, or history. Ben was smiling to himself as he layed the book on the table and added more wood to the fire.<\/p>\n

The sound of a horse outside the house caught Ben by surprise. As he crossed the living room to see who was here at this hour of the night, Sheriff Coffee opened the door and entered without even a knock. Ben was startled at seeing his friend, and the look in Roy\u2019s eyes told him something was wrong.<\/p>\n

“Sorry about the hour, Ben. This telegram just came in. I had to come.”<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s hand began to tremble as he read through the telegram a second time, then a third. He felt his heart rise to his throat. His face grew hot, he became dizzy, his legs began to wobble, and he moved to his desk to steady himself. He was at a loss as what to say or do.<\/p>\n

Roy knew right away his friend\u2019s pain. He had seen it before. Ben had lost three wives, a son eighteen months ago, and a daughter-in-law just last year. How much more could he take?<\/p>\n

Ben quickly grabbed Roy\u2019s arm. “What about Joe? Why didn\u2019t he send the telegram?”<\/p>\n

“Ben, I don\u2019t know. Maybe he\u2019s hunting down the man who hurt Adam.” Roy tried to reassure Ben that Joe must be all right. “Whatever the answer, we have to go now. I\u2019ll saddle your horse. You pack a few things. I\u2019ll wake Hop Sing to fix us some food. We have about two days ride.” Roy turned to leave the room.<\/p>\n

“Roy, I don\u2019t…..” Ben didn\u2019t know what to say. “You don\u2019t have to…”<\/p>\n

“I know, Ben, but I\u2019m coming with you.” Roy turned Ben and ushered him toward the stairs. “I love those boys too. Now, come on, let\u2019s get going.”<\/p>\n

Ben stepped slowly up the steps, his mind in a fog, then bounded up the rest of the way as his knew what he must do.<\/p>\n

Roy went to wake Hop Sing.\u00a0Poor Hop Sing. He too was part of this family.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Pain. Cold. Roaring. Wetness. Where? What?<\/i>\u00a0Joe\u2019s thoughts tumbled. His head hurt, a stabbing pain, pounding. He couldn\u2019t move. Blinking, a warm and cold feeling both entered his eyes. Minutes went by, they felt like hours. It was dark, a few clouds were encircling a nearly full moon directly overhead. Cold raindrops were hitting his face. His body shaking, he slowly raised his shivering left hand to his eyes, he wiped away the moisture. Focusing on his hand, he saw that the warmth he felt in his eyes was blood. Trying to move his right arm he felt more pain, from his shoulder. He let out a cry, and held his injured arm to his side with his left hand. He knew he must try to get up. He slowly turned to his left, still holding his injured right arm. As he pushed himself up onto his elbow, his right shoulder popped. The pain was extreme as he let out another scream. His head felt like knives stabbing at his temples. He was spinning, tumbling. Then nausea overcame him. He could do nothing but lie back down. Closing his eyes, he fell unconscious again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

When Joe woke again, it was daylight. His body was shivering, but the sun was warm, shining on his face. He slowly tried to sit up, head and shoulder still hurting. He managed to get his legs underneath him, and leaning against a boulder, he edged to his feet pulling himself up with his left arm. His legs seemed to hold him up, however weakly. Balancing on the rock, he waited for the wave of nausea and dizziness to pass. Looking over the boulder, he saw the water, the roaring noise he had been hearing. A rushing river, slamming hard against rocks and boulders. He glanced around. Next to him a steep embankment came down to one side of the river.\u00a0Did I fall from there?\u00a0<\/i>A faintly marked trail led away and into a wooded area.\u00a0A trap line maybe?<\/i>\u00a0He looked himself over. His pants and shirt were ripped in several places. His shirt was missing some buttons. He had cuts and scratches on his arms and legs. A deep gash above his right knee was opened wide with tissue sticking out. It wasn\u2019t bleeding anymore, but a dried puddle next to him indicated he had lost a lot of blood. Another gash on his head was still bleeding, as he felt the warmth of the blood seeping down his neck, soaking into his shirt. What happened?<\/i>\u00a0Where am I? How did I get here?<\/i>\u00a0He was dizzy again. He tried to overcome the nausea that crept from his stomach into his throat. The water was inviting. He let go of the rock and steadied himself. Holding his right arm again to his side, he took a step, then another, and another. He slowly made his way to the water\u2019s edge. Kneeling down, he threw water over his head, around his neck, and onto his face. He scooped some into his hand to drink. The water was refreshing. The nausea was disappearing. He ripped a piece of his shirt, and pressed it against his head hoping to stop the bleeding. He knew he must seek help,\u00a0but where?<\/i>\u00a0Eyeing the small trail, it seemed the only way to anywhere. As unsteady, and weak as he felt, he entered the woods to see where it would lead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Sheriff Baker and the McGinnis\u2019s arrived at the scene of the attack on the trail early in the morning. Andy showed him where the two men had been found, and pointed out the footprints he had mentioned the night before. They determined whose footprints were their\u2019s, and concluded there had to have been at least four, maybe five men other than the two they brought to town. They also found a ripped green jacket and two hats. From the spot where Adam was found, they discovered more footprints among the rocks where they concluded the attackers must have been hiding. They also found evidence of a struggle near the edge of the embankment where the dead man was found. The sheriff peered over the edge. “Looks to be about fifty to sixty feet down to the river. Don\u2019t see anything, do you?”<\/p>\n

Jaris and Paul agreed nothing was down there but rocks and water.<\/p>\n

“Got a telegram from a deputy in Virginia City this morning. Cartwright\u2019s kin is on his way. Maybe he can enlighten us on a few things. Like maybe did he have any money on him that the attackers knew about.”<\/p>\n

“What about the other guy? How do we find out who his is?” Andy asked.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t know, but the undertaker said he would have to bury the body tomorrow. The heat during the day will be bad enough on it just for today let alone tomorrow.”<\/p>\n

“Thanks for your help, men,” the sheriff truely was grateful for their assistance. “I\u2019m sure Mr. Cartwright will appreciate what you did for his son.” The sheriff gathered the jacket and hats, and rode back to town. The others went home in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t gotten too far into the woods, when he had to sit down and rest. The gash in his leg was throbbing, his head was throbbing, his arm was throbbing, in fact, every part of his body was throbbing. Where do I<\/i>\u00a0think I am going,<\/i>\u00a0he thought?\u00a0I don\u2019t know where I am. I may be going in the wrong direction.\u00a0<\/i>He looked back from where he had just come.\u00a0But if I go back to<\/i>\u00a0the river, there was no where to go but up<\/i>. Both banks of the river were too rocky to try and follow. So, after a few minutes he got to his feet and continued on the trail.<\/p>\n

By the late afternoon, he figured he must have walked about ten miles. Just when he was starting to think about finding shelter for the night, he came to an opening in the woods. Sitting near the edge of a clearing, about an acre in size, was a small cabin. In extreme pain and near exhaustion, Joe stopped momentarily in disbelief. He thought he was seeing a mirage. He blinked and looked closely. On the other side of the clearing was a barn and corral. Parts of the fence were down and broken, and the barn door was off its hinge. He stumbled toward the cabin as a feeling of relief overcame him, and he hoped he would find help at last. “Hello,” he called out as he stumbled onto the porch. He fell against the door with one weak knock of his fist. “Is anyone there? Hello.” No one answered. He tried the door. It opened. He knocked again. “Is anyone home?” Still no one answered. He peered inside, then entered. “Hello.” Looking around, the furniture was sparse, a table with two wooden chairs, a stuffed chair and a rocker. There was a stone fireplace with a door on either side each leading into seperate rooms. The kitchen had few cupboards, a sink, and two coffee cups hanging over the cook stove. The place appeared to be well kept.<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly, the owner would soon be home. A chill in the air made for a damp feeling in the cabin. Joe remembered seeing firewood piled up next to the side of the cabin. He limped back outside and gathered as much of an armload of wood as he could.<\/p>\n

He soon had a fire burning, and the room warmed quickly. Satisfied with the fire, he finally sat down in the stuffed chair by the hearth for a moment. He nuzzled himself into the back of the chair, and let the warmth encompass him. He soon fell sound asleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The shadow of a hand approaching his face startled Joe awake, and he nearly jumped out of the chair. He winced in pain as the hand steadied him by his sore right shoulder. “Now, just take it easy ,son. I\u2019m not going to hurt you.” Joe was still groggy from sleeping. “Let me clean this gash on your head. Then I\u2019ll look at the rest of your wounds.”<\/p>\n

He was an older man, about sixty. He focused on the man\u2019s hands. They were a bit unsteady as he cleaned away the dried blood. His touch was soothing, soft and gentle. “That\u2019s quite a deep gash. It will need a few stitches.” Joe was quiet, and sat very still. His head was spinning again. The man didn\u2019t seem to be alarmed at finding a stranger in his home.<\/p>\n

“Where have you been, boy? You look like you tangled with a grizzly.” He took out a knife and began cutting at Joe\u2019s pant leg.<\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t thought of a bear. “A bear? I don\u2019t know…..maybe.” His voice was dry and raspy. He supposed it was possible that a bear attacked him, but he couldn\u2019t remember.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve been looking for you for days, son.” He tore at the material to widen the hole in the pants. “I checked every trap line. I was beginning to get worried.” He gently touched the gash in Joe\u2019s leg with a clean cloth. “Mmm….that\u2019s going to need stitches too.” The man continued to clean the wound on Joe\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n

Joe was preoccupied with thoughts of what could have happened. What the man said didn\u2019t register at first, then Joe\u2019s eyes widened. He sat up and looked around the room.\u00a0What did he say? He\u2019s been looking for me? Why would<\/i>\u00a0he be looking for me? I don\u2019t know him<\/i>. Joe\u2019s breathing increased suddenly, and he became breathless. His heart was pounding fast. He tried to get out of the chair, but fell back as the man held him by the shoulders.<\/p>\n

“You\u2019ve been looking for me? Why? Do I know you?” Joe looked the man in the eyes. He couldn\u2019t focus. He was feeling sick to his stomach again, and the pain in his head was stabbing at him. He looked away, dizzy, hoping he wouldn\u2019t pass out again.<\/p>\n

“Know me? That must have been some konk on the head you took. Sure you know me, son. I\u2019m your Pa.”<\/p>\n

Joe was confused. He was breathing even faster, and his thoughts were all mixed up in his head. He was fighting to stay concious. He didn\u2019t understand what this man was saying.\u00a0Who is he? Why is he saying I am his son?<\/i>\u00a0He tried to get up and once again fell back into the chair.<\/p>\n

“You need to get some rest,” the man said. “Let\u2019s get you to your room, and settled in your bed. We can clear up all this confusion when you\u2019re feeling better.” He lifted Joe\u2019s left arm around his neck and helped him to his feet. Together they slowly made their way toward one of the bedrooms. Joe stumbled from weakness and pain. He fell unconcious into the man\u2019s arms before reaching the room. The man caught Joe as he slumped and gently lifted him, carrying him to the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It was morning when Joe opened his eyes. He raised a hand to his head and felt a bandage. He was dressed in a clean nightshirt, and warmly covered with a wool blanket. His knee felt snuggly bandaged also. The same man that spoke to him last night was there. “Good morning, son. How are you feeling?” He brushed Joe\u2019s hair out of his eyes. “Take some of this soup, it will make you feel better.” He helped Joe sit up. Joe started to take the bowl with his right hand. His shoulder couldn\u2019t take the weight, and he nearly dropped the bowl. “Here, let me help you.” He fed Joe a few spoonfuls of the soup.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m still confused about what happened,” said Joe. The warmth of the soup gave him a safe feeling, and he leaned against the pillow, closing his eyes.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s all right, Rob. Everything will be all right. Don\u2019t worry.” He lifted the spoon again.<\/p>\n

Joe leaned his head forward, and pushed the spoon aside. “What….what did you call me?”<\/p>\n

Is that my name?<\/i><\/p>\n

“Rob.” The man put the bowl down on the table next to the bed. “Why? What\u2019s the matter, son”?<\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t even thought about that. About knowing his name.\u00a0Rob?<\/i>\u00a0All he could think about was what happened to him? Where was he? How did he get here? Why can\u2019t I remember? Is this really my home? Why don\u2019t I know my own name, my own father?\u00a0<\/i>He couldn\u2019t say for sure that Rob wasn\u2019t his name. It just didn\u2019t feel right.<\/p>\n

For the first time, Joe looked into the man\u2019s eyes. He saw the concern. He thought he saw tears. He saw a gentle and kind man, who had done nothing but care for him. As much as Joe wanted answers, he realized this man could possibly be his father, and questioning him was only causing the older man pain.<\/p>\n

“Nothing,” said Joe. “I\u2019m just tired, so tired.” Joe layed his head back against the pillow again. ” I don\u2019t know what happened, and I guess I\u2019ve been trying too hard to remember.”<\/p>\n

“Well, then, I will go and let you rest.” The man stood up, straightened the blanket on the bed, and started toward the doorway. “You call for me if you need anything. I\u2019ll leave the door open.”<\/p>\n

Joe watched him walk away. “Pa,” Joe called out. The old man turned around.”Thanks, Pa.”<\/p>\n

The man gave Joe a wink. “You\u2019re going to be all right.” He left, closing the door half-way.<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t rest. He had too many questions. He didn\u2019t dare ask his “Pa”. The man obviously loved him very much. To ask the wrong question could hurt him deeply, and Joe didn\u2019t want to do that. He has been so kind. He thought and thought about all the possibilities of what could have happened, until the pain in his head grew worse.\u00a0I don\u2019t remember anything. This man says he is my father, and my name is Rob. This is my home. I don\u2019t have any reason to doubt him. I\u2019m sure it will all come back to me in time, if I just stop trying so hard to remember and accept what he is telling me.<\/i><\/p>\n

Joe let his mind drift away from his questions, and into a sound sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Roy rode into Summit in a cloud of dust. Stopping in front of the sheriff\u2019s office and dismounting, Roy took both sets of reins. Ben thundered into the jail.<\/p>\n

A young man was sweeping the floor of the office. He was startled as Ben slammed the door open. “Are you Sheriff Baker?” Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

The deputy dropped his broom. “No, sir. He\u2019s over at the undertaker\u2019s.”<\/p>\n

Roy stepped into the doorway. “Where\u2019s the undertaker\u2019s office?”<\/p>\n

The deputy then noticed Roy\u2019s badge. “Across the street, and down three doors, Sheriff,” he pointed in the direction he was speaking. He followed them out the door, and watched as they hurried across the street.<\/p>\n

Ben and Roy entered the undertaker\u2019s business, removing their hats. There was an older woman coming out of another room. Ben tried to remain calm as he questioned her. “We were told Sheriff Baker was here. We\u2019d like to speak with him, please.”<\/p>\n

Sheriff Baker entered the room with the undertaker just as the woman was about to reply to Ben. She continued out the door as the sheriff spoke. “I\u2019m Sheriff Baker. Can I help you gentlemen?”<\/p>\n

“My name is Ben Cartwright, this is Sheriff Roy Coffee. You wired about my son, Adam. Where is he?” Ben looked beyond the sheriff toward the open doorway to the next room.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t worry, Mr. Cartwright.” Sheriff Baker tried to reassure Ben. “Your son\u2019s not here. He\u2019s still at Doc Taylor\u2019s, and the last time I spoke to him, the doc said your son was doing better.”<\/p>\n

“Doing better? Is he going to be all right?” Ben was calming down a little. “What about Joe. Where is he?”<\/p>\n

Sheriff Baker looked worried, thinking about the dead man. “Joe? Who\u2019s Joe?”<\/p>\n

“My other son. They were together.”<\/p>\n

The sheriff lowered his eyes, then looked at Ben and asked, “Brown hair? Slim build? About five ten?” He looked away for a moment, then asked, “Does your son wear his gun on his left hip and have a green jacket?”<\/p>\n

“Yes…..yes….. that\u2019s my youngest son, Joseph. Where is he?”<\/p>\n

“I think you had better sit down, Mr. Cartwright.” Sheriff Baker began to tell Ben and Roy what happened as much as he knew. “Three of our local ranchers were returning from a cattle auction in Sacramento…..”<\/p>\n

Ben interupted. “My sons were on their way home from there as well.”<\/p>\n

The sheriff continued. “….. when they discovered two men on the trail. One man was dead, and didn\u2019t have any identifying papers on him. Your son, Adam had his billfold in his pocket with about a hundred dollars inside. It appears they had been ambushed.”<\/p>\n

“Ambushed?” Roy looked at Ben.<\/p>\n

“Yes. Your son…..Adam…..was critically injured with a bullet to the chest. They brought him to Doc Taylor, and the other man….the one I just described…..was brought here. I\u2019m…..very sorry.”<\/p>\n

Ben was beside himself trying to remain calm, looking to Roy then back to the sherrif. “Are you saying that the dead man is my other son?” He paused. “You must be wrong. Where is he? I have to see him.” He choked on his words. Standing, he lost his balance and fell into Roy. Roy caught him and helped him back into the chair.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m afraid the undertaker had to have him buried this morning. You know, the hot weather and all. I\u2019m very sorry, all I can give you is a description. He was in his early thirties, about five ten, slim build, brown hair, wore a left-handed holster. We found this green jacket and two hats nearby.” He reached over to a table, and handed the items to Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face was ashen as he examined the jacket. He looked over at Roy. “It\u2019s Joe\u2019s jacket.” He glared at the jacket again. “This can\u2019t be. It can\u2019t have happened, not to Joe, not Little Joe.”<\/p>\n

Ben was overcome with emotion. Roy led Ben into the next room, then came back out to the sheriff.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m sorry.” The sheriff was deeply concerned.<\/p>\n

“What else can you tell me?” Roy asked.<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s all there is. The men didn\u2019t hear or see anything. I can take you out to the sight so you can look around if you like.”<\/p>\n

“Right now he needs to see Adam, to know he is all right, if you could show us to the doctor\u2019s office.” Roy turned to get Ben from the other room then added, ” Later, you can show me where it happened, and I would also like to question the witnesses.”<\/p>\n

“Not a problem, sheriff. When Mr. Cartwright is ready, I\u2019ll take you to Doc Taylor\u2019s.” Sheriff Baker went and waited by the door to the street.<\/p>\n

Roy went to get Ben. His friend was kneeling on the floor, crying. Roy got on his knees as well. “Ben….. I\u2019m so…. so sorry. I can\u2019t believe this has happened. I swear I\u2019ll get to the bottom of this, I promise you, and whoever did this is going to pay.” Roy\u2019s eyes were tearing as well, as he put his arms around his friend.<\/p>\n

After a few moments, Ben tried to collect his emotions. “I need to see Adam.” Ben wiped his face on Joe\u2019s jacket that he was still gripping with white knuckled hands.<\/p>\n

“The sherrif is waiting to take us to Adam when you\u2019re ready.”<\/p>\n

It was several minutes before Roy and Ben joined the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

When Ben and Roy entered Doc Taylor\u2019s office, the doctor knew at once which one Adam\u2019s father was from the red eyes and blank stare.<\/p>\n

The sheriff immediately went over and whispered to the doctor, “We just discovered the other man was also his son, doc.”<\/p>\n

“Oh. no,” was all the doctor could say.<\/p>\n

Doctor Gus Taylor introduced himself to Ben and Roy. Looking directly into the doctor\u2019s eyes, Ben asked, “How is my son?”<\/p>\n

” He is quite a fighter, Mr. Cartwright. To be quite frank with you, I didn\u2019t think he was going to make it when he first arrived. Before you go in I want to prepare you. Please sit down for a moment.”<\/p>\n

Ben sat with the doctor, while the two sheriffs stood and listened quietly.<\/p>\n

“Your son was brought in two nights ago with a bullet in his chest. He had lost a lot of blood, and was very weak. In the last forty-eight hours he has improved considerably. I have been able to get some fluids in him, but with difficulty, since he has remained unconscious. His breathing is still labored, and will be for quite some time, since every breath he takes is painful. When he regains consciousness, it will be imperative that he not move. Any movement can reopen the wound and cause more damage and bleeding. If you think it will be necessary, considering what\u2019s happened to your other son, I can medicate him through his first week of recuperation, to keep him…..controllable. That will be the critical period. I don\u2019t recommend it for more than a week, however. I will leave that decision entirely up to you.” There was a short pause. The doctor gently touched Ben\u2019s folded hands. “Shall take you to your son now?”<\/p>\n

Ben stood on weak legs. “Yes,” was all he could utter.<\/p>\n

The doctor led Ben into the next room, closing the door behind them.<\/p>\n

Roy looked at Sheriff Baker. “This would probably be a good time for you to show me where this all happened.”<\/p>\n

The two men left the office in silence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Muffled voices filled Adam\u2019s head. His body felt heavy. His chest hurt with each breath. His lips were dry as he tried to open them. Swallowing was difficult. Moving his right hand to his chest, he felt warm, strong fingers touching his. Blinking, he tried to focus. Voices became more clear, his father\u2019s voice was distinct. His father was there sitting beside him. Adam recognized the outline of Ben\u2019s face, and as his features became more clear, he could see that his father\u2019s eyes were reddened.<\/p>\n

“Pa?” Adam whispered.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m here, son.” Ben touched Adam\u2019s face. “Don\u2019t try to talk. You\u2019re going to be all right.” Ben\u2019s voice cracked.<\/p>\n

“What…..what happened….Pa?” Breathing was hard. “Where…..am I?” Adam tried to lift his head, but he had no strength.<\/p>\n

Ben stood from his chair beside the bed and placed a cloth on his son\u2019s forehead, wiping his sweaty brow. He sat on the edge of the bed and took a long, deep breath. “You were ambushed and shot, Adam.” He took the cloth away, and laying his hand gently on his son\u2019s shoulder, he continued. “It happened a few days ago outside Summit. That\u2019s where you are now.” He chose his words carefully. “You gave us quite a scare for a while, but the doctor says you\u2019ll be okay.”<\/p>\n

Adam was intent on listening to his father\u2019s words, but they became hollow. He couldn\u2019t hear his voice anymore. His thoughts scrambled. “Joe…..was…..with me. Where\u2019s…..” He frantically moved his head around the room looking for his brother. There was a stabbing pain in his chest. He couldn\u2019t breathe. He pressed his hand against the bandage covering his chest.<\/p>\n

Adam heard Ben\u2019s voice again. It was very soft. “Shhh……now easy, son.” Ben caressed Adam\u2019s face, and spoke very slowly. “No more talk. You have to rest now.”<\/p>\n

The softness of his father\u2019s touch soothed his weak body. The stabbing pain in his chest lessened. “Pa…..m….so…..tired.” He weakly reached for his father\u2019s hand. Ben took it, and sat close to Adam on the bed. “I know, son. Breathe easy.” Still stroking his son\u2019s cheek. “Rest, now. We\u2019ll talk later.”<\/p>\n

Ben too breathed easier. He had avoided telling Adam about Joe. How was he going to tell him that Joe was dead? He still didn\u2019t believe it himself. He choked on his thoughts. First Hoss, now Joe, and Adam still wasn\u2019t out of the woods. He couldn\u2019t loose the only son he had left. He would do anything to make sure Adam recovered, even if that meant keeping the truth from him, until he was stronger.<\/p>\n

Ben stood up from the bed, and gently laid Adam\u2019s hand back down along his side. Looking down on his son\u2019s pale face, tears came to his eyes.\u00a0Dear God, please let him be all right<\/i>. He lowered himself again to the chair by the bed. With bent elbows on his knees and resting his face in his hands, Ben sobbed for his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

For the first three days Ben let Doctor Taylor medicate Adam as suggested. Everytime Adam would wake up, he would be so agitated, Ben couldn\u2019t keep him calm. Getting nourishment down him was difficult. With every swallow there was pain, just like with every breath. Finally on the fourth day the doctor and Ben decided it was time to tell Adam about Joe. Ben sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. He didn\u2019t know how to start.<\/p>\n

“Adam, there\u2019s something I need to tell you, and it\u2019s very difficult for me to say.” Tears began to fill his eyes.<\/p>\n

Adam already knew, at least he had his suspicions. “Joe\u2019s dead isn\u2019t he?” He looked away.<\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t surprised that Adam knew. “Yes.”
\n“Is that why the doctor has kept me doped up for so long?”<\/p>\n

“You were so weak and in so much pain, I couldn\u2019t take the chance. Any movement could have set you back or even worse. I\u2019m sorry I had to keep it from you, Adam.”<\/p>\n

Adam took a slow, deep breath. He looked into his father\u2019s eyes. Adam\u2019s eyes were now filling with tears. “I finally had enough wits about myself last night to realize Joe wasn\u2019t here. I\u2019ve been trying to remember what happened, but I can\u2019t. I don\u2019t think I even heard the shot that hit me.”<\/p>\n

“Roy came with me. We think we know parts of what happened. With the help of the sheriff and the men who found you, we have come up with a scenario.” Ben watched Adam carefully as he told him what was learned. “Four or five men must have followed you from the auction, knowing about the $25,000 draft. There was a bend in a remote area of a narrow, rocky trail, high above a river where they hid, waiting for you. The loud rushing of the river\u2019s water would have muffled any gunshots. They shot you first, that\u2019s why you don\u2019t remember anything. You must have immediately fallen unconscious to the ground. The evidence showed that Joe struggled with one or more of the men. He was found shot…..in the….. heart….. near the embankment.” Ben stood, and turning to the window he wiped his eyes. His voice cracked, and he had to compose himself before continuing. “His jacket and hat were found nearby. The draft and receipt are missing, so we assume that is what they were after. However, I don\u2019t know how they expected to cash it. His gun and horse are also gone. The men who found you were returning from the same auction, and brought you both here.”<\/p>\n

Adam had been quiet while Ben told the story. His first question caught Ben by surprise. “Did Joe suffer?”<\/p>\n

Ben came back and sat next to him on the bed. His shoulders slumped. “No, Adam, he didn\u2019t, and from the description, he put up a good fight before he was shot.”<\/p>\n

Adam was confused. “Description, what do you mean?”<\/p>\n

“The sheriff said his hands were pretty cut up, but his face had only had a couple of bruises.”<\/p>\n

“The sherrif said…..you mean you haven\u2019t seen him?….. his…..his body?” Adam was agitated now.<\/p>\n

“No. They had to bury him before I arrived.”
\n“Without seeing him, you just assume it was him? How do you know?”<\/p>\n

Adam tried to sit up, but Ben held him down. “Take it easy, Adam.”<\/p>\n

“How do they know? They don\u2019t know Joe. How can you accept that, if you haven\u2019t seen him, Pa?”<\/p>\n

Adam stopped resisting Ben\u2019s weight. “Let me go.” He pushed his father away.<\/p>\n

“Maybe it\u2019s someone else. Maybe the dead man was shot by Joe. Maybe he\u2019s still alive, and…..and….. they are holding him for ransom.” Adam was now shouting, he was angry with his father. “How can you be so quick to believe he is dead?”<\/p>\n

“No one has seen or heard from him, Adam. No one has contacted me to ask for a ransom. I don\u2019t want to believe that the man that died next to you was Joe, but the description fits, his size, weight, eye color, hair color. He wore his holster on his left side. His green jacket and hat were found next to his body. There\u2019s no reason to think it wasn\u2019t Joe.”<\/p>\n

“Well, I don\u2019t believe it. There\u2019s no way my brother is dead. I want to see him.” Adam\u2019s voice was even louder. ” How can you sit there and know in your heart that he is gone?” Adam\u2019s voice cracked.<\/p>\n

“Because, damn it, I\u2019ve had four days to deal with it.” Ben was the one shouting now, as he stood and walked to end of the bed. He turned and looked directly at Adam. “Because I have questioned the sheriff and the men who found you. Because I went to where it happened with Roy. We went over that place, turning over every stone, every grain of sand.” His suddenly realized he was shouting and lowered his voice. “I\u2019m sorry. I know you\u2019re angry, Adam, and, no I don\u2019t believe in my heart he is gone. I\u2019m still trying to accept in my heart that Hoss is gone. What I do know is you\u2019re here, and you\u2019re alive, and for that I am grateful to God and to the men who stopped to help you.” His eyes teared, and he turned away.<\/p>\n

They were both silent for a long time. Ben stared out the window. He knew he couldn\u2019t reason with Adam, not now. In his weakened state, Adam couldn\u2019t cope with or understand what was being said. Ben had to be strong for his son, help him through his recovery. He would have to deal with his own personal loss later. He had to get Adam home and well.<\/p>\n

The window was open slightly, and a breeze blew through Ben\u2019s white hair. Although Ben was only in his sixties, Adam thought, at that moment, he looked older. Staring at him for a long time, Adam realized what his father must have been going through since receiving the telegram a week ago.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes of silence, Adam was the first to speak. “Pa. I\u2019m….. sorry I…..upset you.” His breaths were getting shorter. His forehead was sweaty. ” I just…..find it…..hard…..to believe….. Joe was always such a fighter….. I need more time to think about it.” He was dizzy and closed his tearing eyes. “I\u2019m suddenly so tired.” He tried to get his breathing under control, but darkness was overtaking him.<\/p>\n

Ben came back over to the bed, and took his son\u2019s hand, and softly whispered. “I need you Adam. Do you hear me? I need you to be all right. I couldn\u2019t bare it if I lost you too. I love you, son.” He gently touched his face.<\/p>\n

As Adam\u2019s weakness overcame him, he squeezed his father\u2019s hand. “Pa…..don\u2019t worry…..I\u2019ll be…..OK…..I…..promise…..everything …..will be…..”<\/p>\n

Adam drifted off to sleep.<\/p>\n

Ben was tired, more tired than he had ever been in his life. Still holding his son\u2019s hand, Ben thought, “I\u2019ll hold you to that promise.”<\/p>\n

Pieces of his heart were flying in every direction. In Boston where he buried Adam\u2019s mother Elizabeth, out on the trail where the Indians had killed Hoss\u2019 mother Inger, and back home on the Ponderosa where Joe\u2019s mother Marie, Hoss, and Joe\u2019s wife Alice, were now buried. How much of his heart was left? Adam was all that was keeping him sane.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

During the last few days in Summit, Ben talked with the sheriff about having Joe\u2019s body returned to Virginia City after they were settled back home on the Ponderosa. Ben agreed to contact the sheriff when he was ready to make the arrangements.<\/p>\n

When Adam was pronounced well enough to go home, the doctor gave Ben medication for Adam to make the trip more comfortable. After refusing the medicine the first day, Adam reconsidered, and accepted it gladly for the duration. The remainder of the trip was uneventful, and they arrived home two days later.<\/p>\n

After helping Ben settle Adam in, Roy made his way to Virginia City. Roy was tired, but the first stop he made was to his office.<\/p>\n

Clem was sitting at the desk, dilligently hovering over a stack of papers when Roy opened the door. “Sheriff, you\u2019re back.” He quickly rose from his chair to greet his boss.<\/p>\n

No sooner had Roy resumed his place behind the desk, and started rifling through the papers, when Clem started in. “Sheriff, you won\u2019t believe what happened two days ago. Four fellas tried to rob the bank in Carson City in broad daylight.” Roy stopped turning papers, and looked up at Clem. “One of them was pretending to be Joe Cartwright.”<\/p>\n

“What?” Roy stood and came around to the front of the desk to face Clem.<\/p>\n

“The robbers must have thought no one in Carson City new what Joe looked like. One of the clerks made his way to the sheriff\u2019s office for help. Two of the men waited outside the bank…..”<\/p>\n

“Whoa, wait.” Roy interupted him. “Slow down.”<\/p>\n

Clem slowly continued with the story. “The one claiming to be Joe wanted cash for a bank draft for $25,000. He also had Joe\u2019s signature on a receipt. While the manager stalled them, the clerk came for help. The sheriff only had two deputies, and were about to get the drop on the two outside, when they pulled their guns on them. Then the other two came out shooting. Three of the robbers were killed, the other one got away.”<\/p>\n

“Did they get a posse together?” Roy asked.<\/p>\n

“Yes, sir. The sheriff wired me right away, and I met up with them. We lost the man\u2019s trail in the rocky terrain, when he headed through Carson Pass and into the high country. We found some abandoned horses there at the entrance to the Pass. We figured they must have planned their escape with fresh mounts and then lose us in the mountains. We spread out for miles and tried to pick up his trail again, but we couldn\u2019t find a single clue.”<\/p>\n

Roy took a deep breath, not believing what Clem had just told him. “You did good, Clem. No one else was hurt, I take it?”<\/p>\n

“No, sir.”<\/p>\n

Roy had a look of relief. He patted Clem on the shoulder. “Thank God for that.” He turned around, and sat back in his chair, motioning for Clem to sit as well. Then taking another deep breath, he asked Clem to back up and start again, by telling the events of what happened, as they happened, slowly and thoroughly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The next day, Roy rode to Carson City to meet with the sheriff, and find out from him what had happened. The witnesses from the bank and the sheriff concurred with what Clem had told him. The ride back was slow as Roy ran the story of the attempted robbery over and over through his mind. The sheriff had turned over Joe\u2019s horse to Roy, and a gun used in the robbery attempt was identified by Roy as being Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

As Roy turned toward the Ponderosa, leading Cochise, Joe\u2019s black and white pinto, he thought about Ben and the story he had learned. Knowing that three of the men were dead may give Ben some satisfaction that they payed for their crime, but knowing there was still a man out there who was responsible for Joe\u2019s death and Adam\u2019s injuries, would surely leave Ben angry and frustrated.<\/p>\n

Roy handed over Cochise to one of the stable hands to take care of, and walked toward the house, tying his own horse to the rail by the front door. He knocked, then entered to find Ben coming down the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben looked tired, as if he hadn\u2019t slept for days. “Roy, come in. Good to see you. Sit and have some coffee with me.”<\/p>\n

The two friends shared coffee while Roy told Ben what happened at the bank.<\/p>\n

Roy paced in front of the fire. “Something in this whole scenario doesn\u2019t seem right,” Roy told Ben. “Why would they plan the ambush so precisely, then bungle the robbery of the bank? They should have known, without Joe, the plan wouldn\u2019t work. I don\u2019t think they planned to kill Joe. I think they wanted Joe alive to cash that draft, or thought if Joe signed it, they could cash it…..and…..and…..after Joe was killed, they had to come up with an alternate plan fast. I think they knew the name of Cartwright was known well enough in Carson City to cash that draft, but probably thought no one would question the identity of the man pretending to be Joe…..”<\/p>\n

“What does it matter now?” Ben poked at the fire, and added more wood. “Joe\u2019s dead, and no matter what we learn, it won\u2019t bring him back.” His anger was mixed with tears. He replaced the poker next to the hearth.<\/p>\n

Roy seated himself in a stuffed chair. “I\u2019m going to have Clem take me down to Carson Pass to see if I can find any clues as to where the man went.” Roy scratched his head. “Maybe a fresh pair of eyes will find a clue.”<\/p>\n

Ben stared into the fire. “Two pair of fresh eyes may find a clue better,” Ben said. “I\u2019m going with you.”<\/p>\n

“I was hoping you would say that.” Relaxed, Roy leaned back in his chair. He hadn\u2019t wanted to ask Ben to leave Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben turned and glanced up the stairs.<\/p>\n

“How\u2019s Adam?” Roy saw the worried look on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s mostly been sleeping since we got back yesterday. He hasn\u2019t eaten much. He\u2019s still very weak.”<\/p>\n

Then Roy turned to Ben. “What about you? How are you, my friend?”<\/p>\n

“Numb. All I can think about is Adam right now.”<\/p>\n

“Ben, I\u2019m your friend. We have been through a lot together, we\u2019ll get through this too, in time. All of your friends want to help….. whatever we can….anything at all…..anytime…..”<\/p>\n

” I appreciate that, Roy, but there\u2019s nothing you or anyone can do right now.” Ben leaned over the table and picked up Roy\u2019s cup. “But I want to thank you …..for…..everything…..you have done. I couldn\u2019t have handled any of this without you.”<\/p>\n

Roy could see Ben\u2019s hand shake as he poured them more coffee. “Roy, there is one thing…..”<\/p>\n

Before Ben could finish Roy jumped in. “Anything at all, just ask.”<\/p>\n

“I told Sheriff Baker that I would contact him about returning Joe\u2019s body. I\u2019m not sure what to do, what details there are, but I do want to bring Joe home to the Ponderosa.”<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll take care of the arrangements for you. I\u2019ll send the sheriff a wire as soon as I get back to town.” Roy finished the last of his coffee, and got up to leave. “Clem and I will come by tomorrow morning, and we\u2019ll all head out to Carson Pass. Try to get a good night\u2019s sleep.”<\/p>\n

Roy left with the deepest sadness he had ever felt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

The next day Roy, Ben, and Clem went as far as the original trail had led the posse into Carson Pass, then as far as their horses could take them over the rocky terrain. The horses didn\u2019t last long in the rocks. The men spread out over the area on foot as far as they could, but no new clues were found. No one, not even the best Indian tracker, could have found tracks through that terrain. They turned back reluctantly.<\/p>\n

The sheriff of Carson City wired the description of the man, which was very vague, to several towns in the direction he thought the man may have gone. Grizzly Flats and Placerville to the west would have been the most likely direction. However, if the man had gone south, Bear Valley and Lake Alpine were the closest towns. The territory to the east would have been too rugged for both horse and rider, but, not leaving any stone unturned, Roy also had the sherrif wire the town of Sweetwater. Roy checked daily for answers from the wires, but no one fit the description. As much as Roy wanted to catch the man, there was nothing else to do.<\/p>\n

Everyday Roy rode out to the Ponderosa to check on Ben and Adam.<\/p>\n

It took Adam about a week before he felt strong enough to join his father downstairs for meals. They spent every night in small talk and reading. Neither one would talk about Joe. In another week Adam was venturing outside, but only around the house and the barn. He would feed Joe\u2019s horse his oats every night, and brush him down for a while.<\/p>\n

Within another week, Joe\u2019s coffin was delivered by stage from Summit. The memorial service on the Ponderosa was the largest Virginia City had ever had. People from all over the territory came to pay their respects. Ben accepted everyone\u2019s condolences, while Adam, weak from the ride to the cemetary, was taken home immediately after the service.<\/p>\n

After a month, Doc Martin allowed Adam time away from the house, but by buggy only. He never ventured further than the boundary of the Ponderosa. He didn\u2019t want to see anyone or go anywhere. He wasn\u2019t ready to talk about what had happened.<\/p>\n

Ben was quiet too. He spent most days at his desk, rifling through papers and going over contracts. He couldn\u2019t concentrate on anything but Adam. He didn\u2019t want to leave him alone.<\/p>\n

Six weeks went by before Adam finally noticed that the piles of papers on his father\u2019s desk were not getting smaller. However , he did notice his father always appeared to be very busy.<\/p>\n

One evening Adam decided to glance over the papers on the desk. What he saw surprised him.\u00a0Some of these contracts are due soon, and the books don\u2019t balance<\/i>.\u00a0Why? Is it because of me?\u00a0<\/i>He then realized that Ben had not been to Virginia City since returning from Summit. He was always home with Adam. Nothing was getting done, because his father had been hovering over him all this time.<\/p>\n

Ben came into the great room with a pot of coffee and found Adam at Ben\u2019s desk. “These contracts and figures need some work, Pa. If you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to take care of them tomorrow. I need to be busy.”<\/p>\n

Ben tried not to look too relieved as he set the coffee and cups on the table by his favorite chair. “Are you sure you\u2019re up to it? A representative from the Army will be here tomorrow to sign the contracts for the horses they will need later this summer.” Ben seemed pleased, as he sat by the fire.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and straightened a pile of papers. “I know I haven\u2019t been much help around here lately.” He rose from the desk, and still moving slowly, joined Ben pouring himself a cup. Sitting in the big stuffed chair across from Ben, he took a deep breath and began to unload his thoughts. ” I can\u2019t seem to get the whole ordeal out of my head. I keep running the events over and over again in my mind, but they don\u2019t make any sense. I feel responsible for what happened, but logically there wasn\u2019t anything I could have done.” He leaned back in the chair, remembering. ” Joe and I had some good, long talks. We were just beginning to know each other again…..we were finally becoming….. friends.” He paused a moment to collect himself. “I\u2019m sorry, Pa, I wish it had been me instead.” He wiped a tear from his eye and set his cup down. “I miss him.”<\/p>\n

“I know how you feel, son. After each one of my wives died, after Hoss, after Alice, and now after Joe\u2019s death, I wished it had been me instead too. But there was always something else or someone else that still needed me. We started out on a journey years ago, remember, you and I? We needed each other. We\u2019re back where we started. It\u2019s just you and me again. And the Ponderosa needs us.”<\/p>\n

Adam leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. He looked his father square in the eyes. “I\u2019m sorry, Pa. I could have been helping you all this time, and now some of these contracts may not get filled.”<\/p>\n

Ben leaned toward Adam and placed his hands over his son\u2019s. “I knew you had things to deal with in your own mind, just like I did. We\u2019re alike in that way. I miss him too. I\u2019m glad you got to know the man Joe had become. After Hoss died he was a god-send to me. He kept me and this ranch together. I would have fallen apart without him. I needed him.”<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes were tearing. “Now….. you and I need each other. You told me back in Summit everything would be all right. Granted, you were half concious, but I believed you, and that kept me going. You and I are going to be all right, and we\u2019re going to start right now.”<\/p>\n

Ben leaned back in his chair. “Now, why don\u2019t you tell me about the latest book you\u2019ve been reading. Then tomorrow we\u2019ll get this ranch running again.”<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath and gave his father a slap on the leg, as he reached for the book on the end table. “I seem to recall that it was your turn, but if you really want my view on this latest Shakespeare, you\u2019re not going to like it.”<\/p>\n

They both laughed, because they rarely agreed on Shakespeare.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the days and weeks passed, Joe\/Rob came to accept his identity, and was confidant that his memory would return one day. He got to know the man that he called his father, Amos Allen. His mother, Emily, had died three years earlier in a fever epidemic. The death had devastated his father. Rob had asked about the circumstances of her death once, but his father would not discuss it, and was clearly aggitated. Rob only learned about his mother\u2019s death one night when his father called out her name in his sleep. He was still partly asleep when he told Rob his mother had died. “The fever got her, son.” He had spoken as if it had just happened, and then drifted back to sleep. Rob never asked again.<\/p>\n

They worked together, side by side, day after day, making repairs on the cabin and barn. Amos had to show Rob the trap lines again, though Amos still didn\u2019t quite understand why his son couldn\u2019t remember what he had known his whole life. The two of them had trapped all their lives together. That fall and winter proved to be a good trapping year.<\/p>\n

Summit\u2019s population doubled every spring when the trappers came to town to sell their furs. That spring, the skins were traded for more than a year\u2019s supply of provisions with enough left over to purchase the lumber and equipment needed to make the needed repairs on the cabin, barn, and corrals.<\/p>\n

Amos was surprised at Rob\u2019s talent with horses, something that Amos knew he had never taught him.<\/p>\n

In the early spring when the wild mustangs came down out of the mountains to graze in the new pastures, Rob cut two of them out of the herd, and brought them home. He worked with them slowly and meticulously. He was able to break each one in just a day. Rob wasn\u2019t aware that he had never done that before. Amos was amazed that Rob\u2019s interest seemed to lie in the care of the horses, and the upkeep of the small homestead. He continued to accompany his father on the trap line, and learning that trade. He sensed that this made his father happy.<\/p>\n

Then there was the nightmare. It was always the same. A shadowy, faceless man dressed in black, laying on the ground. A bloody hand reaching out to him. A feeling of helplessness and doom would overcome him, and he would awaken in a pool of sweat, afraid and breathless. As much as he tried, he never remembered anything else from the nightmare.<\/p>\n

Through autumn, winter and into the spring Rob and his father continued to do normal daily chores, until one day, Rob saw his father drop an armload of wood, stagger, and rub his arm briefly. Rob watched from the barn as his father gathered the wood again and carried it inside. Rob tried to talk his father into seeing the doctor in Summit, but Amos Allen was not one to complain, and insisted he was all right. “One or two trips to town a year is enough for me,” he would always say. Rob did his best to lighten Amos\u2019s work load, but his father would not have it.<\/p>\n

It was nearing the end of summer. One evening after supper, the men were taking turns reading to each other. Rob looked up to see his father staring into the fire. “You tired, Pa? We can finish tomorrow.”<\/p>\n

“My son and I used to read to each other.” Amos pulled the blanket tightly around his shoulders and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.<\/p>\n

“We ARE reading to each other, Pa.” Rob put down his book and went to kneel next to his father. “Pa?”<\/p>\n

Amos didn\u2019t open his eyes. He didn\u2019t move. He didn\u2019t breathe. He was dead.<\/p>\n

Rob bowed his head, knowing the day had come. Sadness overcame him, and he wept.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ten months had passed since Rob had his accident, and lost his memory. During that time, every Sunday his father would walk a narrow path into the woods “to talk to God”, as he would say. Amos always insisted on this being his time alone. He would return several hours later. He never seemed like a religious man, but he was grateful for all that he had. Rob respected his father\u2019s time alone, and never imposed on him.<\/p>\n

It was Sunday, the day after his father died. Rob decided to follow the same path into the woods to see where his father would go. He had a feeling he would find his mother\u2019s grave. He couldn\u2019t imagine his father not having a place to visit the woman he dearly loved. If this was the case, he would surely bury his father next to her. Sure enough, after only a half mile he came upon a grave, but not just one, there were two. He knelt down, and brushed away a pile of leaves surrounding them. EMILY ALLEN, LOVING WIFE AND MOTHER, BORN 1830 DIED 1882 and ROBERT ALLEN, DEVOTED SON, BORN 1853 DIED 1882.<\/p>\n

Rob was stunned.\u00a0ROBERT ALLEN. Who was this? It isn\u2019t me. I\u2019m right here. I\u2019m alive.\u00a0<\/i>“This isn\u2019t right,” he said out loud. He looked from one grave to the other. He didn\u2019t know what to think. They died the same year.<\/p>\n

Rob ran back to the cabin, thoughts all jumbled together. He entered his father\u2019s bedroom. He didn\u2019t know what he was looking for, but he searched through his father\u2019s belongings. He looked under the bed, in the closet, on shelves, and finally in the back of a drawer he found a box of papers, hidden. Among the papers were legal documents containing a marriage certificate, a land deed, birth certificates for his mother, father and himself, and two…..two death certificates, his mother\u2019s and …..and …..his.<\/p>\n

He sat on the floor of the room for what seemed like hours reading each paper over and over again.\u00a0What does this mean? He said I was his son. Everything he said to me was a lie. But why?<\/i><\/p>\n

Both mother and son had died within days of each other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Rob found letters in the box also.\u00a0<\/i>He read them through several times, and after straightening out the dates, he realized what must have happened to his father and his sense of reality after losing the two most important people in his life.<\/p>\n

The letters were from Amos\u2019 sister, Mary Barnett:<\/p>\n

April 1882<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Dear Amos,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

…………..heard of fever epidemic…………..please let me know how you are doing……………….Love, Mary<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

June 1882<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Dearest Amos,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

…………so sorry……..Emily and Rob…….in our prayers……….please come stay with us………Love, Mary<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

September 1882<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

My Dearest Brother,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

…………..please come to Folsom………Rob isn\u2019t coming home…………you must face the fact………..he\u2019s dead, Amos……….we love you very much………………………………………………………………………….Love, Mary<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

December 1882<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Dear, Dear Amos,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

………….I know you didn\u2019t mean what you said…………Rob is dead…………you must accept…….he is not coming home………please come to us………….we will help you…………………………………….Love, Mary<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/i>The rest of the letters from her were unopened. It appeared that Amos had not accepted his son\u2019s death, despite the insistence from his sister, and instead lost all sense of time and reality. When Rob came to the cabin and couldn\u2019t remember what had happened to him or who he was, Amos thought his lost son had returned.<\/p>\n

Rob thought back to what Amos said just before he died.\u00a0My son and I used to read to each other.<\/i><\/p>\n

In the end, Amos realized this Rob was not really his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Rob buried Amos next to his wife and son. It was a very sad time for him. His father wasn\u2019t really his father, his home wasn\u2019t his home, his memories were not his own. Everything he knew was a lie. He was right back where he was ten months ago.\u00a0I\u2019m not Robert Allen, he\u2019s been dead for three years. So, who am I?<\/i>\u00a0Where do I go from here?<\/i><\/p>\n

That night the dream came again. This time he was fighting, but with who? He couldn\u2019t make it out. There were several others, but they were shadowy figures. Then he was falling, falling. When Rob awoke he was sweating as he always did when the dream came. What did the dream mean? Rob believed it must hold a clue to who he was, and what had happened to him. He searched the house and found a notepad, and decided to write down what he could remember. If each time something new appeared in the dream, maybe he could piece the clues together.<\/p>\n

First, though, he must find Amos\u2019 sister, and let her know about her brother\u2019s death. Knowing how much Amos\u2019 sister loved her brother, the right thing to do was to go to the C&M (Charles and Mary) Ranch near Folsom, north of Sacramento. There were personal effects of Amos\u2019 that his sister should have, the legal papers, the land would be hers now, and anything else Rob thought would be appropriate to take.<\/p>\n

It took several days to prepare for the trip. A few more chores had to be taken care of, the last board on the corral was replaced, the cabin roof was reinforced, and the barn was cleaned.<\/p>\n

Rob had grown to love this place, and at one point, had thought about just forgetting the whole idea of leaving. He could have been happy enough staying there he thought, but he must find answers.\u00a0What if I have a family somewhere, looking for me, a wife, children?\u00a0<\/i>Rob took one last look around his\u00a0home<\/i>, then mounted his horse, and leading a pack horse, he was on his way to Folsom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

That summer found the Ponderosa back up to full speed in no time. The previous winter and spring had been long ones for Adam, but he recovered fully. He was now involved in every job that kept the Ponderosa running. He made sure the pasture lands were in good shape, supervised the movement of the cattle to high pasture, inspected all the fencing and line shacks, and in the evenings repaired and cleaned all the tack. The timber contracts were filled on time. The horses the Army were promised were being rounded up and corralled for their pick up at the end of the summer. The round-up and breaking of the horses was Joe\u2019s expertise, so without his supervision, it was slow going. It became a job that comforted Adam. He found himself constantly remembering good times with his brothers, more so than with any other job. The mining operations were running smoothly. Adam took careful control over these, and hand picked men he could trust to run them properly, men who respected the land like he and his father.<\/p>\n

Adam let his father take care of the lawyers and finance operations, which called for several trips to San Francisco that summer. The trips were just what Ben needed. He met with many old friends, reminisced, saw the sights, and even enjoyed the opera. It was clear, more and more of his father\u2019s self-assurance reappeared.<\/p>\n

The evenings were filled with many stories of Hoss and Joe. Ben told Adam about Alice, Joe\u2019s wife, and how incredible she was. The short time she was with them, she brought nothing but happiness to the both of them. It wasn\u2019t a sad time anymore. There was laughter in the house again.<\/p>\n

By the end of the summer, ten months had passed since losing Joe, the two men had come a long way. But still every night Adam would spend time brushing Joe\u2019s pinto, then later sit in Joe\u2019s room and think about the last time they were together…..good to have you home……….to us…….. number one fan, my kid brother, Short Shanks.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The ride to Folsom was a beautiful one. The summer was nearing its end, and soon the leaves would be turning, and the snow would again blanket the ground.<\/p>\n

The trip from Amos\u2019 home took about a week. Every small town Rob passed through, he hoped something would jar his memory, but there was nothing. The nightmare still came, and now feelings would surface, dred, anger, helplessness, fear, sadness. As he thought about the dream he wondered who the person was laying on the ground.\u00a0Did I kill this man? Was he trying to kill me?<\/i>\u00a0He would write it all down in his notepad, and try to put it together.<\/p>\n

As he approached the C&M Ranch, he saw a group of men and horses huddled together in the distance. One man was sitting on his horse, pointing in different directions talking while the rest stood listening.<\/p>\n

As Rob neared the entrance the men saw him. They quickly mounted and rode toward Rob, stopping him as he approached the house. They surrounded him, and the man Rob had seen giving orders, stood before him with his gun drawn. He appeared about sixty years old, tall in his saddle, about six-five, and dressed in black.<\/p>\n

“What business do you have here, mister?” The man noticed Rob\u2019s pack horse, and motioned for one of the others to look through his bundles.<\/p>\n

Rob put his hands in the air. “I\u2019m looking for Mary Barnett.” He noticed only half the men carried guns, and watched as his pack horse was searched. “I have some of her brother\u2019s things.”<\/p>\n

Rob then noticed a woman standing on the porch of the house. She was tall and slim, about five-eight. She wore a light colored cotton dress with an apron. Her dark, auburn hair, streaked with gray, was pulled back out of her face. She appeared to be in her mid to late forties. She stepped down the stairs and approached them. “What about my brother?”<\/p>\n

Rob slowly put his hands down, and carefully dismounted, watching the man with the gun intensely. “I have some things of his that you should have.” He went back to the pack horse and removed a small box from a saddlebag. Still eyeing the gun, Rob handed the box to the woman.<\/p>\n

“What are you doing with Amos\u2019 things? Has something happened?” She had a worried look on her face as she turned the box over and over.<\/p>\n

Rob tried to talk slowly, to break the news to her as gently as possible. “I had stayed with him since last fall. His health became poor over the winter, and when spring came he only became weaker. I\u2019m sorry, ma\u2019am, he passed away a few weeks ago.”<\/p>\n

The woman shook her head and looked into Rob\u2019s eyes. “Poor Amos. I was afraid his time had come. He hadn\u2019t answered my letters in nearly a year.” Her voice trembled slightly.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s all right, Al.” She motioned to the men. “He\u2019s a friend of Amos\u2019.”<\/p>\n

“If you\u2019re sure, Mrs. Barnett.” Al sided his firearm in its holster. “Do you want some of the men to stick around?”<\/p>\n

“No, but if you would have someone stable this man\u2019s horses, I\u2019m sure he is very tired.” She turned to Rob. “Would you mind visiting with me and telling me about Amos……about how he was before he died?”<\/p>\n

Al dismounted to speak to the woman. “Ma\u2019am, I don\u2019t think Mr. Barnett would want you inviting a stranger into your house.”<\/p>\n

“Nonsense. He\u2019s come all this way, a week\u2019s journey, to bring me Amos\u2019 belongings.” She turned to Rob and took him by the arm.<\/p>\n

“Mrs. Barnett, I don\u2019t want to cause any trouble. I really should be on my way.” Rob took his arm away. He softly took her by the hand, and kissed her on the cheek. “I\u2019m sorry about Amos. He was very good to me.”<\/p>\n

The woman had tears in her eyes as Rob turned away. He was about to mount his horse, when Al took the reins from him. “Sorry, mister,” said Al. “We\u2019ve had some trouble lately. Didn\u2019t mean to be inhospitable. You go on with Mrs. Barnett. I\u2019ll take care of your horses.” Al gave Rob a quick wink.<\/p>\n

The woman eagerly took Rob by the arm again and walked him toward the house. “Would you care to join me for lunch?”<\/p>\n

“That would be very generous of you, ma\u2019am,” answered Rob.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

“You just make yourself comfortable, while I fix some food for us,” Mrs. Barnett called out from the kitchen. “I\u2019ll only be a moment. You haven\u2019t told me your name. Mine is Mary. Of course, you knew that.”<\/p>\n

“Rob…..A…..” He quickly caught himself. “An….derson, ma\u2019am. Rob Anderson.”<\/p>\n

Mary peaked out from the kitchen. “What a coincidence. Rob was Amos\u2019 son\u2019s name.”<\/p>\n

Rob took a deep breath as he saw she believed him.<\/i><\/p>\n

Rob took the time to examine the room. It was neat and clean, a linen cloth covered the dinner table, and lace curtains hung in the windows. There was a vase of freshly cut flowers that filled the room with a beautiful scent. A braided rug was centered in front of the sofa. The fireplace was built of stone, and on the mantle above it were several pictures, one of a younger looking Amos seated with a woman and young child.<\/p>\n

Rob stood to get a closer look.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Barnett entered the room with a tray of sandwiches, a bowl of fruit, and two glasses of lemonade. She saw that Rob was staring at the picture. “That\u2019s Amos and his wife and son,” she said as she set the tray on the table. “They died going on four years ago. Did Amos talk about them?”<\/p>\n

Rob came and sat with her at the table. “No, ma\u2019am….. I mean…..I saw that it pained him, so I didn\u2019t ask. It wasn\u2019t until after his death, I came upon the papers in the box. Your letters were there. I\u2019m sorry , but I read them, the ones that were open. They helped me figure out what happened, and since your address was on them, they also told me how to find you.”<\/p>\n

Mary served him a sandwich, and offered the bowl of fruit. “I\u2019m glad he kept the letters. He was devastated when Emily died, but to loose his son a few days later was more than he could handle. In his letters, he would talk about how busy Rob was and how long he had been gone on the trap line. He was sure any day Rob would return. I tried to convince him to come to Folsom, that Rob wasn\u2019t coming home, that he was dead. I even asked Charles, my husband, to take me to Amos. Charles thought that, from the letters, Amos seemed unstable, and it may be dangerous to force him to accept the truth. Amos\u2019 last letter to me was very harsh. He told me not to write to him anymore, that I didn\u2019t understand, and that Rob would be home soon. I was convinced that Charles was right. I didn\u2019t want to hurt Amos anymore, so I did as he asked.”<\/p>\n

Rob ate his food slowly as Mary talked about her brother. They had grown up on a farm in the Ohio Valley. When Amos and his family moved to California, Mary missed him so much, she convinced her husband to move also. They began hearing of the rich land of California, and how prime it was for any kind of life. Charles had often longed for a ranch, and together decided they could prosper as well in California as they had in Ohio.<\/p>\n

“Here I\u2019ve been babbling on about myself. Tell me, how did you come to stay with Amos?”<\/p>\n

Rob was hesitant at first, but told her everything except the part about his memory loss. “I had an accident, and Amos took care of me while I recovered. It wasn\u2019t long before winter came. There were a lot of things in dis-repair, so I stayed on and helped him. Sometime after the new year was when I noticed he was slowing down. I tried to get him to see a doctor, but he always made excuses. One night, in front of the fire, he went to sleep and didn\u2019t wake up. But before he died, I believe he realized his son was dead. I think he was finally able to let go, and join his wife and son.”<\/p>\n

Their attention was turned toward the door when a commotion erupted outside. It sounded like a group of riders approaching the house. The front door slammed open, and a young boy, around twelve years old came running into the room. “Ma!”<\/p>\n

“Jody, how many times do I have to ask you not to enter the house in such a rush? You scare me to death.” Turning back to Rob, Mary introduced her son. “Jody is always in such a hurry.”<\/p>\n

The boy interrupted. “Ma, some men are outside, and one of them wants to talk to you. It\u2019s Mr. Weber.” The boy appeared frightened.<\/p>\n

Mary stood and took Jody by the arm. “You didn\u2019t say your father was away, did you?”<\/p>\n

“No, ma\u2019am.” Jody shook his head.<\/p>\n

“Jody, you stay right here, do you hear me? I\u2019ll take care of this.” Mary suddenly changed her demeanor. “Please excuse me for just a moment, Mr. Anderson.”<\/p>\n

Rob stayed behind with Jody. He introduced himself, and stood to shake the boy\u2019s hand. Jody was very nervous, and kept looking from the door to the gun rack on the wall. Rob knew something was wrong. He couldn\u2019t make out what was being said, but the voices were getting louder. He got up from the table and went to the gun rack. “Your mother seems like she can be pretty persuasive, but do you think she might need some help?”<\/p>\n

Jody followed him. “Y…..yes, sir.”<\/p>\n

Rob handed Jody an unloaded rifle, then loaded one for himself, and checked his pistol.<\/p>\n

“You stand over here by the window.” He led Jody to a window in the corner of the room. “Don\u2019t let them see you. I\u2019ll be over there by the door. It\u2019s not loaded, it\u2019s only meant to be seen if needed.” Rob positioned himself by the door.<\/p>\n

Mary was clearly in charge of the conversation. “I have no interest in anything you have to say, Mr. Weber. You are trespassing. Now, I\u2019m asking you to leave.”<\/p>\n

Weber raised one hand and smiled. “Now Mrs. Barnett, you know that my offer was reasonable. I\u2019m just asking your husband to reconsider.”<\/p>\n

The door squeaked as Rob stepped out holding the rifle down along his right side. “The lady\u2019s not interested, mister. You\u2019ve been told to leave.”<\/p>\n

Weber jumped with surprise then laughed and turned in his saddle to entertain his men. “Well, well, Mary who do we have here?”<\/p>\n

Rob moved out to the edge of the porch closer to Mary.<\/p>\n

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of Weber\u2019s men slowly reaching for his gun. Quickly Rob drew his pistol from his left holster. “I wouldn\u2019t do that.” The rifle was still at Rob\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

A noise came from the house as Jody cocked the hammer of his rifle and made his presence known.<\/p>\n

Rob stepped down onto the ground and took two steps toward the man, who\u2019s hands were now raised away from his gun. The hair on the back of Rob\u2019s neck felt prickly as he approached the muscular man in the black hat, and spoke to him. “Take the gun out slow, and drop it on the ground.” The man looked to Weber, who then nodded his head.<\/p>\n

Mary was holding her breath as she watched the stand-off. The man dropped his gun to the ground.<\/p>\n

Picking up the weapon, and still staring at the man, Rob walked over and handed the gun to Weber. “You really should have more control over your men. Now, get off this property.”<\/p>\n

Weber took the gun and stuck it in his belt. “This isn\u2019t the end of it, Mrs. Barnett.” He glared at Rob as he motioned his men to leave. “I\u2019ll be seeing you again, mister.”<\/p>\n

“Count on it,” Rob replied.<\/p>\n

The man in the black hat stared at Rob, looking him over from head to toe, before he joined the others as they rode away and off the ranch.<\/p>\n

Rob and Mary watched as Weber left. As the men disappeared from sight, Al came at a gallop from around the back of the house. “Mrs. Barnett, I\u2019m sorry…..I…..”<\/p>\n

“Al, your job is as a foreman not a bodyguard. No apology is necessary. I\u2019m sorry my husband has put you in that position.” She touched her forehead, and took a deep breath. “Mr. Anderson was very helpful. I\u2019m afraid, though, they will be back.”<\/p>\n

Mary appeared shaken. Al quickly dismounted. He and Rob helped her back into the house, and sat her down. Jody rushed to her side and took her hand. “Ma, are you all right?”<\/p>\n

“Jody, what were you doing?” She put her arms around her son, holding him tightly. “You could have been hurt.”<\/p>\n

Rob spoke up. “That was my fault. I thought it would keep a fight from starting. I\u2019m sorry if I did anything wrong.”<\/p>\n

Al responded, “He\u2019s right, ma\u2019am. If it hadn\u2019t been for both of them, Weber might have tried something.”<\/p>\n

“I know. You are right.” Mary hugged her son again. “I wish Charles would get back.”<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s on his way home, ma\u2019am.” Al reached into his pocket and handed a telegram to Mary. “This came this afternoon. Fort McKay is short handed, but they have promised to send help soon.”<\/p>\n

“The Army? Does anyone want to tell me what\u2019s going on around here?” Rob finally demanded an explanation.<\/p>\n

Mary gingerly read the telegram from her husband as Al filled Rob in. “Weber and his men have been stealing from landowners in this part of the valley and around Folsom Lake. He forces them to hand over their land, threatening them by burning their homes and killing their cattle. He has even murdered, but no one wants to talk against him for fear they\u2019ll be next. Mr. Barnett went to Fort McKay to ask the army for help. The telegram says they have agreed to send a detachment to investigate. It also says Weber tried the same thing in Arizona a few years ago, but fled before the law could arrest him. Mr. Barnett is on his way home, but help won\u2019t arrive for several weeks.”<\/p>\n

“What about the law?” Asked Rob.<\/p>\n

“There is no law here. We\u2019re half way between Placerville and Sacramento, that\u2019s the closest a lawman is.” Al finally took off his hat and sat down taking a deep breath. “We\u2019re just trying to hang on until help comes. All of us around here are farmers and ranchers. We\u2019re not gunfighters.”<\/p>\n

Mary gently put her hand on Al\u2019s shoulder. “You have put yourself in danger too many times for us. I\u2019m afraid Mr. Weber has set his sights on this place next. I think the best thing to do is just give him what he wants before anyone gets hurt.”<\/p>\n

Al patted Mary\u2019s hand which was still resting on his shoulder. “You know Mr. Barnett will never agree to that. I know I speak for all the men when I say we will do everything we can to see that Weber gets what he deserves.”
\nRob listened and saw the loyalty in Al\u2019s eyes. He saw the fear in Mary\u2019s. Remembering the letters, and knowing how deeply Mary felt about her brother, Rob knew he had to help. After all, in Amos\u2019s eyes, Rob had been his son. That makes Mary his family too. Somewhere, deep inside, Rob felt a connection. He couldn\u2019t abandon her.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t want you to worry. Al and I will come up with a plan.” There wasn\u2019t anything else to say in Rob\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

Mary and Al looked to each other for a response to Rob\u2019s comment. “Rob, no. You don\u2019t have any business getting involved in this mess,” pleaded Mary. “I can\u2019t let you…..”<\/p>\n

Al added, “Look, Anderson, you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re getting into…..”<\/p>\n

Rob interupted them. “I don\u2019t want to hear any arguments. You need some organization, no offense, Al. I think together, with the other men, we can keep trouble away until the army arrives. Besides, I promised Weber I would see him again.” There was also something about the man in the black hat that rubbed Rob the wrong way. He was determined to find out why.<\/p>\n

Rob looked at them both. Neither had any comment. Jody was standing very quiet by his mother\u2019s side. With a hand on each one\u2019s shoulder, he spoke directly to Mary and Jody. “You\u2019re going to have to stay near the house at all times. The barn is as far as you go. That\u2019s the first rule. It\u2019s very important. Do you understand? Will you do that?”<\/p>\n

Rob waited for an answer. Mary looked at Al, then nodded. Jody seemed confused. Rob then got down on one knee and layed both hands on the boy\u2019s arms. “Jody!” Rob made sure to make eye contact. “Listen , Jody. In order to protect your mother and you until your Pa comes home, you are going to have to listen to me. Can you do that? Will you trust me?”<\/p>\n

Jody finally responded. “Yes, sir. I\u2019ll trust you to take care of us, but just until my Pa comes home.”<\/p>\n

“Good, Jody, and when your Pa gets home, we\u2019ll all put our trust in him, okay?” He winked at the boy.<\/p>\n

The boy nodded and smiled. “Okay.”<\/p>\n

Rob then went over to the gun cabinet, checking the sights and condition of each rifle one by one. “Al, every man will have to have a handgun and rifle at all times, and plenty of ammunition. Find out if anyone needs practice shooting. Let\u2019s go outside and figure out where to post men. We\u2019ll have to have around the clock surveillance of the ranch, and especially the house.” The two men headed toward the door.<\/p>\n

Rob turned back. “Mary.” Taking her hand he reassured her. “Everything will be all right, I promise.”<\/p>\n

“I believe you.” And she did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The last of the horses that were contracted to the Army, had been corralled for about two weeks, when Colonel Simms arrived at the Ponderosa. Adam had them ready to go, but there were so few men with the Colonel, that Adam wondered how such few men could drive that number of horses to their destination. It seemed to Adam that something was amiss, and planned to mention it to his father. Simms was a very young man for a Colonel, maybe only in his mid twenties. Adam wasn\u2019t comfortable letting so many good horses go, only to have them lost due to inexperience.<\/p>\n

Adam and Ben invited Colonel Simms to dinner with them at the Ponderosa, while the rest of the men set up camp nearby. Hop Sing delivered a deservedly good meal to them, which was much appreciated.<\/p>\n

After dinner the men retired to the great room for coffee, and warmed themselves by the fire. The Colonel spoke of his dilemma before Adam had a chance to ask questions.<\/p>\n

“I received word today from Fort McKay about some trouble in the valley near Folsom, California, and I have been requested to investigate as quickly as I can. Apparently a band of men from Arizona, who had been land grabbing down there, have fled to the area around Folsom Lake, and are doing the same thing there.” The Colonel set down his coffee and clasped his hands together. “However, I have a problem that I need to ask your help with.”<\/p>\n

Adam thought about the number of men in Simms\u2019 command, and knew immediately what the request was. He spoke up before the Colonel could get out the words. “Considering the number of men you have, Colonel, I can only guess that you require help driving the horses to the fort, so that you and your men can go on to Folsom.”<\/p>\n

The Colonel nodded his head, and then with a smile he responded. “You\u2019re a very observant man, Mr. Carwright. Half of my platoon came down sick on our way here, and I had to leave them in a town with a doctor to care for them. I\u2019ve been assured the illness is not serious, but the sick men cannot travel for several days. That\u2019s why I\u2019m so short handed. Then finding out today that we are needed as quickly as possible in Folsom, I don\u2019t have the time it takes to herd the horses. I have to leave first thing in the morning. The army is prepared to compensate you for hiring the men you\u2019ll need. It should take less than a week to get to the fort, which is near Grass Valley, about half-way to Folsom.”<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at his father. “I\u2019ll head the drive myself, as long as that\u2019s not a problem with you, Pa.” He wasn\u2019t sure how his father would take to the idea. It had been a long time since the ambush near Summit. This would be the first time since then, that Adam would be away for an extended period of time.<\/p>\n

To Adam\u2019s surprise his father agreed. “Adam\u2019s right. You don\u2019t have enough men as it is. I\u2019m sure we would all feel better knowing those horses will be delivered safely, and the residents of Folsom would appreciate your prompt response.”<\/p>\n

After more discussion, they decided the Ponderosa\u2019s foreman could handle things while Adam was away. For the next several weeks supervision was all that was needed. Adam would hire the men he needed to move the horses, and the Colonel and his men would go on to Folsom in the morning.<\/p>\n

The men went over the route on a map, then Colonel Simms bid good night, and joined his men at the camp.<\/p>\n

While clearing the last of the dishes, and putting them away in the kitchen, Ben felt he had to say something to Adam, since his son clearly had a worried look on his face. Adam also felt he needed to ease his father\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

They both began simultaneously. “Pa…..Adam…..” Then they shook their heads laughing, as they knew what the other was thinking.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s mood fell serious again as he spoke first. “I feel like I\u2019m walking on eggshells here.” Adam took a deep breath as he added wood to the fire and stirred it with the poker. Then looking into his father\u2019s eyes, he said, “I know you\u2019re thinking about Joe and what happened last year, and I know it won\u2019t do any good to tell you not to worry, so I won\u2019t. I\u2019ll just say, I\u2019ll be careful.”<\/p>\n

“Well, you\u2019re only half right,” Ben said, and handed his son another log. “I was only going to say \u2018good luck\u2019, and \u2018wire me when you get to Fort McKay\u2019. Then I was going to ask you to leave me the book you just finished.” Ben started to climb the stairs, then added, “I only hope it\u2019s not more Shakespeare. He\u2019s so dry.”<\/p>\n

“Nope. A little lighter, Dickens.” Adam smiled as he followed behind his father. “Shakespeare\u2019s not dry, Pa……”<\/p>\n

“Not now, Adam, I don\u2019t want to lose any sleep over a discussion about Shakespeare.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Colonel Simms and his men had broken camp early enough the next morning in order to be packed and on their way by daybreak. The day after the regiment left, Adam had gathered the men he needed, about twenty in all. Hop Sing prepared provisions for the chuck wagon, going along with the men as far as the fort, then planning to continue on to Sacramento to visit relatives.<\/p>\n

Adam had an odd feeling about the trip. A tightness in his stomach made him anxious. Granted, last year he had encountered trouble, but he had experienced trouble before on other occasions. Never before had he felt awkward about leaving home. It must have been his father rubbing off on him. He laughed at himself as he took one last look around at the corralled horses. Then opening the gate, he and his men led the herd out and on the trail west to Fort McKay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Two days after the encounter with Weber and his men, Rob had most of the men from the C&M Ranch armed and posted in various hidden locations around the entire ranch. No one would be able to approach the ranch, in any direction, without being seen. Rob and Al had come up with a plan, a series of warning shots to alert everyone in position, then converging on the house, but keeping some men in position to capture any of Weber\u2019s men trying to escape. Some of the men came asking for help with using their weapons, and Rob set up a shooting range behind the barn.<\/p>\n

Jody and Mary were doing well to stay near the house. Mary kept herself busy with household chores and keeping close track of Jody. Rob made a point to stick close to the house, busying himself with cleaning and repairing tack , and caring for the horses. The barn was a good place to keep watch and still stay out of sight.<\/p>\n

It was on this day, Rob was helping Jody with his barn chores. They were moving straw from the upper level to the horses\u2019 stalls below. Jody had just finished clearing the upper level and had gone to the house to get the two of them a cold drink.<\/p>\n

With the stalls cleaned and filled with new straw, Rob gathered the tools together to be put away. As he opened the door to the tool room, he heard the galloping sound of an approaching rider. He hadn\u2019t heard any warning shots, but to play it safe he quietly layed down his tools and, drawing his gun, stepped behind the barn door. Through a crack in the door, Rob watched the rider enter the yard, look toward the house and dismount. Entering the barn, the man lead his horse to an empty stall. He was a stout man in his fifties and wearing a buckskin jacket.<\/p>\n

Rob stepped into the light of the entry and spoke low, hoping that the man would not be startled and go for his gun. “Don\u2019t move, mister.”<\/p>\n

The man froze, and knowing he had a gun pointed at his back, moved his hands away from his body.<\/p>\n

“Drop the reins, and back away from the horse.” Rob slowly moved toward the stranger, removing his gun from its holster, then stepping back again. “All right, turn around, slow and easy.”<\/p>\n

The two men glared, and sized each other up. Rob was clearly younger and faster, but the stranger appeared very strong, and could probably take him in a fight.<\/p>\n

Rob ordered the man out the door and into the barn yard. “Let\u2019s go, outside” he said, motioning with his gun. Saying nothing, the man complied. Rob kept a safe distance behind the man as they left the barn.<\/p>\n

Just then Al came around the corner of the corral at a full gallop. He rode directly up to Rob dismounting before his horse could stop completely, and ran between the two men.<\/p>\n

Not taking his eyes off the stranger, Rob spoke angrily to Al. “Where were the warning shots? How did he get so close to the house?”<\/p>\n

Al put his hands up in front of Rob. “Take it easy, Anderson,” he said. “This is Mr. Barnett.” Al was now inches from the gun barrel, and gently lowered Rob\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

Rob, rolled his eyes, and took a deep breath, letting it out slow. He holstered his gun, and offered Mr. Barnett an apology along with returning the man\u2019s gun. “Sorry. I didn\u2019t know who you were.”<\/p>\n

“Well, son. You didn\u2019t give me much of a chance to explain.” He took back his gun, “I guess this means you\u2019re on our side,” and offered his hand. “Charles Barnett. Anderson is it?” He smiled then, and Rob relaxed.<\/p>\n

“Rob Anderson, sir.” Rob accepted the tight grasp.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s a friend of Mr. Allen\u2019s.” Al hung his head in obvious embarrassment. “Sorry I didn\u2019t catch up to you before you got to the house, Boss.”<\/p>\n

Mr. Barnett turned back towards the barn. “No harm done. How is Amos? And where is everyone?” As he said that, Mary and Jody came running from the house. Jody flung himself into his father\u2019s arms. “Pa, you\u2019re back.” He swung his son around in a circle, holding him close. Then, removing his hat, Charles looked into his wife\u2019s tearful eyes, and, pulling her close to him, he kissed her passionately. “I\u2019ve missed you,” they both said at the same time, and laughed, and kissed again.<\/p>\n

Rob and Al looked at each other and walked into the barn to take care of Mr. Barnett\u2019s horse. The three Barnetts went into the house hand in hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Later that night Rob was at the corral where a new batch of wild mustangs were being kept. He was observing them, getting a feel for their dispositions. He liked to get to know a horse before trying to break one. There was one horse in particular Rob figured to be the one that was going to give everyone trouble. He was a black stallion with white forelocks and stayed away from the other horses. As the stallion moved around inside the corral, he would turn and run the opposite direction when he came to where Rob was standing. This one would need special attention, Rob thought, and would take more time. He was thinking about the first step to take with the horse when it suddenly reared up. A younger stallion had challenged the black, but the young one was quickly diverted away. Rob stepped back away from the fence as the black came around, this time in front of him, and stopped. The horse looked directly at Rob, shook his head, then reared again, backing away.<\/p>\n

Suddenly Rob was blinded by a flash of light. He staggered back, holding his head in his hands. It struck him like a bolt of lightening and passed across his eyes. In an instant he saw a horse rear and a rider fall to the ground, followed by another flash of light and a stabbing pain in his head. He began to rub the pain away, but the pain left as quickly as it had appeared. Rob was shaken as he rubbed his eyes. He stepped up onto the fence and looked around inside the corral, but saw no one. He looked around again. He was sure he had seen someone fall. But there had been no one in the corral when he was watching the horses. Rubbing his eyes again, he wondered,\u00a0did it only happened in my head<\/i>?\u00a0Is this part of the same dream?\u00a0<\/i>Stepping back down, Rob took out his notepad, and leaning with his back against the fence, he wrote down what had just happened.<\/p>\n

Charles Barnett arrived a few moments later, joining Rob at the corrral. Charles had spent the rest of that afternoon and evening catching up with his family. Mary filled him in on what had happened with Weber, about how Rob came to be there, her brother Amos, and the plan Rob and Al had come up with to protect the ranch until the Army arrived. Jody told his father how he and Mr. Anderson helped his mother get rid of Weber, even though Jody\u2019s rifle was not loaded. With Jody tucked into bed, and Mary clearing away the dinner dishes, Charles took this time to find Rob.<\/p>\n

Charles observed Rob slipping the notepad into a pocket inside his jacket as he approached him. “Mary told me everything you have done, for Amos, and for her and Jody. I don\u2019t know what more I can say but to thank you for being here for my family. I just have one question.”<\/p>\n

Rob turned back to face the horses. “Only one?”<\/p>\n

“Why? Why did you stay, knowing the trouble Weber is causing?”<\/p>\n

Rob had known eventually Barnett would ask that question. “Because of Amos, I guess. He took care of me like a father would. He told me…..” Rob paused and thought a moment, then turned to face Barnett. “I didn\u2019t know…..” Rob stopped himself again, and shook his head.\u00a0Who would believe the truth<\/i>, he thought,\u00a0that I thought Amos was my father?<\/i>\u00a0He turned his gaze back to the horses. “When I found Mary\u2019s letters, and realized he had a family who cared about him, I guess I looked at Mary and Jody like family.”<\/p>\n

Charles had a puzzled look on his face. He didn\u2019t believe that was the whole story, there was more to this man. What had he started to admit? Charles believed Rob was hiding something. “What did Amos tell you? What didn\u2019t you know?” Rob wasn\u2019t looking at him, so Charles dropped the question. Irregardless if he was hiding something or not, he owed Rob a debt that could never be paid. “Never mind. It doesn\u2019t matter. What does matter is I have a lot to thank you for, and I\u2019d like to start by offering you a job here, if you\u2019re interested. We could use someone with your capabilities. The men respect you. I think we would work well together.” Charles saw that Rob was concentrating on the stallion. “You think about it. Let me know.” He started to walk away.<\/p>\n

Rob turned again to face Charles. “You don\u2019t know anything about me. Why would you trust me?”<\/p>\n

“For one thing, Mary trusts you, and that tells me plenty. She\u2019s a pretty smart woman.” A smile came over Charles\u2019 face. “I trust her judgement.”<\/p>\n

Charles was now watching the stallion Rob had been admiring. “A lot of fire in that one, you think you can break him?”<\/p>\n

Rob removed his hat and combed his fingers through his hair. “Been thinking about it, might take a few days, though. He\u2019s a stubborn one.” Rob backed away from the fence, replacing his hat.<\/p>\n

The two men began walking back toward the barn. “I\u2019ll stay until the Army comes,” Rob said. “Then I\u2019ll have to be going. But thanks for the offer.”<\/p>\n

“Where will you be going?” Charles inquired.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t know for sure.”<\/p>\n

“Well, why not stay til you know where you\u2019re going?” Charles insisted.<\/p>\n

“There\u2019s someone I need to find.” Rob put his hands in his pockets, looking down at the ground as they walked. It was himself he was talking about needing to find.<\/p>\n

“Who are you looking for?” Charles saw that Rob was getting defensive now.<\/p>\n

“You sure ask a lot of questions,” Rob said, looking up.<\/p>\n

“You sure beat around the bush,” Charles said with a snort.<\/p>\n

“Well, maybe one day I\u2019ll tell you.” Rob then smiled.<\/p>\n

“Why not tell me now?” Charles wondered how far he could push.<\/p>\n

Rob stopped in his tracks with Charles stopping one step ahead. He took a deep breath and let it out slow. “Mr. Barnett…..”<\/p>\n

“Charles,” Barnett interupted him immediately, “call me Charles.”<\/p>\n

Nodding, Rob continued, “Okay, Charles, with all due respect, it\u2019s none of your business. When there\u2019s something you need to know about me, I\u2019ll tell you.”<\/p>\n

Barnett put his hand on Rob\u2019s shoulder and smiled. “I\u2019m just pushing your buttons, son. No need to get defensive.” He turned toward the house waving good night. “Tomorrow, we\u2019ll take a ride, and you can show me where you have posted the men.”<\/p>\n

“Good night, sir.” Rob continued to the barn, where he had been sleeping. Early on, he had decided to bunk there. It was the best place to keep an eye on the house.<\/p>\n

As Rob settled into his bedroll, he took out his notepad, and re-read what he had written a short time ago. Where had that flash of light come from? Why did his head suddenly get a stabbing pain? Why did he think he had seen a man fall from a horse, when there was no one there? Holding onto the notepad, he layed his hand on his chest and closed his eyes. Seeing the events play over and over again in his mind soon put him to sleep.<\/p>\n

Rob was riding a painted horse. He was high above a river looking down. A shot rang out. He looked up to see a man falling to the ground from his horse. Someone grabbed him. He needed to get away, he was fighting to get away. Leaning over a man, Rob saw blood everywhere. There was blood on his hands. Then he was falling.<\/i><\/p>\n

Rob heard himself yell as he awoke. The nighmare again. As usual he was sweaty and breathing heavily. Locating the notepad lying next to him, he quickly tried to remember,\u00a0painted horse, river, gunshot, blood…..<\/i>\u00a0He was writing so fast, it was almost illegible. He was panicky, trying to recall the dream. When he was through, he read and re-read what he had written. All these clues, and still nothing clicked in his mind.\u00a0When will it all come back to me?<\/i>\u00a0Who am I?\u00a0<\/i>In frustration, Rob threw the notepad against the wall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Weber\u2019s men had been scoping the C&M Ranch for days, trying to come up with a plan to raid the place. They ran into difficulty since they found a lookout posted every quarter of a mile surrounding the property. It was going to take a good plan to get onto the property, and a lot of men. Weber was working on an idea.<\/p>\n

After the last encounter with Mary and the stranger, Weber had wondered why Nate was so quick to draw on the man. “What got into you, Nate, drawing on that stranger like that?” Weber had asked.<\/p>\n

Nate stopped his horse until the rest of the men were far enough ahead not to hear his conversation with Weber. “He surprised me. I thought he was dead.” The man replied.<\/p>\n

“What do you mean? Do you know him,” questioned Weber?<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s a Cartwright. You know, from the Ponderosa in Nevada. I told you about it. Me and my boys stole a draft for $25,000 from him and his brother. I killed his brother and was going to make him….” pointing back in the direction of the ranch, “…..get the money for us,” Nate said.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately, one of my men fought with Cartwright and pushed him off a cliff. I thought he died. When we tried to get the money from the Carson City bank, my men were killed. That\u2019s when I hooked up with you, when I was outrunning the posse.”<\/p>\n

“Yeah, I remember now. Do you think he recognized you?”<\/p>\n

“Maybe. I\u2019m not sure.” Nate thought about it. “No, I don\u2019t think so.”<\/p>\n

“Well, which is it? Are you sure or not?” Weber asked impatiently.<\/p>\n

“Doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019ll make sure he stays dead next time I see him.”<\/p>\n

“Make sure you do, I don\u2019t want anything screwing up my plans.”<\/p>\n

They both had nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

Now, staying far away and out of sight, Weber and Nate rode circling the ranch planning their strategy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam arrived at Fort McKay ahead of schedule with the horses. Upon arriving he learned that Colonel Simms had lost more men to the same illness his previous men had succumbed to. Simms was now too understaffed to continue on to Folsom with relative safety. He and his remaining men were there now, waiting for word from the Governor of the territory to give permission for another platoon to be dispatched to Fort McKay.<\/p>\n

Adam found Simms\u2019 quarters and knocked on his door. The Colonel wasn\u2019t surprised when he opened the door to find Adam standing there. “Looks like you need my help again.” Adam said, removing his hat and entering the Colonel\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

“Mr. Cartwright, come in, what timing.” Simms greeted Adam happily with a firm handshake. “May I offer you a drink to wash down the trail dust?” He poured a shot of whiskey. “Sit down,” he said as he handed Adam the drink.<\/p>\n

Adam tossed back the whiskey in one motion, licking his lips. “That hit the spot. Thanks. By the way, my father is Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019m Adam.” He found a stuffed chair and made himself comfortable, setting the empty glass down on the table.<\/p>\n

“Adam, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve already heard the latest news. I\u2019m just not having any luck getting to Folsom. This trouble we\u2019re hearing about is certain to erupt again very soon. I can\u2019t wait for the Governor, and I certainly can\u2019t wait for another regimen to get here. If you\u2019re really offering to help again, I sure could use it.”<\/p>\n

Simms left the room to retrieve some papers from his desk. “Just tell me what you need,” Adam said, calling after Simms, who was back momentarily with a stack of papers. “Ten of my men where able to stay and are willling to help also. I\u2019ll just need to let my father know that I\u2019ll be delayed.” Adam glanced at a book that was lying on the table and turned it to read its title. “Since my brother\u2019s death…..last year…..” Adam stopped abruptly, and thought a moment. “I\u2019ve tried to keep in close touch with him when I\u2019ve been gone.”<\/p>\n

Simms poured two more shots for them both. “I understand. I was sorry to hear about your brother\u2019s death. I never met him, but I\u2019ve heard nothing but good things about him. What happened anyway?” The Colonel set Adam\u2019s drink in front of him and sat in another chair opposite Adam .<\/p>\n

Adam hesitated. His hands suddenly felt sweaty, and he wiped them on his knees. “We were ambushed on our way back from a cattle auction.” Adam looked away. “I don\u2019t remember much. I was out of it for quite a while. A week went by before I realized they had killed Joe.” Adam paused. “Damn,” he whispered. He got up from his chair, taking his drink with him. “There\u2019s still a man free out there responsible for Joe\u2019s death.” Shaking his head, he leaned against the window and slugged back the whiskey in one swallow.
\nColonel Simms sipped on his drink as he followed Adam\u2019s movement with his eyes. “Sorry, Adam. I didn\u2019t know.”<\/p>\n

“Forget it.” Adam had been caught off guard. He changed the subject, back to the matter at hand. “Tell me what you want to do about Folsom.”<\/p>\n

This was the first time anyone, outside of his father and close friends, had questioned him about what had happened. It had always been Adam\u2019s nature to keep his feelings buried deep inside. The feelings he was having now only intensified that nature; frustration over his injuries and the length of time it took to heal, bitterness over his initial loss of motivation, hatred toward the killers, but most of all guilt. Guilt for staying away from home for so many years, guilt for not seeing the ambush coming, guilt for being unable to save his brother, guilt for leaving the responsibility of the ranch solely in his father\u2019s hands. The feelings had come in waves in the past months since Joe\u2019s death. They ate at him again and again.<\/p>\n

Colonel Simms and Adam went over maps of the Folsom area, locating the C&M Ranch about ten miles on the south end of the lake. Simms only hoped they weren\u2019t too late. The Weber Gang had escaped before, in Arizona, and disappeared before the Army could catch up to them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Rob and Al rode the perimeter of the ranch with Charles, showing him each location a man was posted. They were positioned in two perimeters surrounding the property. A man was stationed every quarter of a mile in each perimeter, and each man was relieved every four hours throughout the day and into the night. They each carried a side arm and a rifle, and if anyone suspicious was spotted, a signal was fired to alert the other posts. Each post had a different signal so as to locate the position of any intruders. The men at the outside perimeter would stay at their posts, while the men at the inside would ride toward the outside perimeter converging on the intruders.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s not fool-proof,” admitted Rob, as they turned back to the ranch. “The darkness of the night is still the biggest worry. If you have any suggestions, feel free.”<\/p>\n

“The plan is a good one. I think you have everything covered. You\u2019re right though about the darkness. A sound sleep will be a welcome commodity when this is over,” agreed Charles.<\/p>\n

They continued onto where the horses were being broken. Twenty minutes later Rob, Al, and Charles arrived to find three of the wranglers had roped the black stallion. The horse had three ropes on him, and he was violently out of control. They were trying to saddle it when Rob called out to them.<\/p>\n

“Hold it. Don\u2019t be so forceful. You can take it a little gentler.” He quickly dismounted, and handing Al his reins, he climbed over the fence. He grabbed a burlap bag that was draped over the fence and gently placed it over the horse\u2019s head, covering his eyes. Rob held tightly onto the stallion\u2019s neck until he started calming down. Taking one of the ropes, and holding onto it just under the neck, Rob released the other two ropes. He stroked the horse on the front of his nose, down along his neck, under his chin, speaking to him softly. With every stroke the horse seemed to know there was no danger, and he accepted Rob\u2019s touch and snorted while pawing the ground. When the horse was calm, and continuing to hold him under the neck, Rob walked him around the corral, slowly turning him after every completed circle.<\/p>\n

The men watched in silence and were amazed at the way the horse responded to Rob\u2019s touch and voice. Rob walked with the horse until he felt the stallion was comfortable by Rob\u2019s side, then motioned for the men to bring a saddle. Rob continued to hold the cloth over the stallion\u2019s eyes, stroking and talking softly to him, while two of the men carefully saddled the horse. The youngest of the wranglers, Eddie, smiled and made a comment to Rob. “You take it so personal, it\u2019s not just a job.”<\/p>\n

Rob stopped abruptly, letting go of the horse\u2019s neck, and turned to Eddie. He reached out and grabbed Eddie by the collar, pushing him back against the fence. “What did you say?” Rob\u2019s eyes were on fire. Somewhere he had heard that before, or something like it, and at the time, it had infuriated him. He pressed harder on the Eddie\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

“I….didn\u2019t…..mean anything. It just…..seems you care a lot for the horses,…..that\u2019s all.” Eddie couldn\u2019t breathe. Everyone seemed to be frozen in disbelief at Rob\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n

Al and Charles were the first to react, seperating the two men. “Take it easy, Rob,” said Al, as he pulled Rob off Eddie. “You\u2019re choking him.” Eddie gasped as he finally took air into his lungs.<\/p>\n

Charles grabbed Rob by the arm and led him away. “What did he say to set you off?”<\/p>\n

Rob shook himself loose from Charles\u2019s grasp as they walked toward the gate. “Nothing. I misunderstood what he said.” He looked down at his hands, then back at the man he had choked.\u00a0\u2018It ain\u2019t personal, it\u2019s just a job.\u2019\u00a0<\/i>Rob felt the anger building again, and started to open the gate to go out. Holding onto the latch, he stopped, closing his eyes tightly. Rob felt himself wobble, suddenly losing his balance. He held onto the gate, afraid he was going to fall. Rob realized that whoever had made that comment to him before was the one who had made him so angry. He knew Eddie was not that man.<\/p>\n

When Rob opened his eyes, his focus was back. He glanced at Charles, who was still standing next to him. ” Sorry. I\u2019m sorry.” Rob said, and he shook his head as he patted Charles on the shoulder. He turned and went over to where Eddie was still trying to get his breath back. “I\u2019m sorry,” Rob said, and he offered his hand in an effort to apologize. “It isn\u2019t you, it\u2019s me. No hard feelings?”<\/p>\n

Eddie was confused, but accepted the apology. “Sure, Rob, sure. No hard feelings.”<\/p>\n

“Okay, can we start again? Let\u2019s get back to the stallion?” asked Charles, trying to lighten the mood.<\/p>\n

With that said everyone went back to their job. Two wranglers on horseback, one on either side of the stallion, and Eddie holding onto the rope. Rob mounted slowly, shifting his weight from the left stirrup, easing his right leg over the saddle, positioning his foot in the right stirrup, and finally settling into the seat of the saddle. The horse remained calm. Eddie handed Rob the rope, then gently removed the sack from the stallion\u2019s eyes and quickly stepped back.<\/p>\n

When the stallion realized where he was, and that someone was sitting on him, he broke free and bucked as fiercely as he could to get Rob off his back. He jumped and bucked around the corral, slamming Rob into the boards. The men were encouraging Rob to hold on, and with every circle the horse made around the corral, the men would jump away. Suddenly, as the stallion slammed against the fence for the fourth time, the boards gave way, and Rob and the stallion fell.<\/p>\n

Rob felt the fence give way, it was like slow motion; the sound of the boards cracking, the horse stumbling, falling, its legs kicking overhead, its body trying to get free from the pile of wood. Rob felt himself struggling too.\u00a0Something was holding him down. He was fighting to get away. There was a man on the ground, bleeding.<\/i>\u00a0He needed help.<\/i>\u00a0Then darkness and a brief silence, interupted by voices. “Rob…..Rob.”<\/p>\n

The wranglers quickly got the stallion off Rob and onto its feet . Al and Charles pulled broken boards off Rob, who was buried beneath the rubble. Rob heard himself whisper,\u00a0“Adam,”<\/i>\u00a0and groaned as Charles slowly removed the last board and helped him sit up. Rob opened his eyes, turning his head in every direction, looking for the bleeding man on the ground. There was no one. He tried to get to his feet, but Al held him down while Charles assessed the small cut on his head. He quickly applied pressure to the injured area with his bandana.<\/p>\n

With help, Rob stood slowly, shaking his head. “I\u2019m all right.” He pushed Charles\u2019 hand away. “I\u2019m all right.” He stumbled, and Al steadied him.<\/p>\n

“You\u2019re not all right. You\u2019re bleeding. Come over here and sit down,” Charles insisted, as he and Al led Rob to the tree where their horses were tethered. After they sat Rob down, Al went back to help the men with the frightened horse, and to repair the damaged fence.<\/p>\n

“Talk about stubborn. You\u2019re as bad as that stallion,” laughed Charles. “You were fighting to get him off of you as if there were three men holding you down.”<\/p>\n

“It felt that way,” replied Rob. He pressed his hand against his head wound. “I thought I saw someone else fall.” He looked toward the corral again. “Did someone else try riding him?”<\/p>\n

“No,” Charles shook his head, “there isn\u2019t anyone else stupid enough to try to ride that stallion, but you. You\u2019re lucky he didn\u2019t kill you.”
\nRob nodded. “I guess I tried him too soon. I should have worked him more and waited another day to ride. He\u2019s a magnificent horse, though, tough and strong. He\u2019ll make a great addition to your stock.”<\/p>\n

“You\u2019re crazy,” Charles said, smiling. “He\u2019ll kill all my stock.”<\/p>\n

Rob studied the stallion, kicking in his pen, then smiled back at Charles. “He\u2019s a pussycat.”<\/p>\n

“Yeah, right, a pussycat.” Charles stood, then reached down helping Rob to his feet. “Come on, get yourself over to the house, and let Mary put a bandage on that cut. I\u2019ll finish here and be along shortly. We can talk about an idea I have regarding the night watch.”<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m really all right, Charles.” Rob said as he steadied himself against the tree.<\/p>\n

Charles waved him off. “Sure you are. Go on. We\u2019ve got it covered. You get cleaned up.”<\/p>\n

Rob couldn\u2019t argue very successfully since his vision still hadn\u2019t cleared, so, reluctantly, he mounted and rode slowly toward the house. Every few minutes he stopped to try and focus, but images appeared in a cloudy haze.\u00a0Two horses racing, a ship sailing on a blue sea, a stone fireplace burning, a herd of cattle surrounded in dust, books, a white haired man smoking a pipe, a taller dark haired man, a painted horse, checkers.\u00a0<\/i>With every image, a feeling of familiarity overcame him.\u00a0<\/i>Before he realized\u00a0<\/i>it,\u00a0<\/i>he was back at the ranch, and leading his horse into the barn.<\/p>\n

Rob removed his horse\u2019s saddle, brushed him quickly, and gave him a bucket of oats. He was eager to find his notepad and enter the new information. As he was writing the last of the visions, he heard a noise below. Peering down he saw Jody preparing for his duty of cleaning the stalls and filling buckets of oats for the other horses.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t worry about mine, he\u2019s full already.” Rob waved to the boy as Jody returned the wave.<\/p>\n

“Ma has supper just about ready. Where\u2019s Pa?” Jody called out as he went about his chores.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019ll be along in few minutes.” Rob stuffed the notepad in his back pocket as he climbed down from the loft.<\/p>\n

Jody noticed Rob\u2019s shirt had blood on one side. “What happened?” Then noticed there was also blood on his head and neck.<\/p>\n

Rob then realized he had forgotten to change his shirt and saw concern on the boy\u2019s face. As Rob began to explain what happened, gunshots were heard. One, then another, a second or two of a silence, then three consecutive shots.<\/p>\n

“That was one of the signals. Weber must have started an attack.” Rob quickly closed the barn door, and instructed Jody to get down onto the floor. Rob peered out into the yard from a window facing the house and corral. The shots sounded close, meaning Weber\u2019s men made it through the first line of defense. He didn\u2019t dare try to get to the house with Jody now. He tried to think, but there was more gunfire, and it was getting closer. Then, taking Jody by the arm, he ran to the back of the barn with him. Slightly opening the back door, Rob looked out. No one should be approaching from the back.<\/p>\n

“Listen to me, Jody.” Still holding the boy\u2019s arm, Rob pointed to a wooded area beyond. “You see that stand of trees? It\u2019s about a quarter mile away. Can you run real fast, without stopping, and not look back?”<\/p>\n

Jody looked to where Rob was pointing, but was confused by the question. He blinked and startled with every crack of gunfire. “I guess so, but why?”<\/p>\n

“I want you to run as fast as you can straight to those trees. Don\u2019t stop and don\u2019t look back until you get there. I want you to stay there. Don\u2019t make a sound, and don\u2019t come back until your Pa or me comes to get you. Do you understand?” Rob had one hand under the boy\u2019s chin to keep his attention.<\/p>\n

Tears were starting to fill Jody\u2019s eyes as he nodded. “Uh huh. But what about Ma? She\u2019s alone in the house.”<\/p>\n

Rob got down on one knee, to be at eye level with Jody. “Your Ma will be fine. I\u2019ll get to her as soon as I know you\u2019re in those trees. So you have to hurry. Now, I\u2019m going to stand over there by the window, and when I tell you, you start running. Remember what I said, don\u2019t stop and don\u2019t look back.” Rob looked into Jody eyes with reassurance.<\/p>\n

Jody wrapped his arms around Rob\u2019s neck and hugged him with all of his strength. “I\u2019ll stay there, but what if you don\u2019t come?”<\/p>\n

Rob felt Jody\u2019s heart beating against his own chest, as tears came to his eyes as well. He hugged Jody back, patting him affectionately. “Don\u2019t worry , Jody, everything will be all right. Your Pa or I will come. I promise.” He pulled away and kissed the boy lightly on the forehead. “I promise.” Mussing Jody\u2019s hair, Rob gave him a slight smile. “Are you ready?”<\/p>\n

Jody nodded, and Rob made his way to the front window. Looking out, Rob still didn\u2019t see anything yet, so he gave Jody a wave and off the boy went as fast as he could. Still seeing nothing, but hearing each gunshot get closer and closer, Rob made his way to the back of the barn and watched Jody nearing the trees. Another minute and the boy would be there.<\/p>\n

The next shot Rob heard shattered the front window. Rob ducked down, taking one last look to see Jody disappearing into the trees. Thank God, he was safe, at least for now.<\/p>\n

Peering above the broken window Rob saw a rifle sticking out of the door of the house. Mary was shooting toward the corral. Rob saw two men taking cover behind the water trough. Another two had just entered the yard, dismounting, and running around to the back of the house. Rob knew he had to help Mary, and fast. Those two men would be in the house soon.<\/p>\n

Rob quickly slammed open the door, and while shooting back at the water trough, he ran toward the house. Mary\u2019s shooting had the men pinned down. Rob was almost to the house, with one foot on the porch, when a bullet whizzed by his head. A second bullet tore at his shirt sleeve missing flesh, while a third bullet finally hit its mark, striking him in the right leg entering just above the knee. His leg gave out and he fell against the railing, spinning around to see one of the men kneeling next to the trough ready to fire again. He aimed and fired his pistol. At the same moment Mary shot again through the open door, and the man went down. The second man leaned around from the other side of the trough as Rob fell against the door and into the house. Mary shot back, and the man jumped back behind the trough. Mary shut the door quickly as Rob pulled himself to his feet.<\/p>\n

“Where\u2019s Jody?” Mary asked excitedly, as she bolted the door.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s all right. Go to the window and keep that guy behind the trough,” Rob said as he wedged a chair against the door. “There are two men going around to the back.”<\/p>\n

Rob\u2019s leg was bleeding heavily as he limped toward the kitchen just as one of the men burst through the back door. Rob fired his gun, and the man fell forward nearly toppling Rob to the floor. The second man rushed in immediately behind the man Rob shot, grabbing Rob\u2019s arm and knocking his gun across the floor. Rob swung at the man\u2019s face with his fist, landing a blow to his chin. Recovering, the man threw his body against Rob, knocking them both to the floor. The man grabbed Rob by the collar and dragged him to his feet. Then, hitting him across the cheek with the barrel of his pistol, he knocked Rob to the floor again. Rob was dazed from the blow, his body weak from the loss of blood. He didn\u2019t have the strength to get up.<\/p>\n

Seeing Mary by the window, the man aimed his gun at her. “Put your gun down and move away from the window, Mary.” It was Weber. Mary layed her rifle down and slowly made her way over to where Rob was lying on the floor. As she passed the kitchen table she saw where Rob\u2019s gun had landed when it slid across the floor. While Weber was picking up her rifle, she pretended to stumble and scooped the gun up into her skirt. She helped Rob sit up and leaned him against the wall. Then she knelt down next to him, placing the gun between his back and the wall.<\/p>\n

Weber moved to unbolt the front door, and called out. “It\u2019s all right, Nate, come on in.” He opened the door and let in Nate.<\/p>\n

When Nate entered the room, and Rob saw him, suddenly all the images he had seen in the past made sense. His mind was flooded with memories; the cattle drive, it was his brother surrounded in blood that he kept seeing in his dream, the fight with Luke, falling over the cliff.\u00a0This man ambushed us, and killed my brother.<\/i>\u00a0My brother, Adam.<\/i><\/p>\n

Holding onto Mary, he pulled himself to his feet, nearly collapsing again from weakness, but being careful to hide the gun between him and Mary. He said nothing, but felt the rage inside himself building, coming closer to the surface, as he continued to remember over and over the ambush.\u00a0This man killed my brother.<\/i>\u00a0The image of Adam was branded in his mind.<\/p>\n

“I told you I would see you again,” Weber said to Rob with a scowl on his face. “But, I\u2019m second in line. You see, Nate here, has some unfinished business with you.” Weber continued to hold his gun on Rob and Mary. Mary had a puzzled look on her face as she glanced from Weber to Nate and back to Rob. “Do you know him, Rob?” she whispered. Neither Weber nor Nate heard her.<\/p>\n

“Shhh.” Rob whispered back to her, remembering his brother covered in blood.\u00a0This man killed my brother.<\/i><\/p>\n

Nate stood by the door, staring at Rob. Then realizing he and Weber had all the weapons, Nate laughed and hostered his gun. “I thought you were dead, Cartwright, just like your brother. I watched you fall off that cliff. I needed you alive, but you just had to go after Luke, didn\u2019t you?” Nate mockingly stepped closer to Rob and Mary. “When I saw you the other day, I thought I had seen a ghost. How did you survive that fall anyway?”<\/p>\n

The vivid images of Adam made Rob shake.\u00a0This man killed my brother.\u00a0<\/i>The deepening rage within Rob finally exploded. Shoving Mary aside, Rob raised the gun he was hiding, and shot Weber. Weber crumpled and was dead before his body hit the floor. Rob turned to Nate and fired again. Nothing happened, the gun didn\u2019t go off. Wasting no time, he quickly lunged at Nate before the man could draw his gun. They fell to the floor. Grabbing Nate\u2019s gun with one hand, Rob drew Nate\u2019s head back, pulling at his hair.<\/p>\n

Rob cocked back the trigger of the gun and plunged the barrel into Nate\u2019s mouth. “You…..killed my brother, you…..son of a bitch.” Rob was shouting into Nate\u2019s ear, his blood boiling, his eyes bulging. “Now…..I\u2019m gonna…..kill you…..but I want you…..to taste it first…..I want you…..to feel it…..before I…..blow your brains out.”<\/p>\n

“No, no, please, Cartwright, no,” pleaded Nate.<\/p>\n

Rob\u2019s mind was reeling. He was re-living the ambush again, the blood, the fight, the fall. Rob was breathing so fast, he could hardly speak. His heart beat in his throat. As Rob spoke those words he heard another voice inside, something he had heard before.\u00a0\u2018All right, if you gotta do it, go ahead. Blow his brains out. It\u2019ll only bring you down to the same level as the man you\u2019re gonna kill.\u2019\u00a0<\/i>Rob suddenly felt himself go limp. He felt a coolness return to his face. \u2018…..bring you down…..same level…..\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n

Adam had said those words before. Once before, when Rob was seeking vengence, Adam kept him from killing a man. His older brother made his point then, and he was making his point now. “Damn you, Adam.” Rob whispered, and he released his hold on Nate, throwing him to the floor. “Why are you always right?”<\/p>\n

Rob heard riders coming into the yard. The adrenaline that had given him strength was drained and replaced with exhaustion and utter weakness. Trying to get to his feet, he fell against the wall and slid back down onto the floor.<\/p>\n

Mary heard the riders too. She had picked up her rifle, and was ready to continue defending her home. When she saw that it was Charles and his men, she hurried to Rob\u2019s side, reassuring him that it was safe now. “It\u2019s all right now, Rob. Charles and Al are here.”<\/p>\n

Al and two of the hands lifted Nate off the floor, holding his arms behind his back. “Take him to the bunkhouse, and lock him up with the rest. Then send someone to get the doctor.” Two other men carried Weber out of the house.<\/p>\n

Charles hurried to where Mary was sitting with Rob on the floor. Rob\u2019s face was still bloody from the fall he had taken earlier. His shirt was ripped and soaked in blood, and there was a pool of blood surrounding him from the bullet in his leg. “He killed my brother.” Rob\u2019s voice cracked, and he blinked trying to focus on Charles\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m sorry, Rob.” Charles loosened Rob\u2019s tightly gripped hand from around the handle of the gun. Blood was continuing to flow heavily from the wound. “I need to tie a tourniquet around your leg.” Charles could see that Rob was ready to pass out. “Can you hear me, Rob? Try to stay with me.” Charles took his belt off and wrapped it around Rob\u2019s leg, twisting it tightly.<\/p>\n

“We should lay him down. He\u2019s lost a lot of blood.” Mary said. “Help me get him to the bedroom.”<\/p>\n

The two lifted Rob\u2019s weak body, and layed his arms around their necks.<\/p>\n

“Wait,” murmered Rob. He tried to pull away from them, and he reached out, grabbing Charles\u2019s sleeve. “Jody…..Jody…..I promised…..woods…..hiding…..woods…..” Rob barely got the words out when he collapsed. Together Mary and Charles carried him to the bedroom.<\/p>\n

Keeping the tourniquet tight, Mary began cleaning Rob\u2019s wounds while Charles rode out to find Jody. Charles understood Rob to mean that Jody was hiding in the woods, and the only woods close by were behind the barn. When Jody recognized his father approaching, he ran to him, throwing himself into his father\u2019s arms. “I was so scared, Pa. I kept hearing all those gunshots. But Rob said to stay put, no matter what. So I did. I didn\u2019t move. He said you would come for me. He promised it would be all right.” He smiled and hugged his father.<\/p>\n

While waiting for the doctor, Charles told Mary how Rob\u2019s plan worked. “When Weber got past the outside perimeter, we heard the signal and headed out to help. Most of Weber\u2019s men realized there was no way to escape once they saw the second perimeter of defense, so they gave up their weapons. From where we were approaching we saw only four men get through. Al and I took twelve men and rode to the house as fast as we could, hoping to get here in time.” Charles stared out the window. “I only hope its not too late for Rob. He risked his life for us.”<\/p>\n

“I heard the warning shots too.” Mary answered. “Jody had just gone out to the barn to start his evening chores. I grabbed the rifle, and when I saw the first two men, I just started shooting blindly. I surprised them enough that they took cover behind the water trough. Then Rob came running from the barn. I tried to keep them pinned down so Rob could get to the house, but one of the bullets hit him in the leg. Rob saw the other two sneak around back, and got the first one who came through the door. Before I knew it, though, Weber was taking my rifle. Then this other man said he thought Rob was dead, and called him, Cartwright. Their conversation was confusing. He said that he saw Rob fall off a cliff, and why wasn\u2019t he dead? Rob had enough strength to surprise them, and killed Weber. Something, however, stopped Rob from killing the other man. Rob was so enraged, I thought for sure he was going to kill the man. Then you and Al came in.”<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve suspected Rob was hiding something, but I didn\u2019t want to press him about it. After all he has done for us I didn\u2019t want to sound ungrateful.” Charles said, remembering his earlier incident with Rob. “He went after Eddie today when they were breaking the stallion. I don\u2019t understand what it was about. When Rob got on the stallion, it broke through the fence, and both of them fell to the ground. Rob hit his head pretty hard. Something makes me think maybe Rob isn\u2019t who he says he is. Now you say this man of Weber\u2019s called him Cartwight? It adds to my suspicion.”<\/p>\n

Charles sat on the side of the bed cleaning the dried blood from Rob\u2019s face as he lay unconcious. “But no matter if he\u2019s in trouble or not, I owe him more than I can ever repay. He saved all of our lives.”<\/p>\n

Before the doctor arrived, Charles removed Rob\u2019s bloodied clothing. With Mary\u2019s help, they cleaned him as best as they could. His head was badly bruised, and his face was swollen. His leg, too, was swollen and continued to bleed. The tourniquet was slowing the bleeding, but if the doctor didn\u2019t get there soon, Rob would surely bleed to death.<\/p>\n

When Charles removed Rob\u2019s pants, something fell out of it\u2019s pocket. Charles picked it up. It was the notepad. He had seen Rob writing in it before, at the corral. Rob had quickly slipped it into his pocket when he had seen Charles coming. He put it aside for now, into his shirt pocket, tending to Rob\u2019s leg wound until the doctor arrived. It\u2019s contents were not as important as keeping alive the man he owed everything to.<\/p>\n

When the doctor came he quickly assessed the seriousness of the injury. The doctor soon was asking for clean sheets to be used for bandages and boiling water for sterilizing instruments. “The bullet is lodged next to the artery and has partially cut through it\u2019s lining. I have never tried this before, but I\u2019m going to try stitching the artery to see if it will hold the pressure of the blood flow. We will know after the bullet is removed, and the tourniquet is released, if the procedure works.”<\/p>\n

When the operation was over, the doctor was still worried. “So far, so good. The bleeding is very slow, and I believe it will stop soon. There is still a chance that infection will set in, so we must watch him carefully. Someone should stay with him through the night to make sure he remains still. Any movement of that leg could tear open the stitches, so I am going to keep him sedated just in case he gets uncontrollable in his sleep.”<\/p>\n

While the doctor and Mary cared for Rob, Charles tucked Jody into bed, staying with him until his son was asleep. “You were a brave young man today, Jody. I am very proud of you.”<\/p>\n

Jody yawned as he snuggled next to his father. “Will Rob be all right, Pa? I want him to know I did what he told me to do. I want him to be proud of me too.”<\/p>\n

After Jody was sound asleep, Charles quietly snuck out of the bedroom. As he relaxed in front of the fireplace, Charles rememberd Rob\u2019s notebook. He opened it and slowly read its contents:<\/p>\n

My father is dead. My father? Amos said he was my father.<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/i>Charles stopped reading. What? Amos told Rob he was his father?<\/p>\n

Charles continued:\u00a0I accepted this to be true. Now I find it\u2019s all a lie. According to the information I now have, Amos was not in his right mind for several years. I have found the graves of his wife and son, the mother I thought was mine, and the son that I thought I was. They died within days of each other, and Amos could not accept it. Now it is my turn. How do I accept this? My father? My mother? Who are they? Who were they? I am so full of questions, I don\u2019t know where to begin. But begin I must, and Amos\u2019 sister must know about her brother.<\/i><\/p>\n

My life before waking up by the river, is non-existent. The first memory is just that, the river; so loud it makes my head explode, comforting, it brings me back my senses, soothing to quench my thirst,<\/i>\u00a0confusion about where I am. What happened? How did I get here? Where was I going, and where did I come from?<\/i><\/p>\n

I find Amos\u2019 cabin. He takes care of me, gashes on my head and leg he stitches. I think I dislocated my shoulder, as I can\u2019t use it for several days. He says my name is Rob, and he is my father, that I have been away. He does not say where or for how long. I don\u2019t remember trapping, but he says we have done it all our life. In a dream I keep having, I see a dead man covered in blood. Do I know him? Did I kill him? I am fighting with someone. I can\u2019t see his face, then I am falling. There seems to be no end to the fall, when suddenly I wake up.<\/p>\n

More additions to the dream; I am looking down an embankment at a river below, I hear a gunshot, a man falls off his horse. I feel the dead man is someone I care about, not an enemy. \u2018 Not personal, just a job.\u2019 Someone is holding me down so that I can\u2019t stop the man\u2019s bleeding. I feel hopeless, sadness, anger, frustration. Every emotion is strangling me. I can\u2019t sort it out. I don\u2019t think I will ever remember.<\/i><\/p>\n

New images appear; a gray-haired man, I feel a closeness to. A dark-haired man and I are laughing, a painted horse. Are we racing? A sailing ship on a blue ocean. Checkers. Books. Adam? Why does that name come to mind? Adam.<\/p>\n

<\/i>Charles closed the notebook, and layed it in his lap. Deep in thought, he pieced the story together. Something happened to Rob to make him forget his past, an accident of some kind. Mary said the man called him \u2018Cartwright\u2019. “Rob told me the man killed his brother,” whispered Charles to himself. “The man in the bunkhouse may have the answers to who Rob is. We\u2019ll just see about that.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Colonel Simms and Adam approached the boundary of the Barnett ranch to find a perimeter of men guarding the property. When Barnett\u2019s men realized it was the army, they raised their weapons and hollered with excitement. They all left their posts to tell the Colonel about the events of the day before, and how they were able to capture Weber\u2019s men. They then led the regimen to the house to announce the army\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n

A group of Barnett\u2019s men arrived at the house ahead of the others, and the news spread like wildfire. Nate and the other prisoners knew Weber\u2019s rein was over. Some were ready to tell their stories in hopes their sentences would be light.<\/p>\n

Nate eyed the back window. What Cartwright knew about him would send him to the gallows. The charges against him were the most serious of anyone in that bunkhouse, murder and robbery to name only two. He had to find a way to escape.<\/p>\n

Nate noticed the guard, that had been at the back door, had joined the others in front. Since the news of the Army\u2019s arrival, the guards had all gathered together to share in the news. Nate inched his way slowly toward the back door. With his back to the door, he tried the handle, and found it locked securely. Moving to the window, he saw a clear view away from the ranch. If he could quietly slip out the window, no one would notice he was gone. Even the rest of the men in the bunkhouse weren\u2019t paying any attention to his movement around the room.<\/p>\n

Far away Rob heard sounds, like those of horse\u2019s hooves, squeaking noises like a door makes when it\u2019s opened or closed, gurgling like water being poured into a basin, murmured voices of conversation. Each noise became louder as Rob slowly opened his eyes. Warm sunshine shone through the window of the room onto the bed.<\/p>\n

The voices Rob heard were coming from outside. Rob lifted his head, but couldn\u2019t see high enough out the window. He had to know what was happening. Pieces of the night before were unscrambling in his head, the fight in the house, sending Jody to the woods, the bullet he took in the leg, the shooting of Weber, and the confrontation with Nate. Had Charles and his men gotten to the house in time? Were Mary and Jody all right? His mind was in a fog as he pushed the bedcovers off, swinging his left leg from the bed. His noticed his right leg was bandaged and would not move by itself. He carefully lifted it, and with all of his strength he tried to stand. His head spun, as he leaned back on the bed. The leg was not strong enough to support him. Leaning on the bedpost and supporting himself against the wall, he forced himself to the window. His vision was blurry, but as he concentrated and focused, he could make out a large group of men in military uniforms. What appeared to be two officers dismounted. The rest remained in their saddles. Charles and Mary were walking toward them.<\/p>\n

Relieved, Rob let out a breath. The army was here, everyone was safe. Weber and his men were no longer a threat to them. They and their neighbors could live in peace.<\/p>\n

Looking around the room, Rob saw some clothes folded across the arm of a chair. He picked up the pair of pants and carefully slipped into them. He was groggy, and he felt like he was dreaming. His movements were very slow. He knew he had taken a bullet in the leg, but he felt no pain.<\/p>\n

Rob continued to watch out the window while he fastened his pants. There was a group of men standing outside the bunkhouse, another group gathered by a few horses, and some still mounted in their saddles. Charles and Mary were having a lengthy conversation with two others. He noticed some movement by the back of the bunkhouse. There was a man climbing out the window. He vision still blurry, he squinted to focus. There was no guard there. He recognized the man\u2019s jacket. The man who killed Adam was escaping.<\/p>\n

Without a shirt or boots Rob stumbled out of the bedroom, grabbing onto anything he could to keep from falling. His leg was beginning to throb now. He saw that there was no one in the house. He tired to shout. “He\u2019s getting away.” Rob\u2019s throat was dry, and his voice was barely a whisper, but no one heard him. Remembering where the gunrack was, he grabbed a rifle and headed toward the front door, knocking over a chair on the way. The doctor and Jody were standing on the porch when Rob came out of the house. Rob raised the rifle, aimed wobbily and shot in the direction of the fleeing man.<\/p>\n

Everyone scrambled, diving for cover, men dismounting from their horses, horses rearing, men drawing guns, Charles shielding Mary, the doctor shielding Jody. Everyone drew on the man, standing on the porch with the rifle. The man running from the bunkhouse stopped.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t shoot. Colonel, tell your men not to shoot.” Charles shouted and quickly ran toward the house. “Rob, it\u2019s okay. You can put the gun down.” He stopped running and slowly approached Rob, trying not to startle him.<\/p>\n

The doctor tried to reason with Rob too. “Your leg, young man, you\u2019ll tear the wound open. Please come back inside.” The doctor took a step toward Rob. “The army is here now. They have everything under control.”<\/p>\n

Adam was quite a distance away from the house, but something made him move toward the man with the rifle. He was familiar somehow, his stance, even the way he held the rifle. He had to get a closer look. Adam slowly inched his way nearer. The closer he got the faster he moved. His thoughts jumbled. They are calling him Rob, so it can\u2019t be. No. We buried him. It couldn\u2019t be. It\u2019s been nearly a year. Joe?\u00a0<\/i>Adam could feel his heart beating loudly in his chest.<\/p>\n

Rob missed with his first shot. Nate stopped, his hands held high in the air. Rob stepped down off the porch, almost losing his balance, but keeping the rifle steadily sighted on Nate. Rob\u2019s leg was bleeding again, his head whirling, but his vision was clearly focused on the man in his sights. He couldn\u2019t see or hear anything else around him. He moved closer to Nate. “You killed my brother.” Rob\u2019s voice was barely audible.<\/p>\n

“Joe.” Adam yelled his brother\u2019s name as loud as he could. Charles turned his head around as Adam came up and stood next to him.<\/p>\n

He heard someone call out, but it wasn\u2019t \u2018Rob\u2019. It wasn\u2019t the name he had known for the last year. It was his own name, Joe.\u00a0Someone called me Joe. Who\u2019s calling me Joe?\u00a0<\/i>The distraction caused him to lose his focus. Tears began to fill his eyes as he remembered again trying to help his dying brother.<\/p>\n

“Joe.” Again Adam tried to get his brother\u2019s attention. He took a step closer, then another. Colonel Simms moved in the direction of Nate.<\/p>\n

Again Joe heard his name being called, \u2018Joe\u2019. He was aware now of others around him. He felt pain in his leg, he didn\u2019t think he could stand any longer. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone approaching him. Turning his body, he pointed the rifle in Adam\u2019s direction. “Don\u2019t come any closer.” Adam stopped and Joe turned again to face Nate. He saw that Colonel Simms had Nate now and was escorting him back to the bunkhouse. Joe faced Adam again with the rifle still leveled.<\/p>\n

Adam could see Joe was hurting, he was drenched in sweat, and it was obvious he was about to collapse. His leg was bleeding. “Joe, look at me. It\u2019s me, it\u2019s Adam.” He took another step closer.<\/p>\n

“He killed my brother,” said Joe, and his arms started to shake with the weight of the rifle, still not recognizing Adam.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s all right, now. Everything will be all right. Put down the rifle.” Adam reached out his hand to take the rifle away.<\/p>\n

Joe stepped back.<\/p>\n

Again Adam tried to reach his brother\u2019s conciousness. “Look at me, Joe. It\u2019s me, Adam. He didn\u2019t kill me. I\u2019m right here.” He reached toward Joe with his hand.<\/p>\n

Joe lowered the rifle. He took a step forward. He reached out with his hand and touched Adam\u2019s. “Adam? Adam, it is you. I…..saw you…..” Joe\u2019s legs finally gave out, and he crumpled into his brother\u2019s arms. Adam scooped Joe up and carried him into the house. Charles led the way and showed Adam to Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

“Adam? Adam?” Joe was losing conciousness again. The fever and loss of blood was draining his body of any strength he had left. “I\u2019m sorry…..I tried to…..help…..couldn\u2019t get to you…..” Joe\u2019s grip on Adam\u2019s hand weakened as his eyes slowly closed. “Don\u2019t leave…..don\u2019t leave.”<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face was washed in tears as they streamed down his checks. “I\u2019m here, Joe, right here. I won\u2019t leave.” He held fast to Joe\u2019s hand, as the doctor once again, worked on Joe\u2019s leg to stop the bleeding.<\/p>\n

With Joe sedated again, Adam joined Charles, Mary and Colonel Simms in the living room. Adam sat in a chair and layed his face in his hands. His eyes were red, and he clearly was as confused as everyone else.<\/p>\n

Charles stood and walked to Adam, handing him the notebook, and laying his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder to comfort him. “Before anything is said, I think you should read this. It might answer some questions. It answered most of mine.”<\/p>\n

Adam opened the book and immediately recognized Joe\u2019s handwriting. It didn\u2019t take him long to understand, and when he looked up, Charles was there with a pot of coffee. Colonel Simms had gone out to check on his men and the prisoners. The doctor had gone back to check on his patient, and Mary was cleaning up the kitchen.<\/p>\n

“What he must have been going through all this time, I can\u2019t even imagine.” Adam stared at the contents of his brother\u2019s book, shaking his head. “Wondering all this time who he must be, what happened to him, where would he go, how could he find his past, who could he trust?” Adam rubbed his tired eyes. “Joe, my God, he\u2019s alive. My brother is alive.”<\/p>\n

“Joe\u2019s probably wondering the same thing about you. He thought you were dead too.” Charles offered Adam some coffee, then added another log to the fire. “I have to tell you, you\u2019re brother saved the life of everyone on this ranch, especially my son and my wife. He chose to stay and help plan a defense against Weber and his gang. He risked his life, and I owe him everything. I can never repay the kindness he had shown. I pray he will be all right, Adam.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The next two days were long ones for Adam. Since Joe\u2019s condition continued to be serious, he didn\u2019t quite know what to tell his father. He did believe, however, that Ben should come to Folsom. So, he sent a telegram, but did not tell him about Joe. He only said that everything was all right, that he would be delayed, that there was a situation at the ranch where he was needed, and could Ben come. He told his father he would be waiting to hear from him, and would meet him in Folsom on the stage as soon as he arrived.<\/p>\n

Sitting at Joe\u2019s bedside was heart wrenching for Adam. Watching his brother struggle with fever and pain was almost too much to bear. The doctor had managed to stop the bleeding again, but as much blood as Joe had lost, he could not guarantee that Joe would live. Adam could only hold his hand, and try to reassure Joe that his brother was not dead, and that their father was on his way.<\/p>\n

“Joe, remember the time when you climbed Eagle\u2019s Nest and couldn\u2019t get down? Pa climbed up to get you, remember?” Adam talked for hours, on the off chance that his brother could hear him. “He\u2019ll be here soon, so you have to hold on, just like you held on before.”<\/p>\n

On the evening of the second day, Joe\u2019s fever broke, and he had a peaceful night\u2019s sleep without the need of a sedative. Everyone in the house slept well that night, knowing that Joe\u2019s chances of survival were much better.<\/p>\n

In the morning, when he opened his eyes, Joe found Adam sleeping in a chair next to his bed. He reached over touching Adam\u2019s hand, making sure he was real and not another dream. Adam awakened and, leaning toward his brother, he laid his hand across Joe\u2019s forehead. He was cool to the touch, and all Adam could say was “Hi.”<\/p>\n

“Hi,” answered Joe. He tried shifting his body, but was still too weak to move.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t try moving yet, Joe. The wound in your leg was very bad. You don\u2019t want it to re-open.” Adam held him down gently by his shoulders.<\/p>\n

“Adam, I don\u2019t understand.” There was a pause while Joe took a deep breath. “I thought…..you were….. dead…..”<\/p>\n

Adam interupted. “I know. Pa and I thought the same thing about you. But let\u2019s not talk about it right now. You have to save your strength and get better. There will be plenty of time for talking when your stronger.”<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes were heavy, and they opened and closed weakly. He hardly had the strength to breathe let alone talk, but he still tried to speak. “Adam, you were hurt bad. You were bleeding so much.”<\/p>\n

“Yes, but I\u2019m okay now.”<\/p>\n

“How\u2019s Pa?” Joe\u2019s voice was barely a whisper.<\/p>\n

“You\u2019re not going to be quiet, are you?” Adam smiled now, knowing that Joe was going to be all right.<\/p>\n

“No,” said Joe with a faint smile now.<\/p>\n

“Okay, but I\u2019ll do the talking. You close your eyes and just listen.”<\/p>\n

Joe obediently closed his eyes, and Adam proceeded to tell Joe the story; the unfolding of the investigation of the ambush, the attempted robbery of the Carson City bank, Adam\u2019s injury and recovery, and how Adam and Ben were coping after the supposed death of Joe.<\/p>\n

Adam kept to the facts to keep the story short, seeing how Joe was wavering in and out of conciousness. Just when he thought Joe was asleep, Adam began to loosen his grip on Joe\u2019s hand, but Joe startled himself awake, insisting that Adam continue with the story.<\/p>\n

After a few more minutes, Joe fell back to sleep. Adam continued to watch his brother. He was breathing better now, and there was color back in his face. He pulled the blanket up and tucked it around Joe\u2019s shoulders. Standing to stretch his legs, Adam walked to the window, and looking to the sky he said a silent prayer.<\/p>\n

Throughout the next two days and into each evening, Joe\u2019s awake time outlasted his sleep time. Joe confirmed and elaborated on the notebook entries. He gave a statement to Colonel Simms, which the Colonel assured gave enough evidence for a conviction.<\/p>\n

On the third day Adam drove the Barnett\u2019s buggy into Folsom to meet his father. He was so anxious to tell Ben the news he almost blurted it out as soon as he stepped off the stage. They gave one another a bear hug, each as relieved to see the other. “Come on, Pa, I\u2019ve got to get right back to the ranch.”<\/p>\n

“What is going on here that they need your help, Adam?” asked Ben as Adam tossed his father\u2019s bag in the back of the buggy.<\/p>\n

As they rode out of town, Adam told his father about the illness the rest of the men in the regimen came down with, and that when he got to Fort McKay, Colonel Simms enlisted his help again. “By the time time we got to the ranch, the trouble was over, and the men Simms had come to arrest were all ready locked up.”<\/p>\n

Ben was still a bit puzzled. “But if everything was taken care of, why are you still here?”<\/p>\n

Adam stopped the buggy in a shaded area and set the break. “I have to stretch my legs for just a minute.” He had organized his thoughts earlier, but now his mind was a blank.<\/p>\n

Ben got down too. “Are you sure everything is all right?”<\/p>\n

“Yea, Pa, but I think you\u2019d better sit down.” Adam was nervously rubbing his hands together.<\/p>\n

“Okay, you obviously have something to say.” said Ben as he sat on a tree stump. “There, I\u2019m sitting.”<\/p>\n

Adam sat opposite his father. “Joe\u2019s not dead, Pa.” Adam waited for a reaction.<\/p>\n

Ben reached out and took Adam by his shoulders. “Adam, I know you\u2019ve had a difficult time accepting…..”<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve seen him, Pa.” Adam responded by grabbing his father\u2019s shoulders. “I\u2019ve talked to him, I\u2019ve touched him, he\u2019s alive, and he\u2019s here at the C&M Ranch.”<\/p>\n

“Adam, what are you saying?” Ben was in shock.<\/p>\n

“Joe fell over that cliff by the river, and couldn\u2019t remember anything. He ended up here just a short time ago, after living with a sick old man all last year. The old man was so sick, he thought Joe was his son, and Joe believed him. Joe was the one who helped capture Weber\u2019s gang…..” All of Adam\u2019s rehearsed thoughts spilled out in a scrambled mess, as he tried to piece the story together for his father to understand. “…..and the reason we didn\u2019t leave for home right away was because…..because Joe\u2019s been hurt. He lost a lot of blood when a bullet damaged an artery in his leg.”<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face was flushed, and he thought he would pass out if he didn\u2019t move his legs. So he stood and started walking toward the entrance to the ranch. After a few steps he began to run.<\/p>\n

Adam caught up to him. “Pa, Joe\u2019s all right. He\u2019s going to be fine, really. Now get in the buggy, it will be faster.” He smiled at his father.<\/p>\n

Ben hugged his son tightly and tears rolled down his cheeks, as they jumped back into the buggy and raced to the ranch.<\/p>\n

When Adam and Ben pulled up to the porch of the house, Charles and Mary were there to meet them. “Mr. Cartwright, please come in. Your son has been very anxious to see you.”<\/p>\n

Adam entered the bedroom first, knowing Joe wanted to be awakened as soon as they arrived. He quietly bent over and touched Joe on the shoulder. “Joe, there\u2019s someone here to see you,” he whispered.<\/p>\n

As Joe opened his eyes he saw the tear-stained face of the father he knew, the white-haired man from his dream. “Pa.” He tried to push himself up, but still wasn\u2019t strong enough yet, and started to fall back against the pillows.<\/p>\n

Ben reached out, and lifted Joe forward, holding him tight. They held each other for a very long time, not speaking. No one spoke. No words needed to be said. Everything would be all right.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Synopsis:\u00a0 Following Hoss’s death, Adam returns to run the ranch with Joe and their father. After an ambush goes wrong, the brothers are separated, one severely wounded, the other lost.
\nRating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 (31,225 Words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12436,"featured_media":41001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,698],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-post-timeline","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-698-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49497","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49497"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49497\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49497"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}