Summary: This is a story that relates events prior to the episode The Avenger, and explains how and why Adam and Ben were arrested and sentenced to hang.<\/p>\n
Rated: K+ (53,215 words)<\/p>\n
The final page contains comments\/reviews from the Old BonanzaBrand Library.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Good Day for a Hanging<\/strong><\/p>\n I found the letter today. It was in my brother\u2019s pocket where he had left it all those years ago and forgotten all about it. I had never been able to figure out why he hadn\u2019t worn that particular shirt again. Perhaps it was the stink of the cell that hit his nostrils whenever he picked it up. Maybe he just plain forgot the letter was there and because of what that shirt represented didn\u2019t want to touch it again. Well, I could seldom read his mind years ago so no point in trying now when he\u2019s not here to ask anyway.<\/p>\n The envelope was dingy and slightly mottled by damp caused, I guess, by years of lying neglected in the old tin trunk. I just stared at the lettering there To Joe and Hoss Cartwright and wondered when it had been written. The paper inside was still white and crisp but the creases were so deep that the letter nearly slipped into pieces in my hand. I set it down and turned up the lamp light so that I could read its contents.<\/p>\n Strange – after all these years and despite all the events that have taken place in my life, and in my brother\u2019s lives, the events that led up to that letter being written still stands out fresh in my mind and sends shivers down my back. Sometimes I dream about it, that nightmare time. Yes, truly, a nightmare time.<\/p>\n I had to sit down as I read the letter because the strength had gone from my legs. My throat went dry and I could recall, so clearly, right back to the beginning, when it all started going wrong and the events tumbled one after another to what seemed to be certain death for my father and my brother, Adam.<\/p>\n Chapter 1.<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam Cartwright each took up their share of the groceries from the counter and turned to leave the store. It was a pleasant day, late spring and the promise of summer about to burgeon . Both men had been out of town some time with their father and brother taking cattle down to Yuma and while the other two men had elected to ride home Hoss and Adam came to town to get the groceries and collect the mail.<\/p>\n They were tired, ached in every bone, and felt in great need of a bath and fresh clothes. Adam carefully put his items into the back of the wagon and pulled off his black and white bandana to wipe around his neck \u201cYou know, Hoss, Pa and Joe will be getting the first baths back home.\u201d he observed with a slight pout of the lips.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you can bet your sweet life on that, why\u2019d you think they were so eager to git back and leave us with the wagon and the chores.\u201d Hoss removed his hat and waved it too and fro in front of his face. \u201cHow about a cold beer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s more groceries to collect yet, and mail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWal, I\u2019ll git the groceries while you collect the mail – then we\u2019ll go git a cold beer at Gils.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and turned in the direction of the Mail Office, then paused and tapped his brother on the shoulder \u201cHow about we get ourselves some clean clothes and grab a bath here?\u201d he nodded over in the direction of the public baths and raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds good to me, s\u2019long as I git myself a cold beer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh, my pants are so stiff from dust and sweat they could stand upright without any help from me,\u201d Adam stretched his shoulders and groaned \u201cWas it my imagination or were those cows more stubborn and stupid than usual?\u201d<\/p>\n With a grin they returned to the store and browsed along the clothing section, selecting the garments they needed and walking back to the counter. Adam, in turning happened to clash elbows with a man walking in the opposite direction who stopped in mid-stride to give him a long cold eyed stare, \u201cEr – my apologies -\u201d Adam attempted a half smile although his eyes were wary for the body language of this stranger in town didn\u2019t bode well. His eyes slid from right to left as various other customers suddenly either froze in their tracks or headed for the door, \u201cI – er\u2019um – didn\u2019t actually see you coming and having my hands full\u2026 you know how it is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re one of those Cartwrights, aren\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam lowered his packages back onto the counter, slowly, narrowed his eyes and surveyed the man standing like an angry bull in front of him, a big man in that he was running to fat, his gun belt was slung low to accommodate his belly. He drew himself up taller, and looked Adam up and down, \u201cYeah, you\u2019re one of those Cartwrights, all right, I could smell you as soon as I walked though the door.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Adam drawled with ice in his voice, \u201cYou\u2019ll have to tell me more about that some time. Now, if you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to -\u201d<\/p>\n The gun pointing at him stopped him from talking. He stepped back a pace and glanced round the store. The bell tinkled as someone came in and tinkled again as they promptly departed. He nodded \u201cAlright, so you want to make an argument about it -\u201d he shrugged \u201cIt might be better if we carried the fight out into the street rather than here where folk could get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n The fat man looked Adam up and down and grinned, \u201cWhy? You scared I might miss? Not from this range I won\u2019t \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The barrel of a gun jabbed into his spine made the smile slip, he stared at Adam who raised his eyebrows and shrugged \u201cAnother Cartwright, one you obviously didn\u2019t smell earlier.\u201d he plucked the gun from the mans hand, \u201cThanks, Hoss.\u201d he nodded over to his brother who now put a heavy hand on the fat man\u2019s shoulder, \u201cNow, I think it may be better if you just turned around and removed your little self from here, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou ain\u2019t seen the last of me, Cartwright. You jest remember that I warned you, me and the boys will come and fix you for good one of these days.\u201d he twisted his head to look back at Hoss, now easy as his neck was thick , \u201cAnd that goes for you too, fat boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFAT!\u201d Hoss roared, stepping another pace closer and glaring down at the other man, \u201cJest who are you calling fat, Mister?\u201d<\/p>\n The other man glanced nervously around, his piggy eyes flickered left to right, but there was no one of his accomplices in the store only a few stalwart individuals who had been too scared to move one way or the other. Hoss\u2019 hand grabbed at his shirt, and he was bodily moved to stare into Hoss\u2019 blue eyes that now bore down into his own, \u201cYou should be a mite more careful jest who you go around calling fat, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n He could see now that Hoss\u2019 size was due more to muscle than any fat, which was more than could have been said for him, he gulped, \u201cLook, I didn\u2019t realise it was you, I ain\u2019t seen you before in my life, have I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s right, and you\u2019d best make sure I don\u2019t git to see you again for the rest of mine,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cNow you jest collect up your hat and move on outa here.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and found Adam watching him with a slight smirk on his face and the hat in his hands which he shoved over to him, \u201cMy brothers tired, and hungry, and we\u2019ve been travelling a long time, Mister, so you had better do just what he says and go.\u201d<\/p>\n Snatching up his hat he glanced warily at the two brothers before hurrying to the door at which he turned to look back at them both \u201cI won\u2019t forget who you are,\u201d he blustered, \u201cI\u2019ll wipe that smirk off\u2019n your face, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n The bell tinkled and the door slammed shut. Suddenly people began to move again, as though able to breathe at last. Adam looked at Hoss and raised an eyebrow, \u201cSeems to me something strange is going on here, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. That\u2019s what I was thinking too, Adam.\u201d Hoss shivered as he slipped his gun back into its holster, \u201cY\u2019know, even the thought of a cold beer at Gils has lost its appeal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMmm, so has the bath. Let\u2019s get our groceries and get home.\u201d Adam sighed and looked at Ed Deacon, who, with both his hands splayed out on the counter, looked like a scared rabbit, \u201cYou alright, Ed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes, certainly. Thank you, Adam.\u201d Deacon, an elderly man who had taken over Cass\u2019 store only a year previously swallowed, cleared his throat and looked down at the remaining groceries on the counter, which Hoss was now loading into a box, he shook his head, \u201cThat could have been very unpleasant, Bert Fuller doesn\u2019t usually back down like that .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did outnumber him, Mr. Deacon.\u201d Hoss grinned as he thumbed back his hat.<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t usual for him to be alone, they usually hunt in packs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho do?\u201d Adam leaned forwards \u201cWhat exactly has been going on, Ed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish I knew, Adam.\u201d the old man shook his head, \u201cI tell you, I\u2019m seriously thinking of -\u201d he lowered his voice so as not to be overheard by the other customers still in the store, \u201cI\u2019m thinking of selling up and cutting my losses and going back east.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam shot a look at one another and then Adam shrugged \u201cYou don\u2019t want to be doing that, Ed, Virginia City\u2019s a good town, with decent people, you don\u2019t really mean that, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened and the bell tinkled overhead, Ed Deacon looked nervously over at the door and then mumbled the amount the Ponderosa bill came to, snatched the notes from Adams fingers and hurried to give him change.<\/p>\n At the door a dark featured man stood with his hands resting on his gun belt. He was smartly dressed, his boots well polished and he wore a beige hat. He was far from good looking having the blackest brows over the meanest eyes the brothers had confronted in a long time. A mean mouth and a lantern jaw completed the look. Hoss hefted up the box and nodded to Deacon and walked to the door \u201cExcuse me, mister, if\u2019n you\u2019d jest step to one side.\u201d<\/p>\n He spoke politely but couldn\u2019t prevent an edge to the words for the man looked like trouble and Hoss felt that it wouldn\u2019t take much for him to see something in anything that was said that would bring about a fight of sorts, but the man stepped to one side and even held the door open for Hoss to step through. \u201cThank you, mister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHawkins.\u201d the man said slowly, then looked at Adam \u201cYou just remember that name, Cy Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAny particular reason why we should?\u201d Adam asked in the tone of voice that made Hoss cringe, indicating that his brother was now irritated and his temper was on a very short fuse.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, plenty reason, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Hawkins stepped back several paces, the palm of his hand settled on his gun handle, \u201cYou\u2019ll find out more as time goes by.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked down his nose at him as though he had picked up an unpleasant smell, nodded curtly and left the store.<\/p>\n \u201cReckon he\u2019s a pal of Fullers?\u201d Hoss muttered as he settled the box of staples into the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cMmm, more likely Fuller\u2019s boss.\u201d Adam drew in his bottom lip in a hiss of annoyance, \u201cI\u2019m going to have a chat with Roy, it isn\u2019t like him to have let men like them loose in town for long enough for them to feel comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n The sheriff\u2019s office was snug and warm, the smell of coffee as welcoming as it always was, and both men stepped into the room expecting to see the familiar sight of Roy Coffee at the desk. They were surprised to see someone completely different. Adam removed his hat, \u201cRoy anywhere around?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCoffee ain\u2019t here, Mister.\u201d the man pushed back the chair and stood up, \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright and this is my brother, Hoss. We – er – we\u2019ve been away from town for some weeks on a trail run and just got back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCartwrights? From the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam looked at one another and then nodded, \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Adam replied without moving from the doorway, \u201cAnd do you mind telling us who you are? And where Roy is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m the sheriff here, been in charge for the past six weeks. Coffee was injured in a gun fight over at the Sazarac some time back and is on sick leave. He\u2019s in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSacramento? What\u2019s he doing there?\u201d Hoss\u2019 eyes widened, he had never heard Roy mention that he knew anyone in Sacramento.<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Martin recommended the hospital there, and after he left he went to stay with some family.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss looked at one another, from the look on Adams face it was clear that he had never heard mention of any friends of Roys in Sacramento either. He released his breath \u201cAnd so you took over his duties?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe names Hanson. I was sent over by the U.S. Marshal in Placerville once we heard that Coffee had been injured, and that there were problems brewing here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems to me them problems are more than brewing, sheriff. Seems to me they\u2019re jest about full blown.\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s your opinion.\u201d Hanson replied tersely and sat down, picked up some papers which he looked at with the obvious intention of letting them know he had nothing more to say to them.<\/p>\n The brothers stood side by side outside the sheriffs and glanced up and down the street. Both wondered if they were imagining it but the feeling in town just wasn\u2019t the familiar comfortable kind they usually felt when riding in for any reason. Hoss pulled his hat back to shade his eyes, \u201cLet\u2019s go and see Paul Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n The doctor looked wearily up at them as they stepped into the surgery, then pleasure lit up the sombre face and he came and shook their hands \u201cWell now, when did you two get back ? Is your Pa and Joe here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey went straight on home, we came to get some groceries.\u201d Hoss explained while Adam strolled to the window to look out onto the street. \u201cWhat\u2019s this about Roy Coffee getting shot, Dr Martin?\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Martin released a long sigh and shook his head, \u201cThought he was going to die on me.\u201d he said quietly, \u201cIt was touch and go for some days I can tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d it happen?\u201d Adam asked turning slightly from his overview of the street.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down and I\u2019ll tell you.\u201d Paul put down his pen and resumed his seat, \u201cIt must have been about a week after you boys left the Ponderosa when it happened. For a while Roy had noticed that there were more drifters coming into town and not drifting back on. There seemed to be trouble every night, shoot ups, rowdiness that got out of hand, not the usual stupidity we\u2019re used to from drunken cowboys or miners. These men weren\u2019t just drifters either, they knew one another, and wherever they went there was trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt would always start with a kind of bullying, several men going to a games table and making accusations about cheating, then the inevitable shooting down of whom others swore were innocent men. I couldn\u2019t save \u2018em all. Girls in the saloons were being roughed up. Remember little Milly at Gils Saloon \u2026 found her in an alley one morning, not a pleasant sight, poor little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean Milly Georgeson?\u201d Hoss leaned forward as though not believing what he was hearing.<\/p>\n \u201cDead?\u201d Adam asked bluntly.<\/p>\n Paul nodded, \u201cRaped, and left for dead. Poor girl, she died in that alley all alone during the night.\u201d<\/p>\n The brothers looked at each other, Hoss lowered his head, shook it slowly, while Adam bit down on his bottom lip and passed a hand over his face, \u201cWhat did Roy do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a good sheriff is expected to do, he got his deputies and went hunting the men down who did it.\u201d Paul picked up his pen and rolled it between his fingers, \u201cMore drifters drifted in, and stayed. Then we got to realise a man called Cy Hawkins was their boss. A mean cold sadist if ever there was one.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss didn\u2019t bother to ask what a sadist was, the first two words were sufficient for him especially as he could put them with the man they had already met. He looked at Adam who was staring out of the window again, Paul cleared his throat, \u201cWell, Roy went into Gils Saloon one evening, flanked by two deputies, he went up to Hawkins and demanded to talk to him over at the jail house, Hawkins refused, Roy demanded again and the next thing -.\u201d Paul, in an involuntarily movement, clasped his hands together as though in prayer, \u201cThey brought Roy here and one of the deputies. The other deputy was taken directly over to Jenkins, the Undertaker.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t anyone do anything?\u201d Hoss swallowed a gulp, \u201cI – I mean , didn\u2019t nobody help Roy out, give him some backing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGil the bar keep had a gun levelled at his head throughout, anyone who dared to move, or put a hand near their gun found themselves covered by someone with a gun aimed at them. The girls were terrified, seeing Roy gunned down like that \u2026\u201d his voice trailed off as though his memory had returned to that evening, to the sights and sounds of a horror he\u2019d not expected to see in Virginia City.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you packed Roy off to a hospital in Sacramento?\u201d Adam perched himself on the corner of Pauls desk, \u201cWas he that ill?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had to get him out of here, Adam. It was the only ruse I could think of, and thankfully it worked. He was out of danger by then, but determined to nail Hawkins and his gang. He wasn\u2019t capable of doing that anymore. No one wanted -\u201d he drew in his breath \u201cWell, no one has the courage to stand up to Hawkins anymore. He\u2019d get no support or help. I sent him to friends of mine with strict instructions to them to keep him there until I cabled for him to get back.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and stood up, \u201cI think you\u2019ve some visitors, Doctor. They look pretty healthy to me, so I think it might be better if we left by the back door.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul glanced over and out of the window and nodded, \u201cYeah, they\u2019re two of Hawkins men, Harry and Frank, cousins if I recall rightly. You know your way out? Give Joe and your Pa my regards.\u201d<\/p>\n They shook hands and without a word Adam and Hoss slipped out of the back door. Once the door was closed behind them Adam leaned against it in an attempt to hear what was being said but the voices were muffled and with a shake of the head he had to follow his brother back to the wagon.<\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/p>\n Ben and Joe Cartwright listened attentively to all that Adam and Hoss had to tell them about the situation in town. They asked no questions, made no interruptions, as the story was spun out to its end. After a silence of some seconds Joe turned his back on them and stared at the floor \u201cI can\u2019t believe anyone would hurt Milly like that? She was just a kid, just a young kid?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe people we knew in town wouldn\u2019t have done anything like that, but there are men in town now that we don\u2019t know, and it seems that is just what they are capable of, Joe.\u201d Adam sighed and looked at his father, \u201cHawkins, whatever he has done in his past, has a reputation, he must have to get so many men riding with him. He struck me as an organised man, professional, he knows what he wants and he\u2019ll go all out to get it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd in the meantime no one does anything about it.\u201d Joe snapped, turning round to face them with his hazel eyes hard with anger.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy tried, nearly got himself killed.\u201d Adam reminded him quietly, and then he looked back at Ben, \u201cI\u2019m not sure about Hanson. I don\u2019t know whether he\u2019s part of Hawkins crowd or just too weak to stand up to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm\u201d Ben tugged at his ear lobe and walked to wards his chair, \u201cWell, I\u2019d like to talk to this Hanson, and find out what he knows about Hawkins. If the man has a past then the law should know what it is, and could be somewhere in that past we could find something, or someone, that could put an end to all this.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss scratched his head, \u201cWal, he\u2019s only been here a few weeks and seems to have got himself real comfortable in our nice little town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcept it ain\u2019t a nice little town anymore, is it?\u201d Joe said coldly his hands on his hips as he glared at each one of them.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no point in getting angry with us, Joe.\u201d Adam raised his chin and narrowed his eyes, \u201cThere was nothing we could do to change things while we were there today. As it was we only just managed to get out of town without a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sighed and sat down on the settee, for a moment Ben stared at him as his mind turned over and over the things that he had been told, suddenly he seemed to snap alert, glared at Hoss and immediately bellowed: \u201cHoss, get up off there, you both smell like you\u2019ve brought the whole cattle herd into the house, go get yourself cleaned up, you as well Adam, then we\u2019ll talk some more about this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d Hoss gulped, and replaced the apple he had taken from the dish, glanced over at Adam who merely raised his eyebrows and led the way out of the room to where Hop Sing had prepared two tubs for them to bath in.<\/p>\n Ben now turned to Joe \u201cAnd you can calm down, young man. Losing your temper with your brothers isn\u2019t going to be any help to anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s lips tightened into a button of protest, he snorted derisively down his nose and then shook his head, \u201cI\u2019m just finding it hard to believe that the man – or men – who hurt – killed – little Milly is still walking around town. And all those people like sheep there, just waiting to be led to the slaughter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know that, Joe.\u201d Ben reached for his pipe and then withdrew his hand as he remembered they had yet to have supper, he preferred to smoke after he had eaten. He turned to where Hoss had left the mail and began to sift through them \u201cI can\u2019t believe that Roy wouldn\u2019t have sent me something to let me know what had been going on here. I\u2019d have thought he\u2019d have left a note of some kind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what Adam and Hoss said it doesn\u2019t sound as though he would be in a condition to be writing letters, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben said nothing but carefully scanned each envelope before he put them down and began to pace the floor, \u201cWell, we\u2019ve gone through this kind of thing before, son. Remember Fulmer? And Bryant?\u201d he shook his head and forced a somewhat mirthless smile \u201cI still get a kind of tight feeling in the throat when I recall him.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded and slid down into a chair, he stared at the logs in the fireplace and then looked at his father, \u201cSomehow I get the feeling that Hawkins is a completely different kind of man to them, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe you\u2019re right.\u201d Ben returned to looking through the envelopes, \u201cFulmer struck at the town through politics, that was his agenda. Bryant was just a bully who amassed other bullies, he didn\u2019t really have an agenda except to cause trouble. Hawkins -seems from what Adam says, if he is organised, then he has got a plan, a reason for being here and doing what he\u2019s doing, apart from causing trouble that is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe obviously doesn\u2019t care about what his men do or how they do it.\u201d Joe muttered and slumped back into the settee.<\/p>\n Hoss slipped a little deeper into the tub before ducking down and scrubbing at his hair, then emerging again sending streams of water to spill over the floor. He spluttered and flapped his hands about \u201cDoggone, I jest hate that – soap in my eyes -\u201d he found the towel and rubbed his face and then looked over at Adam \u201cYou alright?\u201d he wiped soap out of his ears \u201cYou\u2019re mighty quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, sure, thinking, I should have known.\u201d Hoss sighed \u201cAdam, anyone tell you that you think louder than anyone else I know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot recently.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWal, you do. You thinking about that Hawkins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh-huh\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, mean looking critter weren\u2019t he? Odd face. Kinda weird looking if you know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam said nothing but sighed and picked up the soap to lather over his body. He sunk down lower into the water so that it was lapping at his chin, he closed his eyes. \u201cI hope Dr Martin was alright after we left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, they wouldn\u2019t hurt him none, would they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I mean – would they?\u201d Adam shook his head, black wet hair curled around his ears, he rubbed his chin and felt stubble beneath his fingers, he sighed again and reached for a towel, \u201cIt can\u2019t go on, Hoss, it just won\u2019t do to let a man like Hawkins think he\u2019s got too much power in town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh, I think it\u2019s already too late to be worrying about that.\u201d Hoss grunted as he stood up with the towel girded around his middle, \u201cHe knows he\u2019s got that already!\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n The knocking on the door came just as they were taking their cups of coffee to the low table, ready to settle down and talk after a pleasant meal that wasn\u2019t quite the celebratory supper Hop Sing had hoped it to be. Adam, nearest to the door, walked over and opened it, \u201cDr. Martin? Er – come in -\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Martin removed his hat as he stepped into the house, he nodded over at Ben, Joe and Hoss while Adam took the hat from him. \u201cCoffee, Paul?\u201d Ben asked and getting an answering nod of the head Hoss began to pour the doctor some of the hot brew into a cup. \u201cIt\u2019s late to be out this far on your rounds, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not on my rounds.\u201d Paul replied, \u201cThank you, Hoss.\u201d he took the cup and sat down beside Joe. \u201cI presume Adam and Hoss has told you about some of the changes in town?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey have.\u201d Ben nodded, lowered his cup back into its saucer.<\/p>\n Joe saw his chance and seized it \u201cWhat about Milly? What\u2019s happening about her?\u201d<\/p>\n Paul drank some coffee before setting the cup and saucer back onto the table, \u201cMilly was buried and Hawkins was one of the pall bearers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes opened to their fullest, \u201cBut he -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo proof of any involvement by him or his men. He went round and offered consolation to the family, and has made it known that there\u2019ll be a reward for anyone who can give any information concerning her death. He\u2019s put himself forward as a pleasant man who wants to make something of himself in this town. He\u2019s interested in mining, in trading, in just about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRanching?\u201d Adam asked and Paul nodded catching the younger mans eyes \u201cYes,\u201d he said, \u201cAnd ranching.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo why the visit tonight, Paul?\u201d Ben asked quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cJust to say I\u2019m going away for a while.\u201d Paul frowned and shook his head, \u201cI\u2019ve lived through several attempts to turn our town into a den of iniquity. I\u2019ve watched the citizens turn in on themselves, seen their confidence and self respect trickle away to nothing, but there was always something that we could hold onto that somehow stopped the rot, so to speak. This time -.\u201d he darted a look at Hoss and Adam \u201cThose visitors to my surgery this afternoon were more concerned about my health than you\u2019d imagine. It made me realise that it was time for me to go on a long vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief, Hoss\u2019 mouth opened and he seemed to have forgotten how to close it, while Adam bowed his head and covered his eyes with one hand and sighed. Ben shook his head and stood up \u201cPaul, I never thought -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c- you\u2019d live to see the day I\u2019d run out on the town? Well, this is the day, Ben. I can\u2019t stand by and watch it die a little bit more each day as it has been doing for the past few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut surely -\u201d Adam reached out a hand \u201cThings can be the way they were in time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe, eventually, who knows?\u201d Paul stood up, \u201cThose men who came today made it clear, in the nicest way possible, that I\u2019d live a short life if I chose to spend too much time with you all. There\u2019s nothing more I can say or do now, I have to go.\u201d<\/p>\n He rose to his feet after placing is cup and saucer on the table, smiled regrettably at them and shook Adam, Hoss and Joe by the hand. They watched in silence as he walked away from them, picked up his hat, with Ben at his side.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are you staying?\u201d Ben asked gruffly as he opened the door to step onto the porch.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the Fords for tonight, and then I\u2019m going on to Placerville. They need a doctor there so at least I can be of some use to people who need me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, Dr. Martin, but we need ya here.\u201d Hoss groaned but Paul said nothing to that, but placed his hat on his head and shook Ben by the hand.<\/p>\n The sound of the door closing was like a coffin lid being dropped.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s that then,\u201d Joe said quietly, \u201cGoodbye, Dr. Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stopped tapping his chin with his fingers and shrugged \u201cHe\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt it.\u201d Joe stood up and walked to the door, looked at his gun belt and hat, \u201cI think I\u2019ll take a ride into town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, you\u2019ll do no such thing. We\u2019ll all of us ride into town, together, in the morning.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice seemed to boom across at them and he glared, dark eyes hard and cold, at each one of them. \u201cNone of you will go into on your own from hereon in, do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa -\u201d Joe protested<\/p>\n \u201cDO YOU UNDERSTAND!\u201d<\/p>\n The three younger men looked at one another \u201cYes, Pa.\u201d Adam said quietly as the others nodded. Ben scowled at each one of them and rubbed his jaw slowly with his left hand, \u201cI\u2019m glad that\u2019s understood then. Tomorrow morning, we\u2019ll ride into town, and we\u2019ll stick together. I want to meet this sheriff, and then, we\u2019ll have a chat with Mr. Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/p>\n When a knock on his door sounded in the early hours of the morning Joe Cartwright was surprised to find himself slumped over his bed and still in his day clothes. He told whoever was on the other side of the door to come on in while he stretched to get the kinks out of his neck and shoulders and blinked when Adam entered with a lamp in his hand. \u201cAre you going somewhere, Joe? Or is this the way you usually dress to go to bed nowadays?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shrugged and then grinned rather sheepishly, \u201cI was thinking over what you told us and must have fallen asleep before I got myself undressed.\u201d he scratched his head and yawned \u201cWhat\u2019s the time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c2.30.\u201d Adam placed the lamp on Joe\u2019s chest of drawers and pulled out a chair, which he turned so that he sat astride it and folded his arms on its back. \u201cWell? So what conclusion did you come to with all that thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n Again Joe shrugged and this time shook his head \u201cNone, my head just kept going round and round in circles, trying to put the pieces to gether and work out how these kind of things can happen. Then I got to thinking about Milly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201chmm,\u201d Adam nodded \u201cWon\u2019t do to think too much about her, Joe. She\u2019s dead, and at the moment we have to concern ourselves more with the living.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a pretty callous thing to say -\u201d Joe snapped hotly, the colour flushing up in his face, \u201cAre you saying Milly doesn\u2019t count for anything because she was a saloon girl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,no – I wasn\u2019t saying anything of the kind,\u201d Adam replied raising a hand as though to ward off any more words from Joe, \u201cWhat I\u2019m saying is that once we get things sorted out in town, with the living, then we\u2019ll find out what we need to know about Milly and any others who may have suffered as a result of Hawkins coming to town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah – well -\u201d Joe stood up and rubbed the back of his neck as he walked over to the window, \u201cSeems like our town keeps getting this kind of visitor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMay be, although I think most towns out west get their fair share of chancers and twisters. It depends on the strength of a town whether or not they stay and take over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I don\u2019t intend for Hawkins and his men to stay or take over.\u201d Joe growled.<\/p>\n Adam smiled a rather whimsical smile at his brother\u2019s back, before rising to his feet and replacing the chair, \u201cWhat\u2019re you going to do to stop him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnything I have to.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam pursed his lips and shook his head \u201cYou\u2019ll be surprised that in fact won\u2019t be very much. Hawkins is the kind of man who\u2019ll know the moment you step out side of the law. That\u2019s what a twister is, Joe, someone who is always one step ahead of the law. He\u2019ll use it to suit his own ends too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, so I\u2019ll – I\u2019ll just have to think of something then, won\u2019t I?\u201d Joe frowned, trust Adam to make a job harder than it was meant to be, he sighed and looked thoughtfully at his brother then, \u201cWhat are you doing up at this time of the morning, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t sleep so I went down to get a drink and read a little,\u201d he drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. \u201cI think we need to speak to the citizens of this town, you know, just talk to them and find out who in it we can trust when the time comes for a showdown.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded thoughtfully \u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, perhaps a show of force will make Hawkins retreat and leave Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does Pa think about that idea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, when I looked into his room earlier he was sound asleep, and Hoss was snoring fit to bust.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded, that sounded just about right, Hoss was a man needed his sleep, and Pa was that much older, and liked his 6 to 7 hours. He glanced again at Adam, \u201cDon\u2019t you think that Paul Martin would have kinda sounded people out during the past few weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if he did, he hasn\u2019t left us any information about it, has he?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice had a slight edge to it, a clear indication that he was tired and his nerves were strung out.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah well, best wait and see what Pa says.\u201d Joe sighed, and yawned, \u201cI\u2019m beat, I need some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and turned towards the lamp which he picked up, he looked at Joe as he passed to get to the door and bade him goodnight. By the time the door had clicked shut Joe was once more slumped on the bed and drifting into sleep.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n Sheriff Hanson was checking through some \u2018Wanted\u2019 posters when the four Cartwrights entered his office. He looked over at them quickly, recognised Adam and Hoss and thereby realised that the other two men were the father and younger brother respectively. He put the posters down and waited for him to get closer to his desk before speaking as he got to his feet, \u201cMr. Cartwright – Ben Cartwright?\u201d he extended a hand<\/p>\n \u201cSheriff Hanson.\u201d Ben shook the hand and glanced around the office, nodded at the deputy, a familiar face, \u201cGood morning, Clem.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Clem nodded at the other three men and continued with his task which was cleaning the rifles.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can I do for you this morning, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben surveyed the sheriff thoughtfully, and sighed as the physical appearance of the man didn\u2019t greatly inspire him, he removed his hat, \u201cI heard what happened to a friend of mine, Sheriff Coffee, and wanted more details.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMay I ask why?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben opened his mouth, then closed it and narrowed his eyes \u201cBecause, as I said, he was a friend of mine. I\u2019ve been away some weeks and on returning discover that he was nearly killed, has left town, and someone I\u2019ve never met before has taken his place. I\u2019m asking for more details, are they so hard to provide?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson flushed slightly, a bald stocky man, not tall in stature, he straightened his back in the hope it would add another inch or so to his height, \u201cMr. Cartwright, may I remind you that I\u2019m the law here in this town. You have all the relevant details you need, you don\u2019t need any others.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re the law here, may I then ask what you\u2019re doing to find Roy\u2019s abortive killer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can ask, and I\u2019ll tell you this, everything possible was done to find the man, or men, responsible for Sheriff Coffee\u2019s injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam leaned forward \u201cWas done? Do we take it that enquiries are no longer on going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said \u2026 was done \u2026 the matter is now closed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean,\u201d Hoss cleared his throat, \u201cYou got the men and they stood trial, is that it?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson paused a moment, his tongue darted around his mouth to moisten his lips, from the corner of his eye he realised Clem was paying a lot of attention to the conversation, he turned to the deputy, \u201cBest go and get yourself something to eat, Clem. You ain\u2019t needed here just at this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem sighed and nodded, \u201cSure, sheriff. Is there anything you\u2019d like, Miss Sally makes a good meat pie on a Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson only shook his head and waited for the deputy to leave before he turned to the Cartwrights, \u201cThe witnesses to the incident gave their statements and all agreed that in the noise and chaos of the moment they couldn\u2019t tell who fired first, some even accused Sheriff Coffee of being too quick with the gun, he shot first and the others fired back in self defence. Other witnesses claimed that they saw the man who fired at the sheriff get on his horse and leave town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you believed that?\u201d Joe snapped in a voice slightly shriller than usual.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were the only statements I was able to get. Mr. Hawkins -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Mr. Hawkins – what -?\u201d Ben hissed and leaned forwards.<\/p>\n Hanson rubbed his neck with stubby fingers, he shook his head \u201cMr. Hawkins assured me that if it was any of his men responsible for the shooting he would personally escort them into the cells. As it was several days later he did bring two men here who said they were involved in the ruckus that led to the sheriff being called out, but they weren\u2019t part of the shooting match, and couldn\u2019t say who was \u2026 Mr. Hawkins did his best to comply with the law.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI bet he did.\u201d Joe sneered and Hanson turned on him immediately, \u201cI\u2019ve not found any reason to fault Mr. Hawkins nor his behaviour here in town. He isn\u2019t to blame if his men tend to be rowdier than most like it to be, they\u2019ll calm down in time. He\u2019s assured me -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYet another assurance.\u201d Adam murmured and turned aside from the desk with a shrug.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Mr. Cartwright, he\u2019s assured me that once he\u2019s settled on a place out of town they won\u2019t be here so much, they\u2019ll be able to get rid of their high spirits by hard work instead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat exactly is Mr. Hawkins looking for, sheriff?\u201d Ben asked quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cA ranch, he\u2019s a cattle man, he\u2019s got money -\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned again to him and after looking him up and down said \u201cYou seem very defensive of this man, sheriff Hanson.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my duty as a lawman to protect the citizens of this town. Mr. Hawkins hasn\u2019t broken any laws -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Milly ..\u201d Joe blurted out even though Ben grabbed his arm to hold him back and cautioned him in a soft voice but he shrugged his father\u2019s hand away \u201cWhat about Milly, have you found who killed her? What are you doing to find her killer?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson sighed heavily and looked at Ben \u201cMr. Cartwright, I think it would be best if you and your sons left now, you\u2019re serving no useful purpose being here at present.\u201d he frowned and looked at Joe, \u201cI can assure you everything possible is being done to trace the person who killed Miss Georgeson. And,\u201d he paused and looked at the three younger men with narrowed eyes and a meaner mouth \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want any interference from any of you three, do you understand? While this is my town, you keep out of my business.\u201d<\/p>\n They glanced at one another, and without a word turned only Ben paused for a moment, looked at Hanson before nodding and following his sons out of the building.<\/p>\n For a while they didn\u2019t speak although each of them were thinking fast and furiously over what had been said, and what was worse, the things left unsaid. They came to a stop outside Gils Saloon where the sound of a piano could be heard along with the shrill laughter of some woman and the shouts and yells of men. Ben grabbed at Joe\u2019s sleeve and with a jerk of the head indicated that he\u2019d prefer his son not to enter there.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, what now?\u201d Joe said, looking at each of them in turn. \u201cDo we just ride home with our tails between our legs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we don\u2019t do that,\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cI\u2019m going to visit Mr. and Mrs. Georgeson. Do you want to come with me, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment Joe didn\u2019t know whether to say yes or no, then he nodded. Ben looked at his other two sons, \u201cI don\u2019t want either of you going anywhere and causing any trouble, do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam firmed his lips but nodded, while Hoss muttered \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d then stepped back to let the two men pass and go on their way. Hoss turned to Adam \u201cWhere do we go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cByrnes Caf\u00e9. That\u2019s where Clem is, and even if the sheriff won\u2019t talk, I\u2019m sure Clem must have something to say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood thinking, Adam.\u201d Hoss smiled, \u201cOl\u2019 Clem and us go back some way, he\u2019s sure to be more helpful than that chump who\u2019s sitting in Roy\u2019s chair.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned, winked and stepped into the road to make his way to the caf\u00e9, followed by Hoss who was already anticipating a strong mug of coffee and some of Sally\u2019s good apple pie.<\/p>\n Sally Byrnes was an attractive woman, too strongly featured to be called pretty, but her hazel eyes were a perfect complement to her light brown hair. She smiled a warm welcome when the door opened \u201cOh I\u2019ve not seen you two for a long time, where have you been?\u201d she came bustling up to them \u201cYour usual table?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi Sal, no thanks, er – , we\u2019ll join with Clem over there.\u201d Adam had removed his hat and smiled one of his most charming smiles which always made Miss Sally blush just a little, she looked now at Hoss who snatched off his hat \u201cYou ain\u2019t got some of that thar apple pie have you, Miss Sally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have,\u201d she laughed, \u201cI\u2019ll bring some over right away. Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you. Two coffee\u2019s will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem glanced up and nodded at them, \u201cThought you\u2019d catch on to my hint about being here. How\u2019re you two?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConfused.\u201d Adam replied as he leaned on the table towards the deputy. He glanced around the room noticing that only two other tables were occupied, then thanked Sally for the coffee and pie she placed on their table, \u201cClem, what\u2019s going on here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t he tell you?\u201d Clem jerked his head in the direction of the sheriff\u2019s office, and noting the way the two brothers glanced at each other he sighed, \u201cDidn\u2019t think he would. Fact is Hawkins isn\u2019t the most pleasant person in town, he knows all the answers, all the tricks. He can recite the law backwards. He\u2019s a pretty slimy character.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he killed Milly?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWal, that\u2019s a big question, Hoss.\u201d Clem shrugged, \u201cI wouldn\u2019t think so, more than likely it was one of his men, maybe even two.\u201d he frowned and shook his head, \u201cPoor little girl, it was a horrible sight, finding her like that \u2026\u201d he gulped down the remainder of his coffee and set the cup down, \u201cLook, Hawkins wouldn\u2019t have harmed Milly because he\u2019s the kind of man who wouldn\u2019t have dealings with a girl like her. Fact is I doubt if he has the ability to have a relationship with any girl, he\u2019s -\u201d he struggled to find the right word \u201cWell, he\u2019s just plain cold, unfeeling, you know what I mean? The only things he loves is power and money. He don\u2019t even like a woman to touch him, not even by accident.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam picked up his cup and drank some of the coffee, by his side Hoss was chomping his way through the apple pie. \u201cWhat about the attack on Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n Clem shook his head \u201cIt wasn\u2019t an attack. Roy went in to talk to Hawkins and some men who had been seen talking to Milly the day of the attack. He asked them to go with him to write out statements and they refused. Hawkins by then had left the table and gone to the counter for more drinks. Roy turned and asked Hawkins to tell his men to accompany him and as he did so there was a gun shot. So far we\u2019ve not been able to establish who fired the gun. One shot led to another \u2026 Hank was killed, Jefferson was wounded along with Roy.\u201d he looked down at the empty cup \u201cHawkins was most apologetic and distressed,\u201d he shrugged.<\/p>\n Adam was about to say something when Sally joined them at the table, she placed a well manicured hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder, \u201cOnly one slice today, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWal, if\u2019n there\u2019s another piece going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClem? More coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you, Miss Sally, I have to get back to work.\u201d Clem got to his feet and nodded to the two men, \u201cI\u2019ll see you boys around.\u201d<\/p>\n As Clem left the caf\u00e9 another couple entered and took a table near by the Cartwrights, they nodded over at them and then occupied themselves with reading the menu. Sally came with the pie and set it down \u201cI\u2019ve missed you Cartwrights coming in here, my father was saying only the other day that he wondered when you\u2019d be getting back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe trip took longer than usual,\u201d Adam said, \u201cTell me, Sally, do you know Hawkins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCy Hawkins? Of course I do. He\u2019s a very pleasant man once you get to know him. Oh he puts on a frosty front, but he\u2019s really very nice once you get through that. Most of his men come in here for their food every day.\u201d she glanced up at the clock, \u201cShould be here in about a quarter of an hour. We get really busy then.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and emptied his cup, \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you again, Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you, Adam, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n She took the money he handed her and left them with a smile to attend to her next customers. Adam jogged Hoss\u2019 elbow, \u201cC\u2019mon, time for us to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded, stuffed his mouth with the last of the apple pie and left the table. Sally Byrnes called out a cheerful goodbye and waved as they left, the bell over the door tinkled as though in farewell.<\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/p>\n Mrs. Georgeson opened the door slowly and looked blankly at the two men standing on her doorstep. Both men removed their hats very swiftly and she noticed one was older with silver grey hair and the other young and with a mass of waving hair. She blinked at them as she held onto the door for support.<\/p>\n \u201cMrs. Georgeson? I\u2019m Ben Cartwright -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, of course.\u201d she nodded and opened the door wider, \u201cI couldn\u2019t remember for a moment, my mind is so confused and muddled just now – and you\u2019re Joseph, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n She led them into the room where her husband was seated in a wheelchair staring at the fire. He didn\u2019t move even when she touched his shoulder and told him they had visitors. With a sigh she turned back to them and gave an apologetic shrug of the shoulders,<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid Georgie – it\u2019s the shock you see – he hasn\u2019t been right since -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe quite understand, Mrs. Georgeson, losing a daughter in such circumstances -\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him with that same blankness on her face and then shook her head, \u201cI meant the shock of the mine cave in, it broke his back, he\u2019s never been able to get over it, you see.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Joe looked at one another and raised their eyebrows, Ben stepped forward to get her attention back from fussing over her husband, \u201cMrs. Georgeson, we came to see you, about Milly.\u201d<\/p>\n A flush of colour mantled her cheeks now, she nodded \u201cYes. Milly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were away when it happened. We\u2019ve only just heard and wanted to pay you our condolences.\u201d Ben said quietly wondering as he spoke if she understood what he was saying and when she nodded and tears trickled from her eyes, he put out a hand to touch her shoulder, \u201cAre you going to be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told Milly not to work in that saloon. Pretty girls like her – it\u2019s a dangerous place and I warned her, I really did, but she didn\u2019t listen to me. She said she could handle things even when she came home the other evening and was all bruised and scratched down her face. I told her she had to stop going there, but -\u201d she dabbed at her eyes and then looked at her husband as though longing for him to say or do something to share her misery.<\/p>\n \u201cDid she say who had hit her?\u201d Joe asked, \u201cThat night she came home bruised and scratched? Did she say who it was who did that to her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know his name, she never said, except that it was one of Mr. Hawkins men. He came here all apologetic after they had found her and I told him what had happened to Milly, and that it was one of his men who did it to her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d Joe asked before his father could open his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said if it was one of his men he would see to it that he hanged.\u201d she sighed, \u201cBut no ones been to tell me anything since then, so I don\u2019t know if anyone\u2019s been hanged or not.\u201d she put her hand on her husbands shoulder again, \u201cI don\u2018t know what we\u2019ll do now, Milly was bringing us in some money, but we\u2019ve nothing to keep us now. Mr. Hawkins gave us some money, he was very generous, but people aren\u2019t going to be that generous all the time, are they? And I\u2019m not going to go begging or anything like that, Georgie wouldn\u2019t want that, he\u2019d be ashamed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid Hawkins believe you when you told him that it was one of his men who hurt Milly?\u201d Ben asked gently.<\/p>\n \u201cHe never said anything, just promised that he\u2019d see the man hang who did it, and then he gave me some money to help with the funeral costs and things we\u2019d need.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked at his father and then glanced around the room. It was a small hovel of a cabin in which the Georgesons lived, and he wondered just how much money Hawkins had paid out to the couple to pay for \u2018things\u2019. He thought again of Milly and remembered her bright eyes, pretty face and smile. Always smiling, always happy. Poor Milly.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Sally Byrnes poured out the coffee into the cups and nodded, smiled, laughed along with the men who were crowded around the tables eating the beef stew she had served them. In the corner at a table on his own sat Cy Hawkins. He was watching his men and the other customers with his near black eyes lingering coldly over each and everyone of them. Sally had never known any of them utter so much as one cuss word while Cy Hawkins was there, as a result she found no problem with them being in her caf\u00e9 for the lunch hour and was always rather surprised when talk reached her ears of the trouble they appeared to cause when elsewhere.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe you had the High and Mighty Cartwrights visit you today, Sally?\u201d Cy Hawkins said as she poured coffee for him and his dark eyes fastened on to her face so that she found herself blushing.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam and Hoss came in for some coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid they speak to anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly Clem, the deputy. They\u2019ve known each other for years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHear what they said?\u201d he toyed with a match, twisting it between his fingers and looking now over at the counter where Mr. Byrnes was taking the money from Hawkins men.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d she frowned, \u201cShould I have done?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Cartwrights have been pushing their weight around this town for years, got everyone scared stiff of them, afraid to do a thing without their say so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s right, Mr. Hawkins. They\u2019re always very good people, and have done so much to help the town.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at her and nodded \u201cGot you under their spell too, huh? I suppose one or other of them has been flirting with you at some time or another.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not really.\u201d she blushed thinking how she wouldn\u2019t have minded if one or other of them had, but they hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cSally, you\u2019re a nice girl,\u201d he picked up his coffee, sniffed it and then took a gulp, \u201cBut let me give you a word of advice, you be careful around them Cartwrights. They\u2019re power mad, land hungry. You\u2019ll see, believe me, you\u2019ll get to see them for what they really are before too long.\u201d<\/p>\n She said nothing but just looked at him rather doubtfully before she left the table and took her place alongside her father behind the counter. The men got up and paid her nice compliments about the meal as they left the caf\u00e9, and then Cy Hawkins stood up and came to the counter, paid for his meal and after smiling grimly at the couple, left and closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n Sally began to collect the dirty dishes and take them to the sink in the other room. Her father came and patted her shoulder, \u201cTake a rest, dear, these dishes can wait a while. Have a cup of coffee with your old dad.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled at that and followed him into the caf\u00e9 area where the last of the customers was just shutting the door. She went and turned the sign round so that anyone coming would know the place was closed. Then she poured out some coffee for them both and took their cups over to the table and sat down opposite her father.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you tired, dear?\u201d she asked him and reached out for his hand. His fingers curled around hers and he sighed and admitted that, yes, he was tired. \u201cWe\u2019ve been extra busy since Mr.. Hawkins and his men have been in town. At least the takings have jumped up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, true enough. What do you think of him, that Cy Hawkins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, I haven\u2019t really thought about him.\u201d she sipped her coffee \u201cYou\u2019re the second person to ask me that today. Adam Cartwright wanted to know my opinion as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright huh?\u201d her father frowned, \u201cYou keep away from him, Sally. There\u2019s things I\u2019ve heard about him and his family that have made me think twice about them. Pretending to be so generous and open handed \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey always seem to be exactly that, father. Remember when we moved in ? It was Hoss Cartwright who moved most of the heavy things in here, no word of complaint and no request for any money either. When you think how much Rawlins charged us for painting the place.\u201d she frowned and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying, Sally, in future, you be careful around them, the Cartwrights don\u2019t do anything for nothing, believe you me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I\u2019m sure you\u2019re mistaken, father.\u201d<\/p>\n He gave her a scowl that darkened his visage and immediately she bowed her head and concentrated on drinking her coffee. She knew the matter was now closed, and her father, for whatever the reason, had made up his mind as to how he stood with the Cartwrights from now on. He obviously expected her to feel the same.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n Tom Jeffords stepped out of the side door of Gils Saloon to clear his head. He didn\u2019t mind doing the mid-day and afternoon shift in the saloon but with Hawkins men crowding the place out it was always thick with smoke and the stale smell of beer and rot gut. He wasn\u2019t the strongest of men and the smoke made his chest feel tight so every so often he would step outside to get some fresh air.<\/p>\n He was surprised when a pair of hands grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him bodily from the doorway to the other side of the alley where he was gently set down to find himself facing Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, fellers, that\u2019s an odd way to greet a guy. When did you get back into town?\u201d he brushed his shirt down as though this mode of transport was perfectly normal.<\/p>\n \u201cHi Tom,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cSorry about that, I jest needed to git you moved over here and outa the way of being seen by anybody as fast as possible. You keeping alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, sure.\u201d he looked over at Adam who was leaning against the side of the building and looking at him thoughtfully, \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMilly Georgeson.\u201d Adam said slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Milly – so you heard?\u201d Tom sighed, his shoulders slumped, he went slightly red around the neck.<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew her, Tom, she was a nice girl, how come she ended up as she did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam.\u201d he blinked, rapidly. Then looked over at Hoss who was clenching one fist and striking it into the palm of his other hand, \u201cI don\u2019t think it pays to say too much at times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt certainly doesn\u2019t.\u201d Adam replied, \u201cBut sometimes it pays to say just enough\u2026 like, who was she with the night she died?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sighed and the sound of his fist hitting flesh made Tom blanch, \u201cBar keepers always see what\u2019s going on, they\u2019re paid to know what\u2019s going on, ain\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019d been roughed up by one of Hawkins men a few nights earlier\u201d he paused and frowned, \u201cName of Stuart.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas he with her the night she was taken out and killed?\u201d Adam asked in a quiet tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was always hanging around her, but I swear, Adam, I don\u2019t know if he was with her, and even if he was, I don\u2019t think he would have hurt her. He liked her. He gave her a present.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs he in the saloon now?\u201d Adam folded his arms across his chest and watched the thought processes flickering across Tom\u2019s face, \u201cWell? Is he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he\u2019s gone with Cy, Mr. Hawkins that is, and some others, to look over some land that Mr. Hawkins is thinking of buying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did they go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly about ten minutes ago, Adam. They went right after having lunch at Byrnes Caf\u00e9.\u201d \u201cThe Box B?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. It\u2019s up for auction soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded to Hoss, who looked at Tom and smiled, brushed some dust from the other man\u2019s shirt and thanked him for his time very nicely. Then the two brothers turned and walked away and to their horses where they found Ben and Joe looking around for them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019ve you two been?\u201d Ben barked.<\/p>\n \u201cNot far,\u201d Adam sighed and looked thoughtfully over at the saloon, \u201cDid you know the Box B was up for auction?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Ben replied testily, something else that was new to him since arriving back. He scowled \u201cSo what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHawkins is taking a look at it today, probably thinking of putting a bid on it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed and shook his head. That was the last thing he wanted to hear, Cy Hawkins being one of his close neighbours.<\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/p>\n Ben had his foot in the stirrup when he heard his name being called and footsteps sounded on the boardwalk. Adam, who was already mounted, smiled over at Mr. And Mrs Barney Palmer as they approached them, the broad smile on Barney\u2019s face as well as that of his wife, made a pleasant change from the shut off looks that had been seen in town since their return home.<\/p>\n \u201cBen – boys – it\u2019s good to see you all again. When did you get back into town?\u201d Barney shook Ben\u2019s hand and nodded at the three younger men.<\/p>\n \u201cI got here today, Barney. How d\u2019you, Mary.\u201d he removed his hat and smiled at Mrs. Palmer who returned the smile and glanced up at the three younger men. \u201cEr – Adam and Hoss came into town yesterday, they didn\u2019t get the most warm welcome to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, well -\u201d Barney frowned, \u201cWhy not come over to the house, have some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben glanced at his sons, Adam dismounted and with his brothers led his horse across and down the street to Barneys home that he shared with his wife and daughter. Not so long ago he had been having difficulties with the mortgage and had appealed to Ben for help, and, as usual, his old friend didn\u2019t let him down.<\/p>\n As they tethered the reins to the hitching rail Hoss nudged his older brother and indicated with a nod of the head a pair of men standing on the corner of the street watching them. Adam nodded, frowned and looked across to the other corner \u201cLooks like they want to keep a close eye on us, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n Mary was a good cook and didn\u2019t provide the tiny portions of cake that some ladies in \u201cYou\u2019ve seen your new neighbour then, Ben?\u201d Barney said eventually.<\/p>\n \u201cEr – no, as it happens I haven\u2019t. He\u2019s viewing some land at the moment, the Box B.\u201d he frowned, \u201cWhich is close enough for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Barney sighed \u201cWish it were, Ben. Fact is that since you were away, Mr. Hawkins has been very busy buying up land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow busy?\u201d Adam asked leaning forward with a more than anxious scowl on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cSome real estate that was going for sale which actually surrounds the Box B and Lazy S. He bought the Lazy S out a few weeks back, along with some land that was available right closeup to your borders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat section that Seth Blair always threatened to buy up?\u201d Joe asked, pausing mid way to stuffing his mouth with cake.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was only bluffing, he knew the land was no good, but Hawkins just seems determined to buy up any land as close to the Ponderosa as he can. Talk is that he wants the land close to yours so that when he buys you out he\u2019ll have the biggest spread this side of the Sierras and will take over the territory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s true, with all that he\u2019s got now, and the Ponderosa he\u2019d have, not only the biggest spread, but be the richest as well.\u201d Ben tapped his fingers on the table, \u201cYou sure you heard that aright, Barney?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI sure did, Ben. I heard him telling some of his men when I was in the Sazarac a few weeks ago. He had a map out and some other papers. Didn\u2019t mind who heard either, just looked around at everyone and gave them that long cold reptilian look of his\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Joe glanced up as a shadow passed the window. He rose to his feet after a polite excuse me to Mrs. Palmer and walked over to peek around the curtains to watch the two men who were now leaning against the Palmers fence. \u201cSeems to me that Hawkins boys sure do have a lot of interest in what you do, Barney?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think they\u2019re more likely to be interested in what you\u2019re doing, Joe.\u201d Barney folded his arms and leaned upon the table, pushed aside the tray and looked at the men there, \u201cHawkins has set up a kind of whispering campaign against you, you have to realise that right away. Some folk who you would think to be your friends are now talking about you as though you\u2019ve done nothing but fleece off of them, any good you\u2019v e done this town was so as to give you power, and to control people here. They\u2019ve been given the impression that this isn\u2019t Virginia City, it\u2019s Cartwright Town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRather infantile -\u201d Ben said blandly.<\/p>\n \u201cMay be so, but it works. People listen and start thinking \u2026 and then they stop thinking for themselves because they start listening more to what Hawkins says than thinking about what good you did for them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what about you? Where do you stand?\u201d Adam asked slowly then felt embarrassed when Barney stood up and put out his broad hand \u201cYou got a friend for life in me, Adam.\u201d Barney said as he gripped hold of Bens hand and shook it warmly, \u201cMy family and I won\u2019t never forget what you did for us, never.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n Ben was quiet as he mounted Buck, his sons didn\u2019t seem to want to talk much either, although the men who had been closely watching them had gone by the time they left Barney\u2019s home, it still seemed as though they were being closely scrutinised as they rode out of town.<\/p>\n \u201cSeems Mr. Hawkins is an ambitious man after all,\u201d Adam said slowly as they cantered along the track homewards.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve come up against other men as ambitious, and seen them off.\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like it when folk git to listening to lies and whispers. Real men should talk face to face not behind folks\u2019 backs.\u201d Hoss groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cFriends, real friends, wouldn\u2019t be listening to lies anyway.\u201d Joe lowered his hat with attitude, and put Cochise into a faster gallop.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Zedekiah Byrnes watched his daughter as she washed the last of the days dishes. Then he crossed the floor and was about to lock up when Cy Hawkins appeared. Caught off guard Byrnes stepped back and the other man strolled inside, followed by two of his men. One, the blue eyed thin man who was always smoking, turned to close the door and pull down the blinds.<\/p>\n \u201cClosed for the night, Zed?\u201d Hawkins said, as he pulled out a chair and sat down.<\/p>\n \u201cNot to you, Mr. Hawkins, what would you and your men like to drink?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh – a strong coffee would be just fine.\u201d Hawkins looked at the two men, who pulled out chairs and sat down at another table.<\/p>\n From her position in the room behind the restaurant Sally could hear them talking, an occasional laugh. She smiled, and cleaned another pan, as she thought how pleasant it was that someone as rich and prominent as Cy Hawkins would come and spend a few minutes of amiable chat with her father. The kind action and consideration touched her heart for Zedekiah Byrnes was a lonely man. \u2018Deuce\u2019 Martin, the hired help, came through the door and after removing his hat helped her by removing the slops. He would take them back to his place later for the pigs he kept.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll have to wait until Mr. Hawkins has gone, \u2019Deuce\u2019, before you can wash the floor and clear up in there. Make yourself some coffee. I\u2019m going up now, good night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Miss Sally.\u201d \u2019Deuce\u2019 nodded and peeked around to look into the restaurant where Hawkins was pouring out a glass of whiskey for old Zedekiah. The hired hand shook his head and thought it was a good thing Miss Sally didn\u2019t see that, she never did hold with drinking liquor, no matter how good a quality it was\u2026 he sat down to wait for them to go, after all, the floors weren\u2019t going anyplace.<\/p>\n Sally blew out her bedside candle and listened to the murmur of voices and the laughter. That, she thought, was what her father needed to give him more confidence, just a little attention. She frowned, something the Cartwrights never bothered to give him, apart from the times they had come in as customers to the caf\u00e9. No, the likes of her and her father would never be considered good enough for the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n Chapter 6<\/p>\n The two Cartwrights drew up their horses and took a moment to look around them at the country into which they had journeyed. They had left home early that morning to reach Mud Creek in the low country, their land that bordered on that property Hawkins had purchased recently, the land no one in their right minds would have purchased. Adam passed a hand over the lower part of his face and then turned up the collar of his yellow jacket \u201cWell, one things for sure, he didn\u2019t buy that land for the views.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you suggest we do, Adam, take a ride on in and look see a bit more?\u201d Joe suggested giving his older brother the wide eyed look of a young hound eager to get onto the scent.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t see any reason why not.\u201d<\/p>\n They turned their horses into the direction of Hawkins land and trotted along in a companionable silence. Both of them looked carefully at their surroundings as they travelled in the hope of seeing some reason , other than the obvious, as to why the land was bought. After an hour they turned their horses south, paused for long enough to have some water, and continued on. Adam sighed \u201cNo pasture land, nothing but rock, and bare emptiness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you reckon he\u2019s bought it just so that he has land right on top of our borders, just to annoy Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould be so,\u201d Adam sighed and removed his hat, \u201cYou know, this Hawkins wants something pretty badly, enough to pay out good money for land that even an Indian would refuse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he\u2019s giving me a pain,\u201d Joe grumbled, \u201cThe whole thing is giving me a pain. I don\u2019t see how Pa can keep on saying we\u2019ve got to be patient and sit the thing out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the difference between you and Pa. Experience and youth.\u201d Adam grinned and replaced his hat, \u201cWe\u2019ve come across characters like Hawkins before now, Joe, somewhere or other they have some weakness, something that happened someplace perhaps, it\u2019ll all turn out alright, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, hopefully before I\u2019m an old man with no teeth and a long white beard.\u201d<\/p>\n They shared a smile and put their horses into a steady canter towards the Ponderosa, both breathing a sigh of relief once over the border although neither would admit that to the other. Adam looked northwards and smiled \u201cThe cattle look fine and sleek from here, don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a good year.\u201d Joe agreed, \u201cPa has every right to be proud of what he\u2019s achieved, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d his brother nodded feeling a glow of pleasure at Joe\u2019s words, \u201cYeah, he has.\u201d<\/p>\n As he rode beside his brother Adam glanced once again at the grazing cattle and then turned back in his saddle to look back to where they had come from, he frowned and then shook his head, the niggling thought stayed put though and he pondered on it for awhile before mentioning it to his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Joe, our cattle are pretty close to the border of Hawkins land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well, until yesterday we didn\u2019t know it was Hawkins land, did we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll suggest to Pa that we move the herd on, further away. I\u2019ve never liked this low country much myself,\u201d he turned again and shook his head, \u201cYou know, it wouldn\u2019t be difficult to rustle a few head of beef over to there. There\u2019s enough box canyons to hide them in for months.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but they wouldn\u2019t be worth selling on after a few days, Adam. You saw for yourself that land had nothing growing on it except scrub.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded in agreement and told himself to drop the idea, but he did repeat the fact that he\u2019d like the herd moved on as soon as possible. Joe nodded, thinking of other things apart from cows and grass or the lack thereof. He cleared his throat, \u201cI wonder how Pa and Hoss are getting on in church this morning. Be interesting to hear just how christian like they were treated today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure everything will be fine, Joe. Pa will sing as loud as possible to convince everyone he doesn\u2019t care a darn about what they think and Hoss will do the same. They\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n John Allen the Pastor looked down at his congregation and inwardly sighed. There were fewer in attendance every Sunday lately. It just needed one family to stay away and the next thing one knew another would keep away and then another. Creeping spiritual paralysis is what he called it when discussing the matter with his wife. She told him what she thought was the cause and he thought over the information and decided to base his sermon on it.<\/p>\n On the left of the aisle that stretched before him sat the newcomers, Mr. Cy Hawkins and Cole, his closest companion, who stared at the Pastor as though he were a sheet of glass. On the right sat Ben and Hoss Cartwright in their usual seats when they managed to attend the church. John looked around and saw the gaps where some of his flock had \u2018strayed\u2019 or rather one should stay had decided to stay home.<\/p>\n He referred them to verses in the book of James which likened the tongue as a forest fire, a man who couldn\u2019t control his tongue was like a horse without its bridle. He took them to Genesis chapter 3 and read the first five verses. He paused for dramatic effect and looked around him at the upturned faces, some cast down staring at their feet, some rather red in the face. Ben and Hoss were looking at him in concentration as though trying to work out the point of the sermon, and Hawkins and his friend just stared, their eyes boring into him as cold as ice on the coldest day of the winter.<\/p>\n \u201cThe point of this sermon is the effect of lies, slander, gossip. An opposer of God told a lie to the woman, Eve, and the consequences were sin and death. Would any one of us want to, by choice, listen to a lie and turn our backs on good friends, would we choose to listen to well oiled words of people who have covetousness in their hearts? Doing so could mean we become their tool, and by becoming their tool we could be destroying those who are good and loyal friends who have stood by us for many years.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t, my brothers, allow yourselves to be misled, don\u2019t listen to a lie and be as guilty A commotion in the body of the congregation caused him to stop as he watched people\u2019s heads turn while Hawkins and his companion walked out of the building, slamming shut the door with a thud that seemed forebodingly ominous sending a shiver trickling down his back.. John Allen decided it was time to end with a song and prayer.<\/p>\n As he watched the people leaving, shaking their hands and nodding over the words they said, noting that no one commended him on a fine sermon, John Allen feared the outcome of the words he had felt inspired to write down only the previous day. Now spoken he wondered whether he should have just left well alone and talked about the coming spring, the promises of new life. With a sigh he looked up as Ben Cartwright approached him, and mustered up a smile \u201cGood day, Mr. Cartwright, Hoss. It\u2019s fine to see you both here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd good to see you too, John. How\u2019s your wife?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, well, can\u2019t complain, you know how it is, when one\u2019s frail anything that comes along just seems to stop with you. My wife is never very strong, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded, he liked John to a point, but once he got onto the subject of health and his wife then Ben couldn\u2019t think of anyone else more boring. \u201cYou did a fine sermon, John. Was there a particular point to it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t think that there was?\u201d John groaned miserably.<\/p>\n \u201cOh I got the thrust of the talk, I just meant was it aimed at anyone in particular – or shouldn\u2019t I ask?\u201d he smiled good humouredly while putting on his hat and John nodded and muttered something that Ben had to lean down to catch, it sounded like \u2018it applies to us all\u2019.<\/p>\n The two Cartwright\u2019s walked to their horses in silence before Hoss said \u201cFolk seem kinda quiet today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I thought so too.\u201d Ben sighed and raised a hand to catch Deacon\u2019s attention, \u201cI just want a quick word with Mr. Deacon, Hoss, and then we\u2019ll head on straight for home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t argue with that, Pa.\u201d Hoss grinned as his mind flickered back to the two plump chickens he had seen Hop Sing slaughter that morning.<\/p>\n Deacon came over with a smile and a friendly nod of the head, both he and his wife greeted Ben and Hoss warmly, which was some consolation to John who was watching from the door of the church and feeling that some seed from his sermon had taken root in someone\u2019s heart. The elderly store keeper listened attentively to Ben\u2019s request, looked surprised and then nodded, shook hands with Ben and then he and his wife strolled away towards their home above the store.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that about, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled at Hoss and slapped him on the shoulder, \u201cI just asked Mr. Deacon to put a box of groceries aside for the Georgesons every week and to put it on the Ponderosa bill. I don\u2019t like to think of anyone suffering as they are just now, they need some help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t there a poor box that distributes stuff to folk in need, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, there is, but somehow I think if falls short of some people, Hoss. We all need to play our part in making things a little easier for those who fall on bad times, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded, smiled and patiently listened as Ben recounted the number of times Will Cass had helped them out when they had first arrived on the Ponderosa. He knew the narrative so well he even knew when to say \u2018Yes, Pa\u2019 and \u2018No,Pa\u2019 in the right places. Shortly before mid-night that day John and Mrs. Allen were woken from their sleep by the sound of breaking glass. There were no other sounds, nothing, only the tinkling and shattering of glass.<\/p>\n In the morning they discovered the stained glass window, the pride and joy of the congregation, had been smashed to ruination.<\/p>\n Chapter 7<\/p>\n Ben and Hoss were just finishing their supper when Joe and Adam entered the house. Hoss promptly poured out coffee for them as they unbuckled their gun-belts and removed hats and coats. Ben waited until they were seated and Hop Sing had set down their food in front of them before asking if they had found anything of interest.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Adam drawled the word out as he looked from one to the other of them, \u201cthe land is nothing but bare rock and such. We had a look around but there was nothing to see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStill looks like a worthless piece of real estate,\u201d Joe grumbled as he speared some food onto his fork.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm, from what I\u2019ve seen of Hawkins I can\u2019t imagine him being the kind of man who would spend good money on a bad prospect.\u201d Ben scowled and finished his coffee before \u201cThe only thing is that it borders our land,\u201d Adam said quietly, \u201cAnd that\u2019s what bothers me – a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat could he do there though?\u201d Hoss mumbled as he pushed his now empty plate to one side. \u201cMine ?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMine? What for?\u201d Adam looked at Hoss as though his brother were crazy, \u201cThere\u2019s nothing there, there\u2019s never been anything there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOpen cast mining?\u201d Hoss added with raised eyebrows and slight smirk.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s never been any report of any minerals found on that section of land.\u201d Joe said, \u201cNo one\u2019s even thought of mining there it\u2019s such a wilderness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe might,\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cIf just to annoy us. Perhaps we should call in at the real estate office and see if there\u2019s been any change in the land value.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere was something I thought as a possibility.\u201d Adam paused as he concentrated on eating, he frowned and then continued \u201cWe\u2019ve a herd of cattle grazing along Mud Creek. Almost on the edge of our land. Now, there\u2019s plenty of places a person could hide any cattle they\u2019ve rustled from us on Hawkins land \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcept that the cows would starve to death, there\u2019s no grass there, even a rabbit would die of hunger.\u201d Joe quipped.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, certainly no place to take a good number of cattle, but for a brief stop before transactions are taken place there were plenty of dead end cul-de-sacs there. If it was paying them well they\u2019d not worry about bringing out feed for the cattle they steal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Adam, cattle rustlings a strong accusation to make against a man, even a man like Hawkins, but if you have a feeling that it\u2019s possible, then why not go and check the herd out, and, just in case, move them elsewhere.\u201d Ben said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do it first thing, Pa.\u201d Adam replied and continued to eat in contemplative silence.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, Hoss, I want the pair of you to go and check on the timber – make sure nothings been tampered with up there, and that the men in the camp are working to schedule and are happy with the way things are; I don\u2019t want a situation like we had with Linda Chadwick catching us out again.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss glanced at one another, a simple nod from them both sufficed. Hoss got up, threw down his napkin \u201cHey, Joe, when you\u2019re finished here how about a game of checkers.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grinned and nodded \u201cYou\u2019re on -\u201d<\/p>\n To the sound of Hoss setting the checkers out Adam asked his father how their morning had gone at church and Ben shook his head, \u201cI had the chance to see Hawkins and that partner of his, have to say I wasn\u2019t impressed. He wasn\u2019t overly impressed with John\u2019s sermon, come to that, stormed out with a great deal of noise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cwhat was the sermon about?\u201d Joe asked, \u201cLove thy neighbour?\u201d he quipped and grinned over at Adam who nodded and winked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it was about what comes down to calumny and slander – taking care not to be a party to it. I thought John showed some courage choosing that for his theme, just hope he doesn\u2019t have to count the cost as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n It was two days later when Ben and Adam rode into town. They dismounted outside the sheriff\u2019s office and took a moment to glance around. There seemed a noticeable number of men, in pairs, lounging around. Most had now turned their attention to watching what they were doing. \u201cMakes you feel kind of missed, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d Adam murmured icily to his father as they stepped up to the door which was pulled open by none other than Hawkins, followed closely by the head of his gang, Cole Matheson. Adam had to reach out with his hand to prevent the door swinging back on them before they could enter the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, gentlemen, what can I do for you today?\u201d Hanson asked without looking up from a letter he was reading.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to report cattle rustling from the Ponderosa.\u201d Ben said in an even flat voice.<\/p>\n Hanson lowered the paper and glanced over at them, \u201cCattle rustling?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what we said,\u201d Adam replied tightly, \u201cCattle rustling, about a hundred head so far as we can make out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhereabouts were they taken from – you\u2019ll have to show me on the map as I don\u2019t know the layout here too well as yet.\u201d the sheriff replied and followed them to the large map that indicated as far as his jurisdictional territory extended.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom this area, Mud Creek in the low country.\u201d Ben stabbed at the map with his finger and then glared at Hanson, \u201cSo – what are you going to do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat just about borders on to Mr Hawkins land, don\u2019t it?\u201d Hanson replied slowly, his eyes not venturing from the map.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does.\u201d Adam looked at Ben and raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, as a matter of fact, I just had a complaint made against you Cartwrights. Seems Mr. Hawkins found that two of you were on his property the other day. Shall we say 3 days ago?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned his back and stared at the far wall, then bowed his head before looking back at the sheriff \u201cWell? What about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrespass is trespass, young man. It\u2019s breaking the law. You were riding around there could be thinking up all manner of things. Mr. Hawkins even came and suggested the possibility that you\u2019d accuse him of rustling because he\u2019d noticed a good herd of cattle grazing near by his land.\u201d Hanson stared at the two men, his eyes flicked from one to the other of them, \u201cHe says that there\u2019s no where on his land that he could have taken a herd of cattle considering there weren\u2019t nothing there but boulders and rocks.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam drew in a deep breath which he slowly released as he walked away a few paces to stare out of the window. Hawkins and Cole were leaning against a post outside Gil\u2019s Saloon looking directly at the sheriff\u2019s office with smirks on their faces. Hanson was lecturing Ben about being careful about making ill founded complaints which left the older man seething.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u201d he bellowed, \u201cCome -\u201d<\/p>\n Adam replaced his hat and without looking back followed his father out of the building. He did a smart two step turn to stand in front of his father \u201cWe\u2019re being observed, I think it might be a good idea if we went someplace else rather than you explode right here and now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut – what – bah – I\u2019ll -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa – calm down. Hawkins is watching every move you make.\u201d<\/p>\n With a snarl Ben turned, saw Brynes caf\u00e9 ahead and nodded, \u201cLet\u2019s get something to eat.\u201d he growled, \u201cPerhaps that\u2019ll make me feel that this trip into town hasn\u2019t been a complete waste of our time.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and walked beside his father, slowing his pace to match Bens, so that they arrived at the Byrnes Caf\u00e9 without Hawkins having the satisfaction of a full blown Ben Cartwright explosion.<\/p>\n Chapter 8<\/p>\n The boy sitting on the boards looked up at the sound of booted feet approaching him. He smiled at the sight of a familiar face and jumped to his feet \u201cHi\u2019ya, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben, his face dark with scowls and head full of anger and irritation, didn\u2019t see the boy at first, it was Adam\u2019s slight tug on his sleeve that drew him to a slower pace so that he noticed Jimmy looking over at him with big bright eyes and a big grin. He drew in his breath and bowed his head, then looked up – the boy was still there, smiling. \u201cHi\u2019ya, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d he said once again.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Jimmy,\u201d Ben nodded and stopped, he placed a large hard working hand on the boys\u2019 shoulder, \u201cHow\u2019re your parents?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re alright now, Mr. Cartwright. Ma had another baby not long after you brung me my pony.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnother baby, huh.\u201d he looked at Adam and raised his eyebrows, then looked back at Jimmy, \u201cSo how many brothers and sisters do you have now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, my big brother, and then there are three girls.\u201d the boy sighed heavily, \u201cThe baby\u2019s a girl too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. A big responsibility for a man like you to take care of every day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re alright, I guess. My big brother goes to school, and Ma looks after the young \u2018uns.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled and pushed his hat away from his brow, \u201cBut she lets you run loose here in town, does she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah, she don\u2019t know I\u2019m here. I sometimes help out with things for \u2018Deuce\u2019.\u201d he looked over at the caf\u00e9, \u201cHe gives me a nickel or a dime sometimes for jobs. And if there\u2019s some pie left over he lets me take it home for the kids.\u201d he looked at Ben and said in a very grown up voice \u201cThey\u2019re always hungry, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can well understand that, I had three always hungry boys to feed myself.\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess you did at that, although I reckon you overfed one of \u2018em. Mr. Hoss is a big feller aright.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed outright at that and Ben tipped the brim of the boys hat down so that it covered his face, but by the time he had put it back properly there were two shining coins gleaming in Ben\u2019s hand \u201cHere you are, Jimmy. Go and treat yourself to some candy, and get your kids something as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Mr. Cartwright, I never meant – I – oh wow, thank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d he turned and as he did so he collided with Bert and Stuart, two of Hawkins men, who had been following the Cartwrights and listening to the conversation they had with the boy. Berts heavy fat hand grabbed at the boys shirt, \u201cYou watch where you\u2019re going, boy, or I\u2019ll shake you outa your skin, d\u2019you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI – I\u2019m sorry, Mister.\u201d<\/p>\n The fat man gave Jimmy a shove that sent him sprawling into the road and then he turned to Adam and Ben who were watching him with contempt clearly stamped on their faces.<\/p>\n \u201cSo – what\u2019s it to you?\u201d he asked in his thick nasal voice, and his dark little eyes stared into Adam\u2019s face challengingly.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was no need to do that, the boy did you no harm.\u201d Adam replied calmly, while Ben was helping Jimmy to his feet and brushing the dirt from his shirt.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be the one to decide that, it ain\u2019t nothing to do with you.\u201d he sneered and then stepped back, a leering sneer spreading across his heavy dough like face \u201cUnless you want to make it your business?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t reply but glanced over at his father who was stepping back to his side, Jimmy was running over to the store his mind solely on the kind of candy he was going to buy. Ben looked from Bert to Adam and then said quietly \u201cLet\u2019s go, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Bert laughed, he jabbed Stuart in the chest with his elbow \u201cLet\u2019s go, Adam – did you hear that, Stuart? Let\u2019s go, Adam – hawhawhaw – and what\u2019s Adam going to say,? \u2018Oh, sure, Pappy, anything you say, Pappy\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Stuart grinned and looked Adam up and down with his eyes, \u201cYeah, he ain\u2019t so big without that big feller behind him to back him up, is he, Bert?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s fingers instinctively clenched into fists, his nostrils thinned and he was about to say something when the sheriff appeared, a rifle resting under one arm, \u201cThat\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWeren\u2019t none of our doing, sheriff.\u201d Stuart said immediately, \u201cThese Cartwrights were blocking our road, think they own everything, even the boards we walk on -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that right?\u201d Hanson said looking from one to the other.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t honestly expect an answer to that, do you, sheriff?\u201d Adam replied in a cold voice and with his arms folded across his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no need to use that tone of voice with me, son.\u201d Hanson looked now at Ben, \u201cTake your boy out of here, Mr. Cartwright, I think I\u2019ve had just about my fill of you two to-day.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam opened his mouth to speak, thought better of it and turned to follow his father. Behind him he heard Bert and Stuart laughing and when he shot a look over his shoulder at them they began to imitate a chicken \u201cCluck cluck cluck cluck\u201d before laughing even more as they jostled one another into Byrnes caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to spend just five minutes alone with them -\u201d Adam hissed between clenched teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t think about it,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cI think the best thing we can do is get back home. Doesn\u2019t look like we\u2019re going to get much done here today.\u201d<\/p>\n They walked to their horses aware of Hanson watching them from the Sheriff\u2019s Office, and Hawkins with Cole from the doorway of Gil\u2019s Saloon. Adam cleared his throat, \u201cNot quite the friendly little town we left a few weeks ago, is it, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head and mounted Buck. From the look on his face it was difficult to read exactly what he did feel, or what he was even thinking. Ed Baxter was nailing a poster on a wall outside the Territorial Enterprise building and they slowed a little to read it. A reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person who had desecrated the church on the previous Sunday night. He looked over at Ben and Adam,<\/p>\n \u201cSeems like nothing is sacred in this town anymore.\u201d he said to Ben sadly, \u201cSome one went along and smashed up the stained glass window of the church around mid-night Sunday. Poor Mrs. Allen was took badly ill with the shock and fright. John has had to take her to her family in Sweetwater.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Adam glanced at one another, it seemed that everyone to whom they could look for help, should the need arise, had a reason for leaving Virginia City. In silence they rode from the town and took the track homewards.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking, Pa.\u201d Adam said after a short while of riding side by side in silence, \u201cThose rustled cattle, seems to me that the only way Hawkins would have known we had been on his land was from one of our own men.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you\u2019re not being serious, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t think of any other way he would know we had been there. There was certainly no one in the area that day on that land. I don\u2019t like to think of it being one of our men but I can\u2019t think of who else it could be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, who can you recall was working around there at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe same men who helped me move the herd from Mud Creek. Most have been with us some time, there\u2019s one new hand, but he seemed eager to please and worked hard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMmm, well, don\u2019t go jumping to conclusions just because he\u2019s the new hand, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam said nothing to that, his mind was busy thinking out how it could have been done without involving any of the men. After a while he asked his father about Deuce Martin and his involvement with the Byrnes. Ben shrugged and after a moments thought explained that \u2018Deuce\u2019 had fallen on hard times after working in the mines for years. He was a down and out who tried to rake together enough money to pay for his liquor every night. He did odd jobs for Zedekiah because he was cheap, which suited Zedekiah who was known as a tight wad.<\/p>\n Adam nodded, and lapsed into silence. \u201cWhat was that about the pony Jimmy was talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I heard his family had fallen on hard times,\u201d Ben said \u201cJImmy\u2019s a good lad, he\u2019s intelligent and good hearted and I think his family lean heavily on him. His father was ill, and his mother was obviously close to her time so I took the boy a pony, made it easier for him to get in and out of town for errands and such.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled slowly, the brow smoothed out and he shot a quick look over at his father. He wanted to say something but thought better of it, but his father\u2019s constant kindness and generosity was a perpetual source of comfort.<\/p>\n Chapter 9<\/p>\n The house was quiet apart from the ticking of the clock and the crackling of the flames eating into the logs on the fire. Every so often one of the men would make a sound, perhaps mutter something under his breath or sigh, or clear his throat, usually just before moving his chess piece and then sitting back to wait for his opponents next move.<\/p>\n Adam was aroused from his thought by his father actually calling his name and then asking him if he had fallen asleep at which question he had smilingly said that he had waited so long for Ben to make his move that he no doubt could have done. \u201cBut, to be honest with you, Pa, I was thinking about that situation in town today.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHanson must have seen the way those men treated young Jimmy, and at the same time he must have realised we weren\u2019t the cause of any trouble. Do you think it possible that Hanson is in Hawkins pocket as well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs well as?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the town it seems \u2026\u201d Adam sighed and looked at the chess pieces then made his move.<\/p>\n Ben scratched the back of his neck and shook his head \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam. I think it\u2019s more likely that he knows he\u2019s only here until Roy gets back and wants to keep things as calm as possible. He knew we\u2019d comply with his request, whereas asking those other two could well have meant trouble. I\u2019d only theorising here, after all I don\u2019t know the man any more than you do.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and indicated that he was waiting for his father to make his move. Ben leaned forward and furrowed his brow in concentration only to be disturbed from it by Adam again \u201cI\u2019m more sure than ever that one of the men is in Hawkins pay, there just wasn\u2019t any possible opportunity for him to have known Joe and I had been there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEver thought that the fact the herd was moved on may have given him cause to think that way?\u201d Ben muttered his eye still on the bishop and wondering whether or not to move him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we\u2019ve had that herd grazing there for nearly two weeks and then as soon as it is obvious we know about his purchase of that land bordering ours, we move it on ..what would you think in his place?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head \u201cDoesn\u2019t follow that he\u2019d know we\u2019d been on his land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? Anyway, whether he knew or not, he could assume and then tell Hanson that you had been as a fact. A man like Hawkins isn\u2019t going to stop at telling a few lies when he\u2019s no doubt been guilty of far worse.\u201d<\/p>\n He made his move and smiled triumphantly until Adam made his move and quietly said \u201cCheck – mate\u201d.<\/p>\n While Adam dropped the pieces back into the box Ben went to the cabinet and took out the whisky and glasses which he carried over to the table. He glanced over at Adam and smiled \u201cDo you see what I mean?\u201d he asked as he poured out some whisky into the glasses.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and I fell for it, and confirmed it in Hanson\u2019s mind.\u201d<\/p>\n They sat for a while longer in silence before Adam raised the subject of the boy, Jimmy. \u201cIf he\u2019d been with his brother in school, he\u2019d have been spared the trouble he got into.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled, \u201cWell, I\u2019m all for schooling children as you know, but young Jimmy\u2019s a hustler. He may have got into a spot of trouble but he also got himself some money . His brothers a studious lad, always got his nose in a book but he hasn\u2019t a practical bone in his body. Jimmy\u2019s more pragmatic, and his father turns a blind eye to the lack of schooling because they\u2019re dirt poor and need every dime they can get.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t encourage the boy to skip school\u201d Adam frowned and sipped his whisky.<\/p>\n \u201cThat boy gets his schooling, don\u2019t you worry about that, he just knows the best times in the day to skip a class or two.\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cHe reminds me of you at that age, guess that\u2019s why I like to help out when I can.\u201d<\/p>\n He rose to his feet at the sound of a knock at the door \u201cExpecting anyone?\u201d he asked his son who shook his head and waited to see who was their evening time visitor.<\/p>\n Deputy Clem Foster removed his hat as he stepped inside and nodded over at Adam who greeted him with a smile and an offer of a drink, which Clem was more than happy to accept. \u201cWell, pleasant as it is to see you, Clem, what actually brings you here this time of an evening?\u201d Ben asked as Adam poured their visitor a drink.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard about your visit to town today. You were putting in a claim that some cattle had been rustled from here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I have to say your sheriff didn\u2019t seem too bothered about it, Clem.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard that too.\u201d he took the glass from Adam and thanked him, \u201cHanson\u2019s out of his depth, he wants to keep things calm in town until Roy gets back, but Hawkins is pushing him.\u201d he fidgeted in his seat, \u201cHe\u2019s a decent man, but not a good sheriff. Hasn\u2019t the stomach for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHas there been any results from the investigation into Milly\u2019s death?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, nothing. If anyone knows anything they ain\u2019t saying. People are frightened. Trouble is there hasn\u2019t been any law broken that we can tell that causes that fear. Sure someone can say such and such was said, but it can\u2019t be proved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the church window?\u201d Ben looked at Clem and watched the deputy as he swallowed more of the good quality whisky, \u201cAny advances to that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot even the whisper of a suspicion?\u201d Adam crooked an eyebrow and stroked his chin, \u201cHawkins men for example?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh there have been a whisper here or there, but nothing substantial.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed heavily \u201cAlright, Clem, so what did you come all this way to tell us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour suspicion about the cattle rustling could be the first real break through we have against Hawkins and his men. I was talking to \u2019Deuce\u2019 Martin the other day and he let slip that they\u2019ve been getting some really good beef for the caf\u00e9 recently. Top quality at low cost.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u201d Ben glanced at Adam, \u201cWhere does that concern us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDeuce said they\u2019ve got a new supplier, and he laughed. Now, he was drunk I admit that, but when Deuce laughs like he does, that means he knows something that he\u2019s keeping secret from me – or whoever. When I asked him if Byrnes was up to something unlawful, well, Deuce suddenly sobered up and scuttled.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, so he got scared, so what exactly are you saying, Clem.\u201d Adam moved to resume his seat by the fire.<\/p>\n \u201cHis supplier may be Hawkins and the beef may be Ponderosa beef.\u201d Clem swallowed the last of his whisky, \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m saying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems to me too many \u2018may be\u2019s in the equation, Clem.\u201d Adam sighed \u201cWhat do you think, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shrugged and turned to look into the flames of the fire, then he turned back to Clem, \u201cIt\u2019s all shadows. Hawkins is working with shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d you mean, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInsinuation, fear tactics, it\u2019s all in the dark, nothing substantial. We need something definite. For example – how did he know Adam and Joe had been on his land?\u201d Ben looked squarely at Clem and then nodded, \u201cDid he know? If so – how? There\u2019s no way my boys could have been seen, so it leaves us with a suspicion\u2026 and suspicion breeds distrust \u2026 then before very long -!\u201d he shook his head and threw his arm in the air to signify some kind of explosion.<\/p>\n Adam turned his eyes to Clem \u201cWell? What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll put a bit more pressure on Deuce. He talks more sense when he\u2019s drunk, he\u2019s like a rabbit when he\u2019s sober.\u201d he rose to his feet and thank them for the drink. \u201cOh, where\u2019s Joe and Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA long way off.\u201d Ben said, \u201cI wanted them out of the way for as long as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood idea, Mr. Cartwright, Joe\u2019s too fiery for a situation like this one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n The wagon came to a standstill outside the Hardware Store and Hop Sing nudged Adam who was slumped down on the seat. \u201cIn town now. You want something you get off wagon now. Hop Sing need plenty things from General Store.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see you back here later, Hop Sing.\u201d the young man said and clambered down, stretched his back and nodded to his old friend who urged the horses to move on down to where they could stop outside the General Stores. Adam looked around him and was pleased to see nothing that could cause him any discomfort. There was no sign of any of Hawkins men, although the sound of raucous laughter from Gil\u2019s Saloon indicated just where they were.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Morning Adam\u201d Mr. Galton nodded, \u201cCome to collect your order?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it all here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt certainly is,\u201d Galton produced some papers from a drawer and put them on the desk \u201cI\u2019ll get them collected from the back and you can tick them off to make sure the items are all here.\u201d he turned \u201cDeuce – here a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Deuce Martin hurried from the back room and looked first at Adam and then at Galton, he nodded anxiously before turning to look at Adam again. Galton was telling him what he was to do, and with a nod Deuce stopped staring at Adam and hurried into the store room to collect the items. Galton sighed, \u201cI\u2019d better go in with him, he\u2019s sure to get things muddled.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he worked for the Brynes at the caf\u00e9?\u201d Adam asked, the sheaf of papers in his hand but his eyes on the store room door.<\/p>\n \u201cHe does but only part time, just as he works part time here. He gets a decent enough amount of money to drink away and squander as a result of our unfailing trust in his ineptitude.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled and nodded, then resumed his study of the papers. He was interrupted by Galtons return with some packages in his arms, \u201cThe wretched mans disappeared, if you don\u2019t mind waiting a while longer, Adam, I\u2019ll go and get the other items myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes he often do that – disappear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo often.\u201d Galton said with a mock groan before leaving Adam in the store to wait.<\/p>\n Adam checked off the items Galton had left on the counter, by the time he had put down the last package the store keeper had arrived with several more packages to check off. He looked up at the clock and nodded \u201cHope you don\u2019t mind, Galton, but Hop Sing won\u2019t be here for another half hour, could I leave these here and come back for them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly, Adam. My pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n They exchanged smiles, Adam tipped his hat and then left the store. Outside he stood a moment on the board walk and then made his way to Byrnes caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n Chapter 10<\/p>\n Adam was in the process of following Deuce into the alley that ran behind the caf\u00e9 when a hand grabbed at his elbow and he glanced down to see young Jimmy smiling up at him,<\/p>\n \u201cHi Mr. Cartwright, is your Pa with you today?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam bit down on his irritation as he heard a door close with a bang. That was obviously Deuce, he surmised, grateful to have escaped by the skin of his teeth. He gave the slightest of shrugs and turned to give Jimmy more of his attention, \u201cShouldn\u2019t you be in school?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir, but this is the time of day when I can get some jobs done for Deuce or anyone else, come to that – Pa don\u2019t mind and Ma don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour brother knows -\u201d Adam said with an involuntary smile.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, he don\u2019t count, he wants to get to college. He said Ben Cartwrights eldest son, that\u2019s you, ain\u2019t it – went to college. Does it cost a lot of money to get there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuite some.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess I\u2019ll have to get more jobs then, ain\u2019t no way my Pa will be able to send Josh to college without my help.\u201d the boy frowned and kicked a stone out of his path, \u201cWhat did you study?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEngineering and architecture.\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy frowned and just said \u2018Oh\u2019. Adam noticed that the child was clean and tidy, his clothes were in good order as well, his parents obviously didn\u2019t like to advertise their poverty as much as some. He was about to say his goodbyes when Jimmy beckoned him to come closer \u201cI wanted to tell Mr. Ben something secret.\u201d<\/p>\n This time Adam said \u2018Oh\u2019 and leaned forward. Jimmy licked his lips and drew in his breath, \u201cIt ain\u2019t my secret, mind. It\u2019s to do with Deuce and Mr. Byrnes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh well then, perhaps -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd with the Ponderosa too. That\u2019s why I think I have to tell you about it. If it\u2019s about your ranch then it can\u2019t be a secret, can it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I catch your drift,\u201d Adam replied resting a hand on the boys shoulder, \u201cIs it safe to talk about it here, do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy looked over his shoulder and frowned, \u201cWell, it won\u2019t take long to tell you, Mister. Just that I was here yesterday and Deuce was talking to Mr. Byrnes about what to do with the meat Mr. Hawkins had brung in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Byrnes said it was Ponderosa beef, he didn\u2019t want to touch it. He said the Cartwrights would be out for his hide if they got to know he was taking stolen steers from them. Deuce said that Mr. Hawkins told him he had to have the meat because he\u2019d made a -\u201dJimmy\u2019s voice trailed away and his brow crinkled \u201csome kind of agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rubbed his jaw thoughtfully and then looked over at the caf\u00e9. He could see Sally serving some customers through the window and wondered if she knew anything about these stolen cattle. Jimmy tugged at his sleeve \u201cDeuce is frightened of Mr. Hawkins, so is Mr. Byrnes. Deuce came looking for me to help \u2018em but Mr. Byrnes said not to get me involved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what about Sally, does she know anything about this?\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy shook his head vehemently, \u201cNah, Mr. Byrnes said she weren\u2019t to be told, he didn\u2019t want her to know anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJimmy,\u201d Adam squatted down a little to get better eye contact with the child, \u201cDo you know how they get the meat here? I mean, has it already been skinned and quartered? \u201c<\/p>\n \u201cDeuce brings \u2018em in a wagon, I saw him once. There was a fat man with him, that man who hit me the other day when you were here with your Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone else?\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy crinkled his brow and shook his head \u201cI don\u2019t know, mister. I only saw it by accident when I was doing an errand for Widow Hawkins. I couldn\u2019t look around to find out \u2018cos she expected me back real quick.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and put his hand to his pocket to give the boy some money but Jimmy pushed his hand away, \u201cNah, it\u2019s alright, you helped me out the other day remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched as Jimmy scuttled away and then turned his attention back to the caf\u00e9. Perhaps the best thing was to follow Deuce on one of his trips and find out for sure whether or not Jimmy was correct in his facts. He was thinking about it when Deuce stepped out from the caf\u00e9, looked about him and hurried over to Galton\u2019s Hardware Store.<\/p>\n Hop Sing was waiting for him with all the items stowed safely away in the wagon. He waited for Adam to clamber up beside him and turned the horses in the direction out of town, jabbering on in Cantonese about people who were never where they should be at the time they were meant to be. Adam merely lowered his hat to shade his eyes and slumped down further.<\/p>\n Shadows were criss-crossing the streets when he rode back into town on Sport. Ben had been out on the range when he had returned from town earlier so after helping unload the wagon and then having a quick bite to eat washed down by several cups of coffee, Adam had grabbed his coat and hat, buckled on his gun belt and saddled up his horse.<\/p>\n He lingered outside the caf\u00e9 for a while and then dismounted. The caf\u00e9 was busy, he could see people seated at the tables and after a brief hesitation he entered in to its interior. The warmth from within hit him like a wall, rich food smells combined with that of numerous human beings, and coffee. He glanced at some of the meals that were served up and with a slight frown walked to the counter, removed his hat and smiled at Sally, \u201cLooks like a full house this evening, Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt usually is,\u201d she replied, picking up a pencil and note pad, \u201cAre you staying to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around and shook his head, \u201cLooks like there\u2019s no room at the moment, perhaps later.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him thoughtfully, \u201cWe don\u2019t often see you in here in the evenings, Adam. \u201cWell, I happened to have left home without eating much, and was hungry. The smells from here were – rather enticing.\u201d he smiled at her, his dark eyes looked into hers and she lowered them immediately, \u201cI heard beef was on the menu?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt usually is -\u201d she replied with a puzzled expression on her face, \u201cWhy not try again later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I will.\u201d he nodded, smiled at her again and left. The bell above the shop tinkled.<\/p>\n Adam walked from the caf\u00e9 to the alley way and was walking down it, keeping close to the shadows when a streak of light splashed across the darkness as the door opened and Deuce stepped out. The light vanished as the door slammed shut . Ignoring the voice in the back of his mind that recommended getting the sheriff Adam followed the man. He hugged the shadows as Deuce slipped into another building. Deuce Martin just stood where he was for a moment and then whistled. Two men seemed to detach themselves from the darkness and after striking a match to light a lamp approached Deuce \u201cEverything alright?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam recognised the voice as belonging to the thin man with the cold blue eyes, the man called Cole. Deuce said something in a low voice, the words of which Adam didn\u2019t hear, but Cole nodded and the fat man, Bert, said \u201cWe\u2019re just glad to get the stuff of\u2019n our hands. Dead steers don\u2019t bring in much money.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Bert,\u201d Cole said quietly, \u201cYou talk too much.\u201d<\/p>\n Bert shrugged and spat on the ground, Deuce held out his hand and Cole placed some money in it. \u201cThere\u2019s some more coming later tonight. Be ready to collect it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMid-night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell Mr. Byrnes to keep the store room open.\u201d Deuce hesitated a moment and then said in a lower tone of voice which Adam could barely hear \u201cHe\u2019s getting nervous about this, thinks the Cartwrights will be onto him. That deputy was talking about stolen Ponderosa cattle in the caf\u00e9 today and Byrnes was real nervous, even Miss Sally noticed and asked him what was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t squawk, did he?\u201d Cole asked slowly.<\/p>\n Fat Bert nodded \u201cYeah, ain\u2019t no good talking to women, they always blab.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t say anything to her, but she\u2019s worried about him.\u201d<\/p>\n Cole shrugged \u201cAin\u2019t none of our concern. Anyway this will be the last of the deliveries for a while. Make sure he\u2019s there to collect the stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Deuce nodded and left the building in such a furtive manner that anyone seeing him would have wondered what he had been up to. Adam waited for Bert and Cole to leave and then followed them into the main street.<\/p>\n The two men walked quickly away from the caf\u00e9 and headed for the saloon. Adam watched from the shadows as they pushed the doors open and walked inside, the noise of singing, shrill laughter and out of tune music billowed out into the street to envelop him as though in mockery.<\/p>\n Remembering that he had told Sally Byrnes that he would be back Adam turned his feet in the direction of the caf\u00e9 once more and pushed open the door. There were more empty tables now and he removed his hat before taking a chair at the table by the window. Sally came and asked him what he\u2019d like and after asking what was on the menu chose the stew, with coffee. He was watching the street from the window when he became aware of a shadow close by and turning found the shadow had substance in the form of Cy Hawkins.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded and watched as Hawkins pulled out a chair and sat down opposite him.<\/p>\n \u201cHaven\u2019t seen you in here before.\u201d Hawkins said in his blunt rather curt voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been away a while.\u201d Adam replied and then thanked Sally for the food that she placed on the table in front of him, \u201cI could say the same about you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I\u2019m a regular here. Ain\u2019t that so, Miss Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n Sally Byrnes nodded \u201cYes, I guess we could say that now, Mr. Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded and stretched out his legs and looked at Adam and then pointed to the stew \u201cWell, ain\u2019t you going to eat it?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked over at Sally who averted her eyes and busied herself with stacking dishes. Chapter 11<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s hand gently stroked Sports neck as he took the reins from the rail and walked round him to get into the saddle. For a moment he sat, mounted, as he wondered what to do next then turned the horse away from the sight of the caf\u00e9 and Gils Saloon. He rode slowly along the main street when the sight of a familiar horse nodding over a rail caught his attention. He turned Sport to one side and rode up to the other horse, then dismounted.<\/p>\n The Sazarac was noisy with the hum of voices, laughter and the piano music. He looked through the cigarette smoke and finally located the man seated at a table near the stairs and with a slight smile on his face he walked towards him, pulled out a chair and sat down. \u201cHi, Pa, what brings you here? I thought you\u2019d be tucked up in bed by now.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned towards the bar and signalled for another glass to be brought to the table before he leaned forwards to answer his son, \u201cMy business this morning didn\u2019t take me quite as long as I had initially thought so I came home expecting to spend a leisurely afternoon with my eldest son and found you gone. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I\u2019m here, I saw Sport outside Byrnes caf\u00e9 and thought you would be headed in this direction eventually.\u201d he poured whiskey into the glass and pushed it over Adam, \u201cDid you enjoy your meal?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t touch it.\u201d he drank some of the alcohol and then looked at his father, \u201cI found out that Mr. Byrnes was taking Ponderosa beef from Hawkins. Deuce Martins been told to expect another delivery at -\u201d he glanced over his shoulder at the clock on the wall, \u201cStill some time to go, but if we wanted to know more I\u2019d say Deuce was the man to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t be too frightened of Hawkins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDeuce Martins scared stiff of his own shadow.\u201d Adam drank some more of the whiskey and looked over at his father who was sitting stern and silent opposite him. \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed and pushed the whiskey to one side, \u201cI\u2019ve known Zed Byrnes for a long time, Adam. I can\u2019t see that he would deliberately steal -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think he has,\u201d Adam interrupted with a gesture of the hand as though to stop Bens train of thought right there, \u201cObviously some of the steers Hawkins has stolen from us have died for some reason and he\u2019s wanting to get some money even from them. His men have probably been touting the beef to every restaurant in town. Byrnes isn\u2019t a fighting man, he\u2019d not want to take the meat out of loyalty to you, but Hawkins – well, I think we can guess the kind of methods he uses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo well.\u201d Ben sighed, \u201cI think the best thing would be to talk to Byrnes face to face. I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll run from the truth if he had the chance to talk to me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, probably best to go now. Sally will be closing the caf\u00e9 in a minute, we can use the back door to their storeroom.\u201d<\/p>\n Both men emptied their glasses and left the table. As Adam passed a group of men drinking at the bar one of them turned to face him – the fat figure of Bert Fuller seemed to fill every available space between the counter and the door. Adam cleared his throat, looked the fat man squarely in the eyes \u201cD\u2019you mind? You happen to be in my way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I happen to be in your way.\u201d Bert laughed and jogged the elbow of the man next to him, \u201cHear that, I happen to be in this turkey cocks way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t move your fat hide out of my way, I\u2019ll have to remove you myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Two of Bert\u2019s companions grinned but turned back to their drinks. Bert\u2019s love of creating trouble was more of a hindrance than a help to them, they were used to having to clear up the messes he made. Bert planted his feet further apart and set his hands on his hips before nodding contemptuously at Adam \u201cWell, you just go ahead, Cartwright, you go try and move me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised his eyebrows, frowned slightly and glanced over Bert\u2019s shoulder. Bert\u2019s eyes flickered nervously in that direction and before he knew it Adam\u2019s fist had hit him squarely in the stomach, across the jaw. Bert staggered back, threw a punch at Adam and missed, Adam seized hold of the flailing fist at the wrist, twisted his arm and hooked his leg behind one of Bert\u2019s kicking the man\u2019s foot away from the floor. Bert landed in a heap on the floor while Adam continued on his way and out of the saloon with his father.<\/p>\n It was Deuce Martin who opened the door to them. He had been half expecting Hawkins man to be there, he turned a startled face towards Zedekiah \u201cMr. Byrnes -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d the older man said coming from the kitchen area into the store room and then stopping in his tracks when he saw Ben and Adam. \u201cRather late to be visiting, isn\u2019t it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but I wanted to be here before your other visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy other visitors?\u201d Zedekiah asked turning to close the door behind him in order to prevent Sally overhearing the conversation. \u201cSo what\u2019s going on, Adam? Didn\u2019t you enjoy your stew?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot when I know it\u2019s stolen Ponderosa beef and your friend Hawkins is sharing my table.\u201d<\/p>\n Byrnes frowned and looked at Ben \u201cI haven\u2019t stolen any of your cattle, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe you, Zedekiah, but I would like to know who has been rustling my steers. You seem the most likely person to tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n Byrnes shook his head, \u201cNo, I don\u2019t know anything about any rustling, believe me.\u201d he grabbed at Deuce\u2019s arm to prevent him from leaving the building for the man had turned as though to get out of the place as quickly as possible, \u201cBen, You know where I get my meat, you\u2019ve only got to check up with them and they\u2019ll confirm my orders, just perfectly normal and the usual orders, believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Mr.Byrnes, that\u2019s twice you\u2019ve asked us to believe you in just a few sentences. It almost sounds as though you\u2019re trying to convince us of something that you know to be false yourself.\u201d Adam said very quietly, and grabbing Deuce by the shirt front as the man once again attempted to flee.<\/p>\n They were interrupted when the door opened and Sally stood on the top step \u201cPa, are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, dear, everything\u2019s alright. I\u2019m just having a chat with Ben and Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Sally hesitated, she looked down at the four men and then slowly closed the door. She left the kitchen area and walked into the caf\u00e9 where Cy Hawkins and Cole Matheson were seated playing a game of cards. \u201cWhere\u2019s your father? Doesn\u2019t he know there\u2019s a delivery in half an hour?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA delivery?\u201d Sally frowned and glanced back over her shoulder, \u201cI don\u2019t think so, Mr. Hawkins, we usually get our deliveries in the mornings. Anyway, my father\u2019s talking with Ben and Adam Cartwright at the moment, I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be -\u201d she paused as Cole rose to his feet and very politely raised his hat to her before leaving the caf\u00e9, she looked at Hawkins, \u201cIs anything wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Miss Sally, you just get on with doing your chores. I\u2019ll just wait for Cole and some of the other boys here. If you don\u2019t mind, that is \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled and nodded although she wasn\u2019t too sure what to make of Cy Hawkins. He wasn\u2019t really a comfortable man to be around. She returned to the kitchen area and began to wash dishes. Looking through the window she could see the outline of the four men. It crossed her mind that they\u2019d probably like a cup of coffee after all the talking they\u2019d been having and she looked over at the coffee pot, then back to the window.<\/p>\n It was then that there were two gun shots. One after the other. They were immediately followed by more gunshots. She saw some flashes indicating that they came from the Cartwrights guns and even before she could scream Hawkins had run past her and had the door open \u201cHold it right there, gentlemen – put your guns down.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned to the open door \u201cGet a doctor, Mr. Byrnes has been shot.\u201d<\/p>\n He was putting his gun back into his holster, Ben was on one knee tending to Byrnes as best he could, Deuce Martin had disappeared and Sally was running past Hawkins, pushing Ben to one side and screaming.<\/p>\n Adam felt his gun being removed and spun round to find it being pointed at him by Hawkins, Cole and two other men were in the store room and pulling Ben away from Byrnes over whom Sally was sobbing.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d Ben cried, \u201cHis killers are getting away – \u201c<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so, Mr. Cartwright. I think we know exactly who Mr. Byrnes killers are, and you\u2019re one of them.\u201d Hawkins said in his cold level voice.\u201dCole, you\u2019d best take Miss Sally outa here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, I want to stay here with my father.\u201d Sally cried and shrugged Cole\u2019s hands away.<\/p>\n \u201cThere isn\u2019t anything you can do for your father now, Sally, why not go inside.\u201d Ben said gently.<\/p>\n She stood up as though in a dream and turned slowly to face him, and then she turned to Adam, she shook her head, put her hands to her mouth before exclaiming \u201cI saw it all, I saw what you did, you shot my father down in cold blood. You killed him, you killed my father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sally, you got it all wrong -\u201d Adam stepped forward and placed a hand on her arm only for her to shake it off and to glare at him angrily,<\/p>\n \u201cI saw it happen. I saw it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins jerked his head at Cole who was now able to lead the girl from the store room. By the time the door had closed behind them others were entering the building, Sheriff Hanson being one of them. Ben stepped forward \u201cHanson, Mr. Byrnes has been shot. His killer is somewhere out there, running scott free because these idiots took our guns and stopped us from following after whoever -\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson shook his head, \u201cI\u2019ve heard all about what happened, Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019ve had an eye witness account, garbled though it was, and he clearly stated that you or your son killed Mr. Byrnes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s another witness in there,\u201d Hawkins said coldly as he handed Adam\u2019s gun to the sheriff, \u201cShe\u2019s a trifle shocked just now, having seen her father shot down by these men.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stepped forward, the colour flushing his cheeks, \u201cWe did not -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough, Cartwright.\u201d Hanson levelled his rifle at him, \u201cThe two of you, turn around and walk over to the jail house. You\u2019re under arrest for the murder of Zedekiah Byrnes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut -\u201d Adam was stopped from saying more by his fathers hand on his chest, and a warning glance from the dark eyes to say no more.<\/p>\n Chapter 12<\/p>\n Deuce Martin looked like he was about to collapse from nerves when Hanson ushered in the Cartwrights. His mouth fell open and his eyes rolled in his head \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m real sorry about this, Mr. Cartwright, Adam – but I – I had to tell them the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why don\u2019t you do that, Deuce, why don\u2019t you tell them the truth right here and now!\u201d Adam yelled and lunged forward, \u201cTell them what you saw, Deuce, instead of what you were told to tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI – I -\u201d the wretch turned to Hanson, \u201cI promise you, sheriff, I told you what I saw, I told you, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust calm down,\u201d Hanson said as he returned his rifle to the rack, then he turned to Adam \u201cAnd you can just calm down, young man. You\u2019ll get your chance to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rubbed his brow with his long fingers and then shook his head as though he no more believed that than he did a word of what Deuce had said. Ben removed his hat and was about to speak when Hanson order him to remove his gun belt, then turned to Adam and ordered him to do likewise. Ben and Adam looked at one another \u201cAre you serious?\u201d Adam asked, \u201cYou really think we shot Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not thinking anything at the moment. I\u2019ve words to that effect from Deuce here, and from what was said at the store room the indications were that you two were the main suspects. Apart from that I think you\u2019d be safer in my cell now than riding out in town. Zedekiah Byrnes was well liked here, people may not take kindly to the thought of his killers riding out of town free.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe ARE NOT his killers\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was several decibels higher than usual as he slammed down his gun belt onto the desk, \u201cSheriff, the killer, or killers, are out there. You\u2019re letting him run free. Instead of putting us in prison you should be looking for the man who really killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n Cy Hawkins walked forwards now, a slow casual strolling stride and he glanced at the two men and then at Deuce Martin before looking at the sheriff, \u201cDr. Hay has given Miss Byrnes a sedative. She won\u2019t be fit to give a statement until tomorrow. There\u2019s a woman going in to sit with her.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson nodded, \u201cYou were in the caf\u00e9, weren\u2019t you? Did you see anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Miss Byrnes came in and told us that she was worried because the Cartwrights were arguing with her father in the outer room. She went to the kitchen and the next thing I heard were gun shots.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone with you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins looked coldly at Ben and Adam then his eyes slid back to the sheriff, \u201cCole was with me for a while, but he went out shortly before it all happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he now?\u201d Hanson asked only to have his question answered by Cole himself, standing slightly behind the Cartwrights. Hanson nodded \u201cI\u2019d be grateful if you could both write what happened this evening in a statement. Date and sign it please.\u201d he picked up the keys from the desk and jerked his head towards the cells \u201cYou two, you know where they are \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about our horses?\u201d Adam asked and Deuce promptly cried that he\u2019d take them to the livery, and leave them with old Zeke Jackson until they could be collected.<\/p>\n The two men entered the cell and while Adam stood staring at the window Ben turned to watch as Hanson turned the keys in the lock. \u201cYou\u2019re making a mistake, Hanson.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had a dollar for every man who said that I\u2019d be a rich man, Cartwright\u201c Hanson took the keys from the lock and looked at them both, Ben with his dark eyes fixed on him and Adam staring at the window with his back turned obstinately against him. \u201cYou\u2018ll get a fair trial.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned \u201cA fair trial? What are you talking about, how can it be fair when you\u2019ve arrested the wrong men?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson shook his head \u201cYou\u2019d best calm down, son. You\u2019re in enough trouble as it is, without making it worse for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam opened his mouth but Ben\u2019s hand gripped his arm and although he pulled himself away from his father\u2019s grasp he remained silent. Ben stepped closer to the bars \u201cHanson, I\u2019d like to ask you to do a favour for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I can -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill you send Clem Foster to let my sons, Joe and Hoss, know what\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson frowned, then nodded, \u201cI\u2019ll do that.\u201d<\/p>\n The door separating the cells from the office closed upon father and son. For a moment neither spoke, Adams head dropped as he stared down at the floor, a picture of total dejection. Things were out of his control, there was nothing he could do, he sighed and sat down on the cot, then looked up at his father \u201cWell, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head \u201cIt\u2019s late, son, you may not feel like it right now, but the best thing may be to try and sleep. Pray that Sally remembers the truth, and that Deuce Martin can dredge up some courage to tell Hanson what really happened.\u201d<\/p>\n In the office Martin signed his statement with a shaky hand and then after a brief glance at Hawkins fled from the office. Hanson read it through and shook his head. He looked over at Hawkins and Cole who were writing out their statements, \u201cRemember you could be up for perjury if you sign a false statement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSheriff, we\u2019re honest men, we don\u2019t have an axe to grind against the Cartwrights, why should we lie?\u201d Hawkins said with his near black eyes glittering like a snakes.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Ben and Adam had not slept although they lay on the cots and didn\u2019t speak. When the door opened it was Ben who stood up and went to the stand by the bars, Hanson nodded over to wards Adam \u201cIs he asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Adams voice promptly responded \u201cNo, he isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson sighed and then looked at Ben \u201cI\u2019ve got the written statements of the other men, I\u2019d like yours now. Come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat up and was about to get to his feet but Hanson told him to stay where he was, \u201cI\u2019ll get yours later.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched the key turn in the lock and his father led from the cell block, the door closed. With a groan he buried his face in his hands and tried to recollect all the facts that he could, and to put them in some kind of coherent order.<\/p>\n Ben was surprised at how thorough Hanson was with the cross examination, it even brought about a grudging respect for the man who promised him that he would make sure he would get to the truth of the matter. He was given plenty of time to write a statement along with a cup of good coffee. When he signed it and handed it over to Hanson the sheriff looked at it and nodded, \u201cI hope this works out in your favour, Mr. Cartwright. I can\u2019t see you as a cold blooded killer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a role I see myself in either, sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was led out once his father had taken his seat, perched on the edge of the cot. He sat in the office and answered questions, put forward questions of his own, some of which were honestly answered by the sheriff. While in the cell Adam had decided not to mention young Jimmy\u2019s role in the matter, so when Hanson asked him why he was suspicious of Deuce and Mr. Byrnes he merely shrugged and said calmly \u201cI\u2019m intuitive.\u201d He almost laughed aloud when Hanson nodded and said that he believed him.<\/p>\n He was given time to write out a statement, also with a cup of good coffee. He signed the statement and handed it to Hanson with blank shut off features, and allowed himself to be led back to the cell. Without a word he returned to the cot and lay down.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t believe it.\u201d Joe cried, and threw his hat onto the floor, \u201cIs the man crazy? What kind of sheriff is this man, Clem? Doesn\u2019t he know that my father would no more kill a man in cold blood than – than – \u201c he threw his hands in the air, \u201cTell him, Hoss, tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCalm down, Joe, now jest you calm.\u201d Hoss put a hand on Joe\u2019s chest, and then turned to Clem Foster who was looking just about as miserable as if it were his own father that had been jailed, \u201cJest run through it all agin, Clem, so\u2019s I got the facts straight in my head.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem told them everything he knew and then waited for the explosion, but it never came. Joe sunk down on the settee and sat with his hands in his hair, looking as though he were about to pull out handfuls. Hoss paced the floor with a frown on his face. Then he nodded \u201cWe\u2019d best git on to town, Joe. Guess they\u2019ll need some clean clothing and shaving kit. Pa will want his bible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you talking about, Hoss? You sound as though you\u2019re expecting them to be there for days on end? I tell you, they\u2019ll be out in no time. I mean, they didn\u2019t do anything wrong, they can\u2019t be kept in jail for doing nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt might be a good idea if you took some things, just in case.\u201d Clem suggested and then rather lamely added \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n Sally Byrnes was too ill to come to the sheriffs office so he had to go and see her. Mrs O\u2019Shaughnessy opened the door to him and led him to Sally\u2019s room where the girl sat with a shawl around her shoulders. She was one moment crying and another moment shivering as though cold all the way through to the bones. When she saw Hanson she began to cry again.<\/p>\n \u201cHas anyone else been to see her this morning, Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe doctor came to see how she was, and Mr. Hawkins -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHawkins? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was worried about her. Good heavens, sheriff, it\u2019s nice to know that when this kind of thing happens someone cares \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of people who care, Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy.\u201d<\/p>\n She said nothing to that but went out promising to make some tea. Hanson looked at the young woman and taking a deep breath took the chair opposite her and asked her if she felt well enough to make a statement. She looked up with dark hazel eyes swimming in tears, \u201cI saw them kill my father, of course I want to write a statement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Byrnes, did you really see it, I mean, with your own eyes did you see Adam or Ben kill your father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey shot him down. They shot him down all because of some few stolen cows. Those high and mighty Cartwrights, always lording it over everyone else. So long as every one did what they were told but when something happens \u2026 that\u2019s when you see their real colours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat real colours are we talking about here, Miss. Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Cartwrights .. Their true colours, they\u2019re murderers, worse than that .. My father didn\u2019t have a gun, he trusted them \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Jimmy was sitting on the boardwalk when Joe and Hoss arrived and dismounted outside the sheriffs. He jumped up as soon as they got the door, \u201cHey, Mr. Hoss, can I come in and see Mr. Cartwright and Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot now, Jimmy.\u201d Hoss said kindly and set him to one side, but the boy wasn\u2019t to be dismissed that easily, he grabbed at Joe\u2019s sleeve,<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn\u2019t do it, Mister. They didn\u2019t do it, I know they didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Jimmy. Thanks anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n With slumped shoulders the boy turned and sat back down on the boardwalk.<\/p>\n The deputy took their guns and checked through the package that contained shaving kit, books and clean clothing. He nodded and then led them to the cells where Ben and Adam waited for them. Adams knuckles were white where he was gripping the bars so tightly whereas Ben stood slightly back from his son and smiled calmly as Joe and Hoss came up to the cell.<\/p>\n \u201cPa? What\u2019s this all about?\u201d Joe asked in lowered tones, his voice was shaking slightly, and his eyes looked wildly from his brother to his father, \u201cClem said they reckon they\u2019ve got the case proven against you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s for a jury to decide, son, not Hanson or Hawkins for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre they looking for the real killer?\u201d Hoss asked<\/p>\n Adam gave a snort of derision \u201cThey already think they\u2019ve got the real killers. They aren\u2019t going to look any further than in this cell.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss looked at one another, Hoss cleared his throat \u201cWhat do you want us to do, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the Circuit Judge is due at the end of the week -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s only two days away, Pa.\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n Ben gave a slightly pale smile \u201cIt sounds further away if I say it\u2019s the end of the week.\u201d he frowned, \u201cGo and get our lawyer, we\u2019ll have to arrange our defence if it comes to trial.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnything else, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked as calmly as he could, although his heart was beating so fast he could barely breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep calm yourselves, take good care of things back home. don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, Pa, how do you expect us to not worry?\u201d Joe said with a gulp in his voice and he heaved a deep breath and nodded, \u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can find Deuce Martin ask him to go over his statement, ask him to make sure he\u2019s telling the truth. Lay it on the line, he\u2019s a frightened man, the fear of perjury and the subsequent punishment may just get him rattled enough to change his statement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Miss Sally?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n Adam shot a glance over at his father and then shook his head, \u201cShe\u2019s in grief, there\u2019s no point in talking to her about what happened. She probably isn\u2019t sure herself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf she ain\u2019t sure then she aint\u2019 a reliable witness, is she?\u201d Hoss said quietly.<\/p>\n Ben nodded, \u201cWell, just leave her be for now, she\u2019s suffering her own loss. It wouldn\u2019t be kindly to intrude upon that at present.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson, just returned from getting the statement from Miss Sally Byrnes, heard what was being said and with a sigh, shook his head. The case, he felt, was far from conclusive.<\/p>\n Chapter 13<\/p>\n Cy Hawkins put his feet up on the chair opposite his and began flicking the dirt from his finger nails with his pen knife. He glanced around the room and noticed what each of his men were doing, who was there and who was missing. He looked over at Bert Fuller who was starting his morning with his usual liquid refreshment and frowned. Bert was a mistake, one of the very few Hawkins permitted himself, but that was because Bert knew all about Cy Hawkins, right back to where it all began in a small town called Lassiter in Kansas.<\/p>\n Back then Bert Fuller hadn\u2019t been the fat loud mouthed fool that he was now. Hawkins could remember when the man was thinner, quicker with his gun and his fist. Hawkins could also remember the number of men killed by Fuller before they had ever met up.<\/p>\n He listened to Bert complaining about how Adam Cartwright had taken an unfair advantage of him the previous night and of the broken tooth he\u2019d got as a result. Hawkins closed his knife and put it back in his pocket \u201cIf you drank less you\u2019d not have been caught out, Bert.\u201d<\/p>\n The fat man glared over at Hawkins but didn\u2019t have the courage to say anything. He knew his place. He\u2019d learned it after so many years riding with the man. Cole Matheson pulled a chair from the table and sat down, \u201cThe Cartwrights had visitors today, the other two – Hoss and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be no problem.\u201d Hawkins said slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the girl? Reckon she really saw what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins paused a moment and frowned, \u201cI don\u2019t know, if she did she isn\u2019t telling Hanson the truth now, is she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s if she knows what the truth is.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins looked at Cole and then looked away. He saw himself when he looked at Cole. There was something cold and dark and evil in the man, as though he had no heart, nothing. Just like himself, and he knew that when the time came Cole Matheson would have no conscience in gunning him down. It would just take the right time, the right place.<\/p>\n He got up and walked over to the window and looked over at the sparse land upon which the old ranch house was sited. He could smell the sulphur from the match Cole had struck to light up his cigarette, he listened with half an ear on the talk going on between his men. Not much longer and he\u2019d have everything he wanted, right here in Virginia City. Hoss and Joe Cartwright were no problem, he dismissed them as lightweights compared to the rancher and his eldest son.<\/p>\n Sometimes he thought back to the past and wondered when it was that he had decided to pursue a life of crime. Perhaps because for a man of his nature it was the easiest course to take. If there was an obstacle you didn\u2019t worry about it because you just removed it. Like that stupid sheriff in Lassiter who insisted on his moving out of town and his men with him. Well, that was a neck stretching party that had provided some entertainment.<\/p>\n Hawkins eyes narrowed slightly as he remembered the fires that had been lit, the way the man had struggled to get free and the woman who had wept and begged him, Hawkins, to free her man. There were the boys too, and a girl. He could see them all either crying and begging or staring at him with hate in their eyes. Perhaps Hoss and Joe Cartwright would be like that soon, staring at him with hate filled eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know who the circuit Judge is?\u201d<\/p>\n His voice cut across the talk in the room and there was silence. Cole blew out a cloud of smoke and nodded \u201cYeah, he\u2019s a old feller, name of Brooks.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins thought for a moment and turned back to look at the view \u201cNathan Brooks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s the one.\u201d Cole replied and turned pale blue ice cold eyes to wards the other man.<\/p>\n Bert put down his glass of rot gut and stared at Cole \u201cNathan Brooks? You sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what the deputy told me.\u201d<\/p>\n Bert chuckled deep in his throat, not a pleasant sound, \u201cWell, well, if I were superstitious I\u2019d be worried.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Cole frowned and stared at the fat man with a degree of loathing.<\/p>\n \u201cThings are just falling just too neatly into place, everything just right, just right.\u201d Bert stood up and walked over to the window by Hawkins \u201cAin\u2019t that so?\u201d<\/p>\n Cy Hawkins didn\u2019t answer. He often ignored the fat man now, after all, he had little use for him really, it was just that Fuller knew too much. Well, it didn\u2019t matter too much about him either, because one fine day the fat man was going to have a little accident.<\/p>\n Nathan Brooks though, that was a different matter. Once again Hawkins had come across someone whom he had known in the past. If he didn\u2019t believe so strongly that a man made his own luck in this world he would be worried about how well things were falling into place.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n Clyde Manson put the statements down on the table and then looked at the two men sitting opposite him in the cell. He was conscious of the hard ridge of the cot biting into the back of his legs, and the cold draught blowing in from the barred opening that was termed a window. He was equally conscious of the near black eyes of the older man and the firm jaw of the younger man who were his clients. He had less than two days to prepare them for trial.<\/p>\n \u201cDo either of you have anything to add to your statements?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben said no and Adam shook his head. Clyde sighed, \u201cLet\u2019s just go over this again, in your own words. Adam, you had most to do in the matter leading up to the murder, why not go over it with me now.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rubbed his temple slowly, a circular motion of his long fingers that Clyde found irritating, but when he looked into the brown eyes of the young man he remembered that if he didn\u2019t win the case the young man would be dead, those fingers stilled forever.<\/p>\n Adam went through his activities from the moment Deuce Martin left the Hardware Store. All that he omitted was any mention of young Jimmy, so when Clyde asked him why he had felt the need to pursue Deuce down the alley or even hang around the caf\u00e9 he had to pause a moment to think, before merely saying \u201cI had a feeling Deuce knew more about the stolen beef that he would admit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, a feeling!\u201d Adam snapped somewhat testily, \u201cHaven\u2019t you ever had a feeling about something? Sometimes a man gets to know when something ain\u2019t right and goes with that feeling. That\u2019s what happened. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure? Remember, everything hangs on this -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it doesn\u2019t\u201d Adam swung out his arm as though to dismiss everything – the lawyer, the papers, the fact that they were sitting in the cell. \u201cNo, it doesn\u2019t, because it all hangs on what Sally says. That\u2019s what the jury will be listening to, and that\u2019s who they will be watching. Sally Byrnes who saw her father brutally murdered by two men whom she thought she could trust.\u201d<\/p>\n Clyde lowered his eyes and looked at the statements in his hands and sighed \u201cI can\u2019t deny that you\u2019re right about this, but it\u2019s still possible that you may have some piece of evidence that will prove your innocence.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stood up, shook his head and walked to the window. He clasped two of the bars between his hands and bit down on his bottom lip and then turned to face Clyde \u201cFor a start you\u2019re assuming you\u2019ve a jury of good men who only want to see right at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, and as far as I\u2019m concerned that\u2019s what you\u2019ll get.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s your first mistake because you won\u2019t get them. You\u2019ll get 12 men who are so scared of Hawkins that they\u2019ll be watching every thing he does and says, every move he makes just in case they don\u2019t get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re wrong there, Adam. Cy Hawkins can\u2019t influence the jury anymore than he can the judge.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben leaned forward \u201cWho is the Judge, Clyde?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNathan Brooks.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded, \u201cWell, he has a reputation as a fair minded man\u201c<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know him, Ben?\u201d Clyde asked as he shuffled the papers to put back into his bag.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2018ve met him several times. I\u2018ve a lot of respect for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood, let\u2019s hope he has a lot of respect for you as well.\u201d Clyde looked over at Adam \u201cYou sure you\u2019ve nothing to add?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded. Clyde pulled on his jacket and buckled the strap on the bag \u201cI\u2019ll see you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Once the outer door had closed with a now familiar thud Ben turned to Adam \u201cYou should have told him about Jimmy, son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t want the boy involved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut he could be a key witness, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh Pa -\u201d Adam shook his head and looked at his father in exasperation \u201cDo you really think that Hawkins would let Jimmy testify if it were to help us? Do you think the boy would even survive?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t imagine any harm would come to the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I can. I can imagine a lot of harm coming to him, or to his family. Perhaps he\u2019ll go out to do his hustling for the day and go home and find someone accidentally burned the house down.\u201d he sat back opposite his father and leaned forward, \u201cAnyway, this case is stacked against us, Pa. We have to admit that, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed heavily and nodded. Adam looked thoughtfully at his father before adding as some kind of epitaph \u201cImagine a boy like Jimmy giving his testimony at the trial and then think of how he\u2019ll feel if after all he has to endure through it we end up hanged anyway? I wouldn\u2019t want to put a child through that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded, he put his hand over Adams and gripped hold of it tightly before getting up and taking up his position by the window. \u201cI think our only hope is in the Judge then, and getting a fair hearing.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam made no reply to that, he briefly wondered if his father was really that na\u00efve or was trying in some paternal way to give him some encouragement. He stretched out upon the cot and folded his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. Ben looked at his son and with a long drawn out sigh returned to the window to look at the sky and watch the clouds scud by, after a moment he bowed his head and spoke to the Greatest of all Judges in the hope that his son at least would survive what was to come.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Judge Nathan Brooks entered his suite of rooms in the Internationale Hotel and slowly removed his hat and coat. He had fond memories of Ben Cartwright and the news that it was he and his son on trial for murder surprised and saddened the elderly Judge. He turned towards the desk and stopped at the sight of the dark featured man sitting in the chair, \u201cEr – I think you have the wrong room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have the wrong room, Judge.\u201d Hawkins said slowly.<\/p>\n Nathan Brooks observed him thoughtfully \u201cDo I know you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you search your memory real well, Judge, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll remember just who I am and whereabouts we last met.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks fixed a myopic gaze on the man\u2019s face and shook his head, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I don\u2019t recall you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a shame because it means I shall have to refresh your memory with a few salient facts. Ten years ago you wanted a favour done by someone who wouldn\u2019t ask questions before or after.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks gulped, and tried to maintain a straight back \u201cI don\u2019t recall any such thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps the names Henri and Monique de Treville in Baton Rouge -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop there -\u201d Nathan cried and raised a hand as though to prevent any more words from falling from Hawkins lips \u201cWere you – did you -?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it wasn\u2019t me who arranged their little accident, Judge. But the person who did was kind enough to pass on all the details to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case why did you say I would know you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins didn\u2019t smile, he seldom smiled, but he walked over to where a bottle of whiskey stood on a tray with some glasses. He poured them both some and handed a glass to Brooks, \u201cWell, about six years back I needed some money and it happened that you were in the same town at the time. You were very generous if I recall rightly -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell I\u2019ve no money on me and -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want any money from you, but I want you to forget just how friendly you are with the Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean? Are you trying to get me to pervert the course of justice?\u201d the older mans hand trembled, and another emotion other than fear crossed his features.<\/p>\n Hawkins shook his head, \u201cJudge, how can you even talk about perverting the course of justice after what happened in Baton Rouge. If that couple hadn\u2019t had that accident you would never have won the court case that set you up to your so called fame and glory. Don\u2019t give me that old clich\u00e9 about justice, you wouldn\u2019t know it if you fell over it.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks said nothing to that but with bowed head slumped down in a chair and swallowed down the whiskey. \u201cWhat do you want from me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust pay a lot of attention to the grieving daughter who saw her father shot down in cold blood. Remember, Judge, she SAW her father shot down. There\u2019s another witness – name of Deuce Martin. The defending lawyer will try and turn him inside out because he\u2019s so nervous he\u2019ll probably not even get his name right. Just make sure what he says is what you judge the Cartwrights on.\u201d he downed his drink and gave what passed as a smile \u201cSee, nothing difficult about that, is there? Just listen to the evidence and ignore anything the Cartwrights have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks turned to face his tormentor as he was leaving the room \u201cAt the end of the day it\u2019ll be up to the jury\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Hawkins gave him a cold glare and shrugged \u201cYou won\u2019t have to worry about the jury.\u201d<\/p>\n The door closed with a sharp snap leaving Judge Nathan Brooks staring at the far wall as though he had woken from a nightmare.<\/p>\n Chapter 14<\/p>\n As soon as Joe and Hoss entered the cell block Ben and Adam were on their feet to greet them. Eyes asked the questions as each scanned the faces of the others. Adam stepped back and passed his hand over his face, pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes \u201cNo trace of him then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing.\u201d Joe replied in such a subdued voice that Ben had to reach out and take hold of his son\u2019s arm as a means of reassurance.<\/p>\n \u201cSeems to have disappeared into thin air.\u201d Hoss added, \u201cWe looked everywhere, he ain\u2019t turned up for work at the Hardware store. The cafes closed and Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy ain\u2019t letting anyone in to see Miss Sally except -\u201d he tightened his lips and darted a glance over at the deputy who was lounging by the door \u201cExcept Hawkins and that side kick of his that looks like he drinks a glass of rattler poison every morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged and looked at his father and then again at his brothers \u201cWell, if Deuce Martin isn\u2019t dead already you can guarantee he\u2019s being taught his script for the trial, he\u2019ll have to be word perfect after all just in case Miss Sally Byrnes realises she didn\u2019t see what she wants to believe she saw.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded \u201cI know, I reckon on you being right about that, Adam.\u201d He sighed and looked at his father \u201cHave you any other idea, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ben shook his head resignedly, \u201cDid you get to see the Judge?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir.\u201d Hoss frowned, \u201cHe ain\u2019t seeing no one, said he needs all the time he\u2019s got to read over all the statements and such.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow long does it take to read a few statements -\u201d Joe snapped impatiently, \u201cAll we want is for him to come and see Pa, and -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Joe.\u201d Ben again squeezed his sons arm gently, \u201cIt\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it ain\u2019t alright, Pa,\u201d Hoss cried in an anguished voice and he grabbed hold of the bars of the cell doors, \u201cIf I had the chance I could -\u201d<\/p>\n The deputy stepped forward, his rifle no longer resting in the crook of his arm but levelled at Hoss who nodded and raised a hand to placate the man.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a mite tetchy today, ain\u2019t\u2019cha?\u201d he said putting his hands behind his back.<\/p>\n \u201cTrials tomorrow, how\u2019d you expect me to feel?\u201d the deputy replied.<\/p>\n Adam gave him a long sideways glare that assured him that as far as that prisoner was concerned his feelings were no contest for the way theirs were right then. Hoss sighed, \u201cWe\u2019ll go and look around for Deuce some more. If we find out anything we\u2019ll let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben watched them go, Joe cast a last lingering look at them over his shoulder as though fearful of never seeing them again, then the doors closed and the two men were alone once more in the cell.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Pa, all this hangs on Sally\u2019s testimony, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so, which is a shame considering that she\u2019s in no real condition to testify.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if I write to her, explain what happened. Do you think she\u2019ll change her mind?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled slowly \u201cI don\u2019t know, son. It\u2019s hard to judge the thinking of a woman\u2019s mind at the best of times, but right now, the way things stand, I just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Mrs O\u2019Shaughnessy took the envelope from the deputy and turned it over and over as she listened to the young man explaining that it was from Adam and how things were getting pretty fraught for them all. She smiled slowly \u201cI\u2019d give it to Miss Byrnes but I can\u2019t guarantee she\u2019ll read it. Please give them both my best wishes, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure I will, Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy.\u201d<\/p>\n She watched him leave and after closing the door went up the stairs to the room where Sally was resting. She held out the envelope \u201cIt\u2019s from young Adam Cartwright, Miss Byrnes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright? Why\u2019s he writing to me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Miss Byrnes, maybe he just wants to explain -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExplain?\u201d Sally took the envelope and tore it in half, \u201cExplain what? Why he killed my father?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy put her arm around the girl\u2019s shoulders and drew her to the bed, where she set her down and took her place beside her, \u201cSally – Miss Byrnes – I\u2019ve known the Cartwrights a long time, dear, I can\u2019t believe that they\u2019d kill your father as you think -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw them, Mrs O\u2019Shaughness, I saw them.\u201d she wrung her hands together \u201cDon\u2019t you understand, I saw them shoot my father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut why? What would be the point of it? I\u2019ve never known Mr. Cartwright or any of his sons do anything to harm any one. I just -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you\u2019re like so many people who were taken in by them, Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy. All these years being fooled by their smooth talk, and look what it\u2019s got you? This town can\u2019t do a thing without Ben Cartwright\u2019s say so. Perhaps now it\u2019ll be able to breathe at last.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you don\u2019t, none of you do, you\u2019ve allowed the Cartwrights to do all your thinking for you. Well, not any more. You\u2019ll see for yourselves the kind of men they are when they go for trial tomorrow, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at the pieces of torn paper and picked them up and then held each piece to the flames in the fire and watched them blacken and curl over and then disintegrate into ash. \u201cThere, so much for Adam Cartwright. I hope he hangs and his father along with him.\u201d After Clyde left the two men had supper provided by one of the local restaurants, but although they drank the coffee pot dry most of the food remained uneaten. When Hanson asked if there was anything they\u2019d like, Ben asked for a chess board.<\/p>\n As Ben set out the pieces he looked up at Adams face and asked him what he was thinking about, to which his son merely said how to win the next two games. They shared a smile and the first game started. Hanson came to watch for a while and then left them, although he drew his chair up close to the open doors to the cell block.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you remember teaching me how to play chess, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do, son. It was a long time ago now.\u201d Ben made his first move and looked up at Adam who smiled and moved one of his rooks.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember we were alone, the wagon had broken down, one of the horses had the staggers and the wood for the fire was wet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure was, there was smoke everywhere -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou decided to teach me to play chess so that I didn\u2019t have to worry about not eating anything that night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt worked, didn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed, a dry chuckle deep in his throat, \u201cNo it didn\u2019t, I was hungry all night \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded \u201cSo was I.\u201d he made another move, \u201cYou know, if we get out of this, alive, we\u2019ll throw the biggest party the Ponderosa has ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll really please Hop Sing.\u201d Adam countered the move with another of his pawns, \u201cYou know, if – if it doesn\u2019t work out, Pa, Hawkins will go all out to get the Ponderosa for himself. He\u2019ll be the biggest landowner in the territory and -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c-and it\u2019s best not to think about it. All we can do is think of some way to help Hoss and Joe should the worse happen.\u201d<\/p>\n They sat staring down at the board for a few moments in silence, Adam cleared his throat \u201cThat night you said things couldn\u2019t get any worse, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the morning we found the horse dead, the rain had soaked through most of what was left of our staples, and it started to snow.\u201d<\/p>\n They looked at one another and Ben began to laugh, \u201cYou see, son, just when you think it can\u2019t get any worse -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c- it usually does.\u201d Adam chuckled, and moved another piece \u201cCheck – mate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n In the morning the town stirred itself into activity. This was going to be a day to remember, a day when Ben and Adam Cartwright were to be tried for the murder of Zedekiah Byrnes. The jury was being selected with Judge Brooks, Clyde Manson and Andrew Whittaker presiding.<\/p>\n In the jailhouse Hop Sing brought his friends clean clothes and prepared them his own blend of coffee. His sad countenance and moisture filled eyes were enough to make the bravest man flinch and eventually Ben had to tell him to leave and wait for them outside. But Hop Sing couldn\u2019t bring himself to wait, he took himself off to stay at his Uncle\u2019s house in the Chinese quarter and pray to his ancestors.<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss came to see if they were alright. Unable to speak, to find the right words, they shook hands through the bars, Ben told them how proud he was of them both. Adam couldn\u2019t speak but nodded, his eyes and smile spoke for him.<\/p>\n Five minutes to the hour and Hanson came and unlocked the cell doors. They were both handcuffed and then escorted to the Court room. The towns streets were bare, the stores closed.<\/p>\n Judge Nathan Brooks took his seat and looked down at the accused. His eyes met the dark eyes of a man he respected and he wondered if Ben Cartwright would ever think of him in a positive manner ever again after the trial was ended. He then looked over at the grieving young woman who sat dressed in black, the only item that was white was the handkerchief with which she dabbed at her eyes.<\/p>\n When Adam had taken his seat and looked at the twelve men on the jury his heart sunk. He didn\u2019t dare look at his father nor glance in the direction of his brothers. He only knew that every man there had the verdict settled in their minds via threats or bribes. Two of Hawkins men were seated in the front row with the other jurors.<\/p>\n He looked straight ahead and knew the only thing he could do would be to tell the truth, and to tell it well.<\/p>\n Chapter 15<\/p>\n The atmosphere in the court room was so tense that those late in arriving felt a shiver run down their spines. The actors in the ensuing drama were the object of every eye in the room. Ben and his son, Adam, sat side by side beside their lawyer, the thin haggard looking Clyde Manson who looked as if he never slept. The desk in front of them was covered with papers and writing materials. Water had been provided, but only one glass. No one thought to ask who that was for and what would happen if the remaining two at the table were to get thirsty.<\/p>\n On the opposite side of the aisle Miss Sally Byrnes sat in her black garments with her hair pulled away severely from her face. Hawkins had told her that people would be moved at the sight of her grief, so make the best show of it as possible. Her lawyer sat beside her, a tall well built man who looked as if he had stepped fresh out of his hotel having slept well and eaten hearty \u2026 which he had.<\/p>\n Joe felt sick to the stomach. He couldn\u2019t bear to take his eyes from his father and brother, both of whom wore their best suits and ties as though they were about to go and watch a production of Othello at the theatre. Joe\u2019s eyes kept blinking as he struggled to keep his emotions under control. He could feel Hoss beside him and wondered how his brother was handling the ordeal, after all, it was Hoss who was the gentlest creature on earth and here he was having to sit through this charade. Every so often Hoss would take a huge gulp of air as though somehow he found it hard to fill his lungs naturally.<\/p>\n \u201cWill the accused stand -\u201d the usher\u2019s deep voice seemed to bounce off the wall.<\/p>\n Almost in a synchronised movement Ben and Adam rose to their feet and looked at the Judge.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you plead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot Guilty.\u201d Ben said and his voice positively boomed around the room while his dark eyes seemed to pierce into Nathan Brooks very heart.<\/p>\n \u201cNot Guilty.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was quieter but firm, there was no anger in his voice only a slight edge to it that indicated he felt the injustice of it all.<\/p>\n They resumed their seats and Brooks banged his gavel and looked at Nathan Brooks to begin the proceedings with the opening address to the jury.<\/p>\n With a dignified movement Andrew Whittaker approached the jury and looked at them one by one. He sighed deeply and took hold of his lapels with each hand, \u201cGentlemen of the jury, you\u2019ve come today to stand in judgement of two men who are accused of the murder of a well respected businessman in this town, the father of the young lady seated here who had to witness his death. You are going to hear testimony today that will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that those two men accused of this crime are guilty. They are guilty, gentlemen, of the worse of all crimes, murder. In the case of Adam Cartwright the charges of trespass and calumny will be added to that of murder.<\/p>\n \u201cThese men, as most of you know, have been part of this town\u2019s history, and perhaps, because of that, certain of their more unsavoury traits have been ignored, or brushed to one side. True we live in a part of the world where the law of the gun presides for now, we hope this trial will prove that there is no longer any place for such an excuse for whole sale murder.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be hard for some of you having known Ben and Adam Cartwright for so long, to listen to what will be said today. But let us not forget another person present here, if not in the flesh, certainly in the spirit for he who was so foully slain will certainly play his role in this drama.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are in doubt as to the veracity of these charges then look at the young woman who is now bereft of any parent, who actually saw the murder committed before her own eyes. What more can one say, gentlemen, but that the decision will be yours alone.\u201d<\/p>\n He paused then, seemed to think for a moment as though making sure he had put forward all the salient points and then thanked them before resuming his seat. It was now time for Clyde to take the stand. He hit the corner of the table as he passed it , causing the jug of water to rattle the glass. Some of the more nervous types laughed but that was promptly quelled as he approached the bench behind which the jury sat.<\/p>\n \u201cGentlemen, my colleague has outlined certain details of this case and my task is to present to you the truth of the matter. The truth according to two men who were present at the moment of Mr.Byrnes death, two men who are most unjustly accused of his murder.<\/p>\n \u201cI fully appreciate that certain aspects of the case carry some doubt with it, at the present time. What I want you to consider is the now, the time now. Listen to the facts presented to you and the doubts will surely be clarified and the truth must shine through.<\/p>\n \u201cOur sympathies are extended most sincerely to the young lady who has lost her father, even more reason, I feel, that a search be made for the true killers, the ones who really are responsible for her father\u2019s death, and that the Cartwrights be allowed to go free of any charge against them.\u201d<\/p>\n He left them after a quiet thanks and sat down beside his client, Ben. The jury fidgeted. They weren\u2019t impressed by the speeches, they, like the audience wanted to hear about the murder, were, in fact, eager to hear very detail, truthful or not.<\/p>\n Sally dabbed at her eyes and took a sip of water. It was hard to be the object of people\u2019s stares, but she thought of her father and felt more determined than ever to see his murderers hang.<\/p>\n Adam had his head down as he thought over the two charges that had been added to that of murder. It seemed a paltry matter to have added them but thinking it through accepted the fact that it weighed heavier against him should they be proven true, it would give a reason and a cause for the events that had followed. He sighed and glanced at his father who sat with his back straight and his eyes staring hard at the far wall.<\/p>\n Joe licked dry lips and rubbed sweating palms over the knees of his pants, by his side Hoss closed his eyes and prayed hard, really hard deep inside himself, that justice would be done for all concerned, and that included Miss Sally. The man seated beside Hoss nudged him \u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss, but I\u2019m real sorry about all this. I can\u2019t see that your Pa or brother would shoot a man down in cold blood, not like they\u2019re all saying.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded, \u201cThank you, Mr. Faulkner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all mighty strange.\u201d the other man sighed, and shook his head.<\/p>\n The first person to be summoned to the stand for the prosecution was the doctor. He approached nervously and took off his spectacles, cleaned them, took the oath and then replaced them before sitting down. He looked sympathetically over at Sally and told himself that she had obviously taken a larger dose of sedative than he had prescribed, he looked equally sympathetically over at Adam and Ben to whom he gave a wavering smile. Whittaker tapped on the stand for his attention.<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Hinkman, do you know the accused very well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I do. I\u2019ve known them since Adam was a young lad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Miss Byrnes, do you know her well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Ever since they came to Virginia City some five years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you describe the cause of Mr. Byrnes death please?\u201d<\/p>\n Casting a sympathetic look at Sally the old man proceeded to tell the court the cause of death \u201cA bullet cut through his jugular vein, and another went through the frontal lobe\u2026 it would have been instant death. There was another bullet that had broken the tibia in his leg. I\u2019m afraid Mr. Byrnes was dead before I got there. It was instant. Nothing could save him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn your medical opinion would you say the bullets came from a frontal assault?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, of course from a frontal assault. There was no indication of the victim being shot in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Dr. Hinkman.\u201d<\/p>\n Hinkman stood up as though to leave but Manson called him to sit down. He did so and waited patiently for the other lawyer to proceed.<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor, you said that the bullets were fired to the front of the body – am I correct?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. As you would expect if the men were conversing together.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson nodded \u201cSo, if they were conversing together, how far apart would they be standing, would you say? \u201c<\/p>\n Whittaker stood up \u201cObjection – the question calls for speculation on the doctors part.\u201d<\/p>\n Brookes looked startled as though he hadn\u2019t expected to be involved in this, actually taking an active part in the destruction of the Cartwrights. He nodded \u201cSustained.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Judge -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen re-phrase your question.\u201d Brookes said hoping it would soften the previous decision.<\/p>\n Manson looked at the doctor \u201cI know you weren\u2019t there, Doctor, so wouldn\u2019t be able to tell me how far apart they all were from each other. But you could tell me if there were any scorch marks on the clothing, couldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hinkman nodded \u201cThere were no scorch marks on the clothing at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo that would indicate that the shooters were not standing close to the victim, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it would.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker raised a hand \u201cObjection, Judge. That is totally irrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n Brookes flushed a little red, to his mind it was very relevant. He dithered and over ruled the objection. Hawkins glanced at Stuart and Henry, his two stooges in the jury. It would be up to them to obliterate from the jurists minds any thought of burns to the clothing or to the victim.<\/p>\n Whittakers next individual to the stand was Hanson who took the oath rather pompously, and sat down. Whittaker carried two pistols over to the sheriff to identify them, Hanson promptly did so, telling the court how he had labelled them as soon as he got them back in the office after the shooting. They belonged to the accused.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are of the same calibre, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow many bullets were missing from each?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFour from Ben Cartwrights and five from Adam Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker nodded and flourished the guns in his hands so that the jury could see them with the tags attached to each. He then put them down and returned to Hanson and asked him to describe what had taken place. Hanson cleared his throat \u201cI heard gun shots, I realised they came from the caf\u00e9 and ran towards the building when Deuce Martin ran out and said that they had shot Mr. Byrnes. I asked who did he mean and he said \u2018The Cartwrights.\u201d By the time I had reached the store room, the shooting had ended. Mr. Hawkins was taking a gun from Cartwright, Ben Cartwright was kneeling beside the body seemingly attempting to stop the blood from the neck wound. I saw Mr Matheson taking Miss Byrnes away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did the Cartwright\u2019s tell you had happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat they were talking to Mr. Byrnes when there were several shots from the doorway. They immediately fired back. Mr. Hawkins told me that Miss Byrnes had seen it all and said they had shot her father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it was definitely these guns that were used for that purpose?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection.\u201d Manson called out, \u201cThat\u2019s purely speculative. He\u2019s calling for the sheriff to substantiate guilt which is for the jury to decide, not him.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker shrugged \u201cHad these guns been fired recently?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey were warm, still smoking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d he looked at Manson who approached the sheriff slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cHow far from Mr. Byrnes body were the Cartwrights when you entered the store room?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Ben Cartwright was right next to him, kneeling like I said to try and staunch the bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Adam Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout the same distance as I am from you, but held back by Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker stood up \u201cObjection – that doesn\u2019t prove anything – .\u201d and he shrugged as though the whole thing were nonsense.<\/p>\n \u201cSustained.\u201d Brookes concluded and avoided Ben\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think -\u201d Manson began and Whittaker yelled \u201cSpeculative -\u201d \u201cSustained\u201d Brookes said.<\/p>\n Adam slumped slightly lower in his seat and Ben cleared his throat and touched his sons\u2019 foot with his own as though to encourage him. In their seats Joe and Hoss sat in tense agony.<\/p>\n Andrew Whittaker picked up a piece of paper and then set it down. The sheriff had gone and the seat was available now for the next person to take his place. Whittaker stood up \u201cI\u2019d like to ask Joseph Cartwright to the stand.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe felt as though his heart was about to stop. Manson immediately declared it was irregular, the name wasn\u2019t on his list to which Whittaker argued that due to the short notice of the trial he hadn\u2019t had the chance to see Joseph Cartwright who had been out of town for a while. Had he had the chance he would have served Joseph Cartwright with a sub-pena which, he said blandly, he would still do and have him called later in the day. Brookes banged his gavel and declared that Joseph Cartwright take his seat.<\/p>\n \u201cHeck Joe, what\u2019s this all about?\u201d Hoss whispered as Joe stood up but the youth merely shook his head and looked pale and, rightly so, rather frightened.<\/p>\n Chapter 16<\/p>\n He affirmed his name, and took the oath all the while looking over at his father and brother. Ben tried to reassure him with a smile and nod, and Adam looked at him with that softness on his face showing that he understood how he would be feeling.<\/p>\n Whittaker strode purposely to the stand and looked at Joseph sternly, \u201cSome weeks prior to the death of Mr. Byrnes, you and your brother, Adam, trespassed on some land belonging to Mr. Hawkins, is that correct?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we weren\u2019t trespassing.\u201d Joe protested immediately, his hazel eyes dilating with anger.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did know that the land belonged to Mr. Cy Hawkins, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, no -\u201d Joe paused, frowned and took a deep breath, \u201cLook, that land is just a mass of rock and nothing much else. Nothing grows there. If it was worth having we\u2019d have bought it years ago. It was valueless, when we heard someone had bought it we went to look to see what had changed to make it suddenly worth buying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you knew it belonged to someone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I just explained -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou knew it belonged to Mr. Hawkins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d been told Mr. Hawkins had bought it but weren\u2019t sure it was true because -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c-because in your opinion the land was valueless.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection -\u201d Manson suddenly decided to say something, \u201cThese questions are irrelevant to the matter for which this court has convened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJudge, this is very relevant. There has to be motive to the killing of Mr. Byrnes and these questions establish motive, taking us to the beginning of what led to his death.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection over ruled. Proceed, Mr. Whittaker.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker could barely disguise his satisfaction. He returned to Joe who cast a look over at Adam and his father before licking his lips and forcing himself to concentrate. Adam stared at the wall and thought over his last Will and Testament while Ben looked at his youngest son and suffered for him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhose suggestion was it to take this ride over Mr. Hawkins land?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI – I can\u2019t remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suggest you think and try to remember, Mr. Cartwright. As you know perjury is a serious offence in law.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lowered his head and stared at his boots, his hands gripped the edge of his seat and he cleared his throat, \u201cWe both kind of thought it a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou both did – no one of you took the initiative then?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe said nothing, glanced over at Adam and sighed \u201cAdam thought the land was rubbish, he couldn\u2019t believe Mr. Hawkins would have bought it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you know Mr. Hawkins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, never met him. Adam had briefly, thought he looked like a serious businessman who knew what he was doing which was why he couldn\u2019t believe that he had bought that land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you went for your ride over and then what did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe went home.\u201d Joe shrugged as though it were a stupid question, some of the more nervous in the court chuckled, most didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you work out any reason why Mr. Hawkins would have bought the land?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe tossed around a few ideas, then Adam said he\u2019d like to move the cattle we had grazing there because it was too near the boundary to that land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe thought the cattle would wander over there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, cattle aren\u2019t stupid, they don\u2019t wander where there isn\u2019t water or grass. They never had all the time we had them there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo why did your brother decide to move them after your trespassing on Mr. Hawkins land?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe thought that there were plenty of places there to hide rustled cattle. A few head at a time would be easy enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo – let\u2019s get this right – Mr. Adam Cartwright suggests going onto Mr. Hawkins land to see if there were any rustled cattle there? Or, the possibility of any future rustled cattle being hidden there – is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs it proved he was right – there had been cattle taken from the herd.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he blamed Mr. Hawkins for that, even though there was no proof?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he didn\u2019t blame Mr. Hawkins, Pa and he went to the sheriff to ask him to help us look for the rustlers, but when sheriff Hanson said we\u2019d been accused of trespassing on Mr. Hawkins\u2019 land it didn\u2019t seem we were going to get much help from the law.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you decided to do it your own way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, no, of course you didn\u2019t. I forgot, you were sent away from the Ponderosa for a while, weren\u2019t you? That\u2019s all, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Brookes looked at Manson \u201cDo you wish to ask Mr. Cartwright anything, Mr. Manson.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson shook his head, there was nothing he could think of saying that wouldn\u2019t have incriminated his clients further. Adam slumped further into his seat and although Ben tapped his foot gently with his own as a means of encouragement, he didn\u2019t move. Whittaker had proven trespass and to some extent calumny by virtue of the fact that he, Adam Cartwright, had set his sights on Hawkins as the rustler of their cattle.<\/p>\n Deuce Martin was the next to be called to the stand but after several attempts to summon him the usher had to inform the court that Deuce Martin had not arrived to testify despite a subpena being left at his lodgings giving him the day and time to be present. A muttering and shuffling took place for a while as Clem Foster was ordered to go to Martins lodgings and drag the fellow to the court room. It was old Zeke Jackson who stood up to tell them that he had seen Deuce riding out of town the previous evening \u201cHe done took one of my best horses and ain\u2019t seen hide nor hair of him since.\u201d<\/p>\n The clock ticked ominously loudly while the court waited for Clem and the reluctant witness to come forward but when the door opened it was only the deputy who entered. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Judge, it seems Mr. Martin had other ideas about where he was going to be today.\u201d<\/p>\n Some smug smiles flashed on some faces and Hawkins looked straight ahead, the model of rectitude. Sally sighed and fidgeted and looked over at Whittaker who after a second or two rallied and announced they would proceed without him.<\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes and shook his head, and Bens face fell into even sadder lines. He wondered if it were fear or the money Hawkins would have paid him that had sent Martin out of town. Whittaker looked over at Manson, who was thinking of all the questions he wanted to ask, questions he was sure would clear his clients or at least provide reasonable doubt with regard to Sally and Deuce\u2019s testimony. He sat down, and heard Adam murmur the word \u201cHamstrung.\u201d That, he thought, just about summed it up right.<\/p>\n Bert Fuller was summoned next and heaved himself in the chair, where he testified that he had never known Mr. Hawkins steal anything in his life. He confirmed that on the evening of Mr. Byrnes death he was having a quiet drink with friends in the Sazarac when Adam Cartwright accosted him, and struck him to the ground. When asked for a reason for the attack he just shrugged \u201cI don\u2019t know, I guess because I was there \u2026\u201d and he grinned even though the bruise around his jaw caused him some pain.<\/p>\n The picture Whittaker was painting of Adam Cartwright being quick with his fists and fast with his gun was being very prettily coloured in. Manson declined to ask any questions and almost crowing with victory Bert swaggered from the stand.<\/p>\n Judge Brooks decided to call a recess and to re-convene later at 1 p.m. Adam and Ben were once again hand cuffed and led from the court room and taken to the cells. Joe and Hoss watched them go with sinking hearts. Hoss turned to Mr. Faulkner \u201cWhat do you think, Mr. Faulkner?\u201d<\/p>\n The barber shook his head, and drew a finger across his throat, then he pointed to Hawkins who was walking out of the court room with Sally, \u201cYou need to watch him when this is all over, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss felt his heart sink to his boots, it sounded like his father and brother\u2019s death knell.<\/p>\n Chapter 17<\/p>\n Joe couldn\u2019t wait until he had found his father and brother; his need for their forgiveness for what he felt was a gross betrayal was more important than anything else at that time. The sheriff had not put the two men into the cell but had allowed them the use of a more private room behind his office. He himself stepped into another room to give the four Cartwright\u2019s some privacy although the communicating door was left open and he sat with a rifle in clear view of them.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Pa,\u201d Joe flung himself into his fathers arms in much the same manner as when he was a child, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry.\u201d He turned to Adam who took hold of his outstretched hand \u201cAdam -?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Joe.\u201d Adams voice contained a smile and he slapped his brother on the back, \u201cThe man was right, all this had to start somewhere and if this were happening to anyone else but us, I\u2019d have to agree that it was the most logical point to start at.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but -\u201d Joe brushed his face against his sleeve, \u201cI just wish it hadn\u2019t been me who had to sit there and tell them all.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed and shrugged \u201cI just wish I\u2019d just gone on my own. Can\u2019t turn the clock back, Joe.\u201d he put his hand now on Joe\u2019s shoulder and squeezed gently, \u201cIt\u2019s alright. Honestly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you mean it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure I do.\u201d Adam smiled and then looked at his father in a way that meant something had to be said now that couldn\u2019t be delayed any longer.<\/p>\n Ben nodded and indicated to his sons that they sit down. He looked at Hoss and then at Joe before he cleared his throat and in a low voice said \u201cLook, I think we all know where we stand here right now. There\u2019s no need for any of us to pretend to each other but it\u2019s pretty obvious that we\u2019re not going to come out of this very well.\u201d he paused at the sight of the misery on his sons faces, even Adam with whom he had discussed the matter with during the previous night, looked forlorn and sadder than he\u2019d seen him all week. \u201cNow, Joe, Hoss, you both know where all the legal documents are in the house, you\u2019ll need them at some time or another so try and familiarise yourself with what they are all about. My Will and that of your brother is with Hiram, and it\u2019s pretty straightforward.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I don\u2019t want you talking like this -\u201d Hoss stood up so abruptly the chair fell over and the sound of its falling was loud enough to cause Hanson to get to his feet and come to the entrance with his rifle cocked<\/p>\n \u201cAre you alright in there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s alright, sheriff – sorry.\u201d Hoss mumbled and sat down again. He pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss,\u201d Ben put his hand on his son\u2019s knee and Hoss reached out with his own hand and placed it over his fathers, \u201cHoss, you\u2019ve got to be strong now. If you aren\u2019t strong you\u2019ll weaken us, and we need to focus on what\u2019s coming. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa, but all this talk about Wills and such -\u201d he blew his nose again.<\/p>\n Adam sighed again and bowed his head to stare at his boots and those of his brothers. He listened as Ben continued to speak \u201cIt\u2019s pretty obvious that Hawkins wants us out of the way. The reason why is equally obvious, he wants the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he ain\u2019t going to get it.\u201d Hoss declared, straightening his back.<\/p>\n Adam looked up and shook his head \u201cHe\u2019s a crafty scheming man, Hoss. He\u2019ll use any means to get it, and I mean, ANY means. I\u2019d like to think that you two and Roy will be a match for them but he\u2019s got a hold on people in this town, a strong hold and within only a few weeks. You\u2019ll have to be on your guard, every minute of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe looked at one another and then at their father and Adam, \u201cWe\u2019ll fight to keep the Ponderosa, Pa.\u201d Joe said, \u201cI know our men will stay loyal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou may find Hawkins will use other weapons than gun power.\u201d Ben looked at Adam who nodded, \u201cNow, look, both of you – stay honest, keep within the law, use the law to your advantage, Hiram will help you every step of the way, you know that, and so will Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you don\u2019t think -\u201d Joe licked dry lips; \u201cYou don\u2019t think they\u2019ll find you guilty, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n At that Adam rolled his eyes and looked to the ceiling and Hoss exclaimed \u201cFor Pete\u2019s sake, Joe, ain\u2019t that exactly what Pa\u2019s been saying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, alright -\u201d Joe jumped to his feet, \u201cBut he isn\u2019t guilty, Hoss, he isn\u2019t and Adam isn\u2019t, and instead of sitting here we should be out there looking for who did kill Mr. Byrnes.\u201d He turned to Hanson \u201cWhy ain\u2019t you looking for the real killer, sheriff, instead of – of keeping my Pa and brother here. They didn\u2019t hurt him; they shouldn\u2019t be locked up and on trial for this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe,\u201d Bens voice came from behind him and placed a gentle hand on the young mans shoulder. Joe turned and shook his head, \u201cJoe, there isn\u2019t anything you can do; the law has to follow its course and come to whatever conclusion they come to.\u201d He pulled Joe back onto the chair, and sighed, \u201cThis isn\u2019t the time for outbursts like that, Joe, we have to think and be logical.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook,\u201d Adam leaned forward, \u201cHawkins has two of his men on that jury, he\u2019s got the judge in his pocket,\u201d he heard Bens murmur of protest, and shook his head, \u201cSorry, Pa, but he has, and that\u2019s obvious to most in that court room, particularly Manson. The two men Hawkins has planted will work on the jury should any of them have reasonable doubt about our guilt. The others on the jury are scared stiff. They\u2019re sitting there like stuffed sheep and every time the Judge speaks in favour of Whittaker they get more scared.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you saying, Adam, that you don\u2019t reckon you\u2019ve any chance at all?\u201d Hoss said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a snowballs chance in hell, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe rose to his feet \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be wrong, Adam, you have to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged and was about to speak when Hanson called out that time was up. The afternoon session was about to begin.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Expectations in the court room were high as the people filed back to take their seats. The jury sat and waited as Miss Sally Byrnes was called to the stand by Whittaker. She took a deep breath and steadied herself, swayed slightly and then took her place where she confirmed her name and took the oath before sitting down. There were whispers among the townsfolk as women sighed and sympathised and Judge Brooks allowed it for a few minutes before bringing his gavel down and calling for silence and a little more respect for the bereaved lady.<\/p>\n Sally kept her face directed solely on Whittaker. In their seats Adam and Ben watched her, sympathised and inwardly prayed that she would change her statement even though the rigidity of her features indicated that there was nothing further from her mind.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Byrnes, it goes without saying that everyone here feels the utmost sorrow for you at this time, as well as our respect for your coming here today.\u201d Whittaker\u2019s voice sounded sincere and kindly, which, at that moment in time, was exactly how he did feel. \u201cNow, Miss Byrnes, would you be so kind as to answer some questions for us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, that\u2019s why I\u2019m here.\u201d her voice was cold, like her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThere has been an accusation made that your father was receiving stolen beef, did you know anything about that at all?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. It\u2019s a lie. My father was the most honest man in the world, apart from which he thought he was a friend of the Cartwrights, he would never have touched anything stolen from them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo he never mentioned to you anything at all about any rustled cattle?\u201d<\/p>\n She frowned slightly and then shook her head \u201cI heard that there were some cattle rustling going on. Deputy Foster had been in the caf\u00e9 and mentioned it. I remember he spoke to my father, asked him to tell him if he was approached by anyone at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid he mention anyone by name who might perhaps have offered your father some of the stolen beef?\u201d<\/p>\n She sighed and shook her head again, \u201cNo, not that I remember. I only heard part of the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Martin mentioned in his written statement that Adam Cartwright came into the caf\u00e9 and asked for something to eat \u2026 is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. He came in twice. Once he came in and said it was busy, he\u2019d come back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs he a regular customer? Was it normal for him to eat at your caf\u00e9?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot really. The Cartwrights tended to eat at the more expensive restaurants like the Internationale, Del Monico\u2019s or the Palace. I was surprised when he came in the first time, and didn\u2019t really expect him back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut he did come back, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he ordered some food and after it was served -\u201d she paused and frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened after it was served?\u201d Whittaker leaned forward as though it were a vital piece of information and she shrugged dismissively<\/p>\n \u201cNothing really. I remember seeing Cy – I mean – Mr. Hawkins go and talk to him. Then Mr. Hawkins got up and left, and a few minutes later so did he.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou must have thought that very strange \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was wasteful but then the Cartwrights can afford to be wasteful. They don\u2019t know what its like to be hungry and to go without\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection.\u201d Manson said quietly, \u201cWith all due respect to the lady, but this kind of talk isn\u2019t constructive to the case.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks nodded \u201cSustained. Mr. Whittaker please refrain from wandering away from the purpose of this trial.\u201d His eyes flickered over to Hawkins who gave just the briefest of nods in approval. It didn\u2019t go unnoticed by many in the court room.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d Whittaker smiled and bowed sarcastically towards Manson and his clients, \u201cMy apologies.\u201d After taking a sip of water he turned back to his questioning \u201cWhen did you see Adam Cartwright next?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was in the store room with my father and his father. Deuce Martin was there too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou saw them clearly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and I heard them too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat were they talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRustled cattle.\u201d She cleared her throat as though realising her voice had perhaps been to low so she repeated her words in a louder tone of voice, \u201cIt was about the rustled cattle. I went into the caf\u00e9 and Mr. Hawkins asked me if my father was available but I told him that father was in the store room with Mr. Cartwright and Adam Cartwright.\u201d She looked over at Hawkins then who inclined his head and smiled, if one could call the twitch of his lips a smile. \u201cI went back into the kitchen and thought I\u2019d make them some coffee. I went out and asked Pa if everything was alright. He said everything was fine and so I went back and filled the pot. I looked out of the window to see if they were about finished talking.\u201d<\/p>\n She paused, froze for a moment as though recapturing in her mind that never to be forgotten moment. Her mouth worked, she gulped. Whittaker asked the usher to get her some water which he then handed to her. As she drank from the glass her hand was shaking so much that it slopped over her fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you alright, Miss Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019m alright.\u201d she paused \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould you tell us, in your own words, what happened next?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard their voices raised and then there were guns being fired, my father fell to the ground. They shot him. They shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Byrnes \u2026 who fired first, could you see who fired first?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright. He shot first and then his father \u2026\u201d she shook her head, and then looked at the two men and rose to her feet \u201cYou killed my father, and he called you his friends. You shot him down in cold blood and I saw you, I saw you\u2026 I hope they hang you, I hope they hang you both.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Brooks took his seat after a fifteen minute break for Miss Byrnes to regain her self control. She sat down with a dignified air and stared out above the heads of the people she were all straining their necks to get a good sight of her. Manson rose to his feet and approached her,<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Byrnes, I\u2019d like to echo my colleagues sentiments earlier, you have had a painful, tragic event take place in your young life. However -\u201d he drew in his breath, \u201cHowever, it serves me to remind you that you have the power of life or death over my clients, and I would sincerely ask you to consider very closely exactly what happened that evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you think I haven\u2019t? Every hour of the day I\u2019m haunted by what happened that evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure that you are \u2026 but sometimes emotions can blind us to the actual events \u2026 did you really see Adam Cartwright draw his gun and fire at your father?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow many times do I have to say it \u2026 yes, yes, I saw him do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Byrnes, your father and the Cartwrights were standing close together, they were talking, and having a conversation that was amicable enough for you to feel you could make them something to drink. Are you saying that within a matter of minutes all that changed? You saw him take the gun -\u201d and here Manson acted out how Adam would have drawn the gun from his holster and fire it on Byrnes – \u201cIs that what you saw, Miss Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe doctor said either shot would have killed him instantly. He would have been falling after that first shot. Why would Mr. Cartwright then draw out his gun and shoot your father?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do I know? I don\u2019t know what goes on in their minds? I don\u2019t know -\u201d she clenched her fists and shook her head; \u201cI saw them, what more can I tell you? I saw them.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson nodded and gently patted her hand as though she were a stray dog lost, that had wandered in from the rain. \u201cMiss Byrnes, you\u2019ve known these men a long time, haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince we moved here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve been friends to you and your family, haven\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly to suit themselves. They never -\u201d she paused and frowned, \u201cYes, father thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did you stop thinking so?\u201d he asked gently.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they killed my father.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson clasped his hands together and raised them to his mouth, then shook his head. \u201cNo further questions.\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n Joe turned to Hoss \u201cShe\u2019s lying, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know it.\u201d his brother nodded, and then looked at his father and brother seated with Manson. He saw how pale his father was and how darkly shadowed around the eyes; he noticed how Adam was tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair with his eyes fixed on nothing, just staring straight ahead at the far wall. It seemed to him that he was watching them die by inches.<\/p>\n Chapter 17<\/p>\n There was a brief recess as Whittaker concluded his questioning and the trial hearing was now handed over to the Defending Lawyer, Clyde Manson. In the small back room Manson sat down opposite his clients and looked at them both. The two pairs of dark eyes looking back rather disconcerted him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know that this is a fixed trial, don\u2019t you?\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s getting more and more obvious as the day goes by,\u201d Adam replied with an edge of sarcasm to his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I know you must feel I\u2019m letting you both down, that I\u2019m not doing a good enough job but it seems whatever direction I go Brooks is down on me like a ton of bricks. Whittakers sharp, he knows we\u2019re just about beat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, your vote of confidence is most assuring.\u201d Adam sighed and got to his feet and walked to the window.<\/p>\n Outside a few were walking about getting on with their business. The school bell tolled, and he knew soon there would be the clatter of feet as children would run home to safety and security. He knew he\u2019d not have that sense of home again and something tight caught in his throat. Manson was still talking and he turned now to listen to what was being said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you need to go on the stand first, Mr. Cartwright. It\u2019s possible the Judge may not want to hear you both today; he may take the trial over to tomorrow. I can only ask that you – you just be yourself, honest and upright. I believe you didn\u2019t kill any one that night, but it seems darned difficult to convince everybody else.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled slowly, \u201cMost people in that court room know we didn\u2019t kill Zedekiah, Mr. Manson. What you have to convince them of is the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that Hawkins can\u2019t get away with scaring them to death.\u201d Adam added quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sheriff has sent some men to find Deuce Martin,\u201d he paused, \u201cNot that his testimony would have helped you any as it\u2019s shot through with lies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course it is,\u201d Ben replied calmly, \u201cDeuce Martin\u2019s a very frightened man.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson stood up and shook their hands. He heaved in a big breath and slowly exhaled as he left the room. Adam looked at his father and gave a brief smile, shook his fathers hand with both his clasped tight, and then followed him back to the court room.<\/p>\n People were restless. They knew that one of the Cartwrights was going to face questioning now and that was really what they had come for, to see the Cartrwights and in whatever way they could, to pay their respects, to clear up their own doubts and misgivings. Hawkins was tense; he knew that no matter how tight he had got things tied up here, there was always the chance of a slip, some thing going awry. He had learned the lesson well that no sensible man crowed victory until it was 100% certain.<\/p>\n Clyde Manson stood up and declared he would like to ask Ben Cartwright to take the stand. Surprisingly there was a ripple of applause, someone shouted \u201cWe know you didn\u2019t do it, Ben.\u201d and then a deal of scuffling and whispering. Ben sat down after taking the oath and acknowledging who he was, he looked over at the throng of faces and sought out those of his sons. He saw them, white faced, tense, nervous and wished that he could have assured them that he was alright; he was calm and had left everything now in God\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n The silence that now fell upon that room was such that people were almost afraid to breathe in case it was too loud. Manson approached Ben and looked at him before asking \u201cMr, Cartwright, I know you are a God fearing man and respect the oath you have just taken so I want you to answer this question truthfully. Did you shoot at Mr. Zedekiah Byrnes with the intention of taking his life?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s voice rang out around the room even though he had not raised it any higher than usual. Judge Brooks looked down at the desk top and stared at the paper and pens and felt shame. When he looked up he saw Hawkins staring at him, such a death mask of a face that it chilled him to the bone.<\/p>\n \u201cWas it your intention to go to that store room and kill Mr. Byrnes or assist your son in taking that man\u2019s life?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not.\u201d softer now, but his voice still thrilled through the bones of those listening.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy were you in town that evening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d been busy most of the day and when I came home Adam wasn\u2019t there, so I thought I would come into town and find him or let him find me, and we\u2019d spend an evening together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA pleasant evening, father and son – what had you planned to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, just have a drink or two and then return home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you have any reason to believe that your son was concerned about the rustling on your ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, of course he was concerned, we all were; having cattle rustled can ruin a ranch if it\u2019s not stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid Mr. Byrnes name ever get mentioned to you prior to that evening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d Ben\u2019s brow creased into a slightly deeper frown, \u201cOne evening we had a visit from the deputy -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c- which deputy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClem Foster.\u201d<\/p>\n Something like a sigh rippled over the people there. At the door where he was standing guard Clem felt his collar suddenly tighten. Adam pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows. He waited for Whittaker to yell objection, but nothing happened.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened regarding this visit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDeputy Foster said he had been talking to Deuce Martin who told him that Zed – I mean – Mr. Byrnes was getting meat from a new supplier. \u201c<\/p>\n True to form Whittaker jumped to his feet \u201cObjection, that\u2019s hearsay and not allowable evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson looked at Brooks who nodded \u201cSustained. Be careful, Mr. Manson.\u201d<\/p>\n Clyde\u2019s shoulders slumped and he looked anxiously at Ben who gave him a slight half smile by way of encouragement. \u201cMr. Cartwright, on the basis of the conversation you had with the deputy, did you suspect that Mr. Byrnes was receiving stolen meat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe that Mr. Byrnes would do that, if he knew the beef was from rustled cattle, mine or anyone else\u2019s. He was a good honest man \u2026\u201d his voice trailed away into a sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cWas there any reason to suspect anyone in particular of rustling your cattle as a result of that visit?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben opened his mouth, thought for a moment and then nodded \u201cA name was mentioned but to say I suspected him of being behind the rustling could be too strong a word.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well, but could you mention the person who had been implicated?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection – again – hearsay – inadmissible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, did you suspect anyone of rustling your cattle that particular evening?\u201d Manson\u2019s voice had risen a little, and he looked at Ben who nodded, \u201cYes. Cy Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n Clyde wiped sweat from his brow and took a sip of water. Adam licked his lips and shook his head, but continued to stare right ahead of him, while Joe and Hoss got the fidgets and Mr. Faulkner whispered \u201cThat\u2019s fairly cooked his goose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen your son found you in the Sazarac the evening of the murder of Mr. Byrnes, did you expect him to confirm your suspicions?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot really.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould you tell us what conversation took place between your son and yourself that evening before you went to the Byrnes caf\u00e9?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam told me he had overheard a conversation between three men concerning a delivery of stolen beef that was going to be made to Byrnes caf\u00e9 that evening. I told him he was wrong, that Zedekiah wouldn\u2019t steal from friends or anyone else for that matter.\u201d Ben sighed, \u201cAnyway, Adam was insistent, and said that the delivery was due within the next hour or two. I suggested we went to talk with Zedekiah first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s how you got to be in the storeroom that evening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnce again, Mr. Cartwright, did you draw your gun and shoot at Mr. Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not. I drew my gun when we were being shot at from some shooter -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what direction?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe door.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid Mr. Byrnes confirm that he was buying that beef?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe denied it. I believed him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you get angry at his denials?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I was relieved; I wanted to believe him innocent of being involved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo there was no reason for you to shoot down an innocent friend, was there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson nodded, he felt more relaxed, more in control again. Ben was so calm that it eased his own nerves. \u201cWhat about Deuce Martin, he was present there, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. He was nervous, several times he wanted to bolt but first Zedekiah grabbed hold of him and then Adam had to hold him back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think it possible that -?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection, Mr. Manson is speculating and putting words in Cartwright\u2019s mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection sustained, and Mr. Whittaker, please refer to the defendant as Mr. Cartwright if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson sighed and looked helplessly at Ben, then gathered himself together \u201cDid you at any time see Miss Sally Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, once, she came to the door and asked if everything was alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould you see her through the window?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t look. Zedekiah closed the door between the store room and the kitchen. I was too intent in talking with him to notice or even thinking of looking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it possible she could have been mistaken – did you make a movement that could have led her to think you were drawing your gun to shoot her father?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe only time I withdrew my gun was to fire at the shooter, Mr. Byrnes was already on the ground by then.\u201d<\/p>\n Manson paused; he struggled to find something relevant, something more to say but could think of nothing. He nodded \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d Very reluctantly he turned to Whittaker \u201cYour witness.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glanced over at his father and felt pride at the way the man sat looking at Whittaker with polite respect. No one would have thought Ben Cartwright was fighting for his life as he waited for the lawyer to begin his questions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you suspect Mr. Hawkins of rustling your cattle?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause when I went to the sheriff to report the theft and ask for help, I was told that my sons had been reported for trespass on Mr. Hawkins land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what was significant about that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause there had been no one in the area who could have reported seeing them there, but it seemed a good ruse to report it in the event of there being an accusation of rustling from that area.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA ruse?\u201d Whittaker shrugged, and shook his head \u201cDon\u2019t you think it was rather unfair to suspect a man who had only been here a few weeks? To cast suspicion among people about him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t have to do that -\u201d Ben said dryly.<\/p>\n Whittaker shrugged again \u201cThis conversation you had with your son in the Sazarac, you believed him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell us what happened as you were leaving the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you mean?\u201d Ben frowned slightly, and looked puzzled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe altercation between your son and Bert Fuller?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBert Fuller deliberately obstructed my son\u2019s right of way. Adam asked him to move, he wouldn\u2019t, so my son warned that if he didn\u2019t move voluntarily he\u2019d give him a helping hand \u2026which he did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that how your son usually resolves problems? With his fists or his guns?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben didn\u2019t feel that worth answering so remained silent until the Judge reminded him he was under oath and had to reply \u201cNo, there are always other ways to solve problems. Mr. Fuller would have struck my son had Adam not moved first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn your answers earlier you said you believed Mr. Byrnes would not accept stolen beef. If you were so sure that your son had heard right, and you were so sure that Mr. Byrnes was as honest as the day was long, why didn\u2019t you wait to see if such a delivery would be made? That would have resolved things one way or another wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps I didn\u2019t want to see that delivery being made; perhaps I didn\u2019t want to be proven wrong about my friend. I preferred to see him face to face and hear him deny it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd when he denied it, you shot him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker shook his head and waved a hand as though in dismissal \u201cNo further questions.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks banged the desk with the gavel \u201cCourt will re-convene tomorrow morning when the trial will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks answered to the knock on the door and frowned when Manson stepped inside, \u201cI haven\u2019t got long, what do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to put Hawkins on the stand tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHawkins? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I have reason to believe that he\u2019s got people scared stiff here, I want to show them that he\u2019s just a man, and that he is guilty of rustling and more besides.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a strong accusation against an innocent man, Manson.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know if he\u2019s innocent. That\u2019s why I want him on the stand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCy Hawkins is not on trial here, Manson. He\u2019s merely an innocent bystander who has been accused by the guilty to cause doubt on their crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou accused those two men of being guilty. You\u2019re the judge, you should be waiting for the verdict before you can refer to them as the guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks shook his head and looked at Manson \u201cYou\u2019re very na\u00efve, young man. Its obvious they\u2019re guilty, it\u2019s just a shame that you can\u2019t see it.\u201d He picked up his coat and put it on, as he reached for his hat he shrugged \u201cI won\u2019t allow you to put Hawkins in the witness box.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could sub pena him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could but if you do, you\u2019ll never be able to practice law in this town, or any other town, again.\u201d he opened the door, \u201cYou do understand, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n White faced down to the lips, Manson nodded. Brooks smiled, \u201cGood. Now, after you -\u201d<\/p>\n Manson stepped out into the corridor and looked at the door behind which Adam and Ben were waiting to hear from him. He heard the door behind him close and turned to watch as Brooks walked away.<\/p>\n Chapter 19<\/p>\n Clyde Manson looked at the two men and cleared his throat \u201cI think I\u2019ll have Clem Foster on the stand tomorrow, get him to substantiate what you said today, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded \u201cIf you think it\u2019ll be of any help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we can but try.\u201d he shuffled some papers together.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Hawkins?\u201d Adam asked, \u201cDo you think it worth -\u201d his voice trailed away as he saw the look on Clyde\u2019s face, \u201cI see, not possible, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI asked the judge but was told not to even think about it.\u201d Clyde stuffed the papers in a briefcase and then looked at them both, \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re doing all you can for which we thank you.\u201d Ben said quietly and shook the young man\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Cole Matheson. He was with Bert Fuller and Deuce in that barn; wouldn\u2019t it be worth having him on the stand?\u201d<\/p>\n Manson rubbed his chin thoughtfully, \u201cHe\u2019s a cold hearted villain if ever I saw one.\u201d he nodded, \u201cBut we could give it a try.\u201d He smiled.<\/p>\n Clem Foster closed the door on the court room and looked around the town. People had gradually dispersed after grouping together for a while to discuss the day\u2019s events. He saw Joe and Hoss and felt great sympathy for them both. He watched as they walked to the sheriff\u2019s office and thought that without Ben and Adam they looked somehow diminished. He sighed and walked towards his lodgings.<\/p>\n A man stepped out of an alley in front of him and Clem paused \u201cSorry -\u201d he said absent mindedly and proceeded to walk on. It wasn\u2019t until three other men had joined the first that he realised they weren\u2019t there by accident.<\/p>\n Clyde Manson opened his office and then paused at the door. Files and books had been pulled from their shelves and the contents scattered everywhere. Pieces of paper drifted from the breeze caused by the open door. He looked around him to see ink splashed up the walls and the glass cabinet behind which his law books had been placed were smashed. He sunk slowly down upon his chair and just stared forlornly at the mess. This was such an obvious warning that his legs were turned to jelly just thinking of turning up at the court house the next day.<\/p>\n When he finally stood up and walked through the debris his foot kicked against something that rolled. He picked it up and stared at it, a bottle of Glenfiddich whisky. He was about to open it when he realised that if nothing else, he had to keep a clear head for the morning. He placed it carefully away in a drawer and began to clear up the litter.<\/p>\n Ed Baxter was an old man who seemed to have aged ten years since the trial had begun that morning. He opened his office and sat down and stared into space much like Adam Cartwright had done most of the day. He jumped when the door opened and Barney walked in with two other men flanking him. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter? What\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey just found Clem Foster in an alley.\u201d Barney said quietly and sat down, the other two men, Oliver leaned forward \u201cThis is all wrong, Baxter. We\u2019ve got to think of something to help those men. The Cartwrights could no more murder a man like Byrnes that you could.\u201d<\/p>\n Baxter nodded his head, his sparse white hair seemed to be standing on end, and his watery blue eyes seemed faded. He looked from one man to the other \u201cAre you the only ones with the courage to speak up for Ben and his boy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, there\u2019s others, plenty others but they want to be sure that there won\u2019t be any retaliation if they showed themselves. \u201c Galton muttered, \u201cAlright, so they\u2019re frightened, to be honest, so am I. That Hawkins -\u201d he rubbed a hand over his mouth as though even the mention of the mans name made him feel sick.<\/p>\n \u201cCole Matheson is the one does the dirty work.\u201d Oliver said, he leaned forward \u201cRemember when we had that trouble with Tom Sladen and the Washoe Freight Company? Sladen was another one got men in to do what he didn\u2019t have the guts to do himself. I let Ben down then, I was scared witless. If it hadn\u2019t been for Ben and his boys this town would be dead by now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t you print something, Ed? Something that\u2019ll be like a rallying call for the town to back the Cartwrights now. They need our support like never before \u2026\u201d Barney looked pleadingly at Ed, who nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I\u2019ll get something in print tonight ready for tomorrow before the trial commences.\u201d<\/p>\n They shook hands on the deal and hurried out of the building. From across the way Bert watched and then sauntered slowly into Gil\u2019s saloon. He looked over at Cole and nodded \u201cLooks like some of the townsfolk are getting a mite mouthy around here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go and see the boss. Stay here and let me know if anything else happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Sally Byrnes sat down and looked at the food on her plate that some kind neighbour had provided her. She looked around her empty room and then out of the window where the sun was just beginning to set. A knock on the door came just as she pushed the plate away and she opened it to find Cy Hawkins standing outside, his hat in his hand and his blacker than natural hair making his face appear as white as a corpse.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Hawkins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMay I come in, Miss Sally?\u201d<\/p>\n She stepped aside to admit and offered him a cup of coffee which he accepted. As she poured it out he looked at her, \u201cYou did very well today, Miss. Sally. You have a right to be proud of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? I only told the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know many women in your situation could have done so with such dignity and self control. Most women tend to go to pieces and cry all over the place, after all, it\u2019s still only a few days since your daddy was killed.\u201d<\/p>\n She sat down and folded her hands in her lap, \u201cI felt guilty when I heard Mr. Cartwright saying those things about father being so honest and a good friend to him. I wondered \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t wonder, Miss Sally.\u201d he interrupted and sipped his coffee, \u201cManson may appear a fool but he\u2019s coached them well. He\u2019ll have told Ben Cartwright all the things to say to pull at your heart strings and make you feel just that way \u2026 so much so that in no time you\u2019d be going over to the sheriff and withdrawing charges.\u201d<\/p>\n She blinked and blushed a little, then raised her chin \u201cI\u2019d not do that, Mr. Hawkins. My father was a good man; he didn\u2019t deserve to die the way he did, shot down like a mad dog by those Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood girl. Just you keep remembering that -.\u201d<\/p>\n He finished his coffee and thanked her politely before leaving the house. As she closed the door behind him Sally Byrnes realised how close she had been to withdrawing charges, and was more than grateful that Mr. Hawkins had come just when he did to set her mind straight . She resolved not to be so weak again, no matter what Adam Cartwright said in the morning under cross examination.<\/p>\n In the hotel room Joe and Hoss paced the floor restlessly. They had decided to stay in town during the trial, the distance between town and the Ponderosa being just that too far to be worth going back and forth every day. Joe was about to speak when there was a knock on the door and after calling \u2019Come in\u2019, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Galton and Barney Palmer stepped inside.<\/p>\n They all shook hands solemnly \u201cThings don\u2019t look good, Hoss, Joe.\u201d Barney said, \u201cBut we come up with an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuch as?\u201d Hoss frowned and wondered where this new found courage had come from all of a sudden.<\/p>\n \u201cEd Baxter\u2019s going to print a pamphlet for release before the trial. He\u2019s going to write something that will put some back bone into this town so that your Pa and brother will be released and the real killers found.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe looked at one another, Hoss nodded \u201cThat\u2019s mighty good of you, Mr. Oliver, but I doubt if it will be worth it. Hawkins will probably make sure they won\u2019t leave the printing press.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr the building.\u201d Joe added.<\/p>\n Barney frowned, \u201cYou know they found Clem Foster all beat up in an alley half an hour ago?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss looked at one another, \u201cWe didn\u2019t know, is he bad hurt?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cCould\u2019ve been worse. He won\u2019t be on his feet for a month of Sundays so the doctor reckoned.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey ain\u2019t found Deuce Martin yet either.\u201d Palmer said quietly and they looked at one another as though somehow one of them would be able to say where he could have been, Hoss shrugged, \u201cProbably on his way to Reno by now.\u201d<\/p>\n There was no comment to that but Mr. Oliver pointed out the fact that had Ben not mentioned Clems involvement in the rustling or his having spoken to Deuce Martin then the deputy would probably still be quite healthy and able to carry out his duties. \u201cLike taking the witness stand at some time.\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n Joe heaved a deep breath \u201cYou trying to pin that on my Pa as well, Mr. Oliver?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not at all, just that it\u2019s a co-incidence, that\u2019s all I meant.\u201d Oliver stammered and looked over at Palmer and Galton.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s too many co-incidences happening too often since a certain person and his gang of thugs moved into town. Trouble is he\u2019s always one step ahead of everyone, and always works within the law.\u201d Palmer said and picked up his hat, \u201cAnyway, we thought we\u2019d just mention it. We wanted to show some respect and confidence in your Pa and Adam, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe appreciate it, Barney. Thank you,\u201d Joe shook the other mans hand and after all hands had been shaken and the door closed behind them he turned to his brother \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe, at least they\u2019re trying to do something. I guess that\u2019s good, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n It was dark now. Outside there was little to see, just the dark shape of the bank on the opposite side of the road that faced the alley. A breeze blew in through the barred window and the sounds of the town at night drifted in with it. Sounds of laughter, women\u2019s shrill voices, someone singing, and not very tunefully, and the old piano with several missing notes. Ben listened to those sounds while he lay stretched out on the frail trestle bed, his arms folded behind his head and his eyes closed. A cat screeched followed by the sharp barking of a dog. Ben sighed, footsteps close by, and Hanson\u2019s shadow blocking what little light there was into the cell. Ben kept his eyes closed tightly; he had no reason to speak now.<\/p>\n His thoughts were upon Adam, who had been quieter than usual since returning to their cell. Ben recalled how Adam had stayed in the background, leaning against the wall and looking out of the window, while Joe and Hoss had been there. His face had a far away expression on it, and every so often he sighed. It left Ben feeling disconsolate and he turned towards his son\u2019s cot to look at the dark outline of the young man.<\/p>\n His throat felt tight, he cleared it with a cough and heard his son move in the bed,<\/p>\n \u201cAre you alright, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, son, I\u2019m alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeing in a cell is bad enough, but having no proper window to shut out the wind and rain, and the racket in town \u2026 sure makes it a whole lot worse. I was wondering about designing a new cell block for the town.\u201d and there came a low chuckle, as though the thought had amused him somewhat.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll have to get to work on the design pretty quick, son.\u201d Ben replied rather dryly.<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t reply right away and then Ben heard a sound indicating that Adam had turned to face him in the darkness, \u201cPa, how long do you reckon they\u2019ll give us after sentencing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, do you think they\u2019ll hang us in a few days time, or a few weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt may not come to that, Adam.\u201d He wanted to say more but he couldn\u2019t find the words. He knew, anyway, that Adam was too intelligent to accept any platitudes, and would see through any gentle lie to bolster up and encourage him.<\/p>\n Adam released his breath and rolled onto his back. Tomorrow he would be cross examined. He closed his eyes and went through everything in his mind that had happened since they had returned from the trip away some weeks ago. He knew he had to be word perfect, but at the same time it would have to be the complete truth. He owed that to his father, to himself, and odd though it may have seemed, to Zedekiah Byrnes\u2026<\/p>\n Chapter 19<\/p>\n Ben was surprised to find he had fallen asleep. He opened his eyes as the town hall clock struck the hour of 6 in the morning and his first action was to look over at the cot opposite only to find it empty. He looked over to the window to see Adams dark form standing there, looking up at the sky \u201cHave you had some sleep?\u201d He asked and Adam turned to him with a slight smile and nodded before coming to sit on his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a lovely sun rise.\u201d he said quietly, \u201cI would have woken you to see it, but you took awhile to get to sleep so I didn\u2019t think it good to disturb you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben scratched his chin through stubble and then looked thoughtfully into his sons face \u201cHow do you feel about the cross examination today? You\u2019re not worried are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Adam leaned back against the wall and raised one leg onto the bed \u201cNo, I\u2019ll just tell the truth and that\u2019s all I can do. I\u2019m surprised they\u2019re even bothering with the charade.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCharade?\u201d Ben raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s what it is, isn\u2019t it? The verdict is a foregone conclusion, Pa, you do realise that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, I know.\u201d Ben said softly and nodded as he lowered his head to look intently at the floor, \u201cI suppose it\u2019s Hawkins way of making sure the facts are hammered into everyone\u2019s head that we\u2019re guilty and have to be seen as guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n The sound of Hanson entering the office prevented any further speech as Ben rose to his feet to approach the cell door. A few moments later Hanson opened the communicating door and stepped up to the cell \u201cClem Foster was attacked last night. He\u2019s in a bad way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow bad?\u201d Ben asked and glanced over at Adam who also stood up to stand beside his father.<\/p>\n \u201cFractured skull, concussion. He has some broken ribs and sternum.\u201d Hanson frowned, \u201cI\u2019ve a feeling that someone didn\u2019t want him to testify in court on your behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho said that he would?\u201d Adam asked dryly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen your father mentioned his name it was a foregone conclusion that Manson would consider bringing him in for the defence.\u201d He looked at them both, \u201cLook, I know this trial doesn\u2019t look to be going your way at present but lots of the townspeople believe you\u2019re innocent. It\u2019s just that Hawkins has put the fear of the devil into them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what about you, sheriff?\u201d Ben asked quietly, \u201cHas he put the fear of the devil in you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I have to act according to the law, not how I feel about my prisoners.\u201d Hanson sighed and shook his head, \u201cI\u2019d like you to know I have a great deal of respect for you both.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut do you think we\u2019re innocent?\u201d Adam asked with his eyebrows raised and dark eyes looking into the other mans face.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I do.\u201d Hanson replied, \u201cBut Sally Byrnes won\u2019t change her statement for anyone, and Deuce Martin\u2019s testimony backed hers up enough to confirm it in some people\u2019s minds. With all the facts that are coming out in defence of you the jury would have to bring in a verdict of reasonable doubt \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I hear a \u2018but\u2019 coming along.\u201d Adam sighed and moved away to the window again.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Hawkins\u2019 influence may make sure that verdict isn\u2019t even considered.\u201d Hanson turned his head and nodded, \u201cHere\u2019s your breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n The school bell was tolling as they made their walk across from the jail to the court house. Handcuffed but looking smart and cleanly shaven the two men took their seats beside their lawyer and waited for the judge to enter.<\/p>\n Sally Byrnes was there seated by Whittaker who smiled contentedly at nothing with his thumbs hooked over the pockets in his vest. Behind them people were entering to take their seats. Joe and Hoss managed to get seats as close to their father and brother as possible, close enough to touch them if they leaned forward a little.<\/p>\n The jury entered and sat down. Most of them looked as though they hadn\u2019t slept all night. Ed Baxter took a seat beside Hoss who leaned towards him. \u201cI thought you were printing some leaflets, Mr. Baxter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have,\u201d Baxter replied, \u201cI got them printed out and in packs for distribution but -\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head and raised his eyes heavenwards \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a break in. They were all taken. All of them.\u201d He glanced over his shoulders and saw Hawkins eyes staring at him. His face visibly blanched and he moved back into his seat, fumbled and dropped his hat. Joe and Hoss looked at one another and felt another stab of misery pierce their hearts.<\/p>\n Brooks entered looking as though he was suffering from a massive hang over. He sat down and waited for the sounds of everyone settling back into their seats before he nodded over to the usher to declare the proceedings open.<\/p>\n His eyes turned towards Ben who sat with dignity and calm, as though he were seated in his own sitting room entertaining guests. It would have been impossible to have fathomed out what he was thinking just by looking at him. Adam sat beside his father, poised and also outwardly calm. Dressed in a white shirt, black string tie, and a dark jacket the young man looked handsome and too much like his father for Brooks to feel comfortable.<\/p>\n Manson announced that he would like Adam Cartwright to take the stand. There was something like a sigh that rippled through the room. There wasn\u2019t the clapping that Ben had received the previous day, but when Adam sat down and faced the crowd he saw many an encouraging smile, nods of the head and other indications of support. He straightened his pants, the dark grey striped ones he favoured and looked at Manson as though to say \u2018I\u2019m ready, do your worse.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s first examine the reason for your venturing on to the land adjoining Mud Creek. Why did you go onto that land, knowing that it had been sold to Mr. Hawkins only recently?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam paused a moment and looked quickly over at Hawkins who sat staring at him and doing a good impression of a wooden statue. \u201cI\u2019d only seen Hawkins briefly since returning back from a cattle drive and he struck me as an astute man, someone who wouldn\u2019t throw good money after bad. It didn\u2019t make sense to me that a man like him would buy land that was of no value at all. I wanted to find out what had suddenly made it so valuable, apart from adjoining the Ponderosa that is \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection -\u201d Whittaker said immediately, \u201cThe witness is insinuating ulterior motives on behalf of Mr. Hawkins, who, may I add, is NOT on trial here.\u201d<\/p>\n From the back of the court room a woman\u2019s voice said quite clearly, \u201cNo, but perhaps he should be.\u201d and a murmur of agreement rippled through the townspeople giving Joe and Hoss some hope that quite lifted their spirits. Brooks gavel banged down \u201cSilence. Silence. Any more comments like that and you\u2019ll be removed from the court room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019d made the assumption that Mr. Hawkins was an astute man and decided it was an unwise move for him to have purchased that land \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was either that or a very stupid one.\u201d Adam murmured casually and although Ben groaned inwardly it amused some for laughter, abruptly silenced, was heard. Adam frowned, \u201cNo one wanted to buy that land, it was worthless. When I rode out that day I noticed how close our herd was grazing to it \u2026 and the only thing I could think would put any value to it was \u2026\u201d he paused again \u201cthere were a lot of gulches, box canyons and such there. You could hide a whole regiment of soldiers or tribe of Indians there and no one would notice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection -\u201d Whittaker said and immediately Brooks said sustained before turning to Adam \u201cMr. Cartwright, please refrain from making accusations that could infer that Mr. Hawkins has any ulterior motives towards you or your family. When your lawyer asks a question please answer directly and to the point.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded \u201cI\u2019ll answer truthfully – and to the point.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks opened his mouth, then closed it. If Adam Cartwright was so willing to put his head in a noose so be it. He looked at Whittaker who shrugged; the same thought must have crossed his mind as well.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the basis of scouting around the area you decided to move the herd elsewhere and realised that some cattle had been rustled?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you have any suspicions then as to who were involved in the rustling?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuspicions aren\u2019t any good without proof.\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n Brooks again interrupted \u201cJust yes or no, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I had my suspicions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you voice them to anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot outside the family.\u201d he cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat led you to suspect that Mr. Byrnes was receiving stolen Ponderosa beef?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDeuce Martin. He\u2019d always been pleasant enough over the years, but from the first moment I saw him on returning to town he acted like a scared rabbit. And also Clem Foster mentioned that Deuce had told him that the caf\u00e9 was getting top quality beef from a different supplier. Clem said -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObjection \u2026 what the witness is saying is mere hearsay. Unless Clem Foster comes here and tells us Deuce Martin told him anything personally, that has to be struck off the record.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam lowered his head and surveyed his boots, then looked at Manson who seemed suddenly lost for words. After some seconds silence Manson gathered his wits and said \u201cUnfortunately Deputy Foster was attacked last night and is severely ill, he won\u2019t be able to tell anyone anything for quite a while yet.\u201d<\/p>\n A hush settled on the court, Sally Byrnes brow creased into a frown and she looked intently at her gloved hands while Adam turned to look over at his father and brothers. Joe nodded and smiled as though to encourage him\u2026Hoss did likewise but Ben remained staring at the far wall just as Adam had the previous day.<\/p>\n \u201cApart from these suspicions, Mr. Cartwright, was there any other reason you would suspect stolen Ponderosa Beef turning up at the caf\u00e9?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe conversation I overheard between Deuce Martin and two of Hawkins Men. Cole Matheson and Bert Fuller.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you tell the court what you actually overheard?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBert Fuller was telling Deuce that they were glad to get the meat off their hands, he said dead steers don\u2019t bring in any money. Matheson told him to shut up, said he talked too much. Deuce was told to expect a delivery at mid-night, but he told them that Mr. Byrnes wasn\u2019t happy about it, that Clem Foster had been in the restaurant talking about the rustled Ponderosa stock and had made Mr. Byrnes nervous. He said that even Sally had noticed her father had acted strangely. Matheson assured Deuce it would be the last delivery for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Manson and Adam paused there as though expecting Whittaker to bring up some objection but surprisingly he didn\u2019t. \u201cSo what did you do then?\u201d Manson asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI made a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI should have got the sheriff and brought him to hear what was happening instead I went to my father and told him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you think that was a mistake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the sheriff would have arrested the men responsible having heard it for himself. My Pa, on the other hand, trusted Byrnes and wanted to hear it from him, one way or the other. Unless Mr. Byrnes owned up and was prepared to go to the sheriff himself, it would have just been our word against him and the others.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou went to see Mr. Byrnes and Deuce Martin was there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas it a heated conversation between the three of you?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glanced over at Sally who was sitting with a rigid look on her face as she stared at the wall behind him. He frowned as he said \u201cIt was friendly enough. Then when I told Mr. Byrnes about what I\u2019d heard, Deuce tried to run off, Mr. Byrnes grabbed at him, and Pa asked for an explanation. Voices got raised but it wasn\u2019t an angry altercation. Sally came out to see if everything was alright when Deuce started shouting his denials and tried to run off again.\u201d he shook his head, \u201cEverything was settling down and Mr. Byrnes was saying to Pa that they\u2019d always been friends, that he could be trusted \u2026 then some shots were fired from the doorway, Mr. Byrnes fell, we fired back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, did you shoot Mr. Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid your father?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d He looked over at Brooks and then returned to Manson \u201cWe needed Mr. Byrnes alive, we needed him to confirm that the beef was stolen and who his supplier was \u2026 it was not in our interests to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n A small pucker furrowed Sally\u2019s brow at that comment and she once again stared down at her gloved hands as though in deep thought. Manson looked over at Whittaker, \u201cYour witness.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker stood up and approached Adam and looked at him thoughtfully, he rocked back and forth on his heels for a while before asking Adam why it was that throughout the trial it seemed that Mr. Hawkins was more involved in the issue that Miss Byrnes? Adam merely shrugged and said quietly that perhaps it was because he was \u2026 the other man nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really didn\u2019t like the idea of Mr. Hawkins being your neighbour, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYet you didn\u2019t know him. He came into Virginia City when you were absent from town and you only met him once, but you formed an opinion about him and made every effort to blacken his name whenever you got the chance, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised his eyebrows \u201cYou can usually tell the kind of man by the men he hires.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe first day we got back into town one of Hawkins\u2019 men tried to pick a fight with me. I got told about things that were being said about us in town, people were walking on egg shells, scared to talk, scared to step out of line\u2026 all in the space of a few weeks while we\u2019d been away. I didn\u2019t blacken Mr. Hawkins\u2019 name \u2026\u201d he paused \u201cI didn\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright I\u2019ll let that remark pass for now, but please refrain from commenting about Mr. Hawkins in such a manner.\u201d Whittaker frowned, tried to recollect his thoughts and then said \u201cThis so called conversation you mentioned that took place between Deuce and two other men -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCole Matheson and Bert Fuller.\u201d Adam said bluntly, and then gave a dry smile \u201cJust in case you\u2019d forgotten their names.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis so called conversation where was it held?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn an outhouse that runs down the side alley adjacent to the caf\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt what time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout 9.30 in the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker turned to the jury \u201cI have a list of names of witnesses who can confirm that the men Adam Cartwright accused were in Gil\u2019s Saloon at the time of this alleged conversation. No one can be in two places at the same time.\u201d he turned to Adam, \u201cEven you would agree with me there, wouldn\u2019t you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDeuce Martin -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately,\u201d Whittaker smiled coldly, \u201cDeuce Martin is still unable to be in court for cross examination.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glanced over at Manson who lowered his head into his hands and seemed bereft. Adam looked again at Whittaker, \u201cWell, seems last night was a busy night, first Clem and then Deuce -\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks banged his gavel \u201cMr. Cartwright, I\u2019ve warned you before, please refrain from making such comments. Just answer the questions you are asked.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam gave a slight roll of his shoulders in a shrug and looked at Whittaker who looked back at him. \u201cMr. Cartwright, you have quite a reputation in the area as a man quick with your fists and fast with your gun, as you proved the evening you assaulted Mr. Fuller in the Sazarac saloon. That was the same evening you claim to have overheard the conversation between Deuce Martin, Mr. Fuller and Mr. Matheson, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was – yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you attack him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not – attack him that is -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWitnesses claim you struck him several times and left him on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, did you tell your father about this conversation?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you tell him this lie knowing that he would confront Mr. Byrnes and with his quick temper shoot him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you shoot Mr. Byrnes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I did not shoot Mr. Byrnes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou persist in claiming you overheard the conversation between those three men?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou admit that you assaulted Mr. Fuller?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not assault Mr. Fuller -,\u201d Adam said between gritted teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well, you admit that you struck him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Whittaker shrugged as though implying that there was no difference and it was irrelevant. He walked away \u201cNo further questions.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked at Manson who shook his head. The cross examination was over.<\/p>\n Manson now faced the jury and made his plea for a verdict of Not Guilty, case unproven. Whittaker made a passionate plea for the right verdict to be brought in, that of Murder. \u201cWhat now?\u201d Ben asked Manson who merely said \u201cWe wait.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor how long?\u201d Joe glanced at the clock, \u201cHow long do you think it\u2019ll take?\u201d<\/p>\n Manson could only shake his head. Looking over at the other table where Sally was talking quietly with Hawkins and Whittaker, Joe took a deep breath and walked towards her only to be stopped by Cole who stepped into his path and looked defiantly at the young man with the coldest palest blue eyes Joe had ever seen.<\/p>\n It took only two hours for the foreman of the jury to give the verdict \u2026 GUILTY.<\/p>\n Chapter 20<\/p>\n Even though Adam had anticipated that verdict over the past two days he still felt his knees weaken and it took some strong self control to remain rigidly straight backed with his face totally blank. Beside him Ben gave a slight growl in the back of his throat, his first thought being for Adam, the unfairness of it all, his young son being hanged for nothing. He gulped back anger and like Adam stood poker straight.<\/p>\n The hardest thing to bear as they stood there was hearing Joe\u2019s involuntary \u2018Oh no\u2019 quavering from the poor lad\u2019s trembling lips and Hoss\u2019 intake of breath and sudden movement that made the chair in front of him move several inches across the floor.<\/p>\n Ed Baxter cried \u201cThis is a travesty. A travesty.\u201d and shook his fist at Hawkins and Whittaker who were standing close to Sally, preventing her from seeing any of the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n Barney stood up, his burly figure knocking Mr. Baxter to one side and turned to the jury \u201cHow many pieces of silver did they pay you, you yellow skinned sheep.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam cast a glance over his shoulder and managed a half smile at Joe as Hanson slipped the handcuffs on his wrists but Joe didn\u2019t see it, he was still seated, his head hanging low as waves of nausea swept over him. Hoss had his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and was staring at Adam and Ben his mouth working but no words coming from it. Ben didn\u2019t look back he couldn\u2019t bear to see his younger sons, not now, even though he knew he and Adam were innocent, he still felt as though his brow were branded with the letter M for Murderer.<\/p>\n Manson was talking to the Judge, begging him for a stay of execution, urging him to consider a re-trail or even changing the verdict to imprisonment. Brooks, for reasons of his own, was only wanting to get out of the court room. Ben\u2019s dark eyes, and courage, Adam\u2019s youth and good looks, unnerved him. He knew there were things said in the cross examinations of both men that blared out their innocence. He had hoped against hope that the jury would have the guts to declare the men innocent, anything than have to leave knowing he had condoned in the murder of two innocent men \u2026 he felt sick; he pushed Manson to one side and rushed out of the room slamming the door behind him.<\/p>\n The sunlight seemed too bright as they stepped outside the building and both Ben and Adam were forced to lower their head as it blared into their eyes. Mrs. Gilbertson ran up and clung to Ben\u2019s arm \u201cIt ain\u2019t true, it ain\u2019t, is it, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head \u201cNo, it isn\u2019t true, Mrs. Gilbertson.\u201d he raised his voice a little to be heard by any others there \u201cAs God is my Judge I swear it.\u201d<\/p>\n Bert Fuller swaggered alongside them \u201cWell, He didn\u2019t do a very good job of saving your necks, did he?\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, Mr. Cartwright, please do something and get free?\u201d Mrs. Gilbertson sobbed, \u201cWhose going to help me find Millie\u2019s killers if you ain\u2019t here to help?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson came and pulled her away, telling her that he\u2019d track down those killers but she shrugged him off and ran home to her husband. Here and there groups of men and women gathered, whispering and looking over at the Cartwrights as they made their way to the jailhouse. \u201cWe\u2019ll think of something, Ben, Adam.\u201d someone yelled, \u201cWe\u2019ll get you free, don\u2019t you worry none.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam felt as though he was walking on water, he wasn\u2019t sure how he managed to keep upright and then suddenly Fat Fuller\u2019s face lunged in front of him, leering and laughing \u201cDon\u2019t you be getting any ideas of getting help from any of them sheep. They won\u2019t be of no use to you and your daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n Pent up anger and frustration flared up inside of Adam and without even thinking of any consequences he lunged at the fat man, his shoulder struck him in the chest and then he brought up his manacled hands to swing down towards Fuller only to have them gripped tight and when he looked up he saw Hoss who only shook his head and whispered, \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Adam, it\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n Bert Fuller rolled about the dirt for a while and yelled \u201cDid you see that, did you see, sheriff? What you going to do about it? Ain\u2019t\u2019cha going to do something about it?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson turned round and glared at Fuller and told him to shut his fat ugly mouth and then returned to the task of guiding his prisoners to jail.<\/p>\n The pulse in Adam\u2019s temple was beating and his mouth was twitching as though the energy caused by the altercation was still raging within him. Ben side stepped slightly so that his shoulder touched that of his sons and when Adam glanced over at his father Ben smiled and nodded \u201cIt\u2019ll be alright, son.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam bowed his head and followed the sheriff. How often had he heard his father say those words. In the desert when they had no water, and when on a raft fighting the wild white waters raging over rapids. \u2018It\u2019ll be alright, son.\u201d Ben had always said, and somehow, it had always turned out to be \u2018alright.\u2019<\/p>\n Joe trailed behind his father and brothers as though he were mounting the gallow steps himself. He pulled his hat lower to shield his eyes and looked at his fathers silver grey hair gleaming in the sunlight and Adams\u2019 black hair curling rebelliously over his collar. He drew in his breath and paused as someone tugged at his sleeve. He looked down at Jimmy whose eyes were full of tears and who couldn\u2019t get the words out of his mouth for sobbing. For a moment Joe wished he were able to do that, just find a place and sit down and sob.<\/p>\n He nodded though and gave the boy a pat on the head and watched as he scampered ahead, and then a hand splayed across his chest and stopped him dead in his tracks. He looked up at the face and saw Cole, deadly mean, and the thin lips parted in a grimace of a smile \u201cWe\u2019ll deal with you, sonny, later.\u201d he jerked his thumb in the direction of the Cartwrights now mounting the steps to the jail \u201cAfter the show\u2019s ended.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n Sally Byrnes was hustled out of the court room and to Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy\u2019s home where she was given some thing to drink and eat. Grief and anger had walked hand in hand within her heart the past few days. Now there was only anger and resentment. She listened to Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy\u2019s soft voice pleading with her to put in a plea for clemency, to search her mind in case she had been mistaken. After a while she stood up and thanked the woman politely and then with icy coldness said \u201cThe Cartwright\u2019s have got what\u2019s due them, they killed my father. I\u2019m glad they\u2019re going to hang.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t mean that, Sally.\u201d the older woman cried with the colour draining from her face but Sally only nodded \u201cOh yes, I do. I do.\u201d she said with all the vehemence she could muster in her voice.<\/p>\n Hawkins smiled as he heard her and looked over at Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy \u201cYou\u2019d better watch your mouth, Ma\u2018am, you don\u2019t want to be talking too much like that, some people in town won\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs. O\u2019Shaughnessy watched Hawkins take hold of Sally\u2019s arm and lead her to the caf\u00e9. She thought over what he had said, the way he had looked and then had to grope for the arm of the chair in order to lower herself down as her legs went suddenly weak beneath her. Adam accepted the coffee from Hanson and sat down on the bed. He stared at the hot brew and then turned to his father \u201cEr – when exactly have they set the time and day? I kind of didn\u2019t hear.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson sighed, so under the tough exterior the lad had been shocked after all. He turned the key in the lock \u201c6 in the evening on the 25th.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo soon?\u201d Adam sipped his coffee \u201cThey sure are in a hurry to get rid of us, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n He hadn\u2019t expected an answer nor did he get one. Ben walked to the window and clasped the bars, \u201cI know Deuce is a weak snivelling wretch but I somehow hoped he would come and muster up some courage to tell the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged and walked over to the cell door \u201cSheriff, I was thinking -\u201d he paused as Hanson drew closer. \u201cThose steers that Hawkins sold to Byrnes had to be butchered first. That means their hides had to be hidden someplace. Couldn\u2019t you send some men to look over the ranches Hawkins has purchased and see if there is any sign of them there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClem Foster already thought of that, Adam. He turned the places upside down but found nothing, not even a hoof print.\u201d<\/p>\n Adams face fell and his colour faded slightly, \u201cWell, I guess that\u2019s all then -.\u201d and he picked up his cup and swallowed down some more of Hanson\u2019s foul brew.<\/p>\n \u201cFor what it\u2019s worth, Clem Foster and some of the other deputies also had a good look around that land down by Mud Creek. There was no sign of any cattle ever having been taken across that land or hidden on it, not anywhere.\u201d he paused and looked at them both, \u201cClem Foster had a lot of faith in you two, he was convinced he\u2019d find the proof he needed to let the town know you were innocent. He\u2019s paid a heavy price for that loyalty now.\u201d<\/p>\n A cough from behind the sheriff made him turn to see Harry Forsyth standing there, hat in hand, and his two chins wobbling along with various other parts of him, he stepped forward \u201cKin I have a word with Mr. Cartwright and Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson stepped back to allow the man to get closer to the two men, not surprisingly Adam got to his feet and walked over to the window, effectively turning his back on the fellow. Ben nodded and smiled \u201cWhat can I do for you, friend?\u201d<\/p>\n Forsyth shook his head \u201cSure wish you didn\u2019t call me that, Ben, I ain\u2019t been much of a one for you. Fact is we stood out as long as we could against Fletcher and Stuart but – but we all got businesses in town, or daughters \u2026 they never did find young Millie\u2019s killer did they? None of us want our girls to have to face that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded \u201cI can understand you difficulty, Forsyth.\u201d he sighed, \u201cI know it\u2019s going to be hard for you all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLiving with Hawkins in charge.\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n \u201c- and with your consciences.\u201d Adam added for good measure.<\/p>\n Forsyth nodded \u201cI know, Adam. I don\u2019t think I\u2019m ever going to come to terms with mine.\u201d he cleared his throat, \u201cAll of us, on the jury, I mean, those of us who have known you for so long, Ben, we know you couldn\u2019t have killed Zedekiah. But -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s alright, Forsyth. It may be best if you just went now – if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo hard feelings, Ben?\u201d Forsyth put his hand through the bars to be shaken but Ben, kindly hearted though he was, found he couldn\u2019t bear to touch the man\u2019s flesh but walked away to join his son at the window.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n Cy Hawkins approached Sally and looked at her thoughtfully. It seemed to him that she had several times looked doubtful as to her stand during Adam\u2019s cross examination. He watched as she walked to the window and stared out into the street.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you intend to do now, Miss Byrnes? Is there anything I can help you deal with here?\u201d<\/p>\n She turned to him, nervous, not of him, just nervous. The past few days had been turbulent and had made her twitchy and unable to think straight. She looked again at the near empty streets and shook her head \u201cIts\u2019 so quiet out there. There\u2019s usually so much bustle, people going on about their business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFolk may be feeling a mite confused just now. Too many changes what with the Cartwrights getting hanged in two days time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Two days. It isn\u2019t long, is it?\u201d she frowned and sighed, and then pulled her shawl closer around her shoulders, it felt as though someone had walked over her grave as the saying went. \u201cI think I\u2019ll open the caf\u00e9 tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Even he looked surprised, he hadn\u2019t expected her to rally quite so soon, but then he smiled, she was obviously of sterner stuff than he had anticipated. She darted a glance in his direction and then returned to the window. \u201cThings need to get back to normal. If the caf\u00e9 is open and people see that the Cartwrights don\u2019t rule my life, as it obviously does theirs, then things will settle down more quickly.\u201d she nodded and raised her chin, \u201cBesides, there\u2019s a good amount of meat going to waste in the store room \u2026\u201d Joe and Hoss removed their hats as they entered the jail house. They had been to the hotel and washed their faces, changed back to their workaday clothes. Ben greeted them warmly, but Adam remained by the window, staring out at the sky and watching the clouds scud by.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, boys.\u201d Ben stopped, cleared his throat, \u201cNow, look, there\u2019s still a lot that can be done. It\u2019s not all lost yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d Hoss nodded and clamped his lips together to stop them quivering.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, if you say so, Pa.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was croaky, as though he had a sore throat, and when Ben asked if he was alright he said he was just fine. He didn\u2019t like to admit he\u2019d had his head down the latrine vomiting for the past half hour.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst thing – find Deuce Martin. Whatever he put in his statement is irrelevant now. He left here because he knew he\u2019d lied but hadn\u2019t the courage to admit it in court. We need him to tell the truth.\u201d Ben\u2019s dark eyes looked into theirs, \u201cDo the best you can, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs there nothing else, Pa?\u201d Joe asked and glanced over at Adam who had turned now and was walking towards them, \u201cYou alright, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m alright, Joe. You just take good care of yourselves. Try not to tangle with any of Hawkins men, they\u2019ll be looking out for you both now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess they would a that,\u201d Hoss said quietly. \u201cI saw Mrs. Foster, she said Clem was going to be alright but he\u2019s got a real bad concussion, can\u2019t remember a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw Mrs. O\u2019Shaugnessy,\u201d Joe heaved in a deep breath, \u201cShe said Sally Byrnes refuses to change her statement. She wants you both -\u201d he swallowed and shook his head, \u201cAnyway, we\u2019ll go now and see if we can find Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n They shook hands and parted. Ben stood against the bars of the cell door and watched them until they were gone from the room then he joined Adam to watch them ride past the end of the alley.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think they\u2019ll find him, Pa?\u201d Adam turned a quizzical eye to his father and Ben shrugged, \u201cI hope so. Let\u2019s hope he\u2019s still alive when they do.\u201d<\/p>\n Chapter 22<\/p>\n Joe was paying Zeke Jackson some money for stabling Sport and Buck when Hoss joined him at the livery. \u201cWhat took you so long?\u201d he snapped and then felt immediately sorry for on top of everything else the last thing Hoss needed was an uppity little brother.<\/p>\n \u201cI jest seen Mrs. Watkins.\u201d Hoss said, \u201cShe\u2019s Deuce Martin\u2019s landlady.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, did she have any idea where he may have headed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe has family in Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe has? I never knew that before, reckon that he\u2019d head that way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPossibly.\u201d Hoss removed his hat and wiped his brow, he was sweating and it wasn\u2019t even that hot. \u201cI saw Sally Byrnes too, she was coming out of the caf\u00e9 as I passed it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d Joe\u2019s shoulders slumped, \u201cWhat did she have to say for herself?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly that she was opening the caf\u00e9. She\u2019s expecting a busy day -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, you don\u2019t have to spell it out.\u201d Joe interrupted and cleared his throat, and followed his brother to where they had left their horses. \u201cGenoa then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep, reckon so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s hope we find him sooner rather than later.\u201d<\/p>\n They glanced back over their shoulders at the jail house as they left the town, hoping that their father and brother would realise how much they were thinking of them, how much they longed to find all the answers that would open that cell door and set them free. Both knew that wasn\u2019t likely to happen; both wouldn\u2019t admit that to the other.<\/p>\n Hoss was an expert at reading sign, and he soon located a spot where Deuce had stopped to camp. Of course Joe didn\u2019t mention anything but even he recognised the man\u2019s bandana which had been left snagged on the branches of a shrub close to the remains of the charred wood he\u2019d used for his fire.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, you wouldn\u2019t think anyone so stupid would even be asked to take the witness stand,\u201d Joe murmured as he looked at the bandana, \u201cWho\u2019d believe him anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEnough,\u201d Hoss\u2019 shoulders slumped and he pushed the bandana into his pocket, \u201cFolk who want to believe Pa and Adam guilty would believe every word that came out of that lying mouth of his, because they\u2019re too skeered of Hawkins to say any different.\u201d<\/p>\n They rode onwards, it was not a difficult track to pursue as the road to Genoa was well used and well known by them both. Twenty plus miles of reasonable straightforward terrain would see them in Genoa by sunset. It was Joe who noticed the saddled horse grazing just to the left of the roadway and after searching through the saddlebags they soon found out it was the horse Deuce had taken from the livery. \u201cIf his horse is here, he can\u2019t be very far behind.\u201d Joe observed stroking the animal\u2019s sleek neck.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a wonder no one else thought to bring it in,\u201d Hoss muttered, \u201cLess it ran off up in them rocks.\u201d he frowned \u201cWhat you looking at, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sighed and looked over at his brother \u201cI think we\u2019ve found Deuce Martin, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n The drop from the roadside wasn\u2019t so deep but enough for anyone to claim the man had fallen from the saddle and broken his neck. The brothers had other thoughts about that as they heaved the heavy body of the dead man across the saddle of his horse. Joe wiped his brow and nodded \u201cWe\u2019ll take him to the sheriff, no point in taking him all the way back to Virginia City. I\u2019m tired and hungry, and I need to think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n They didn’t want to waste time, moments and hours spent elsewhere from their father and brother, so after eating at some restaurant they mounted their horses and made their way back to Virginia City. The best will in the world isn’t always the maker of the strongest of men able to resist the need to sleep and as Hoss said, they needed to keep their wits sharp to think things out, they couldn’t afford to miss a chance by being to fuzzy headed due to lack of sleep.<\/p>\n En route between Genoe and Virgina City they made a stop over camp and despite the nervous tension gnawing at their guts they rolled into their blankets and attempted to sleep.<\/p>\n Despite his eyes burning from lack of sleep Joe couldn’t shut his brain off and drift into slumber no matter how he tried. He stared out at the stars and couldn\u2019t hold back the tears anymore than he had at other times since the trial had begun. He heard Hoss movingc and hurriedly wiped his eyes and nose and cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cYou alright, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, yeah, sure, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t sleep, dang it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo?\u201d Joe cleared his throat again \u201cNeither can I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cListen here, Joe, we gotta think up some kind of strategy.\u201d he got to his feet and joined Joe by the small fire. “We ain\u2019t gonna let them hang Pa or Adam, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was firm, \u201cNo.\u201d he repeated and turned to Hoss, \u201cI\u2019m glad you said it, Hoss, I\u2019ve been trying to think of how to say it to you although -\u201d he shivered, \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of strategy were you thinking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFirst thing we git back home. We find ourselves some buffalo rifles, and -\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stopped him \u201cPa don\u2019t want us to fight, Hoss. You know what he said?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, how else are we gonna stand a chance of getting them free, Joe? D\u2019you reckon that Hawkins and his men will just stand aside nice and polite if we ask them release our Pa and Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, of course not.\u201d Joe frowned, \u201cBut Pa\u2019s last wish would be for us not to make trouble, you know he\u2019s told us once, and I for sure know he\u2019ll tell us again because he knows us well enough, well, he knows what we\u2019d be planning to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t gonna let them git hanged. Look, Joe, there ain\u2019t nobody in town got the guts to do anything for them. They\u2019re just a bunch of -\u201d<\/p>\n Again Joe interrupted \u201cWe can\u2019t say that, Hoss. Baxter\u2019s tried and so have some others.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss frowned, \u201cAlright, so they have, but there\u2019s a whole lot of others who ain\u2019t. What we gotta do is go home, get the rifles and hide \u2018em, so that way Pa won\u2019t know, will he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere will we hide them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll think of something.\u201d Hoss frowned, \u201cReckon it\u2019s an odd time to hang anyone, in the evening time when it\u2019s dark.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, it\u2019ll mean shooting the hangman and his partner -\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but what choice we got? Once that noose is around their necks he could open the trapdoor anytime, and we\u2019d need to be quick, Joe, real quick.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded, \u201cHoss, you know it means we could be killed? There\u2019s only two of us and there\u2019ll be a whole lot more of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can stay home if you want to, Joe. If it worries you – I mean – sure I know it means we could be killed, but is life worth living without Pa and Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome would say so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThink about it, Joe. I ain\u2019t going to expect you to do anything you don\u2019t want to do, especially as it might be the very last thing you get to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d Joe sighed and closed his eyes, \u201cI know that, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright closed his eyes and thought of his sons, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe. He thought of them as boys, and remembered them as babes. He thought then of their mothers, Elizabeth, Inger and Marie. So many memories, so many dreams \u2026 he sighed and shook his head, where had the time gone to, and why did it all have to end like this, now.<\/p>\n He heard Adam move and wondered if he was sleeping. It seemed to him that Adam hadn\u2019t slept in a long time, and hoped that this night – this last night – his son would be able to get some rest, even if it meant some hours passing faster as a result. At least in the morning he would wake up.<\/p>\n \u201cPa? You awake?\u201d<\/p>\n The whispered words drifted over to him and he sighed, \u201cSure, son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking about that newspaper article that Ed Baxter was going to print tomorrow. Do you think it will be worth it? I mean, how many people will actually be around in town tomorrow to read it?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben drew in a deep breath and shook his head, \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam. Perhaps enough people will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then what? Do you reckon they\u2019ll get the courage to go to battle against Hawkins and his men? The Seige of Gil\u2019s Saloon – you can just see it now – except that it won\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I think Ed Baxter feels he needs to do something even if it is late in the day.\u201d Ben sat up and scratched his head, then swung his legs over the edge of the bed to sit up and face his son, even though the cell was lit by a lamp positioned some distance from them by the door to the sheriff\u2019s office. \u201cAt least he\u2019s trying to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFair enough.\u201d Adam replied sombrely and folded his arms behind his head, his eyes fixed to the darkness preventing him from seeing the ceiling.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s hard to forgive these people, Adam, but you have to find it in your heart to do so. They\u2019ve been our neighbours and friends for a long time, we\u2019ve shared a lot of things with them, good times and bad, and – and we can\u2019t really blame them for what\u2019s happened here, after all, fear makes cowards of the bravest of men.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf – if the worse happens tomorrow and – Adam – what I\u2019m trying to say, son, is that should sentence be carried out then you, and I, will be facing the greatest Judge of all. If we can\u2019t forgive our neighbours now, how can we expect to be forgiven ourselves?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Pa. I know what you\u2019re saying.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s voice was emotionless, the deep timbre of his words hung heavy in Ben\u2019s heart and the older man sighed and returned to his bed, resting his head on the thin lump of a pillow. He closed his eyes. At 6 of the clock, in the evening, he would be closing his eyes forever.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t fair the voice in his head kept saying, not for Adam, not for him. His lips moved in prayer and as he prayed he asked himself if he had really forgiven these people as he had told Adam to do. He hoped that he had, he hoped that he had been forgiving.<\/p>\n Adam remembered how Mr. Oliver had come in and said he had sent off a telegram to the Governor explaining the situation. He remembered the man wiping his sweating palms on a handkerchief and saying how as soon as they get a reply they\u2019d be on the way to getting them both a pardon, no doubt about it after all wasn\u2019t the Governor an old friend of Ben\u2019s? But then hadn\u2019t Judge Nathan Brooks been a friend once upon a time? Where was he now? According to Sheriff Hanson, Brooks had got the stagecoach out of town just an hour after the trial had ended.<\/p>\n His thoughts turned to Sally Byrnes and he wondered if she would ever know how to forgive. Would she one day visit their graves and say \u2018I forgive you, Adam Cartwright. I know you didn\u2019t kill my father.\u2019 Adam paused and frowned, no, she should have to say \u201cI KNEW you hadn\u2019t killed my father\u2019 because that was the more honest thing to say over the grave of a man she had condemned to his death.<\/p>\n He worried about Joe and Hoss. He knew that had he been on the other side of the cell and it had been Joe or Hoss standing by their father tomorrow evening, then he would not be standing there watching and weeping. He knew exactly what he\u2019d be doing even if he died doing it. But then Pa – he sighed – it wasn\u2019t what Pa would want because he couldn\u2019t bear the thought of seeing his other sons cut down by gun fire as the last sight his eyes rested upon.<\/p>\n What a mess. He scrunched up his eyes and placed a hand over them – it was all such a mess. And his father expected him to forgive them? He lay there very still for some moments and then got to his feet and walked to the window to look up at the stars and to search for the feeble moon he had sought earlier. This was his last night on earth \u2026 God help him.<\/p>\n Chapter 23<\/p>\n Sleep was so elusive. In a way Adam longed for sleep to come so that the morning would arrive and that day would be done and over with. But at the same time he wanted to hold onto every moment as though it were precious, because that was what life was about, it was precious.<\/p>\n He had pins and needles in one leg, and moved a little to ease it off. He was restless. He wanted to get up and walk about, pace the floor, kick at the wall. He knew that would make Ben anxious, and tonight of all nights, he didn\u2019t want that for his Pa. But he couldn\u2019t stay still on that bunk any longer and got to his feet and walked to the window and looked out into the darkness. He raised his eyes to the night sky and watched as a star fell gracefully to earth, trailing behind it a fading blaze of light. In the velvety darkness of night other stars spun, twinkled, shone. Shadows swayed within shadows as the buildings of the town seemed to huddle closer together. The dog was howling now, howling at the moon as though it knew and understood what it was like to have a broken heart.<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright glanced over at his son and sighed. Adam sat with such stillness, his face raised to the moon as though, like the coyote, he could have howled a long wail of grief. He stood up and walked to Adam\u2019s side,<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, son?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam said nothing for a while. It seemed as though he were going to ignore his father\u2019s question, then he sighed and gave a half smile,<\/p>\n \u201cI was just remembering things,\u201d he said in a quiet almost shy way of speaking, a way that he could adopt when with his father, because there was no one else who understood or knew that softer more vulnerable layer of his heart..<\/p>\n He looked down at his feet, it was not a cold night, a spring night promising a warm day.<\/p>\n \u201cRemembering what? What kind of things?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice gentled, as he prepared himself to listen to revelations that perhaps he would regret hearing later on.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, things from way back, when we were alone, before Inger -\u201d he paused and cleared his throat, \u201cand then, afterwards, with Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLife certainly got more interesting with him around, didn\u2019t it?\u201d Ben smiled gently, so many memories. He shook his head, sometimes so many could weaken a man, he turned away and back to his bed. He looked back and the moon shone and he could see his son\u2019s silhouette, so still, looking out through the bars. \u201cAdam?\u201d The other man turned, a dark shadow among shadows, \u201cAdam, are you afraid now?<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t reply immediately, his lips tightened imperceptibly and then he frowned, \u201cPerhaps I should be, but no, I just feel numb, I just feel – nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n Hoss Cartwright dismantled the rifle and checked each separate piece carefully. He fumbled in the drawer to pull out a box of cartridges and then looked up at Joe who was busy doing just the same.<\/p>\n \u201cIt may not work,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many more times do you have to tell me, I know that,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice snapped back, snap – just like a piece of elastic twanging back when released after being pulled to full stretch.<\/p>\n \u201cStill, we gotta give it a try, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Joe wiped his nose on the back of his hand and sniffed, he looked up at his brother, \u201cWhat do you think they\u2019re doing right now, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n His brother swallowed the lump in his throat, and then shook his head, he didn\u2019t want to think about it. Deuce Martin may have testified, had he been alive, but then again he may not have done. Either way the hours spent hunting for him had been futile. Someone should have gone looking for him long before now.<\/p>\n Hop Sing came in with coffee, everything rattled. He couldn\u2019t speak, he was heartbroken, and broken hearts didn\u2019t go along with chatter, instead he made lots of coffee and the cups rattled as he set everything down on the table.<\/p>\n Hoss poured out the coffee, he kept his head down because he wanted to do more than just think. He had asked Adam once what word could be used when someone wanted to think more deeply than usual about something important in their lives and his brother had said he probably meant, meditation. So that was what he was going to do now, a bit of meditation.<\/p>\n He sat down in the red leather chair that smelt of his Pa, and of his Pa\u2019s smelly old pipe that they all tolerated because at the end of the day they felt Pa deserved some kind of treat. Hoss heaved a sigh, sniffed, and wiped his eyes. Across the room Joe glanced up, firmed his mouth and said nothing. Hoss gulped down some more coffee, then he stood up and put down the cup and saucer, \u201cI\u2019m gonna go git some air.\u201d he muttered and walked quickly out of the room.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n Joe wiped his mouth on his sleeve and looked away from the door as his brother slammed it behind him. He wanted to yell out that he was suffering too, but then, Hoss knew that already. Hoss knew him inside and out, and at times, Joe sniffed, over these past few days, he had got to know a lot more.<\/p>\n He sat down on the chair that Hoss had just vacated and put his face in his hands. It was such a slim chance that this was going to work. He shivered, what if it didn\u2019t? Should they have tried to break jail? No, Hawkins men were all over the town, they\u2019d have been noticed and arrested too. Better this way, at least – he drew in a shudder of a sigh – well, at least they could try and perhaps die with them. The Ponderosa didn\u2019t matter compared to the lives of his Pa and brother.<\/p>\n So many memories, so little time. He wanted to know that his father would be there waiting for him when he returned from riding the cattle, or checking the timber. He needed to know that Adam would be there, no matter how grumpy, so that he could be reassured that he was cared about, protected. He gulped again; Adam had always been there to protect him, even when they argued, even then.<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t want to think anymore. He put the rifle down and went upstairs to his father\u2019s room. He sucked in the smell of him, filled his lungs with the essence of all that was his father. Tomorrow, Pa, he promised himself, tomorrow I\u2019ll get you free. They won\u2019t hurt you, Pa, they won\u2019t, I won\u2019t let them hurt you.<\/p>\n He stopped short at Adam\u2019s door. Just leaned his head against the door frame and wept.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n Hanson brought them coffee and something to eat. Ben sat up and rubbed his face and looked over at the other man who sat on the rumpled bed opposite, \u201cDid you get any sleep, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and it was Hanson who poured out the coffee for Adam and handed it to him, \u201cHere you are, Adam\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, sheriff.\u201d Adam raised it to his mouth and paused, \u201cSheriff, could you bring me some paper and a pen or pencil?\u201d<\/p>\n Hanson nodded, glanced at Ben and quietly left the cell. He returned later and gave Adam the things he had requested. Ben was reading his bible in an undertone and Adam had been listening. He retreated to his bunk and smoothed the paper out on his knee and began to write. On his bunk, Ben watched for a little while, and then lowered his eyes to continue his reading. Adam scowled, the pencil was too blunt and he had to press hard against the paper to write, and some of the paper had torn, eventually he gathered his thoughts and began to write.<\/p>\n Chapter 24<\/p>\n Adam slowly folded up the chess board while Ben slipped the pieces into the velvet lined box. A long time ago Adam’s grandfather. Abel Stoddard, had given it to Ben as a gift and as the pieces were dropped into their allotted spaces Ben remembered that day as clearly as though the old man were standing next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright? Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n Both men paused and looked around, smiled when Jimmy came to the door with Hanson standing right behind him, \u201cHe asked to see you.\u201d the sheriff said shortly, and pushed the boy forwards so he was closer to the bars.<\/p>\n Jimmy whipped off his hat and held it tightly against his chest. He didn\u2019t want them to see how his heart was thumping so much. He licked his lips and glanced over his shoulder to watch as Hanson left them alone to join his deputy by the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam did you tell \u2018em what I said to you? About Deuce seeing those men in the barn?\u201d<\/p>\n As though appreciating the need for privacy he whispered his question so that Adam had to hink for a moment before answering in a lower tone. He cleared his throat and grimaced, then bent a little to come down to Jimmy\u2019s level, \u201cI told them all that was necessary, Jimmy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI jest wondered if you did because – because I can\u2019t see how they would think you did that to Mr. Byrnes if\u2019n they knew.\u201d the boy\u2019s big round eyes looked from one to the other of them, and Ben reached out and stroked the boy\u2019s head and smiled reassuringly at him. But it didn’t satisfy the boy for once again he said, \u201cYou sure you told \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJimmy, you\u2019ll understand more about what\u2019s going on as you grow older.\u201d Adam replied quietly, \u201cI reckon you\u2019ll even know more about all this than we do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cD\u2019you reckon so?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled and nodded. The boy looked at Ben, \u201cMr. Cartwright, can I do anything for you now? Is there anything you want ?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned and then smiled, he picked up the chess board and the box containing the ivory pieces \u201cWell, Jimmy, I could do with knowing that these are going to a good home. You promise me you\u2019ll look after it, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will, sir.\u201d he took the items that were passed through the bars to him and then left, although Hanson stopped him at the door and asked him if he\u2019d like to earn a nickel \u201cYes, sheriff, sure would.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome back later and get Mr. Cartwright and Adam something to eat from the caf\u00e9. You\u2019ll be doing them a big favour and you\u2019ll earn yourself some money too.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked at his father and smiled, then gave a slight twitch to the shoulders and walked to the window to look out. The sky was blue, it was a spring day, and the air smelt fresh, in fact, it was a good day to be alive.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n In Gil\u2019s saloon there was laughter, and loud boastful talk. Bert asked Cole where Hawkins was, only to be told that he had business elsewhere but would be in town for the hanging. \u201cYou and the boys best get collecting firewood, the boss likes a good blaze when there\u2019s a night hanging.\u201d<\/p>\n Gil watched the men go and felt sick at heart. He wished he had the courage to tell them to clear out and then lock the doors behind them so they\u2019d never get back in, but he was alone there, his staff had abandoned him for the day and wanted nothing to do with him, his saloon or his clientele.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n Hank Friedlander and his son stepped back from the gallows they\u2019d just finished building and nodded in mutual satisfaction. It was a sturdy edifice for the final outcome of the law. They put away their tools and picked up their jackets and walked slowly to the wagon so they could get home. They didn\u2019t want to be in town when the time came for the hanging. It wasn\u2019t because they were afraid their handiwork would let them down at all, they just didn\u2019t want to witness the deaths of two fine men.<\/p>\n Mrs Baxter pushed open the door to the caf\u00e9 and waited for Sally Byrnes to come from the kitchen area with notepad and pencil in hand. The smile froze on the younger woman’s face as Mrs Baxter stood with hands folded neatly at her waist, almost as though she were in an attitude of prayer. \u201cWhat can I do for you, Mrs. Baxter?\u201d<\/p>\n Esme Baxter took a deep breath and stared at Sally before she spoke, \u201cI want you to tell the truth, to go over there and tell the sheriff exactly what you did see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI already have, I\u2019ve told the sheriff and I\u2019ve told the whole town. They know what I saw and the right people are getting the right punishment for their crimes.\u201d she slapped the notepad down \u201cIs that all you have to say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Byrnes, Sally, I\u2019m begging of you, please re-consider, please think about what you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know exactly what I\u2019m doing, Mrs. Baxter.\u201d Sally walked deliberately to the door and opened it wide, \u201cGood day to you.\u201d<\/p>\n She took a hurried glance to where the gallows stood. It was the first time she had actually seen it and as Mrs Baxter scurried down the road Sally watched as the hangman tossed the nooses over the bar, two thick hemp ropes dangled leaving two shadows floating in the road.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n It was 4 in the afternoon when Joe and Hoss rode into town and tried to ignore the gallows and the two nooses. They made their way into the sheriff\u2019s office and spoke to their Pa and brother and listened as Ben told them in a calm and distinct manner that there were still three options, three things that could still swing things their way.<\/p>\n Joe listened and wondered if Adam believed the things would work as he looked at his brothers face that looked so bleak, so empty. \u201cAnd talk to Sally Brynes again, she may just change her statement.\u201d The words rang around Joe\u2019s head, already aching because he\u2019d been clamping his teeth so tight. Talk to Sally Byrnes? He could have laughed the suggestion out of town had he not been so desperate and like all drowning men who clutch at straws he nodded and agreed that yes, they\u2019d go and see her – again.<\/p>\n If he hadn\u2019t been so wound up like the spring inside a clock he would have seen the stranger in Zeke\u2019s stables and he wouldn\u2019t have reacted like he did either when they had accidently knocked into each other. Thankfully Hoss was there to calm him down and the stranger brushed it off and left them alone. The buffalo rifles were carefully stowed away among the tack in the stable and then they made their way to the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to calm down, Joe.\u201d Hoss whispered.<\/p>\n Sure, he knew that, but how does a man calm down knowing there were less than two hours before their Pa and brother died. Then when they saw Sally she swore blind that she had nothing to say other than what had already been said, there was no way she was going to change what she\u2019d said.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew it.\u201d he hissed at Hoss after his brother joined him outside, having made his own plea to Sally\u2019s conscience, \u201cI knew she wouldn\u2019t change what she\u2019d said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s hurting, Joe, she\u2019s hurting real bad inside.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head, he was hurting too, the pain ran through him, from head to toe. Surely Hoss felt it too? He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and glanced around the town, \u201cThere\u2019s no one around?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re too scared of Hawkins to come out,\u201d Hoss said quietly, \u201cThey don\u2019t want to see Pa and Adam die either, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that meant to make me feel better about them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook, you go and find Barney. I\u2019ll go check on Pa and Adam? That alright by you?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded, he glanced over at Gil\u2019s saloon at the sound of laughter and raucous cheering. It made his stomach churn over.<\/p>\n Time was ticking away, relentless, unyielding. Hoss stood before Ben and Adam and listened to talk about petitions and newspapers, and then Ben looked at Hoss very sternly and told him there was to be nothing else, nothing to help them that went beyond the law. Hoss wondered if he had gone pale, he felt pale, he thought of those rifles stacked away neatly in Zeke\u2019s stables and felt guilty but he didn\u2019t back down despite Ben saying very carefully \u201cYou\u2019ll be shooting at our friends\u201d and when Hoss darted a look over at Adam and wondered what he was thinking, Ben added \u201cPromise me, there will be no violence.\u201d<\/p>\n Out side and the cool air brushed past his face and cooled down the heat he felt from knowingly defying his Pa. Young Jimmy was coming out of the caf\u00e9 now, swinging the can that held the food for Hanson’s prisoners. It just happened that Fat Bert and several others came out and saw him, by the time Hoss had reached the boy Bert had fouled the food and was laughing. He sure thought he was a funny man, Hoss thought as he brought his foot down heavy on the fat man’s hand.<\/p>\n Odd how that stranger kept turning up, always seeming to be there. Joe came over and said there had been no sign of Barney Palmer at the Flats, no one had seen him. One of their other straws was floating away, floating away, just like the others. And that was it really, there would be no late edition of the newspaper denouncing Hawkins and edifying the Cartwrights, there would be no petition and from Sally no retraction.<\/p>\n At the back of Hoss Cartwright’s mind were the words Lassiter had used \u2018Aiming to have a small revolution, hold back for as long as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n He and Joe stared up at the sky, looked at one another and walked to the stables. Young Jimmy ran into the jail house with the can of food and stood there with his mouth open as Adam and Ben were led from the cell. Hanson turned to him as the deputy pulled Ben\u2019s arms behind his back and began to tie his wrists together, \u201cAlright, Jimmy, well done, lad. Here\u2019s your nickel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want your nickel, I don\u2019t want it\u201d he looked at Ben and Adam and tears gushed up into his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Jimmy.\u201d Ben said but his voice sounded different somehow, Jimmy saw the way Adam glanced quickly, anxiously, at his father, before turning back to look at him. By the time they were tying Adam Cartwright\u2019s hands behind his back Jimmy was running out of the road back to the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n Hawkins rode into town, and the fires were lit. Jimmy ran down the back alleys to home and threw himself into his mother’s arms and wept. \u201cI tried to help \u2018em, Ma. I did, I did.\u201d<\/p>\n At the door of the caf\u00e9 the stranger leaned against the door frame and watched as the two men were led from the jail house. There was no great crowd watching them, although unbeknown to themselves there were many in their homes praying for them. There was Hawkins, and there was Cole and Fat Bert and the others all standing as the flames took on a resemblance to hell and the two men made their way slowly up the steps to the waiting nooses.<\/p>\n Chapter 25<\/p>\n Despite keeping a straight back and a dignified appearance Ben Cartwright was inwardly broken. The thoughts and anxieties for his younger sons kept intruding into his mind and disturbing the calm that he had forced himself to wrap around him like some protective barrier. But the inevitability of it all, the waste and the heartbreak, brought renewed anguish. He raised his chin and kept his eyes fiercely ahead of him.<\/p>\n Adam had thought that walking to his death would be just about the longest distance he would ever have to go. The numbness that he had mentioned to his father previously was now ruffled by a feeling that something was going to happen. His eyes looked at the laughing, jeering faces that resembled demons in hell as the flames of the fires flickered over their countenances. He could briefly see the caf\u00e9 and wondered momentarily if Sally Byrnes was getting any enjoyment from watching this sad and sorry procession to the scaffold.<\/p>\n They had reached the foot of the gallows now and Adam was led to the front, ahead of his father which caused Ben\u2019s stomach to turn over with grief. A hand reached out to assist Adam up the first steps but the young man shrugged it off with a disdain that caused the man to step back as Ben passed by rather than offend him also. Step by lonesome step, and each one weighed upon their hearts like millstones.<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss\u2026 the names beat like a pulse through Ben\u2019s mind, what were they doing, what were they planning. Their very absence indicated trouble and in his dire thoughts Ben imagined them coming out, guns blazing and then falling, dying, under a hail of bullets from Hawkins and his men.<\/p>\n \u2018Pray for them, pray for them.\u2019 was like a refrain beating through his head as he followed Adam up the steps and then stood by his son\u2019s side. He couldn\u2019t bear to look at his the younger man’s face, he wanted to say \u2018I\u2019m sorry, I wasn\u2019t the father you needed now, I let you down.\u2019 and he wanted to shout out to Joe and Hoss \u2018whatever you\u2019re planning – leave it, leave it and go home. Go where you\u2019ll be safe for a while longer at least.\u2019 He refused, as did Adam, having his face covered. He had nothing of which to be ashamed, nor had his son, he wasn\u2019t afraid to die, not now.<\/p>\n Adam felt the rope go over his head and around his neck, the knot tightened. He stared ahead and listened to his fathers voice softly intoning a prayer. He knew he should be praying but all he could think was \u201cBoys, if you’re planning on doing anything, it\u2019s about now\u2026\u201d. He kept his chin raised and just stared and waited \u2026 oddly enough, he had never felt so calm.<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss stood at the door of the stables deaf to Zeke\u2019s thuds and thumps from the feed box where they had tipped him and locked the lid down. Neither of them had spoken much to the other, neither of them thought for a moment that the stranger in town would be coming out there to help them. This was purely a Cartwright matter, the family against Hawkins and his men.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s headache had gone, and he felt curiously detached from everything. They knew exactly which men to aim for, and he stood behind his brother and waited for Hoss to speak. The rifle was in his hands, and he waited \u2026<\/p>\n Hoss licked his lips and watched the proceedings from the doorway. The flames from the fires helped a lot, he saw Adam and Ben mount the steps and the nooses put around their necks. He knew that they would be asked if there were any last words which meant valuable minutes on their side, he hauled in a deep breath.<\/p>\n In the caf\u00e9 Sally Byrnes was staring at the mark on the dirty window that Lassiter had made, and heard him say \u201cIt\u2019s not very clean\u201d and whatever else he said fell on deaf ears, she could only remember the things that Jimmy had said, the way Hoss had spoken, so gently, to her \u2018You\u2019re the only one can save my Pa and Adam now, Miss Sally.\u2019 and yes, she knew it, she was the only one.<\/p>\n She turned away from Lassiter and remembered how he had said a man was known by the men he was with, and she knew he was right, she knew it. She ran to the door and looked beyond the flames at the two men standing there, tall, straight backed, dignified. She\u2019d danced with Adam several times, they had laughed and enjoyed each others company, and Ben had been a good friend to her father, a good friend.<\/p>\n Hoss didn\u2019t turn his head he just said \u2018Now!\u2019<\/p>\n As they walked out into the road Sally left the doorway and ran, she was screaming and despite the noise Hawkins men were making Hanson heard her calling \u201cSheriff – Sheriff\u201d.<\/p>\n There was a confusion of noise \u2026 buffalo rifles sound louder than most when they spit out lethal death, and Lassiter\u2019s gun rattled in answer to Hawkins and Cole\u2019s and then men were falling, and Sally was sobbing in Hanson\u2019s arms and the nooses were being removed from Ben and Adam\u2019s necks.<\/p>\n Once again Adam felt that strange weakening in the knees, and Ben wanted to sink down and just pray his thanks for their deliverance, but Cartwright pride prevailed and they walked down the steps with the same upright dignity as they had mounted them.<\/p>\n Safe. All four of them. Joe made some quip about \u2018Glad we didn\u2019t leave it any later, huh, Pa?\u2019 and Lassiter was leading Sally back to the caf\u00e9, followed by Hanson who wanted to get more details from her while his two deputies collected up the wounded and left the dying and dead stretched out on the dusty road.<\/p>\n \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n I stood there a moment just looking down at the envelope as the memories flooded in and swamped over me. I don\u2019t think I would ever want to experience that horror again, not ever. I smoothed out the page and looked at my brother\u2019s writing and smiled. Perhaps he had forgotten what he had written all that time ago.<\/p>\n As I return to the table where the lamp light is shining I recall to mind several other things that happened after that evening. Hawkins and Cole died, Lassiter\u2019s gun saw to them, and Fat Bert and two other men died later from the wounds from our rifles. We never saw Lassiter again after that, although we heard occasionally about a man bearing that name who was looking for the other men who had killed his father. I often wondered if Hoss and I would have been doing the same had things not turned out as they did.<\/p>\n Sally Brynes came some days later to the Ponderosa to talk to us but we were busy on the range so never saw her. She wrote a letter and then some weeks moved on. Last I heard she got married to someone in Sacramento. The caf\u00e9 became another saloon when Gil\u2019s closed down.<\/p>\n Mr and Mrs Georgeson found out the killer of their daughter. It was Cole, the man with those cold blue eyes. But he\u2019d already received his justice, probably the only kind he\u2019d have understood. Funny, one of Hawkins men said that Fat Bert had laughed at the thought of Pa reading his bible, he\u2019d said \u2019Perhaps he\u2019s praying for one of them miracles.\u2019 Well, perhaps Pa was, I know I did a lot of praying those few days. As it happened we got ourselves the miracle.<\/p>\n Now I turn my attention to the letter and even as I start to read it my heart begins to pound and my head thuds just like it did that long ago day \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cDear Hoss and Joe,<\/p>\n Well, I\u2019m sitting here with a blank sheet of paper before me and a head full of memories and thoughts of you both, not knowing really what to write.<\/p>\n What does a man write with so little time left to live? I sit here in this cell and all I can think about is the unfairness of it all. Blind justice sure was blind in the cruellest sense of the word when they dished out the sentence for Pa and me. I doubt if there was anyone more surprised about the verdict than Pa. Guess I am just that much more cynical, but he put a lot of stock in the friendship of these townsfolk here and I am angrier at his disappointment in them and the calm manner in which he has accepted all this, than I am for myself.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know if we will see you again before we go out for sentence to be executed. I do know that Pa meant it when he asked you both not to do anything stupid at the execution. I know you both well enough to feel pretty sure that you have hatched up some scheme between you both but -, well, I guess I just don\u2019t want to have my last minutes on earth resembling some kind of bar room brawl. If it is at all possible it would be better for both Pa and me to die with some dignity.<\/p>\n It is a strange feeling really. I was so angry before, but sitting here in this cell and watching Pa as he calmly composes himself to face the Greatest Judge of all has in a way numbed my feelings. I am no longer angry nor disappointed. I can well understand how the townsfolk feel. Fear is the greatest emotion and the most manipulative. And these folks are scared yellow that\u2019s for sure. Tomorrow they will be feeling even more scared because they will know that they too have to face God and unlike Pa and me, they will not be innocent of shedding innocent blood.<\/p>\n Having said that, they are still your friends. Still the folks you have known, been schooled with, faced hardships with, over the years. Don\u2019t beat them about this, they\u2019ll be feeling wretched enough and will have to one day face the consequences of their actions.<\/p>\n Pa and I have talked a lot about this situation. He says that in the Bible we are assured that God will avenge the righteous. I don\u2019t know if I fit into that category, but I know I am innocent. Just as Pa is, and I feel sure that somehow, we shall be avenged.<\/p>\n In some kind of odd way I don\u2019t even feel as if I am going to die. I just have a strong feeling that somehow or other Pa and I will come out of this alright. Of course, if you get to read this letter, well, then I was wrong.<\/p>\n You know, Hoss, Joe, how much I love you both. I can\u2019t wrap the way I feel in fancy words, but I pray to God that he keeps you both safe. May your days be long and happy ones, Joe, Hoss.<\/p>\n There is so much I want to say to you both, perhaps, God willing, I will be able to say them to you. Face to face. If not, so be it.<\/p>\n Pa has closed the bible now and indicates to me that the time has come for us to get ready. I have said my prayers with him that we may depart this world in peace. He looks at me now and smiles. I know he has written to you both already. His eyes are clear and his hand steady. So also are mine. I feel some pride that I can die by my father\u2019s side. That in itself is some blessing.<\/p>\n Be careful. Now I must close this letter. Suddenly I want to say much more, time runs out, I somehow feel that you will not get to read this rambling mess of words. God help me if I am wrong.<\/p>\n My love to you both, forever and forever, amen.<\/p>\n Your brother, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n Reviewer: BluewindFarm Wow!\u00a0 I wish this had been part I of the episode.\u00a0 I always wondered exactly how Virginia City could turn on the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n Thanks for filling in the missing pieces.<\/p>\n Author’s Response: Hi BWF, really very glad you enjoyed the story. A friend of mine thought along the same lines as you and asked me to write this prequel to the episode which was a pleasure for me, even more so when I get reviews like this one. Thank you so much. Krystyna<\/em><\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n Reviewer: sandspur Anonymous Krystyna, I liked this! Great tension building; complex plot. And for anyone who wondered what in the world brought on the events that prompted Adam and Ben’s “fix” in “The Avenger,” this is a great prequel. Answered a lot of my questions. Thanks for this!<\/p>\n Author’s Response: Sandspur: Thank you very much for this review on the story which was requested by Englishgirl, who, like so many of us, had so many questions as to why Adam and Ben landed in that cell and about to hang. I really enjoyed writing it to be honest, it was great fun, best of all, Englishgirl liked it as well. Thanks again, sandspur.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nTom scratched his head through a shock of blond hair, \u201cThey rode east, towards the old Biggleswade place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\ntown did, much to Hoss\u2019 pleasure. She sat down with some needlepoint by the fire and listened as her husband and the Cartwrights \u2018chewed the fat\u2019 as she would call it later.<\/p>\n
\nAs those who perjure themselves for their own empty reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n
\nSetting his cup down and refilling it.<\/p>\n
\nWhat brought you in now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nFrom the doorway Deuce Martin looked into the room. The horror on his face at seeing Hawkins with Adam was so plain to see before he ducked back into the other room that Adam was tempted to get to his feet and go after him. As it was Hawkins got up and without a word left the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n
\nClyde Manson went over the statements later that evening. He told them what to expect from the prosecuting lawyer acting on behalf of Miss Sally Byrnes, the kind of questions he\u2019d ask them, and how they should answer them. Neither Ben or Adam paid him much attention as their nerves were on edge and they weren\u2019t fools enough to kid themselves that they would be walking out as free men any time soon.<\/p>\n
\nMr. Oliver and Mr. Galton pulled out chairs and sat down alongside him. \u201cHe isn\u2019t dead, but he\u2019s in a sorry mess.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe jury left the court room and entered another room that was locked by Hanson and posted a deputy by the door.<\/p>\n
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nDate: 15 Sep 2012 04:57 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n
\nDate: 30 Apr 2012 08:17 pm Title: Chapter 1<\/p>\n