{"id":49542,"date":"2024-08-27T22:11:53","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T02:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49542"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:37:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:37:16","slug":"conversations-along-the-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49542","title":{"rendered":"Conversations Along the Trail (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 This is a compilation of five vignettes that take place on Ben Cartwright’s trip West.
\nRating: K+ Words: 2274<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Conversations on the Trail<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~ONE~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Pa?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Adam, what are you doing up, son?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I woked up, and ya wasn’t there.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, I’m here now.”\u00a0 Ben Cartwright had walked back to the wagon at the sound of his nearly five-year-old’s voice. He reached out and scooped the boy into his arms.\u00a0 The late spring night was mild, and the light of the full moon gentle.\u00a0 Adam settled his head on his father’s shoulder. “I’m thirsty, Pa. Can I have a drink?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Of course.” He settled the youngster on one hip and carried him over to the water barrel.\u00a0 Lifting the lid and setting it aside, he filled the tin dipper and then brought it to the child’s lips.\u00a0 Adam drank it all down and then sighed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“That was good, Pa.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, you were thirsty, weren’t you?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yeah, my throat’s been kind of scratchy.” The soft, little voice was nearly lost in Ben’s shoulder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben replaced the dipper and the lid.\u00a0 Then he bit his lip and brought his free hand to Adam’s forehead.\u00a0 “Are you feeling sick, Adam?” Ben inquired worriedly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, Pa.\u00a0 I was just thirsty.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, then it’s back to bed with you.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The little boy shook his head. “Please, Pa, I ain’t sleepy now.\u00a0 Why was ya sitting out here?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Sometimes a man has thinking to do, son.\u00a0 When I was at sea, I learned that you can do a lot of thinking looking at the stars.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Did ya like being a sailor, Pa?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yes, I did enjoy my time at sea.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“On Grandfather’s ship?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yes.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Grandfather was a sailor; you was a sailor; will I be a sailor when I’m big?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“If you want, Adam, you may be a sailor, but when we have our own place, you might not want to sail away from it.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“If you liked it, Pa, why did ya stop?”\u00a0 Ben had sat down leaning against the wagon with Adam in his lap.\u00a0 The boy maneuvered himself, so he could look into his father’s face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“There was something I more than liked, something I loved.” Ben’s voice deepened with emotion.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“What?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Why your mother, Adam! I loved her too much to sail away from her.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Wouldn’t Grandfather let you bring her with you?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A faint smile flickered on Ben’s lips.\u00a0 “You don’t take wives sailing, son.”\u00a0 It was stated as an irrevocable rule.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh.”\u00a0 It was a soft exhalation of acceptance.\u00a0 “Can you take a pa sailing?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I never met a sailor who had his pa with him.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh.” There was an underlying exasperation in the word.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I don’t think I’ll go sailing, Pa.” It was stated as a weighty decision achieved after thorough deliberation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No?\u00a0 Well, that’s fine, son, but right now you will be going back to your bed.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, Pa, I don’t wanna go back to bed.”\u00a0 The lower lip slipped out to punctuate the statement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben’s tone grew stern.\u00a0 “What did you say to me, Adam?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Sorry, Pa.\u00a0 I didn’t mean to say <\/span>no<\/span><\/i>.”\u00a0 Then ever so softly, “You mad I said it, Pa?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, I’m not mad, but there best not be another time.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“There won’t, Pa.\u00a0 I, I don’t want a spanking.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Then give your pa a hug and kiss and crawl back into bed.”\u00a0 Ben instructed, planting a light kiss on the top of his son’s head.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam decided complete obedience was the best course.\u00a0 When Ben pulled the covers around him, he ventured, \u201cYou didn’t leave my mama ’caused ya loved her?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“That’s right, Adam.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Then you won’t ever leave me.”\u00a0 Adam rolled on his side and snuggled deeper into the covers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Never, little one, never.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~TWO~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help you?\u201d\u00a0 She watched the little boy shake his head.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the candy is three for a penny.\u201d\u00a0 Another shake of the head gave reply.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe could ask your pa.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. No.\u201d\u00a0 The head shaking increased in vigor.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need any.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can\u2019t afford any\u2019s more the truth, but most his age would at least ask. <\/span><\/i>\u201cWell then, I\u2019ll see if your pa has decided on the last of those supplies.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSir, is there anything else you want?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing else.\u201d <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get the rest of this together then.\u00a0 Umm, candy is mostly three for a penny.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright glanced toward Adam, shook his head, and sighed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~THREE~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The treeless landscape offered no shade from the noonday sun.\u00a0\u00a0 The only respite from its rays was the long rectangular patch cast by each wagon, so the travelers sat lined up from wheel to wheel to eat their lunch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright turned his head and looked across the baby lying on a folded quilt to gaze at his elder son.\u00a0 \u201cEat up, Adam,\u201d he admonished when he saw that the food on the boy\u2019s plate had not diminished.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t hungry, Pa.\u00a0 It\u2019s awful hot.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill, you must eat, son.\u00a0 Drink some of your water first.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Obediently, the boy picked up his cup and took a swallow.\u00a0 \u201cWater\u2019s hot too,\u201d he murmured as he lowered the cup from his lips.\u00a0 He then slid eyes toward his father and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019d be a good day to go swimming, wouldn\u2019t it, Pa?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIf there was suitable water nearby, swimming would indeed be a temptation,\u201d Ben replied as he continued to eat more out of need than desire.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThink we might camp near some water tonight?\u201d\u00a0 Yearning was evident in Adam\u2019s voice.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what the scout says, I don\u2019t think we will, son.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 The syllable carried the message that Adam realized there would be not only no swimming but also no fresh, cool water at the end of the day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEat now,\u201d Ben Cartwright ordered firmly but gently.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam picked up the cold biscuit and dutifully took a bite.\u00a0 He chewed slowly and then swallowed another mouthful of tepid water to wash it down.\u00a0\u00a0 His gaze turned to his little brother, and he watched Hoss squirm.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is hot too; maybe we could take his gown off.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up at his father and waited for an answer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose we could for a bit.\u201d\u00a0 Ben set down his plate and picked up his baby.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam watched his father undo the buttons on the baby\u2019s gown and ventured, \u201cMaybe I could take off my shirt.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben slipped the cotton gown off Hoss and then shifted his gaze to Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 The boy\u2019s sleeves were already rolled up as far as they would go, yet patches of perspiration made the cloth cling and sweat dotted the child\u2019s face and arms.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFor a bit,\u201d Ben relented, \u201cbut you must stay out of the sun.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want your skin burning.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Adam stripped off his shirt in seconds.\u00a0 \u201cAre you gonna. . .\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son.\u00a0 There are far too many women folk about for that to be proper.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes dropped.\u00a0 \u201cI forgot about the ladies, Pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs you have just reached the age of seven, I don\u2019t think that need be of great concern.\u201d\u00a0 The corners of Ben\u2019s lips turned up slightly, and he reached out to tousle his child\u2019s sweat-dampened curls.\u00a0 For a moment he chewed on his lower lip.\u00a0 Then he stood.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s not enough water to give the two of you a good dousing, but I think a little wipe down could be allowed.\u201d\u00a0 Soaking a cloth in the water barrel, he kneeled first beside the baby and wiped his bare skin.\u00a0 As evaporation brought cooling, Hoss cooed in pleasure.\u00a0 Ben then whipped the cloth through the air and drew Adam to him with his other hand.\u00a0 Running the cloth over the boy\u2019s face, chest, back, and arms, he saw Adam\u2019s dimples appear.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u00a0 That sure feels good.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen I expect that lunch to be finished in short order, young man.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s smile softened his words, and Adam quickly set to eating.\u00a0 Ben whipped the cloth once more through the air and then held it to his own face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we get our place, there\u2019ll be lots of cool water there, won\u2019t there be, Pa?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost certainly there will be lots of cool water there, son,\u201d Ben assured.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood\u201d was Adam\u2019s simple reply, and for a moment both of them saw the shimmer of water beneath the noonday sun.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~FOUR~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I don’t like it much in here, Pa.” The soft voice of his seven-year-old reached Ben Cartwright’s ear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“It’s just for tonight, son.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Hoss don’t like it none either, Pa.” The child’s voice had taken on a somewhat plaintive whine.\u00a0 Ben looked down at the one-year-old sitting in Adam’s lap.\u00a0 Hoss’s usually sunny smile was missing, but then that was most certainly because the little boy was ready for his dinner.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 The cave was a single hollow in the mountainside.\u00a0 Dark and rather dank with slick spots on the walls, it was less than inviting.\u00a0 The sharp smell that seemed to claw its way into the nostrils was irritating, but hopefully their fire would burn some of the odor away.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Can’t we just camp out by that stream, Pa.\u00a0 It’s nicer there.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, Adam, we cannot.”\u00a0 The tone was stern enough to warn his son that enough had been said on this subject.\u00a0 The boy ducked his head letting his dark hair fall forward, and his lower lip slipped into a pout.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed again and turned to look out of the small opening that was the cave’s entrance.\u00a0 He did not want to frighten Adam with his reason for bedding down beneath ground.\u00a0 His years at sea had taught Ben to read the weather in the feel of the air and the look of the sky.\u00a0 He knew that a storm was headed their way and wanted more than a canvas protecting his sons from the fury he knew it would hold.\u00a0 Adam still had a child’s fear of storms- though he tried mightily to hide it from his father- and Ben hoped that sleep and the granite around them might spare his son some of that fear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Watch your brother while I get us some wood and water,\u201d Ben ordered picking up a bucket and heading for the opening.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The little boy did not answer.\u00a0 His silent protest resulted in a sharp, “Adam!”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yes, Pa,” came the soft reply, “Hoss and I could go out and get the kindling.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“You just keep yourself and your brother inside.”\u00a0 Ben punctuated his order with an uncompromising glare and then strode out of the cave.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam tightened his hold on his baby brother.\u00a0 “Pa will be back quick, Hoss, and then we’ll have a fire and dinner.”\u00a0 Hoss sensed the nervousness in his older brother, turned, and burrowed his head into his brother’s chest.\u00a0 Adam patted his back gently and fixed his eyes on the entrance to the cave.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben filled both buckets with fresh water and placed them inside.\u00a0 Then he collected a large pile of firewood. Next, he led the stock into the cave and tethered them to one side.\u00a0 Finally, he secured the wagon in front of the cave’s entrance.\u00a0 Preparations made, he turned to the task of starting a fire and fixing a meal.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had tensed as he watched the pile of firewood grow.\u00a0 He had held his breath when his father brought the animals into the cave.\u00a0 He let it out slowly and watched as the flames started to flicker in the fire pit.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Pa, are you thinking it’s gonna storm?” he asked hesitantly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned to face his sons.\u00a0 Hoss was wide-eyed in Adam’s lap firmly anchored by his brother’s tight hug.\u00a0 Adam’s eyes were large and solemn as he awaited his father’s answer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“It may storm some, Son, but we’ll be snug as a bug in a rug as soon as this fire gets going strong.\u00a0 Don’t you worry none.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I ain’t worried.”\u00a0 Ben heard his son lie bravely and turned back to his tasks.\u00a0 He had the boys fed, in nightshirts, and bedded down by the fire before the storm broke.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben tended the fire and asked himself for the millionth time if he had the right to drag his sons across the wilderness in search of a dream.\u00a0 Suddenly he realized Adam’s dark eyes were open and fixed on him.\u00a0 Just then lightning struck very close by, and its thunder echoed against the granite walls.\u00a0 The animals voiced their fright, and Ben jumped up to calm them.\u00a0 Returning to the fire, he went down on his heels beside his sons’ pallet.\u00a0 He rested his hand on Adam’s back and felt the trembling.\u00a0 Scooping Adam into his arms, he held him close and rubbed his back.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I ain’t afraid, Pa.” The words were muttered softly into Ben’s shirt.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben leaned his head down and whispered into Adam’s ear, \u201cIt’s okay if you are, Adam.\u00a0 Just know that God and I both have you in our arms.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He felt his son relax against him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Can you tell me a story, Pa?\u00a0 When you’re talking, I don’t hear the thunder so much.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben deep voice rumbled through the night until the storm abated, and Adam was asleep in his arms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~FIVE~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He turned.\u00a0 Pa was standing arms crossed and glaring.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to.\u00a0 Really, I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did it happen?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were playing and \u2026\u201d\u00a0 His voice trailed away.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat should you have been doing?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGathering the chips.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s nose wrinkled slightly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben released a slow breath.\u00a0 \u201cI know gathering buffalo chips is not what you would choose to do after a day on the wagon, but it is necessary if we are to have a fire.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBilly started chasing me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you started throwing chips at him?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe threw back.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd whose landed in our stew pot?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMine.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

A\/N:\u00a0 This compilation of five vignettes that take place on Ben Cartwright’s trip West were written in response to challenges on a former website and focus on Ben and a young Adam.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

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

This is a compilation of five vignettes that take place on Ben Cartwright’s trip West.
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