{"id":5046,"date":"2003-09-03T23:16:46","date_gmt":"2003-09-04T03:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5046"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:44","slug":"wagon-train-to-hell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5046","title":{"rendered":"Wagon Train to Hell (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>After a disaster in a nearby township, Joe goes along on a mercy mission. However, nothing goes quite as smoothly as he expected.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,875 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0Wagon Train to Hell<\/strong><\/p>\n

The young driver of the wagon was cold and wet. His hands were almost numb despite his gloves and sleet poured down relentlessly. It was no consolation that everyone else was in the same boat. The sudden, unexpectedly early arrival of winter had caught them all unawares, and the chances of them getting safely down off this mountain were growing smaller with every minute that passed. The rutted trail they were following was swiftly becoming a bog and the horses were beginning to slide.<\/p>\n

Glancing up, the driver saw that they were nearing the next pass. The trail opened out again after that, and they might make better time. But the pass itself was tricky, with lots of overhanging boulders and an eerie echo. Horses regularly spooked there and the driver could only hope that the lead Waggoner knew this. If there was a wagon crash in the pass, they were in deep trouble.<\/p>\n

Up ahead, the wagons in front came to a stop. Carefully, the driver drew his team to a halt and the horses stopped willingly, stretching their heads down. A rider emerged from the mass of bodies and approached his wagon.\u00a0 \u201cAny advice about what\u2019s ahead, Cartwright?\u201d the leader asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pass is tough on the horses. It might be a good idea to lead the teams through. There\u2019s less chance of runaways if that happens,\u201d Joe Cartwright replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we ask you to lead the teams?\u201d Jake Fox asked. \u201cYou\u2019ve got the most experience of any of the folks on this trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

The thought of slogging through the mud with half a dozen teams made Joe want to groan, but he had volunteered to go along on this trip and he didn\u2019t want to be responsible for anything going wrong now. Most of the other drivers weren\u2019t horse men; they were store-keepers or tradesmen. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed. \u201cSomeone stay with my team, and I\u2019ll get the others through the pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jumping down from the wagon seat, Joe reluctantly relinquished his rain slicker. The wind was getting up and he knew that it blew through the narrow pass like a gale. He didn\u2019t want to spook any horses with the flapping slicker.<\/p>\n

Walking forward, Joe cautioned each teamster not to shout at his team, or anyone else, while they were in the pass. Everyone seemed to understand. Joe just hoped that everyone would remember when push came to shove.<\/p>\n

Coming to the lead wagon, Joe fondled the horses\u2019 noses for a moment, before taking the reins and leading them slowly forward. The footing was horrific and the horses slipped and slid. Joe had no idea how he was going to get all the wagons through. But they had to. A whole town was relying on them, and they had to get through.<\/p>\n

It took a lot of patience and some time, but Joe got the team through safely. Drawing a deep breath and wiping the sweat from his brow, Joe went back for the next wagon. He repeated this several times before every wagon but his own was through the pass.<\/p>\n

Of all the teams Joe expected to have trouble with, his own was not the one that crossed his mind. Grasping the bridle in his frozen hand, Joe urged his team on. The off-side horse balked, and Joe forced himself to relax. His muscles were tense from the uncertain footing, and things were just getting worse. Joe was caked in mud up to his knees and he was soaked to the skin.<\/p>\n

Reassured, the off-side horse took a step forward and its foot slid out from underneath it and struck Joe. Joe was knocked over and his last conscious thought was \u2018I\u2019m dead!\u2019<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoseph!\u201d thundered Ben Cartwright, as his youngest son galloped into the yard and hauled his horse to a stop by the hitching rail. \u201cHow many times do I have to tell you not to race into the yard like that?\u201d Ben had lost count of the number of times he\u2019d said it, yet it never seemed to register with Joe. After losing his wife, Marie, to a similar accident, and then Joe being injured when his horse fell as he galloped into the yard, Ben could hardly believe that Joe was still forgetting this rule. Ben\u2019s heart leapt up to his throat every time he saw Joe do this.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe panted. He looked singularly unrepentant, Ben thought, with his hat tipped at a rakish angle and his face flushed with excitement. \u201cPa, you know Watson\u2019s Crossing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Perplexed, Ben nodded. \u201cThe new township over the mountains. Yes, what of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been a fire,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cThe whole town has burned to the ground! A telegraph message came through from the next town along. People have been hurt, and Virginia City is getting up a collection and sending stuff over by wagon. I said I\u2019d go along and help, and perhaps we could send something, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down!\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cA fire? It sounds bad. When are the wagons leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the morning,\u201d Joe answered. He eyed his father closely, wondering what the reaction would be when Ben realized that Joe had volunteered to go along.<\/p>\n

After a moment\u2019s thought, Ben did indeed realize what Joe had said, and he eyed his son askance. \u201cYou volunteered to go?\u201d he asked, quietly and Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people who are sending things and going along to drive the wagons don\u2019t have a lot of experience with horses, Pa, and certainly not traveling with heavy loads over the mountains. Jake Fox is going to lead the way, but he hasn\u2019t got any experience with wagons.\u201d Joe had rehearsed his plea until he was word perfect, but some instinct made him add only one more thing. \u201cAnd you know Maria and her husband have just moved there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said, slowly. Maria had been a school friend of Joe\u2019s and they had remained close, even after her marriage. It was typical of Joe to want to help his friends. He knew that he couldn\u2019t have made Joe stay, if his son was determined to go. Joe was a grown man, and could make his own decisions. However, this didn\u2019t mean Ben was happy that Joe was going to risk a late autumn crossing of the mountains. There was another road, but it took three days longer to go that way than across the mountain pass. \u201cI\u2019ll get Adam and Hoss to slaughter a couple of beeves, and there\u2019s some dressed timber we have spare. You can take that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe cried and hugged his father. \u201cYou\u2019re the greatest!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind the compliments!\u201d Ben scolded, although he was delighted. \u201cYou go and get packed and I\u2019ll get things organized here.\u201d As Joe bounced towards the house, he called, \u201cJoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning, Joe gave his father a sunlit smile. \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will be careful in those mountains, won\u2019t you?\u201d Ben had promised himself he wouldn\u2019t say that, but it was too late now; the words were out.<\/p>\n

Sobering, Joe nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll be very careful,\u201d he promised.<\/p>\n

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

The rest of the afternoon was spent in hurried preparations. Joe packed his saddlebags and then Hop Sing re-packed them, muttering all the time. He also gave Joe supplies for the trip, enough to feed several people for quite a number of days.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ben organized the loading of the dressed timber into a wagon and Adam and Hoss slaughtered some beeves, packing the meat carefully away. All was in readiness by the time the early darkness fell and supper was on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t supper a mite early?\u201d Hoss asked, rubbing his hands in anticipation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you complaining?\u201d Adam retorted. \u201cYou were telling me just a short time ago that you were starved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning at Adam, Hoss tried his best to look annoyed. \u201cI ain\u2019t complainin\u2019,\u201d he replied. \u201cI were jist askin\u2019, is all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLil Joe eat early, go to bed early, get up early,\u201d Hop Sing answered, in his most enigmatic manner, that he knew drove the Cartwrights mad. \u201cBoy do important work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe replied, feeling rather dazed. He suddenly wasn\u2019t so sure he wanted to go on this trip, but when he remembered the people who were out in this cold weather, with no homes and precious little food, he thanked his lucky stars that he had a roof over his head and enough to eat. He felt renewed determination to do whatever he could for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think one of us should go with Joe, Pa?\u201d Adam asked, as they ate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Joe\u2019s capable of managing on his own,\u201d Ben responded, glancing proudly at his son. \u201cBut I need you here, Adam. We have that timber contract to finish before the weather turns, and it didn\u2019t look too promising this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 I\u2019m movin\u2019 the herd down ta winter pasture,\u201d Hoss added, although he felt the same protective urge as his older sibling. \u201cJoe can manage on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outnumbered, Adam shrugged. \u201cOkay, okay,\u201d he allowed, holding his hands up in surrender. \u201cIt was just a suggestion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate it, Adam,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cBut I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It was still dark as Joe hitched the horses to the wagon the next morning. A thin, cold rain was falling and Joe shivered inside his oiled rain slicker. As he checked the traces one last time, Hoss came out of the house and tossed his saddlebags under the wagon seat. \u201cAll set?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, thanks, Hoss,\u201d Joe replied. He crossed back to the house to bid goodbye to his family. \u201cI\u2019m ready to go, Pa,\u201d he told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d Ben admonished him once more. \u201cWe\u2019ll be waiting for you here when you get back.\u201d He pulled Joe towards him and hugged him hard. Joe hugged back.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care, squirt,\u201d Adam joked, touching Joe\u2019s cheek briefly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe good, Punkin,\u201d Hoss advised. He gave Joe a bear hug, which was the only kind he knew.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be home as soon as I can,\u201d Joe promised. \u201cYou all be careful, too, you hear?\u201d Smiling, Joe headed out to the wagon, climbing onto the seat and gathering the reins. He let the brake out and waved to his family, who stood together under the shelter of the porch roof.<\/p>\n

As he drove towards the town, Joe felt unaccountably lonely.<\/p>\n

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

It was still dark when Joe arrived in town, but the eastern horizon was beginning to lighten, suggesting that dawn was on the way. The other wagons were ready, and Joe fell in behind them. Jake Fox was leading the way and Joe was just as happy to let him. He parked his wagon and went along the line, surreptitiously checking the traces and hitchings. A few people noticed, but no one took offence. They would be the first to admit that they weren\u2019t very experienced at this kind of thing.<\/p>\n

The cavalcade moved out at dawn. One of the caf\u00e9s had opened early and provided coffee and hot food for the people who were leaving, and Joe had taken advantage of the coffee. He was quite chilled by his journey from the ranch. He felt a good deal warmer by the time they left.<\/p>\n

Traveling by wagon was a tedious business. The wagons could only move at the pace of the slowest, and because they were going into the mountains, the journey was mostly uphill. Some of the heavier wagons, Joe\u2019s included, had to stop frequently to rest, which slowed them down further. At noon, they had a cold bite to eat and a short break before pushing on.<\/p>\n

Standing beside his wagon, Joe looked up as Jake Fox walked over. \u201cYou seen the mountains?\u201d Jake asked, in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe replied, equally quietly. He resisted looking in that direction. \u201cOr should I say, I\u00a0haven\u2019t<\/strong>\u00a0seen the mountains?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink that\u2019s snow up there?\u201d Jake went on, looking anywhere but the direction they were soon to be going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be surprised if it isn\u2019t,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cThis rain is pretty sleety down here, and we\u2019ve got quite a bit to climb before we get to the pass to Watson\u2019s Crossing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019ya think I should say anythin\u2019?\u201d Jake asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo point worrying anyone,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWe can\u2019t afford the time it would need to go round by the road. By the time we get that high, the weather might have changed. We won\u2019t reach the passes tonight, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you\u2019re right,\u201d Jake agreed. He straightened. \u201cLet\u2019s get movin\u2019!\u201d he shouted. \u201cTime\u2019s a-wastin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

They made camp that first night at the upper edge of the tree line. The passes were a few hours ahead, but it was too dark to risk going further. The trees gave them some shelter, and as camp was set up, Joe went along, making sure everyone had tended their horses and that all the animals had had some grain. The sleet had stopped about mid-afternoon, but Joe, looking at the mountains in the growing gloom, thought that it wouldn\u2019t be long before it started again.<\/p>\n

They were all too tired to talk. Hot food was handed out, and if the cooking was basic, that didn\u2019t matter to any of the men. They were just glad it was hot. As the food was tidied away after eating, and the few tin plates were washed, Joe walked over to Jake. \u201cI\u2019ll take first watch,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou reckon we need a watch?\u201d Jake asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter safe than sorry,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI doubt if any self-respecting Indian would be out on a night like this, but we\u2019ve got plenty of stuff they could use, and I\u2019d hate to lose any of it, never mind any person. Set up a rota, and get the others to watch in pairs; that way they can keep each other awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll watch with you,\u201d Jake offered, but Joe shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou take last watch, Jake,\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cThat way both of us are quite fresh. We\u2019ve both stood watch alone before, and can keep awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Jake. He glanced up at the sky as the first drops of rain began to fall again. \u201cDon\u2019t look like there\u2019ll be a lot of sleep for any of us,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

Shrugging resignedly, Joe went over with Jake to organize a watch rota. He agreed with Jake; it didn\u2019t look like any of them would get much sleep.<\/p>\n

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

Next morning saw all the wagon drivers grainy eyed and tired. Jake had been right; none of them had had much sleep, as the rain fell non-stop. Gazing gloomily into his coffee, Joe watched a flake of snow dissolve in the hot liquid. He hoped that wasn\u2019t a harbinger of worse weather to come. \u201cStop borrowing trouble,\u201d he scolded himself silently. \u201cThe trip is going as well as can be expected so far. Why should anything change?\u201d But he knew why; the most difficult part of the journey was in front of them.<\/p>\n

All too soon, the horses were hitched up and the men climbed reluctantly onto the wagon seats again. Jake, seeing everyone was ready, gave the signal and they all moved out. Shaking up his team, Joe thought that with any luck, they would reach Watson\u2019s Crossing by nightfall.<\/p>\n

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

By mid-morning, the string of wagons had arrived at the first of the passes. This one was easy to negotiate, and the drivers went through without pausing, and some barely noticed. The second pass was a little narrower, but again, caused no problems.<\/p>\n

The leather he was gripping in his frozen hands was wet and slippery and Joe was feeling miserable. The snow had so far kept off, but the sleet seemed at that moment to be the worst option of the two. The ground was so wet, that if snow did begin to fall, at least it wouldn\u2019t lie immediately.<\/p>\n

Up ahead, the wagons in front came to a stop. Carefully, Joe drew his team to a halt and the horses stopped willingly, stretching their heads down. A rider emerged from the mass of bodies and approached his wagon.\u00a0 \u201cAny advice about what\u2019s ahead, Cartwright?\u201d Jake asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pass is tough on the horses. It might be a good idea to lead the teams through. There\u2019s less chance of runaways if that happens,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we ask you to lead the teams?\u201d Jake asked. \u201cYou\u2019ve got the most experience of any of the folks on this trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

The thought of slogging through the mud with half a dozen teams made Joe want to groan, but he had volunteered to go along on this trip and he didn\u2019t want to be responsible for anything going wrong now. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed. \u201cSomeone stay with my team, and I\u2019ll get the others through the pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jumping down from the wagon seat, Joe reluctantly relinquished his rain slicker. The wind was getting up and he knew that it blew through the narrow pass like a gale. He didn\u2019t want to spook any horses with the flapping slicker.<\/p>\n

Walking forward, Joe cautioned each teamster not to shout at his team, or anyone else, while they were in the pass. Everyone seemed to understand. Joe just hoped that everyone would remember when push came to shove.<\/p>\n

Coming to the lead wagon, Joe fondled the horses\u2019 noses for a moment, before taking the reins and leading them slowly forward. The footing was horrific and the horses slipped and slid. Joe had no idea how he was going to get all the wagons through. But they had to. A whole town was relying on them, and they had to get through.<\/p>\n

It took a lot of patience and some time, but Joe got the team through safely. Drawing a deep breath and wiping the sweat from his brow, Joe went back for the next wagon. He repeated this several times before every wagon but his own was through the pass.<\/p>\n

Of all the teams Joe expected to have trouble with, his own was not the one that crossed his mind. Grasping the bridle in his frozen hand, Joe urged his team on. The off-side horse baulked, and Joe forced himself to relax. His muscles were tense from the uncertain footing, and things were just getting worse. Joe was caked in mud up to his knees and he was soaked to the skin.<\/p>\n

Reassured, the off-side horse took a step forward and its foot slid out from underneath it and struck Joe. Joe was knocked over and his last conscious thought was \u2018I\u2019m dead!\u2019<\/p>\n

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

As he opened his eyes, Joe realized that he couldn\u2019t have been unconscious for more than a few moments. Jake was leaning over him, worry in his dark eyes. \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, help me up,\u201d Joe replied. He stifled a groan as he extended his arm. Pain shot along his ribs and Joe recognized the signs. His ribs were badly bruised. He raised his other hand to his head and felt the bump there. He had been unlucky, for his horse had knocked him onto the only hard rock in that whole sea of mud.<\/p>\n

The other men had realized that something was going on and were starting back towards Joe. He waved his hand, indicating he was all right. \u201cLet\u2019s move on,\u201d he told Jake.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Jake remounted his horse and went to the front of the wagon train. Joe checked out his horse, amazed to find the animal uninjured. Bending over made his head spin and he was soaked through. Climbing onto the wagon seat, Joe donned his slicker once more, reflecting that he could hardly get any wetter. He was also thankful that his father wasn\u2019t there, for if he had been, Joe would not have been allowed to just climb back on the wagon as though nothing had happened. Ben was too adept at seeing through Joe\u2019s claims to being \u2018fine\u2019. If Ben had been there, he would have instantly seen that Joe was anything but fine. The simple fall had left Joe in a great deal more pain than he thought he ought to be, but he tried to put it out of his mind. He was miles from home and a township was relying on the help he was bringing to them. His own comforts would have to come later.<\/p>\n

Much later.<\/p>\n

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

The arrival of the wagons in the charred remains of Watson\u2019s Crossing was greeted with joy and gratitude by the people there. They had begun to salvage what they could from the fire, and a few make-shift shelters had sprung up. It was too dark to unload much from the wagons that night, but they handed out the food and blankets they had brought and then set up their camp.<\/p>\n

While Joe tended to his horses, Jake set up the tent Joe had brought along. \u201cYou sure you\u2019re all right, Cartwright?\u201d Jake asked, as Joe walked wearily over to the shelter. \u201cYou don\u2019t look so good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cI\u2019m just wet, cold and tired, same as everyone else.\u201d He looked at his friend more closely. \u201cYou don\u2019t look so hot yourself, Jake. You okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you said, cold, wet and tired,\u201d Jake replied. \u201cI set your tent up for you. The lady over there at the big fire says there\u2019s gonna be food ready soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Joe responded, brightening. He could use a hot meal, he thought. \u201cI\u2019ll just get changed, first,\u201d he added, looking at the lamentable state of his clothing. The mud had dried here and there to an uncomfortable hardness, but most of Joe\u2019s clothes were still wet. Grabbing his saddlebags, Joe ducked into the tent.<\/p>\n

Joining the rest of the men by the cook fire once he was changed, Joe looked round at them. They all looked tired out, but no one had been injured on their trek across the mountains. No one but him, that was. Joe\u2019s ribs and head were still aching and he counted himself lucky that he didn\u2019t have a concussion. Joe glanced over his shoulder, but it was too dark to see them. He suspected that the mountains were well coated with white by this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d He glanced round and a genuine smile lit his tired face as he saw Maria hurrying towards him. He swallowed a wince as she hugged him vigorously. \u201cIt\u2019s so good to see you! How was the trip? You look exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine once I\u2019ve had something to eat,\u201d he assured her, hoping that Maria wouldn\u2019t see beneath the lie.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou eat,\u201d Maria told him. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk tomorrow.\u201d With a last pat on his arm and a smile, Maria hurried off.<\/p>\n

The meal was basic, but tasty. Joe ate slowly, relishing the warmth. He was hungry. Coffee was served after the meal and the men stood around, talking quietly as they drank it. Joe soon drifted off to his tent to sleep. He was still shivery and cold, even after the meal and hot drink. Sliding into his bedroll, Joe pulled his rain slicker over the top of the blankets to add extra warmth. It hurt to breathe when he lay down, and when he began to cough a while later, it hurt even more.<\/p>\n

But eventually, Joe was warm enough to fall asleep, although he woke frequently as he coughed painfully through the night.<\/p>\n

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

The hard work began the next morning. The men broke their fast in the frosty air round the big cook fire before starting to unload the wagons. Food stuffs were handed over to the women. Lumber went in one pile and assorted supplies in another.<\/p>\n

As he worked, Joe found himself having to stop often to catch his breath after a coughing fit. Jake came over. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a chill,\u201d Joe sniffed in reply. \u201cMust have been that mud bath I had yesterday. I\u2019m all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Jake smiled, and went back to his job. Joe wiped his nose on the back of his glove and carried on moving lumber. His ribs screamed with the effort, but Joe refused to admit he had a problem. Nobody apart from Jake asked him if he was all right, and that suited Joe perfectly.<\/p>\n

By the middle of the afternoon, he and the other men were engaged in building the second \u2018shanty\u2019 type house. A family with two young babies had been given the first house, and although it was tiny, it was dry and would soon be warm. Two men were nailing tar paper to the outside.<\/p>\n

The second house was finished, but for the tar paper, by dusk. It had been dry all day, but now the rain came on, just as cold, wet and sleety as it had been the previous couple of days. Once again, a communal meal had been cooked and after it, everyone went straight to bed. They had worked non-stop from daybreak and were tired.<\/p>\n

As they ate supper, Joe at last had a chance to talk to Maria. \u201cYou and Jack weren\u2019t hurt in the fire, were you?\u201d Joe asked, concern evident in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Maria assured him. \u201cWe got out in plenty of time, and I even managed to save a few things. But it\u2019s been hard, Joe. That\u2019s why we\u2019re so grateful to you all for what you\u2019re doing for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll this help has given us a real, boost, Joe,\u201d Jack, Maria\u2019s husband added. \u201cWe can face the winter now that we have somewhere to stay.\u201d He glanced at Maria, who nodded. \u201cWe\u2019re expecting our first baby in the spring!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great!\u201d Joe cried, and to his horror, set off a bad coughing fit. Jack helpfully pounded Joe on the back, which made his sore ribs hurt more than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack, stop it!\u201d Maria ordered, leaning forward and peering into Joe\u2019s face. \u201cJoe, are you all right? You look ghastly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just this cough,\u201d Joe replied, in a strained voice. \u201cMy muscles are sore from it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Troubled, Maria said, \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop it, please,\u201d Joe begged. \u201cI\u2019ll be all right.\u201d He met Maria\u2019s eyes and she subsided. She knew Joe well enough to realize that he was anything but all right, but she could also see that they didn\u2019t really have the means to care for an injured man. Joe was an adult and knew what he was doing. If he said he was fine, she wouldn\u2019t argue.<\/p>\n

As she headed off to sleep that night, Maria made a mental note to keep an eye on Joe the next day.<\/p>\n

Lying in his tent after bidding Maria and Jack goodnight, Joe found it difficult to get to sleep. His whole chest ached and his cough had grown worse. He couldn\u2019t tell if he was running a temperature or not, but suspected that he might be. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he told himself. \u201cI\u2019m just used to Pa fussin\u2019 over me, that\u2019s all. There\u2019s work to be done here, and no one has time to deal with somebody who\u2019s sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exhaustion closed Joe\u2019s eyes that night but his sleep was shallow. When Jake came in and woke him at dawn, he was just as tired as he had been the night before.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next three days, the work continued. Watson\u2019s Crossing hadn\u2019t been a big township, and so they were able to rebuild quite quickly. Although it would take some time for the people to get the township back to where it had been before the fire, most of them had had very few possessions to lose. They were also all pioneers and so were determined to succeed. Most of them could not afford to return to the East, where they had come from.<\/p>\n

Maria did her best to see that Joe rested, but she was busy helping the women move their pitifully few belongings into the newly built houses and couldn\u2019t be down with the men all the time. Joe shrugged off her attempts to make him sit down, and when she pressed him at one point, Joe snapped, \u201cI\u2019m all right!\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the girl\u2019s wide eyes, Joe dropped his gaze. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he added in a lower voice. \u201cBut don\u2019t you see, Maria? I don\u2019t have time to be sick. I\u2019m fine, really. It\u2019s just this cough. We\u2019ll be going home soon and I\u2019ll rest then.\u201d He tried a smile. \u201cThis is your house we\u2019re building here. You don\u2019t really want me to stop, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really are the most infuriating man I\u2019ve ever met!\u201d Maria declared and Joe smiled again, and kissed her cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dare say, but at least I\u2019ve got you a roof over your head,\u201d Joe coaxed. \u201cMaria, I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last house is standing!\u201d came the cry and a cheer went up. The last house was indeed standing and the men hurried to fix the tar paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can head for home tomorrow,\u201d Jake shouted at Joe, over the noise.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Joe replied and coughed.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Jake eyed Joe worriedly, for the other man looked dreadful. His face was pale and there were dark circles under his eyes. Joe was grimy and unshaven and his clothes were so filthy they could probably stand up themselves. But then\u2026 Jake glanced down at himself. He was in no better condition. Joe surely had a bad cold, but everyone was as tired and dirty as he was. No, Joe was all right, Jake was sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, which way should we go back?\u201d Jake asked, pulling Joe away from the noise a bit.<\/p>\n

Stifling a wince, Joe shrugged. \u201cBy the road, I\u2019d say,\u201d he replied. \u201cThe weather isn\u2019t as bad as it was when we came across, but it could still change without warning when we\u2019re up there. We aren\u2019t in such a rush to get home, so let\u2019s go by the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you\u2019re right,\u201d Jake allowed. \u201cI\u2019ll ask the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Jake,\u201d Joe protested, but he was too late. Jake had already moved off and was talking to the first of the men. Joe sighed, then winced again, before breaking into another bout of coughing. The men were all tired and wanted to get home to their families again. Joe felt the same way, but he was experienced enough to know that when winter showed signs of settling in this early, they should play it safe with the return journey. But if everyone else wanted to go back the way they had come, he would have to go with them, to make sure nothing untoward happened.<\/p>\n

Sitting down heavily on a log seat, Joe watched as Jake worked the crowd and knew that he would be outnumbered. The others had all, to a man, pointed to the mountains. Closing his eyes briefly, Joe wondered if he was up to another trip over the passes. He hadn\u2019t had a single minute without pain since his fall and was physically exhausted. He had done his share and more of rebuilding Watson\u2019s Crossing.<\/p>\n

Jake bounced across to Joe\u2019s side and slapped him on the back. Joe bit his lip to stop the cry that rose to his lips. Not noticing, Jake grinned. \u201cThe mountains it is, buddy!\u201d he caroled. \u201cEveryone\u2019s a mite keen to get home quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe responded, almost inaudibly.\u00a0 He rose and went over to his tent to try and sleep before starting the trek home.<\/p>\n

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

The Virginia City cavalcade left Watson\u2019s Crossing shortly after sunrise. Joe had wanted to send a wire to let everyone know they were on the way, just in case they ran into trouble, but the nearest telegraph office was almost a day\u2019s ride away, and he was out voted. Everyone just wanted to get home to their families and warm, dry beds.<\/p>\n

Joe was able to snatch a few minutes with Maria before they left. She was deeply concerned by the fact that Joe looked so pale, but he told her he was just tired from his cough, which seemed to Maria to shake him to his very foundations. Small wonder he was tired! she thought.<\/p>\n

Looping her arm around Jack\u2019s waist, Maria and the rest of the townspeople stood watching the men from Virginia City leaving. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Jack asked, as they turned away. \u201cAre you worried about Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Maria replied. \u201cVery. I think there\u2019s more wrong with him than just that cough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Jack answered. \u201cHe did more work than everyone else. He helped with every house, you know, and didn\u2019t hold back from doing the heavy lifting. Would he have done that if he was hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he probably would,\u201d Maria told him. \u201cI\u2019ve known Joe all his life. He\u2019s the most stubborn cuss ever. None of his family is good at admitting weakness. Jack, are you going to be going for supplies soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause when you do, will you wire Virginia City and ask how Joe is?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing how worried his wife was, Jack felt a sudden pang of unease at letting Joe go off. \u201cOf course I will,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

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

The journey up into the mountains went much more quickly than coming down, since the wagons were now empty and lighter. Joe had to remind them that the horses still needed to rest regularly, even if they were going further between rests.<\/p>\n

They had their noon break just before the first, and worst, of the passes. Joe looked at it long and hard, remembering the fall he had taken. The few days in between hadn\u2019t allowed his body any chance to rest and heal and Joe wondered how on earth he was going to manage to take each team through the pass. Nobody had directly asked him to repeat this chore; they had all just taken it for granted. Still unwilling to admit that there was anything wrong with him, Joe had simply agreed.<\/p>\n

His appetite having deteriorated as his cold progressed, Joe finished his lunch and began leading the first of the wagons through. He took his own team first and led them well clear of the pass before tethering them and going back for the next.<\/p>\n

He got the next two wagons through safely. Disaster struck with the third one. As Joe was gently leading the horses through the narrow gap, one of the men, Ed Flannigan, whose team was already through, turned and shouted, \u201cBilly! I\u2019ve left my canteen!\u201d<\/p>\n

The shout echoed from the rocks round about and there was an ominous noise from above. One of the horses snorted explosively and that echoed back at them like a gunshot.<\/p>\n

The horse reared, dragging Joe off the ground. He clung to the bridle desperately, knowing that if he let go while off the ground, he would fall under the trampling hooves. The other horse in the team was thrashing around in its traces and from the corner of his eye, Joe saw Ed running towards him. The horse reared even higher and one of its flailing hooves brushed the side of Joe\u2019s body, knocking him away. Joe fell heavily to the ground and rolled over and over down the side of the mountain until he crashed into a tree a short way down the slope. The horse dropped to the ground, thoroughly terrified, and bolted. Its harness-mate had no choice but to go with it, but with the team being off balance, the wagon swung out wildly, crushing Ed on the way past, before it dragged the team helplessly over the edge of the mountain and they fell, screaming, to their deaths.<\/p>\n

Pandemonium broke out. Several of the men jumped down from their wagons and ran towards the scene of the disaster. The horses, all spooked by the terror of their herd-mates, milled about anxiously. None of the men were experienced enough to try and calm the horses and within a short time, the remaining wagons on the Watson\u2019s Crossing side of the pass were reduced to little more than matchwood.<\/p>\n

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

From a long way away, Joe could hear someone calling his name. The voice seemed familiar, but Joe couldn\u2019t immediately place it. He tried to ignore the voice and sink into the pain-free darkness where he had been, but he couldn\u2019t manage it. Reluctantly, Joe opened his eyes and a face swam into focus. \u201cJake?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Joe?\u201d Jake asked, anxiously. He had pulled Joe up the side of the mountain with some help from the other men, but he was at a loss to know what to do now.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy head hurts some, but I\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe assured him. He closed his eyes for a moment, to try and overcome the pain that screamed down his left side. He could hear relieved voices from all around and forced his eyes open again. \u201cHelp me up,\u201d he ordered, extending his right arm.\u00a0 Jake pulled him up, looking at Joe anxiously all the time.<\/p>\n

After a pause to catch his breath and allow his head to stop swirling, Joe looked round. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked, appalled at the scene of devastation.<\/p>\n

With a few short words, Jake told the whole sorry tale. Joe looked at the splintered remains of the wagons and then briefly at Ed\u2019s body. He wanted nothing more than to sit down and rest, miraculously finding himself at home, but looking at the faces around him, Joe knew that he was still in charge.<\/p>\n

\u201cBury Ed,\u201d he ordered. \u201cGet those horses together. The men without wagons can ride them. Once Ed is buried, we\u2019ll go a bit further and make camp.\u201d He turned slowly and walked away, leaving the others with the chore of burying their friend.<\/p>\n

Sitting down on the back of his wagon, Joe gingerly felt down the left side of his body. The pain that was coming from his arm almost made him sick and he feared that it was broken. As well as that, feeling surreptitiously under his coat, Joe guessed that he had broken ribs on that side and there was blood oozing from a cut by his armpit. The muscles of his stomach were sore, too, but Joe didn\u2019t know he\u2019d fallen over the edge, as he\u2019d been unconscious at the time. He just knew that he was in bad shape and there wasn\u2019t anyone with him who could care for him, or any of the others, for that matter. Jake knew the way home, but he was young and inexperienced. They were all relying on Joe.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe vowed that he would get this wagon train from hell safely home.<\/p>\n

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

When the shocked survivors made camp later that day, Joe was exhausted from the pain. He delegated chores, so that every man was busy and went and sat down against a tree, where he could see all that was going on, yet rest at the same time. Jake seemed to have realized that Joe wasn\u2019t quite himself, but it still hadn\u2019t occurred to him that Joe was badly injured.<\/p>\n

It was a long, cold, night. The sleet returned with darkness and by about midnight, snow was falling in earnest and lying. Joe had been unable to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time, and he was deeply concerned by the snow. The temperature was dropping fast and he urged the man on watch to add more fuel to the fire.<\/p>\n

Joe estimated it to be about 3am when he decided that they couldn\u2019t risk staying there any longer. He roused everyone, which wasn\u2019t difficult to do and they quickly hitched the wagons and climbed aboard.<\/p>\n

The few lanterns they had wouldn\u2019t help with visibility and would just ruin their night vision, so Joe didn\u2019t bother lighting them. Jake led the way, with the two remaining wagons between him and Joe. It was slow going, but better than freezing to death, Joe thought. By the time dawn came, they had traveled about 8 miles, Joe guessed. He was more than willing for them to stop and make some breakfast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink we\u2019ll make it home today?\u201d Jake asked, quietly as he handed Joe some coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should do,\u201d Joe responded. He coughed heavily. \u201cI\u2019m tired of being cold and wet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He meant it as a joke, but there was precious little for them to laugh at. Joe was glad he\u2019d roused them early, for the snow was almost as thick at the lower altitudes as it had been at the higher ones. If he had waited those few hours till dawn, they would almost certainly have died on the mountain. \u201cJake, next time you arrange this kind of shindig, don\u2019t invite me, huh?\u201d Joe suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll remember,\u201d Jake assured him. \u201cBut Joe, what if you volunteer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShoot me!\u201d Joe told him and they both smiled sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re hurt, ain\u2019t you?\u201d Jake asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe lied. \u201cLet\u2019s just work on getting everyone home.\u201d As Jake went back over to the fire, Joe reflected that Jake had grown up in the last 24 hours. They had\u00a0all<\/strong>\u00a0grown up in the last 24 hours.<\/p>\n

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

The journey went on. Joe was now feeling light-headed and the throbbing pain from his arm was constant. He could only hold the reins in his right hand, and it felt frozen. The snow was wetter again, and pelted them like pellets. The air was so cold that it sometimes felt like they were breathing in pure ice. It scalded their lungs and set everyone to coughing, not just Joe.<\/p>\n

At noon, no one suggested stopping. They kept going, heads down into the snow, which was blowing into their faces. Jake checked regularly that they hadn\u2019t strayed from the track. Thanks to his vigilance, they didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Joe was past caring what time it was when the wagons in front came to a halt. He looked up as Jake appeared at his side. The other man was caked in snow all down his front, as was Joe. \u201cJoe, this is the turn off for the Ponderosa. Are you going that way or coming back to town with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going this way,\u201d Joe replied, hoarsely. \u201cIt\u2019s quicker. I\u2019ll probably be home long before you guys. Can you manage from here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the way,\u201d Jake nodded. As the other man began to turn his team, Jake added, \u201cJoe? Thanks \u2013 for everything. We wouldn\u2019t have survived without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unsure what to say, Joe just nodded and continued turning his team. Luckily for him, the team knew where they were and were eager to turn away from their fellows. He glanced over his shoulder and dimly though the pouring snow he saw the others move on.<\/p>\n

Alone at last, Joe no longer had to keep up a strong front. He slumped down in the seat and a low moan escaped his lips. Joe didn\u2019t think he could go another step along the way home, but the horses were moving more swiftly now and Joe, one-handed, simply didn\u2019t have the strength to stop them.<\/p>\n

By the time they arrived in the yard, Joe was barely conscious.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDid I hear a wagon?\u201d Ben asked, looking up from his book.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Adam replied, putting his book down. \u201cIt must be Joe, but he\u2019s days earlier than I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better give him a hand, he\u2019ll be tired,\u201d Ben suggested and together they went to the door.<\/p>\n

Looking at the wagon, they were stunned to see Joe slumping in the seat. As they hurried towards him, Hoss came out of the barn and arrived at his brother\u2019s side first. \u201cJoe!\u201d he exclaimed and Joe slowly raised his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Hoss,\u201d he slurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet him inside,\u201d Ben ordered, seeing that Joe was soaking wet. He reached up to take Joe\u2019s arm, but Joe jerked back out of his father\u2019s grasp and a cry of pain escaped him. \u201cSorry,\u201d Ben cried, not sure how he had hurt Joe, only knowing that he had. \u201cCarefully!\u201d<\/p>\n

Somehow, Adam and Hoss maneuvered Joe from the wagon seat and began to help him across the yard.\u00a0 Joe could hardly support his own weight, but he valiantly did all he could to walk. Ben rousted a couple of hands from the bunkhouse to see to the team and to ride to town for the doctor.<\/p>\n

In the house, he found Hoss carrying Joe upstairs, while Adam dropped Joe\u2019s wet slicker and hat on the floor by the credenza. \u201cI\u2019ll get some hot water,\u201d he told Ben and vanished into the kitchen. Ben hurried across the room and followed Hoss upstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s real cold, Pa,\u201d Hoss told Ben, as his father came into Joe\u2019s room. \u201cHis clothes are soaked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe appeared to have sunk into a kind of unconsciousness. Ben took the chance to strip his son\u2019s wet, filthy clothes off. As his gaze fell on Joe\u2019s chest, he drew in a sharp breath. Hoss had been rummaging for a nightshirt for Joe, but he turned quickly and he too gasped. \u201cWhat happened to him, Pa?\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied, troubled. Joe\u2019s stomach was black and blue with bruising. There was a rusty blood stain down the left side of his chest, but the cut wasn\u2019t bleeding any longer. It was quite long and deep, but the edges were very clean. Ben could now see that Joe\u2019s left arm was broken just below the elbow. His son\u2019s legs were covered in cuts and bruises, too, but they were much more minor than the injuries to Joe\u2019s torso.<\/p>\n

As Joe stirred back to consciousness, he began to cough and the change of atmosphere made the cough long, deep and painful. There was nothing Ben could do, except gently support Joe until the spasms died down, and then he offered him a drink from the glass Hoss held out.<\/p>\n

Since Adam had arrived with some warm water, Ben took the chance to start bathing some of the mud from Joe\u2019s face. The water helped Joe clear his mind and he looked a bit brighter for a few moments. \u201cHi, Pa,\u201d he whispered. \u201cIt\u2019s good to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you tell us what happened, Joe?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe told his story in fits and starts, interrupted often by coughing fits. His voice was hoarse, but he described the journey to Watson\u2019s Crossing, their time there and the hellish journey back in graphic detail. His family listened in silence, stunned by Joe\u2019s bravery in helping the others. Ed\u2019s death shocked them, for he had been a good man, and Adam briefly interrupted Joe\u2019s story to ask why they hadn\u2019t brought the body home for his wife to bury.<\/p>\n

Looking at Adam, Joe replied, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t something she\u2019d have wanted to see.\u201d Those calm words did nothing to hide the horror that lay behind them. Adam swallowed. He was glad he hadn\u2019t been there to see that. He was sorry Joe had been there.<\/p>\n

Taking another drink, Joe whispered out the rest of his story. His voice was almost gone, his head ached, and his body was sore all over. Joe just wanted to lie down and sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what happened to you?\u201d Ben asked, gently. \u201cJoe, you haven’t told us how you ended up like this.\u201d He gestured to the injuries on his son\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the way over, I got knocked down by the team,\u201d he explained. \u201cI hurt my ribs, and banged my head.\u201d He indicted his right side, where there was some bruising. \u201cComing back, Ed shouted, like I told you. The horse I was leading reared and pulled me off my feet. Its hoof struck me and I fell. I don\u2019t remember anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne last question,\u201d Ben said, gently. \u201cJoe, did you tell anyone you were hurt after the first fall?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe responded. His eyelids were drooping now. \u201cThere was too much work to be done. Those folks in Watson\u2019s Crossing needed our help. We didn\u2019t have time for anyone to be sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Maria?\u201d Ben persevered.<\/p>\n

After a pause, Joe admitted, \u201cI told her I was fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d Ben sighed.<\/p>\n

Before any of them could say more, they heard hooves in the yard. Hoss went across to the window to look. \u201cIt\u2019s the doc,\u201d he reported, relief in his voice. He headed over to the door to go down and greet Paul Martin.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay awake, Joe,\u201d Ben chided. \u201cPaul needs to see you and then you can sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so tired,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen did you last sleep, buddy?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cProperly, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Focusing on Adam with difficulty, Joe tried to think back. \u201cThe last night I was home, I guess,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cIt was too cold to sleep that first night, and I was too sore to sleep much after that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEight nights,\u201d Adam breathed, appalled.<\/p>\n

At that moment, Hoss came in with Paul Martin, who hurried over to the bed. \u201cHello, Joe,\u201d he greeted his patient cheerfully. \u201cI was hearing in town what a hero you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho told you that?\u201d Joe asked, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cJake Fox,\u201d Paul replied, looking into Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cHe told me how you helped everyone down the mountain after Ed Flannigan died, and that was after you\u2019d fallen over the edge yourself! Joe, you were quite right to insist that they bury Ed up there. That was no sight for his family to face.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI fell over the edge?\u201d Joe asked, more interested in that than the praise he was getting. \u201cI don\u2019t remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t have thought you\u2019d want to,\u201d Paul remarked. \u201cJake said you landed against a tree.\u201d Paul moved the covers to look at Joe\u2019s stomach. He gently felt all over, and Joe winced several times. \u201cYou\u2019ve been lucky, Joe,\u201d Paul told him. \u201cThere\u2019s no internal bleeding. Mind you, if there had been, you\u2019d have likely died by now, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

That raised a smile from Joe, even if his family did exchange appalled glances. Ben was thankful he hadn\u2019t known that this was a possibility. He hadn\u2019t realized how close he had come to losing his youngest son.<\/p>\n

His examination finally complete, Paul sat back. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m going to give you something to make you sleep while I set your arm and bandage your ribs. You\u2019ve got broken ribs on both sides. I would think, from what you\u2019ve said, that you probably broke the right side ones that first time you fell. You were lucky that you didn\u2019t do yourself any further damage while you were helping build all those houses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all built them,\u201d Joe muttered. His head was thumping and he just wanted to close his eyes. He didn\u2019t even blink as Paul gave him a painkilling injection and brought out the ether mask. For the first time in his life, Joe did not fight as the drug carried him off to sleep.<\/p>\n

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

After his initial wakening from the anesthetic, Joe slept for almost 24 hours straight. The morphine injection that Paul had given him kept him comfortable and Ben found he was able to spoon the cough mixture Paul had left into Joe\u2019s mouth while he was sleeping and he swallowed it easily.<\/p>\n

While Joe slept, the others discussed what he had told them. \u201cI don\u2019t know why Joe didn\u2019t tell them he was hurt!\u201d Ben exclaimed. He looked distressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, aside from the fact that he won\u2019t admit it to us, never mind strangers, I think I can see why he wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Ben urged, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, think about it, Pa,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cApart from Jake, Joe didn\u2019t know those other men. They were all older than him, and all less experienced. It would have been hard enough for Joe to convince them to accept his suggestions, or even downright orders, without admitting that he was sick, too. Plus, they might just have panicked. Up in that pass with an injured man, who could blame them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I suppose,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cI hadn\u2019t thought of it that way.\u201d He rose to pace in front of the fire. Adam and Hoss exchanged sympathetic glances. \u201cBut why wouldn\u2019t he tell Maria?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t reckon that\u2019s so strange, Pa,\u201d Hoss answered. \u201cAfter all, Maria had just lost her house an\u2019 hadn\u2019t nowhere to nurse a sick man. None o\u2019 the folks in that place had anythin\u2019 ta help him, I don\u2019t reckon. Joe wouldn\u2019 a wanted them worryin\u2019 over him; they had enough ta worry about anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting down again, Ben reflected on his sons\u2019 words. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I see that for myself?\u201d he wondered aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re jist too worried about that scamp up there, I reckon,\u201d Hoss told him. \u201cAdam an\u2019 me \u2013 we\u2019re jist hard-hearted.\u201d<\/p>\n

At these words, so patently untrue, Ben and Adam let out a great guffaw of laughter. Hoss grinned, delighted that he had been able to lighten the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

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

Having slept himself out on his first day home, Joe was keen to get up and about, but Ben vetoed the plan. In truth, when Joe got up for a few minutes to sit in a chair while Ben tidied his bed, he was surprised at how weak he felt. The cough he\u2019d developed was still bothering him, although it had settled slightly. But with the tight bandaging around his ribs, Joe sometimes felt as though he couldn\u2019t get enough air in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why I feel like this,\u201d Joe complained, as Ben helped him back to bed.<\/p>\n

Finishing tucking the covers in, Ben straightened and looked at Joe, an amused smile quirking his lips. \u201cYou don\u2019t?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just said I don\u2019t,\u201d Joe responded, a trifle crankily.<\/p>\n

Drawing his chair closer, Ben sat down. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll tell you, son,\u201d he agreed. \u201cYou went 8 days without proper sleep. That\u2019s just for starters. During those eight days, you did a lot of hard, physical labor, when you should have been resting. You had a bad cough during that time, and broken ribs. You fell down the side of a mountain, got cut by a horse\u2019s hoof,\u201d he touched Joe\u2019s chest gently above the cut, \u201cand saw a man die. Plus you did all this in wet, cold weather. Now, what is it you don\u2019t understand again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I give in!\u201d Joe capitulated. \u201cWhen you put it like that, I guess I can see why I feel so bad.\u201d Leaning his head back on the pillows, Joe asked, \u201cWhere are Adam and Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey went into town for supplies,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cThey should be back soon. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wondered,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cPa, you aren\u2019t mad at me, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, of course not,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cOf course, I would have preferred that you didn\u2019t push yourself as hard, but I can see why you did it. No, Joe, I\u2019m not mad at you. I\u2019m proud of you, son; so proud I could burst! Jake wasn\u2019t joking when he said you were a hero. Everything you did makes me proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, moved. \u201cI just didn\u2019t want you to be mad with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Later, Adam and Hoss came up to join Joe and Ben. Adam silently handed Ben a wire, which Ben read quickly once, then again more slowly. Joe began to look anxious. \u201cWhat is it, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s from Maria and Jack,\u201d Ben answered.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe thought his heart had stopped beating. \u201cNothing\u2019s happened to them, has it?\u201d he enquired. \u201cShe hasn\u2019t lost the baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she\u2019s fine,\u201d Ben replied, a trifle absently. He put the wire down and looked at Joe. He squirmed under the intensity of his father\u2019s gaze, then realized that his brothers were staring at him too.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d he demanded. \u201cWhy are you all looking at me like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough Maria and Jack sent the wire, it\u2019s from all the people at Watson\u2019s Crossing,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cThey want to honor you and the men who went to help them. They haven\u2019t anything to give, and have asked the town council here to give you some sort of official honor as heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe gaped blankly at Ben, Adam took up the tale. \u201cI saw the Mayor in town and he had already read the wire. He asked me to pass on the news that you and the others are to be made special citizens of Virginia City and that a holiday is to be held every year to remind people of what you all did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, but\u2026\u201d Joe stammered, then fell silent again, not sure what to say.<\/p>\n

Then Hoss took up the tale. \u201cIts gonna be in tomorrra\u2019s\u00a0Territorial Enterprise<\/em>, right plumb on the front page!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe only did what anyone would have done,\u201d Joe protested, finding his voice at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the best of it,\u201d Adam added, and he could no longer hide his grin. \u201cThe others who went with you were told the news, and they insist that the holiday be called \u2018Joe Cartwright Day\u2019 in your honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me you\u2019re joking,\u201d Joe pleaded, in a barely audible whisper. \u201cPlease!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged, still grinning in that infuriating manner he sometimes had. Hoss, seeing the look on Joe\u2019s face, and remembering that he really wasn\u2019t well, gave Adam a sharp did in the ribs. \u201cTell him!\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they aren\u2019t calling it that,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cBut you should\u2019ve seen the look on your face, buddy!\u201d He burst out laughing.<\/p>\n

It took Joe a minute or so to see the funny side of things, as his sense of humor was just as unwell as its owner. However, he was soon giggling away, but gently, as laughing hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sent a wire back, letting Maria and Jack know that you\u2019re all right,\u201d Adam concluded. \u201c\u2019Joe Cartwright Day\u2019 \u2013 I can\u2019t believe you fell for that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust wait!\u201d Joe vowed.<\/p>\n

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

The next day, Adam collected the paper from town and the headline read:<\/p>\n

Virginia City Heroes!<\/p>\n

The story had been told by Jake Fox and the other men. The Cartwrights read it together and when they had finished, Adam, Ben and Hoss all looked at Joe. They were all solemn and tears shone in Joe\u2019s eyes. For the other men had generously lauded Joe\u2019s work and word had got out that he had been more badly injured than he had let on. Adam\u2019s teasing from the day before had almost come true. Joe was a hero.<\/p>\n

They were all silent for a time. Then Joe spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a hero,\u201d he insisted. \u201cWe only did what anyone would do in a similar situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSay what ya like, Punkin’,\u201d Hoss told him, as he reached over to give him a hug. \u201cYou\u2019re a hero to us!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 After a disaster in a nearby township, Joe goes along on a mercy mission. However, nothing goes quite as smoothly as he expected.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,875 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-5046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1589,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2981,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2981","url_meta":{"origin":5046,"position":0},"title":"Brothers and Mud (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This is my entry for April's 2013 Chaps & Spurs\/Pinecone Trifecta.A WHIB for Springtime. Have you ever wondered what happened between the brothers making a \"Joe sandwich\" and the mud fight? Well, here's my answer to it. Word Count: 708\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6760,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6760","url_meta":{"origin":5046,"position":1},"title":"A Birthday Gone Wrong (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe\u2019s family and his girlfriend are throwing him a surprise party. But what will Joe do when he has to search for where the party is and things go wrong, well wrong to him? Rated:\u00a0K+ (2,170 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12737,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12737","url_meta":{"origin":5046,"position":2},"title":"Ghost Wagons (by GinnyF)","author":"Ginny F","date":"October 23, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Tall tales?\u00a0Ghost Stories?\u00a0 Or did it really happen? Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (850 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5974,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5974","url_meta":{"origin":5046,"position":3},"title":"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"January 3, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0The Widow Jenkins got more than she bargained for when Ben sent his sons out to help with a few chores. Written in response to a writing challenge to use \"They all took several steps forward, stunned by what they done\" as the first sentence and \"His lips moved as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/BrothersComedyStories.jpg?fit=628%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/BrothersComedyStories.jpg?fit=628%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/BrothersComedyStories.jpg?fit=628%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5944,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5944","url_meta":{"origin":5046,"position":4},"title":"I Won’t Be Spoiled No More (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"November 3, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Rating: K+ Word Count=8753 Summary:\u00a0Adam is injured when he and Joe are working on fence repairs. It's up to Joe to get the doctor while Hoss takes Adam home.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SAS-Stories.jpg?fit=613%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SAS-Stories.jpg?fit=613%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SAS-Stories.jpg?fit=613%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23347,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=23347","url_meta":{"origin":5046,"position":5},"title":"A Stray Named Muffin (by wx4rmk)","author":"wx4rmk","date":"August 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A simple trip into town turns into something that will change the Cartwright's lives forever. Written for August 2019 Chaps & Spurs. Rating: K+ \/ Word Count: 1821","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"dog","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4.png?fit=960%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4.png?fit=960%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4.png?fit=960%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4.png?fit=960%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5046\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}