{"id":5317,"date":"2003-03-26T00:24:30","date_gmt":"2003-03-26T05:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5317"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:06:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:06:47","slug":"jennie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5317","title":{"rendered":"Jennie (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A mysterious young woman rescues Joe from the Truckee River. But who is she really?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0 (9,015 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

Jennie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lying wrapped in blankets by the fire, the young man stirred. After a moment, he groaned slightly as consciousness returned to him. His eyes slit open and he peered around blearily. His head throbbed ferociously, and his body ached in time with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back,\u201d said a light, female voice. \u201cI was getting worried about you, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, not recognizing the speaker, the young man propped himself up on his elbow. \u201cWho are you?\u201d he asked, hoarsely. \u201cWhere am I?\u201d He suddenly realized that his shoulder and arm were bare and a quick glance at the fire showed that his clothes \u2013 all his clothes \u2013 were lying out to dry. He blushed, realizing that this lady had seen him naked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name\u2019s Jennie,\u201d she replied, smiling as she realized the source of his discomfort. \u201cAnd what might your name be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d he replied, flustered. \u201cMy name is Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Slouching in the saddle, Adam and Hoss Cartwright were glad to be nearing home. It had been a long three weeks away, and they were tired of sleeping on the ground and eating trail food. But they would be home soon, and the horses, as if sensing their riders\u2019 feelings, broke into a trot.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure be nice to be home, huh, Adam?\u201d Hoss said. \u201cI\u2019m plumb starvin\u2019 for one o\u2019 Hop Sing\u2019s meals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything in particular?\u201d Adam enquired, knowing his brother\u2019s legendary appetite. \u201cOr just everything in general?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnythin\u2019s better\u2019n the stuff we been eatin\u2019 for the last few days,\u201d Hoss retorted amiably. \u201cThem beans weren\u2019t tasty the first night, never mind the last one!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, quit belly-achin\u2019,\u201d Adam said. \u201cYou don\u2019t look any smaller.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring his brother\u2019s tart comment, Hoss said, \u201cWonder if Joe ever finished that fence?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d hope so, after three weeks,\u201d snorted Adam. \u201cBut we could have used his help, I\u2019ll admit.\u201d He and Hoss had been taking some barren cows to the markets. It had been a slow trip, for the weather had been bad all summer. Many nights, they had tried to sleep in the pouring rain. \u201cBet he\u2019s glad he didn\u2019t come with us, though. He\u2019s been sleeping in his own warm, dry bed every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

The house came into view and the boys\u2019 hearts leapt. They urged the horses on a little faster.<\/p>\n

Hearing the sounds of the hooves, Ben Cartwright came out of the house. He grinned at his sons, and went over to welcome them. \u201cGood to have you home, sons,\u201d he said, clapping Adam on the back, and hugging Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts good to be back,\u201d Adam responded, coolly, but with a warm smile. He looked round. \u201cWhere\u2019s Little Joe? Not here to greet us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s out marking timber for thinning on the lower slopes of Wild Horse Ridge.\u201d Ben called for a couple of hands to tend to the boys\u2019 horses, and led them into the house. Hop Sing came out of the kitchen to greet them, and went to fetch coffee and cookies to welcome them home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it would have to be the lower slopes of Wild Horse Ridge,\u201d Adam commented. \u201cNeither he nor I would be keen to go back up to the top again.\u201d Adam was referring to an incident when they had both been attacked on Wild Horse Ridge, and Adam seriously injured.<\/p>\n

Shooting his oldest son a glance, Ben smiled. \u201cIndeed it would have to be,\u201d he agreed, softly. He had come close to losing all his sons that time. \u201cHe should be back in time for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless he takes a detour into town,\u201d Hoss joked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot tonight,\u201d Ben laughed. \u201cHe thought this morning that you might be home tonight.\u201d Smiling again, Ben remembered Joe\u2019s enthusiasm when he asked if his brothers would be home that night and got Ben\u2019s confirmation that he thought it quite likely. \u201cI think he\u2019s missed you, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting down in front of the fire, they tucked into the coffee and cookies, chatting about the trip, telling their father about the people they\u2019d met at the sales. Time passed quickly, and finally Adam rose. \u201cI\u2019m going to have a wash and change my clothes before supper,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Hoss agreed, heaving himself to his feet. \u201cGuess you\u2019ll be glad o\u2019 that, huh, Pa? We cain\u2019t be too fragrant right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to say anything,\u201d Ben began, hiding a grin. \u201cBut now that you mention it\u2026\u201d At the looks of outrage on his sons\u2019 faces, Ben couldn\u2019t keep a straight face any longer, and burst out laughing. \u201cGo on and get changed,\u201d he said. \u201cSupper will be ready soon, and I expect Little Joe back any minute now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The meal was over, and Joe still hadn\u2019t appeared. Ben had gone from looking angry to looking concerned. Just as Adam and Hoss had gone to get changed, a terrific storm had blown up, seemingly out of nowhere. They all knew that the storm would have slowed Joe down, but he still should have been back hours ago. The weather seemed to have improved slightly, which was something in his favor, but there was an undercurrent of unease in the room.<\/p>\n

Nothing was said, but when the hooves sounded in the yard, they all looked relieved. Ben was on his feet and crossing the room, probably without conscious thought, Adam mused. He rose more slowly to join his parent and sibling by the door, and once there, he saw immediately why they hadn\u2019t gone any further.<\/p>\n

It was Cochise, Joe\u2019s pinto horse, in the yard. But his saddle was empty, and the horse was splattered with mud and blood, and holding his rear offside hoof off the ground. Hoss went across to the injured animal, murmuring nonsense as he caught up the trailing reins and looked the animal over more closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s sure had a bad fall, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, straightening up. \u201cHe\u2019s covered in cuts. Sprained that fetlock, too, by the looks o\u2019 things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Ben fretted, his eyes dark with worry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing we can do tonight, Pa,\u201d Adam said, looking at the darkening sky. \u201cIt\u2019s too dark to go looking for him now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben returned, anguish in his tones. \u201cI know.\u201d He sent up a prayer for his youngest son\u2019s safety. Ben knew he wouldn\u2019t be sleeping that night.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cA Cartwright from the Ponderosa?\u201d Jennie said. \u201cWell, well. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d said he. \u201cMr. Cartwright is my father.\u201d He lay back down and looked around. It was almost dark. \u201cHow did I get here?\u201d he asked. Jennie had given him a drink, and Joe could feel his head clearing slightly. It still throbbed. He shivered, and snuggled under the blankets again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can only answer part of that,\u201d Jennie said. \u201cI found you lying on the river bank, unconscious. I managed to pull you out, and get you onto the back of my wagon there, and brought you to my camp. You were soaked through, so I stripped your clothes off and dried you off. Couldn\u2019t have you catching pneumonia, now could I?\u201d Joe blushed at the thought, and Jennie laughed. \u201cLand sakes, boy, I\u2019ve seen it all before. And surely your ma\u2019s seen you without clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother died when I was small,\u201d Joe said, feeling the embarrassed flush die away from his face. He liked Jennie. She was a few years older than him, perhaps closer to Adam in age, he thought. There was something about her that made him trust her implicitly. He found that he no longer minded the thought of her seeing him naked. It was very odd. \u201cIt\u2019s just me and my Pa and brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that,\u201d Jennie said, softly. After a moment of silence, she smiled again. \u201cNow, can you tell me your side of the story?\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes for an instant, Joe thought back. He could remember riding along Wild Horse Ridge, heading towards home. He frowned, and opened his eyes to meet Jennie\u2019s worried face close to his. \u201cAre you all right, Joe?\u201d she asked, and put a soft hand on his brow. \u201cHmm, a little fever, but not too bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay,\u201d he insisted, shivering once more. He watched as Jennie turned away and threw some more wood on the fire. It flared up brightly, revealing Jennie\u2019s slim figure and long dark hair. \u201cI was just trying to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t force yourself,\u201d Jennie warned. \u201cYou had quite a bang on the head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was riding along Wild Horse Ridge,\u201d Joe said, his eyes glazing slightly as he thought back. Jennie sat down beside him, listening quietly. \u201cI was going home. A storm blew up, and I didn\u2019t see it coming, because I was in amongst the trees. I was marking them for Pa.\u201d He glanced at Jennie, who smiled and nodded. \u201cThe ridge there is just above the Truckee River.\u201d He frowned. \u201cA branch came down, and hit Cochise, my horse.\u201d Joe suddenly sat up and looked round. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see any sign of a horse,\u201d Jennie said, preventing him rising with gentle fingers. \u201cJust you, Joe. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears filled Joe\u2019s eyes and he blinked them away. He lay back down again, and swallowed the sickness that had risen in his throat at the sudden movement. He closed his eyes again, telling himself that Cochise was just a horse, but it didn\u2019t work. He loved his horse. A damp cloth smoothed its way over his head, and he felt obscurely comforted. A faint memory of his mother came back to him, and he had to struggle to contain his sobs.<\/p>\n

After a while, he opened his eyes and continued on with his story. \u201cHe stumbled \u2013 Cochise that is \u2013 and we fell\u2026.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off as he remembered the horror of that fall. Fortunately, the memory was cut short when he blacked out, but it still made him shudder.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you poor boy,\u201d Jennie said, still softly, her hand stroking his head. \u201cWhat a dreadful thing to happen!\u201d She shook her head. \u201cI never thought of anything like that happening to you. You try and rest now, Joe. We\u2019ll see how you are come morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Settling down obediently, Joe caught her hand as she tucked the blanket closer in beside him. \u201cAre we close to the Ponderosa?\u201d he asked, hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Jennie answered reluctantly, seeing the hope go out of his eyes. \u201cWe\u2019re many miles away from there, Joe. Many miles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, Joe struggled with the tears once again. He had hoped they were still on the Ponderosa, and that he would be home by the next day. Now, he knew they wouldn\u2019t be, and although Joe felt sick and miserable and wanted to get home just for his own sake, he also wanted to get home so that his family didn\u2019t worry. That was now a forlorn hope, and all he wanted to do now was sleep, and forget.<\/p>\n

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

At first light, Ben, Adam and Hoss mounted their horses and set out to search for Joe. They followed the most direct route to Wild Horse Ridge, reckoning that that would be the one Joe was most likely to use. There wasn\u2019t a sign of him anywhere.<\/p>\n

By noon, it was all too clear what had happened to him. The signs were unmistakable. The place where Cochise had fallen over the edge was all churned up, and the slope leading to the river was marked all the way down. However, there they lost Joe\u2019s trail. Cochise had regained his feet and made it out of the river only a few feet downstream. The prints indicated that the pinto had been hopping lame by then, and they privately thought it was a miracle that it had got home at all.<\/p>\n

But of Joe, there was no immediate sign.<\/p>\n

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

It was a difficult night for Joe. His fever crept up, and he developed a hacking cough. When he did sleep, his dreams were haunted by the fall from the ridge. In them, he sometimes lost consciousness, as he had done, but other times, he remained awake as he and Cochise crashed into the water below.<\/p>\n

Awakening once more, thrashing and gasping for breath, Joe decided to stay awake if he could. The dreams were too much for him to take. He wondered if he sub-consciously remembered fighting to get to the surface of the water. If so, he was kind of glad he couldn\u2019t really remember, for how much worse would his dreams have been then?<\/p>\n

At the other side of the fire, Jennie was aware of the troubles her young guest was having. She didn\u2019t go to him, not wanting to cause him any further embarrassment. It hadn\u2019t occurred to her the evening before that Joe was so young. His face was bruised and scraped, and so dirty, that it was difficult to judge his age. By the time she was washing away the dirt, she had already stripped him. And the last thing he needed then was to get wet clothes put back on.<\/p>\n

It had taken some time to get Joe warmed back up. Jennie had wrapped him in almost every blanket she possessed, and gradually, he had warmed up. Supporting his head, Jennie had given him sips of water, and been reassured when he was able to drink them. Finally, about an hour after she dragged him, half-drowned, from the Truckee River, Joe had revived.<\/p>\n

Whatever story she had expected, it wasn\u2019t the one Joe had told her. His clothes were well made, but not exceptional; his gun belt was well used and plainly tooled. His boots needed heeling. Nothing suggested to her that this unfortunate young man was one of the Cartwrights of the Ponderosa, one of the richest families in the area. She thought of the long miles they would have to travel to get Joe back home. She hoped he would be well enough to travel in the morning.\u00a0 Something told her he would be desperately disappointed if he couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

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

Neighbors and friends all turned up at the Ponderosa the next morning. Ben was overwhelmed by the support, but made an effort to remain calm. He outlined what they had found the previous day, and organized the men into groups. Each group would search one side of the river. If they found anything, they were to signal with the standard three shots that the Cartwrights always used.<\/p>\n

The searching was one of the most difficult things Ben had done. Every moment was filled with a mixture of hope and fear. With every bend of the river, he hoped he would see Joe huddled on the bank, alive, and somehow miraculously unharmed.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t happen, although he couldn\u2019t abandon hope altogether. He had to believe Joe was alive, for to do otherwise would have killed him. Over the years, he had lost so much; Elizabeth, Inger and Marie. He couldn\u2019t bear to lose one of his sons, too.<\/p>\n

On the opposite bank from their father, Adam and Hoss were feeling similar things. Hoss was Joe\u2019s confidante and best friend. He and Joe had been in more scrapes together than they had had hot dinners \u2013 or that was the way it seemed to Hoss. He adored the younger brother who had tagged behind him as a small child, and had then gone on to lead the way in their partnership. It didn\u2019t matter to Hoss that Joe had a quicker brain, and often landed his older sibling in trouble. That was just Joe. Hoss had loved him from the moment that Marie had confided there was to be a child. He had looked out for Joe all his life, and never counted the cost. Joe was his brother, and Hoss loved him. All he wanted was to find Joe safe and sound.<\/p>\n

For Adam, the feelings were more complex. He often found Joe infuriating, and they quarreled quite frequently. He was irritated by Joe\u2019s refusal to further his education, when he had such a fine mind. But he loved and respected his youngest sibling. Joe was stalwart in his defense of his family, and had put his life on the line for Adam many times. He was entertaining company, and you were never bored with him around. Adam smiled to himself ruefully. You never knew what kind of mood Joe would be in, and he could charm the birds from the trees if he put his mind to it. Adam knew that people wondered if he was sometimes jealous of his younger brother, who had been blessed with so much. But he wasn\u2019t. Adam was his own person, as were Joe and Hoss both. Ben had done a good job in giving his sons self-confidence.<\/p>\n

By nightfall, they had covered 10 miles, and still there was no sign of Joe. Their friends and neighbors all headed off for home, and the Cartwrights suspected that few of them would be back the following day. Most of them thought that Joe was dead.<\/p>\n

After supper, which they barely touched, Ben told his sons what he planned to do the next day. \u201cI think we ought to take camping gear with us,\u201d he said. \u201cStart where we finished today, and go further downstream. The river is big right now,” he went on. \u201cJoe could\u2019ve been washed quite a ways down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long are we going to go on looking?\u201d Adam asked, quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil we find him!\u201d Ben retorted sharply. He swallowed, and looked away, controlling himself with difficulty. \u201cWe must find him, Adam, we must.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hating himself for doing it, Adam persisted, \u201cBut what if we don\u2019t find him, Pa? What then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears filled Ben\u2019s eyes, although they didn\u2019t fall. Adam cursed himself anew for asking, but he had to know. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The arrival of morning didn\u2019t improve Joe\u2019s condition. He was still coughing away and his temperature remained quite high. Sitting up caused his head to swim violently, and he was unable to eat anything. Jennie made some coffee, and Joe was able to drink that. It eased his shivers somewhat, and he was relieved to discover that his clothes were dry. Somehow, having clothes on made him feel less vulnerable. However, the effort to get dressed, even with Jennie\u2019s discreet help, had exhausted him, and he fell asleep again.<\/p>\n

Doing the few chores that needed it round the camp, Jennie found herself looking at Joe frequently. By the light of day, she could see how handsome he was, under the scrapes and bruises. After she had tended to her horse and tidied up the few dishes from breakfast, she was left with nothing particular to do except think.<\/p>\n

Her thoughts were all on how to get Joe back to his beloved home. She knew roughly where the Ponderosa was, and by her reckoning, they were almost 25 miles away by road. She wasn\u2019t sure of the direction if they went across country, but perhaps Joe could help her there. But was he up to a bumpy journey like that? He was clearly concussed, and she had seen the scrapes and bruises all over his body, no doubt caused by the fall into the river. The cough was wearing him out, and she couldn\u2019t be certain that he didn\u2019t have any broken bones, although she hadn\u2019t spotted any the previous night.<\/p>\n

One thing was certain, she thought, as Joe began to cough, and wakened himself. He wasn\u2019t fit to travel anywhere that day, and she wasn\u2019t going to leave him alone long enough to ride to the nearest town with a telegraph office. Rising gracefully, she went over to help Joe drink from the canteen.<\/p>\n

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

All that day, Joe ran a high temperature. Jennie was thankful that she had decided against leaving him, for he was wracked with nausea, caused no doubt by the bang on the head he\u2019d received the night before. For most of the day, Joe drifted in and out of a light sleep, but it was plain to see he wasn\u2019t fit to travel, and in fact he never mentioned it.\u00a0 By nightfall, he was exhausted, and willingly drank the bitter willow bark tea Jennie brewed for him, and took the spoonful of honey he was offered. It was the only thing he\u2019d eaten that day.<\/p>\n

The willow bark did its job, and he soon fell asleep, his troublesome headache eased slightly at last. Almost as tried as Joe, Jennie lay down, too, thankful that the rain she\u2019d feared was coming hadn\u2019t arrived during the day. She had moved the wagon, and fixed up the makeshift tent she used, so that if rain did come through the night, both she and Joe would keep reasonably dry. The last thing he needed was to get wet again, and catch a chill.<\/p>\n

Sometime after midnight, Jennie was wakened by Joe\u2019s cries. \u201cOh, Coochie, no!\u201d he called, thrashing around. \u201cCooch!\u201d His voice trailed off as a fit of coughing over took him. \u201cCooch.\u201d He groaned as Jennie reached his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat hurts, Joe?\u201d she asked, seeing he was awake.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy ribs,\u201d he answered, reluctantly. His voice was hoarse. \u201cAnd my throat.\u201d He coughed again, clutching his ribs, now that he had admitted that they were sore.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything else?\u201d Jennie asked, poking up the fire to make more light. She offered Joe some willow bark, and he drank it, making a face while he did so. \u201cCome on, Joe, don\u2019t lie to me. I can\u2019t help you if you don\u2019t tell me what\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy legs,\u201d he admitted. \u201cThey ache so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gently moving the blankets aside, Jennie felt down Joe\u2019s legs, and decided there wasn\u2019t anything broken. But his knees were hot to the touch, as were his ankles, and she thought they might be sprained. Getting out her bandages, she strapped up Joe\u2019s ribs, and his ankles. She didn\u2019t have enough bandage for his knees, and anyway, wasn\u2019t sure about treating them. \u201cNo walking about,\u201d she warned. She felt his forehead, but his temperature had dropped to near normal. \u201cTomorrow, depending on how you are, we\u2019ll set off for your home. We\u2019ll come to a town soon with a telegraph office, and we can send a message to your Pa, to let him know you\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe said, gratefully. He wanted his Pa, more than anything, but was thankful that Jennie had found him. It wasn\u2019t long before he slept once more.<\/p>\n

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

Come morning, Joe\u2019s temperature was still low, and Jennie decided that she could risk moving him if he would eat something. The ham and eggs she fried up smelt great, and Joe ate hungrily. After that, he watched as Jennie packed up the camp. A twinge of guilt kept Joe silent as she did so, for he wasn\u2019t used to a woman doing the work. However, there was nothing he could do to help, and when the time came for him to get onto the back of the wagon, he found it took all the strength he could muster.<\/p>\n

Finally settled, he lay back, breathless after a bout of coughing. \u201cI don\u2019t know why I\u2019m so sore,\u201d he said, ruefully as he thanked his benefactress once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can think of a few reasons,\u201d Jennie responded, laughing. \u201cBeing tumbled around in a river isn\u2019t all that good for you, you know. Plus you fell, with your horse. I assume you were riding him at the time?\u201d At Joe\u2019s nod, she said, \u201cWell, then. When you started to fall, you were on him. At some point, you fell off, and bounced down the hill. I don\u2019t think the horse fell on top of you, because you might not have survived that. But all the same, you\u2019ve had a rough time of it, honey lamb, and I\u2019m not surprised you\u2019re so sore!\u201d<\/p>\n

Climbing onto the wagon seat, Jennie chucked her horse, a big grey cob mare and they set off. \u201cHow long will it be before we reach the Ponderosa?\u201d Joe asked. His aches and pains were dying down, now he was still again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral days, depending on the weather,\u201d Jennie answered. \u201cMy old horse here doesn\u2019t go very fast any more. But don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you from, Jennie?\u201d Joe asked, curiously. \u201cIs it near here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jennie laughed, a low, rich chuckle. \u201cWhere am I from?\u201d she repeated. \u201cLots of places, Joe. I was born in New York State. I\u2019ve lived in Washington and Philadelphia. But I don\u2019t have a home any more. I\u2019m going to Oregon, to get myself some land and start farming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlone?\u201d Joe asked, horrified. \u201cThat\u2019s a long way. How will you manage?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Jennie laughed. \u201cJoe, my sweet, I\u2019ve managed this far, haven\u2019t I? Don\u2019t worry about it. I\u2019ll get there, someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Puzzling this over, Joe was intrigued. \u201cHave you any family?\u201d he asked. He suddenly remembered his manners, and blushed, although Jennie couldn\u2019t see it. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, that was nosy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind,\u201d she replied. \u201cAfter all, I asked you about your family, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Not waiting for confirmation, she went on, \u201cI was married, but he died, and we didn\u2019t have any children. That was a few years ago, and I worked as a nurse to support myself. I have a bit of money saved up, and I thought I fancied a change. Oregon sounds about right to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA nurse?\u201d Joe said. \u201cYou ought to stay in Virginia City,\u201d he suggested. \u201cDoctor Martin is always saying he needs a full time nurse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019you see a lot of the doctor?\u201d Jennie asked. \u201cSounds like you know him well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo much,\u201d Joe said, ruefully. \u201cHe says I\u2019m his favorite patient, but I don\u2019t believe him. I\u2019m not a good patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA healthy young man like you?\u201d Jennie joked. \u201cI\u2019d say you aren\u2019t a good patient. Too eager to get back on your feet and get going!\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe admitted, \u201cYes, Pa and Doc Martin are always at me to stay in bed when I\u2019d rather get up and moving around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019ve known some illness,\u201d Jennie probed, gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome,\u201d Joe admitted. With no more than an interested sound, Jennie got him to open up, and Joe recited his list of injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood Lord!\u201d Jennie exclaimed. \u201cSome illness? You\u2019re a walking disaster zone.\u201d For a moment, she wondered if she\u2019d offended Joe, and glanced anxiously over her shoulder at him.<\/p>\n

But there was no worry in that direction. Joe was trying not to laugh. \u201cOh, don\u2019t,\u201d he wheezed. \u201cIt hurts to laugh!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

As darkness drew down, Adam and Hoss forded the river and joined Ben. Silently, they set up camp for the night. There hadn\u2019t been any sign of Joe anywhere, and they were all growing discouraged. Ben sat hunched over by the fire as Adam and Hoss prepared a meal between them. None of them felt like eating, but they forced themselves. Ben required more coaxing, but finally ate a few bites.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow far d\u2019you think we\u2019ve come?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps 10 miles,\u201d Adam replied, thinking back over the journey they\u2019d made that day. He glanced at Ben, who appeared not to be listening. \u201cTomorrow, why don\u2019t you ride with Pa,\u201d he suggested, quietly.<\/p>\n

Glancing at Ben, too, Hoss nodded. \u201cSure thing, Adam,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I don\u2019t mind if\u2019n you want to ride with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hoss,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cBut I think it might be best if you ride with him tomorrow, and then we\u2019ll see. If we cover another 5 miles tomorrow, and don\u2019t find Joe, we might be best to try and persuade Pa to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gazing at Adam, Hoss thought how controlled his brother appeared to be. But not to Hoss. He could read Adam\u2019s distress in the very stillness of his face and body. Adam had the reputation of being the coldest of the Cartwrights, emotionally. But it was all a fa\u00e7ade, Hoss knew, caused mostly by the loss of Inger and Marie when Adam was quite young. The loss of his own mother at his birth had also contributed. Although none of the boys had known their birth mother for more than a short time \u2013 Joe\u2019s mother dying when he was 4 made him the one whose mother had lived longest \u2013 Hoss had had Adam and Ben, and later Marie and Joe. Joe had had all of them. Adam had only had Ben and then Inger for a short time, and this had made him wary of giving affection. Hoss was more open, and Joe was the most demonstrative of them all.<\/p>\n

Tears filled Hoss\u2019 blue eyes. \u201cD\u2019you think Joe\u2019s dead?\u201d he asked, more loudly than he intended.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! Don\u2019t say that!\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cJoe isn\u2019t dead! D you hear me? He isn\u2019t dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam said, gently. \u201cWe have to face it. He might be dead. We\u2019ve come a long way, and there hasn\u2019t been a single sign of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not dead, I tell you!\u201d Ben insisted, fiercely. Then he slumped and tears began to streak down his face. \u201cOh, Joe!\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Kneeling, Adam put his arm round Ben\u2019s shoulder. He could feel tears in his own eyes, and hoped that, if they found that Joe was dead, he would be able to be strong for his father and brother. His spirit called out against the unfairness of a young life being cut short, and Adam said one of the most fervent prayers of his life that Joe\u2019s life be spared.<\/p>\n

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

At the end of their second day of travel, Jennie and Joe arrived in a small town that had a telegraph office. She went in and composed a wire to Ben, while Joe waited impatiently in the wagon. He was still feeling quite ill, the throbbing headache of his concussion reluctant to loosen its grip. The constant jolting of the wagon didn\u2019t help, but Joe hadn\u2019t once complained. He wanted to get home, and let Pa know that he was all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the wire sent, Joe,\u201d Jennie said, coming out of the telegraph office. \u201cThat\u2019ll relieve your Pa\u2019s mind some. I said I thought we might get there tomorrow, late on.\u201d She smiled as Joe beamed at her. \u201cThat\u2019s if you don\u2019t mind some more jolting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJolt all you like,\u201d Joe agreed, not realizing that he\u2019d just admitted that he found the jolting a trial. \u201cJennie, you\u2019re wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure am, kiddo,\u201d she joked, climbing back onto the seat, and picking up the reins. \u201cReady?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReady,\u201d Joe confirmed. He drew in a deep breath as the wagon started moving again, ignoring the stab of pain from his ribs. He\u2019d be home tomorrow.<\/p>\n

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

It rained all the next day, a persistent thin rain that trickled under collars and soaked through slickers. The road was awash with mud, but Jennie persevered. Joe was coughing again relentlessly as the damp revived his cold, which had eased slightly. However, he roused himself form his misery long enough to give her instructions on how to find the ranch. As they drew closer, Joe tried to sit up and look healthier. He was longing to see his family.<\/p>\n

It was a bitter blow to find the house in virtual darkness. He gazed at disbelief at the closed door. \u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d he said, sounding desperately and heart-breakingly young. \u201cWhere are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould they be out looking for you?\u201d Jennie asked, coming to stand by the wagon. She looked tired, and was soaked to the skin. She\u2019d been looking forward to a hot meal and a dry bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey might be,\u201d Joe said. \u201cBut we sent that wire\u2026\u201d His voice trailed off as movement at the side of the house attracted his attention.<\/p>\n

The kitchen door opened slowly, and the muzzle of a shotgun protruded. \u201cGo way!\u201d ordered an unmistakable voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u201d Joe exclaimed, relieved. \u201cIt\u2019s me, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLil\u2019 Joe?\u201d the cook said, and came all the way out. \u201cLil\u2019 Joe! Family thought dead for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are they?\u201d Joe asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

Before Hop Sing could answer him, they heard hooves approaching. Only one set, but Joe still looked round hopefully. But he was to be disappointed. It wasn\u2019t any of his family, just Roy Coffee, the sheriff, and long-time friend of the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, boy, its good to see you,\u201d Roy said. \u201cI brung out that wire about you for your Pa yesterday, but there weren\u2019t nobody here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing here,\u201d the Chinese cook protested.<\/p>\n

Ignoring the interruption, Roy went on, \u201cI went out lookin\u2019 for your Pa an\u2019 brothers, but I didn\u2019t see no sign o\u2019 them. Where did they go, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey go look for Lil\u2019 Joe,\u201d Hop Sing said, in tones of strained patience. \u201cLong banks of river.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe river\u2019s pretty high,\u201d Roy said, doubtfully, and Joe began to look strained. Jennie noticed at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan this wait until we have Joe inside and settled?\u201d she asked. \u201cHe really shouldn\u2019t be out in the rain. He\u2019s not well.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was all it took, and Joe found himself being carried into the house by a couple of the ranch hands. Roy had sent another couple out to look for Ben and the boys, but he didn\u2019t expect them to get far in the rain. Yet another hand was sent into town for the doctor.<\/p>\n

Seeing that Joe was in good hands, Jennie took the chance to go to the room Hop Sing showed her, and changed into something dry. Then, she went and sat in front of the roaring fire that he had hastily built in the main room. Shortly after, Roy and Hop Sing came downstairs. Hop Sing went straight into the kitchen, muttering to himself in his native language. Roy sat down near Jennie.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe says you pulled him outa the river, Miss\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJennie,\u201d Jennie supplied, helpfully. \u201cYes, I did. I\u2019d gone to get some water, and saw him lying on the bank. I pulled him out and looked after him. When he woke up, he told me who he was. We spent the day after that at my camp, because Joe really wasn\u2019t well. Then we headed for here.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a succinct piece of reporting, and didn\u2019t really tell Roy what he wanted to know \u2013 which was who Jennie really was. However, he couldn\u2019t quibble with what she had told him, as it jibed with what Joe had said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re real grateful to you, Miss Jennie,\u201d he said. \u201cI know Ben\u2019ll be wantin\u2019 to thank you. He thinks the world o\u2019 Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s mutual,\u201d Jennie said, softly. \u201cJoe thinks the world of his father, too. And his brothers.\u201d She smiled at him. \u201cTell me about them?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

As Hop Sing prepared a meal and they waited for the doctor, Roy told Jennie about the Cartwrights.\u00a0 By the time he had finished, she quite understood why Ben was out looking for Joe. It was a natural reaction of any parent to hunt for a missing child, but after his other losses, Ben would be particularly vulnerable to further loss. Especially as Joe was so enchanting.<\/p>\n

The door opened and let in a lot of rain with a middle-aged man Jennie didn\u2019t know. However, Roy obviously did. \u201cEvenin\u2019, Paul,\u201d he said, cordially. \u201cJoe\u2019s in his room. This here\u2019s Miss Jennie, who found him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come up with you, Doctor,\u201d she said, rising. \u201cAnd tell you what I did and why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be a help,\u201d Paul Martin said, eyeing her covertly. He felt there was something familiar about her, but he didn\u2019t know what it was. He shed his dripping rain slicker and started upstairs, completely familiar with the house. Jennie quickly filled him in on Joe\u2019s injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joe, this is a new one, even for you,\u201d Paul said, throwing open Joe\u2019s bedroom door. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d He was examining the youth closely with his eyes, taking in the pallor and the circles under his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to keep you on your toes,\u201d Joe replied, but the witticism was tired. His voice was hoarse, and he coughed.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take Paul long to complete his examination. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a cold,\u201d he said, stating the obvious first to make Joe smile. It worked. \u201cAnd your muscles are all protesting at the unusual way you dismounted your horse \u2013 who is out in the stable, by the way.\u201d Joe\u2019s face lit up, for he had been thinking about Cochise a lot. \u201cYour knees and ankles have taken quite severe knocks, but they aren\u2019t actually sprained. However, you won\u2019t be walking about on them for a week or two, until the swelling and heat is out of them. And that is quite a lump you have on your head, mister!\u201d He smiled. \u201cJoe, you were incredibly lucky. You should\u2019ve died after a fall like that. Your guardian angel was working over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I\u2019m lucky,\u201d Joe responded. He coughed once more. \u201cI just wish Pa was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be back soon, Joe,\u201d Paul soothed. He patted the youth\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou get some sleep, and perhaps he\u2019ll be here when you wake in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Joe agreed, but he couldn\u2019t shake an uneasy feeling that had been growing in his heart all evening.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThis is terrible,\u201d Adam said, as they tried to make camp that night. He had insisted that they move away from the riverbank as the water rose once more. Ben had protested that they would lose time in the morning, and he and Adam had ended up having a heated row about it. However, Hoss had intervened, cooled everything down and persuaded Ben that Adam was right. Since Ben had known all along that Adam was right, he had given in quietly. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be soaked through by morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you want to go home?\u201d Ben asked, acidly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d Adam admitted quietly. \u201cWe\u2019ve come about 15 miles, and we haven\u2019t seen any sign of Joe. Pa, I think we have to accept the fact that he\u2019s gone. Let Roy wire to sheriffs further downstream, and see if anyone\u2019s found a body. We can\u2019t go on like this. We haven\u2019t been dry all day, and if this goes on, we\u2019ll end up sick. You especially, Pa. You haven\u2019t eaten enough to keep a sparrow alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glaring at Adam, Ben tried to think of a way to refute what his oldest son was saying, but he couldn\u2019t. He was bone tired and wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep. Deep in his heart, he feared that Joe was dead. His shoulder slumped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, son,\u201d he said, wearily. \u201cYou\u2019re right. We should go back.\u201d He avoided making eye contact with either son, afraid that they would see that he\u2019d given up hope of finding Joe alive. \u201cI\u2019ll go and get some water,\u201d he said, and headed down to the river without looking back.<\/p>\n

Crouching by the water, Ben let the tears come. He had so many memories of Joe, stretching from his birth until the last time he had seen him. Each one confirmed Joe\u2019s love of life, and made it more difficult to accept that he might never see his son again, and might never even have the dubious comfort of finding his body. Rising stiffly, Ben stumbled on the loose shale of the riverbank, and tripped. He let out a startled yell as he fell into the churning waters.<\/p>\n

For an instant, the icy waters caught at his breath, and Ben struggled to get his head back above water. He had no breath to shout for help, and he flailed helplessly, until he finally surfaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d He heard the shout, but he was still in the thrall of the water, and finding it difficult to get his limbs moving. He sank again.<\/p>\n

Moments later, and hand grabbed his coat, and he was dragged to the surface. A strong arm was under his, and Adam\u2019s reassuring voice spoke in his ear. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Pa, I\u2019ve got you.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a relief to allow someone else to take over and get him to safety. It took only seconds for Adam to swim with Ben to the bank, and Hoss helped them both out. Ben sat on the bank and coughed the water from his lungs, shivering helplessly in the rising wind.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t escape any of them that they were in a far more dangerous situation than they had been just a few scant minutes ago. Adam and Ben were soaked through. The rain was continuing, and the wind was rising. If they didn\u2019t get to some kind of shelter soon, they could end up suffering from hypothermia.<\/p>\n

As soon as Ben\u2019s breathing was under control, they went back to the horses, and Hoss wrapped blankets round his shivering family. He swiftly saddled the horses, and they all mounted, instinctively heading back towards home, although they were unlikely to get there in the dark, given the weather.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head to peer into the lashing rain, Ben wondered if this would be the end of the Cartwright family.<\/p>\n

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

As the weather worsened, Roy Coffee, who had elected to stay the night at the ranch, began to look more and more concerned. The hands he\u2019d sent out looking for Ben had returned without him, and he couldn\u2019t, in all conscience, blame them for coming back.<\/p>\n

The meal Hop Sing had produced was excellent, as usual, and Jennie had found herself dozing in front of the fire. She finally roused herself to go and check on Joe, who was sleeping restlessly. She left him undisturbed, and went back downstairs.<\/p>\n

Spying the photos on Ben\u2019s desk, she looked closely at each of them. Three handsome women, all different. She guessed which woman was which from what Roy had said. She hadn\u2019t met Adam and Hoss, but Roy assured her they resembled their mothers almost as much as Joe resembled his.<\/p>\n

This was a special family; she could tell that from the atmosphere of the house. The house felt happy and welcoming. Jennie was extremely sensitive to atmospheres, and she could feel nothing but good in this one. It would be tragic if anything happened to any of the family. Bidding Roy goodnight, Jennie went to her room. There, she knelt by the side of the bed in earnest prayer, then rose, knowing what she had to do.<\/p>\n

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

It seemed that they were making no headway at all. The rain lashed down relentlessly, and the wind clutched at their sodden clothes. Ben looked frail and old all of a sudden, as the cold took its toll on his weakened stamina. Adam wiped at his dripping nose with a saturated sleeve, feeling an ominous tightening in his chest. He had always had a tendency towards a weak chest, and this soaking, combined with the emotional stress he was under, had weakened his resistance.<\/p>\n

They had been riding all night. Hoss led the way, following his instincts to get them home, if nothing else. But he was worried, too. They needed shelter, and warmth, and there didn\u2019t seem to be any way to get either. Hoss wondered how far they had come. Not far enough, he suspected. The rain made it impossible to pick out any landmarks. Glancing round, Hoss wondered if they ought to stop. Ben looked done in. However, a particularly virulent gust of wind made him change his mind. Not yet, he thought. It\u2019s too cold here. We\u2019ll go on a bit further.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head at the sudden outburst of coughing from his right, Ben finally allowed himself to admit how concerned he was. He and Adam were soaked; they were miles from any shelter, and for all he knew \u2013 for all any of them knew \u2013 they were riding in circles. He knew he ought to take charge, and get them to somewhere dry, but he couldn\u2019t seem to focus his thoughts properly. He was too cold, too tired, and too sad to make the necessary effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice shouted over the howling wind. Ben lifted his head, squinting into the needle-like rain blowing into his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cDunno,\u201d Hoss bellowed back. \u201cHello!\u201d He waved, and the bobbing light turned in their direction.<\/p>\n

Whoever they had been expecting, it wasn\u2019t this young woman, dressed in a traveling cloak and carrying a lantern. They all gaped at her, wondering who she was. \u201cThank goodness I\u2019ve found you,\u201d she said, her light voice carrying clearly above the noise of the wind. \u201cCome along, follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Ben stuttered, his teeth chattering so hard he could barely speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Jennie,\u201d she replied. \u201cI brought Joe home, then came out looking for you. Come along, don\u2019t dawdle. It\u2019s cold and wet out here, in case you hadn\u2019t noticed.\u201d She turned her mount, a large grey cob, and headed back the way she had come. Bemused, they all followed her.<\/p>\n

Although they rode for what Adam estimated to be another hour, the weather seemed to moderate slightly, and it seemed to be less cold. And at the end of that hour, they arrived back in the yard of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Gazing round in disbelief, Adam noticed Jennie leading her horse into the barn. He wanted to follow her, and ask how she\u2019d brought them home so quickly, when she was a stranger to them. But his limbs were stiff with cold, and he had difficulty getting down off his horse. Then he noticed that Ben was still sitting on Buck and went over to help him down.<\/p>\n

The front door opened, and a familiar figure stood there, holding a lantern aloft. \u201cLand sakes!\u201d Roy Coffee exclaimed. \u201cWhere have you folks bin?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Standing in front of the fire, Adam cautiously sipped the cup of hot coffee Hop Sing had thrust into his hands. His clothes still dripped onto the floor, but he was feeling warmer by the second. He exchanged a smile with Hoss, who was seated on the stonework. \u201cIt feels good to be back,\u201d he said, hoarsely.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure does,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cWish Pa looked a bit better, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right once he\u2019s warm, and has seen Joe,\u201d Adam said. \u201cWe\u2019ll all be all right when we\u2019re warm and have seen Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sure enough good to know that Punkin is all right,\u201d Hoss said, and his voice cracked.<\/p>\n

Unable to speak for the sudden lump in his throat, Adam simply nodded. He put down the coffee. \u201cLet\u2019s go see him,\u201d he croaked, and they went upstairs together.<\/p>\n

On the way up, they met Roy on his way down. \u201cI\u2019ve got yer Pa into bed, boys,\u201d he said. \u201cYou two run along, too, so\u2019s I c\u2019n get my sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just going to look in on Joe,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t disturb him,\u201d Roy warned. \u201cHe\u2019s had a hard time o\u2019 it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Promising that they wouldn\u2019t the brothers obediently stuck their head round the door, saw Joe and went to bed, to sleep the sleep of the exhausted and relieved.<\/p>\n

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

Next morning, it was pandemonium in the house. Ben had wakened to find it was well into the morning, and suddenly wondered if he\u2019d dreamed that Joe was all right. He got out of bed in a panic, and donned his robe, hurrying along the hallway to Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

As the door opened, Joe turned his head to see who it was. His whole face lit up with a brilliant smile as he saw Ben and he pushed himself into a sitting position, wincing as he did so, but the smile stayed in place. \u201cPa!\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s so good to see you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I was so worried about you!\u201d Ben exclaimed and hurried across to sit on the edge of the bed, and take Joe into his arms. \u201cAre you all right? Really?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cNow that you\u2019re back.\u201d They smiled at each other. \u201cJennie saved my life, Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cShe\u2019s staying here, so you\u2019ll meet her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJennie?\u201d Ben said, remembering the young woman who had met them last night. \u201cDoes she have long dark hair? About Adam\u2019s age?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s her,\u201d Joe agreed, sounding surprised. \u201cHave you met her? Oh, last night when you got in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not when we got in,\u201d Ben said, slowly. He frowned, but before he could say anything else, there were footsteps in the hall, and Paul Martin came in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what a surprise finding you in here,\u201d he said, cheerfully, to Ben. \u201cI hear you dragged in about 3 am, soaked to the skin, and looking not unlike a drowned rat. I hear tell you fell in the river.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was news to Joe, who shot his father an anxious glance. Ben intercepted it and smiled. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was rough last night, but I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be surprised to hear that Adam has a good going cold in his chest,\u201d Paul continued, as he began to examine Ben. \u201cOr to hear that Hoss came through the whole thing unscathed. And by what I was told, you shouldn\u2019t be so healthy looking!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben made a face at Joe, who laughed. It was nice to see someone else squirming under Paul\u2019s friendly treatment. \u201cIt\u2019s your tune next, young man,\u201d Paul said, threateningly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is Joe?\u201d Ben asked, as Paul finished examining him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cJust a cough to get rid of, and those knees and ankles to heal. Another week or so should do it, Ben. He was lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, lucky Jennie was passing,\u201d Joe said, soberly. \u201cYou must meet her, Pa.\u201d He grinned at Paul. \u201cIs she downstairs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think she\u2019s gone, Joe,\u201d Paul said. \u201cCertainly, her wagon and horse are gone. Roy hasn\u2019t seen her this morning either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGone?\u201d Joe echoed, disappointment in his tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Ben commanded, feeling confused. \u201cA young woman called Jennie met us last night and led us back here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe began, bewildered, but he was interrupted when his door opened again, and the rest of his family, along with Roy Coffee, came in.<\/p>\n

There was a round of jovial teasing greetings between the brothers, where they all tried – and failed \u2013 to hide their joy and relief at finding each other whole. Ben sat back and watched his sons, thankfulness in his heart. At one point last night, he had thought they might all die, and yet here they were, together and safe. It was a miracle.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, when did Jennie leave?\u201d Joe asked, at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see her leavin\u2019, Little Joe,\u201d Roy said, scratching his head. \u201cWhen I got up this mornin\u2019 she was gone. Hop Sing didn\u2019t see her go either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJennie led us home last night,\u201d Adam said, his voice still hoarse. \u201cHow did she know where to find us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho was she anyhows?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Patiently, Joe repeated his story of how Jennie found him and brought him home. Roy explained about the telegram, and coming out to find Ben. Then Ben, Adam and Hoss told of their adventures leading up to the night before.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand how she found us and brought us home so quickly,\u201d Adam commented. \u201cShe was a stranger hereabouts, and we were a long way down the river. There is no way we could have got home as quickly as we did after she found us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t she wait to speak to us?\u201d Ben wondered. \u201cI wanted to thank her for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll leave you folks to figger it out,\u201d Roy said. \u201cSome o\u2019 us have work to do.\u201d He rose. \u201cI\u2019ll have a look for her in town, Ben. Joe, what was her last name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cShe just called herself Jennie, and insisted I do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did the same to me,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd us,\u201d Hoss chimed in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll find her,\u201d Roy assured them and left.<\/p>\n

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

The Cartwrights spent the next few days recovering from their experiences. Adam\u2019s cough settled into his chest, and he and Joe spent their days coughing at one another. Ben made a miraculous recovery from his dip in the river, without a single ill effect. Hoss sneezed once or twice, but that was about it for him. Within a week, Joe was up on his feet again, although still rather sore.<\/p>\n

The weather improved, until the summer looked like a summer, not like winter. They reveled in the warmer weather, although there was plenty of work to do, as always. But some how, it didn\u2019t seem as hard work this year. Ben put it down to their near loss of Joe. Whatever it was, they worked and played harder that summer, and got more done than they ever had. Everything they touched seemed to turn to gold.<\/p>\n

The herd sold for the best price ever in the autumn sales. They lost fewer calves to pumas and wolves. No hands were hurt in the round up, and even Joe got through the rest of the summer unscathed, which was something of a miracle by itself.<\/p>\n

As Ben said, it was as though they had been specially blessed, although he didn\u2019t know why.<\/p>\n

But they never found a single trace of Jennie.<\/p>\n

They speculated many nights as they sat by the fire. Was she a real person? Was she an angel or a fairy? How did she manage to bring Ben, Adam and Hoss home so quickly that night?<\/p>\n

The questions never got answered, but Jennie was remembered, thanked and blessed many times that year as a special gift from God, sent when they needed her the most.<\/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 A mysterious young woman rescues Joe from the Truckee River. But who is she really?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0 (9,015 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":11096,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-5317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1202,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/LJC.jpg?fit=201%2C258&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3156,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3156","url_meta":{"origin":5317,"position":0},"title":"Easter (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"March 24, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A short introspective piece as a son waits to hear if his father will live. 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