{"id":5329,"date":"2003-08-04T00:47:02","date_gmt":"2003-08-04T04:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5329"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:47","slug":"wolf-in-the-fold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5329","title":{"rendered":"Wolf in the Fold (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Joe\u2019s nemesis returns. Will he survive this encounter?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,755 words)<\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep Series:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep<\/a>
\nToil and Trouble<\/a>
\nWolf in the Fold<\/a>
\nA Fresh Start<\/a><\/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

Wolf in the Fold<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, give me a hand with this sack, would you please?\u201d Ben Cartwright asked, as he bent over to lift the sack of potatoes. There was no response, and he straightened up, expecting to see his youngest son intent on chatting with a young lady. Instead, Joe was peering down the dusty street, a frown marring his handsome face. \u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben said, more sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm?\u201d Joe asked turning his head. He saw at once that his father looked a little annoyed and hurried his step to go over and help. \u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was so interesting?\u201d Ben asked, as they laid the heavy sack onto the back of the buckboard. \u201cSome new beauty come to town that you haven\u2019t met yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Joe hesitated for a moment before replying. Ben eyed Joe. He wondered what on earth Joe could have seen that had him so upset. Ducking his head, a sure sign of distress, Joe replied, \u201cI thought I saw Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

For an instant, Ben wasn\u2019t sure that he\u2019d heard his son correctly, for his voice had been very low. \u201cAdam?\u201d Ben repeated. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t have, Joe.\u201d Ben\u2019s tone was eminently reasonable. \u201cAdam\u2019s in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that!\u201d Joe flared, then subsided and shot a repentant look at Ben. \u201cSorry. I know Adam\u2019s in Europe, but I could have sworn I saw him down at the other end of the street.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben clapped his hand onto Joe\u2019s shoulder and squeezed sympathetically. \u201cI know you miss Adam, son,\u201d he told Joe. \u201cWe all do. But I\u2019m afraid that this was just wishful thinking on your behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Joe responded in a neutral tone. He wasn\u2019t so sure he did miss Adam. Well, he did sometimes, but he had become used to life on the ranch without his big brother and it seemed to him that he had been able to keep his temper better since Adam left. He had more responsibility, yet conversely, more freedom, too.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t much Ben could say. He knew that Joe missed Adam, but he could see that his youngest son had matured a great deal since his brother had gone. Joe had been schooling himself not to admit to missing Adam, for the oldest son had written very few letters since leaving home the previous year. Joe\u2019s sudden distress at the thought of seeing Adam was because he had been hurt by the silence from his oldest brother and he wasn\u2019t sure how he was going to deal with Adam\u2019s reappearance, whenever that happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll finish up in here,\u201d Ben advised Joe. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go off and meet your friends and I\u2019ll see you at home later?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe\u2019s sullen mood vanished as quickly as it had come. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he replied. \u201cI won\u2019t be late, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding knowingly, Ben laughed. \u201cI won\u2019t hold you to that rash promise,\u201d he responded. \u201cBut try to get home for a few hours sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Joe answered and giving Ben another smile headed off down the street to the Silver Dollar saloon, where he was going to spend the evening with his friends.<\/p>\n

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

It was pay day and the Silver Dollar was busy. Joe wasn\u2019t in the mood to play poker and he shrugged off the invitation to join the players at the card table. \u201cYou sick, Cartwright?\u201d Dave Williams jibed. \u201cPassing up the chance to win some more money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just not in the mood,\u201d Joe replied. His unsettling glimpse of someone like Adam had spoiled his fun before the evening ever got under way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you ain\u2019t playin\u2019,\u201d suggested Jeb Turner, \u201cwhy don\u2019t we go down to that new saloon that\u2019s opened on C Street? I hear they\u2019ve got great girls.\u201d His hands described a woman\u2019s figure in the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Joe agreed. He had heard there was a new saloon opening, but he hadn\u2019t had the chance to see what it was like for himself. Perhaps he would find a distraction there that would take his mind off his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

Dusk was falling as they headed across to the new saloon. It was called \u2018Spit and Polish\u2019 and Joe decided that the name had to be a joke, for the place looked as though it had never seen polish in its life! The floors were grubby; the big mirror behind the bar was mildewed and dirty and the wood in the bar top was scarred.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose the glasses are clean,\u201d Joe remarked as he took a swig of his beer. Judging by some of the patrons, they wouldn\u2019t have been too fussy even if the glasses weren\u2019t clean. Joe could see a number of the town\u2019s degenerates in there and thought it was the kind of place that suited them perfectly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t a patch on the Silver Dollar,\u201d Jeb complained. \u201cThe girls ain\u2019t worth writin\u2019 home about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t believe everything you hear,\u201d Dave returned. He turned a jaundiced eye on the girls, who certainly weren\u2019t as pretty as the girls at the Silver Dollar.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s finish this beer and go back,\u201d Joe suggested and the other two agreed.<\/p>\n

As they rose to their feet, there was a sudden snarl from one of the customers by the bar and a little saloon girl was knocked flying by a big drunk. Joe caught her, saving her from a nasty fall. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked and the girl nodded, looking apprehensively over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

Turning to see what she was looking at, Joe realized that the man who had knocked her down was coming towards him, and he didn\u2019t look too happy. Joe pushed the girl aside, out of harms way and prepared to talk himself out of trouble.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s my girl, mister, you leave her alone,\u201d the man growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only stopped her from falling,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cShe could\u2019ve hurt herself badly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looming over Joe, the man didn\u2019t seem appeased. In fact, he seemed even more annoyed. Joe turned his head slightly to escape the sour alcohol fumes that the man was breathing over him. That annoyed the man even further. \u201cLook at me when I\u2019m speakin\u2019 to ya, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack off,\u201d Joe told him.<\/p>\n

That was the final straw for the drunk. He punched Joe heavily in the face.<\/p>\n

Reeling back, Joe tried to catch himself on the closest table, but his groping fingers missed the edge and he crashed to the floor, bouncing off a chair en route. Shaking his head, Joe scrambled to his feet, his temper well and truly up. He found his opponent standing over him, but Joe was ready this time. He ducked beneath the next blow, wondering where his friends had got to and why they weren\u2019t helping him out.<\/p>\n

Next moment, Joe realized that the whole place was in an uproar and his friends were too busy fighting off other drunks to help him out. He ducked another punch, but his momentary distraction allowed his opponent to grab Joe\u2019s jacket and reel him in like a fish. Despite everything he could do, punches were soon raining down on Joe\u2019s face and stomach.<\/p>\n

As he toppled to the floor, a blow to the back of his neck put Joe out for the count and he didn\u2019t feel the pain as he once more became entangled with a chair. Around him, the battle raged for several more minutes, until finally, the barman regained control.<\/p>\n

All the fighters were evicted, the unconscious Joe included. Dave and Jeb were amongst the last to be thrown out, and by then, Joe had disappeared. \u201cWhere\u2019d he go?\u201d Jeb asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat young fella you was with?\u201d asked one of the other fighters. \u201cHis brother come an\u2019 got him. Said he\u2019d take him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t he always fall on his feet?\u201d Dave asked. \u201cC\u2019mon, Jeb, let\u2019s go home.\u201d He wiped the blood from his nose with his sleeve and made a face. \u201cSure wish I had a big brother like Hoss to come take me home!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAin\u2019t Joe home yet?\u201d Hoss asked, coming in from the barn and collapsing onto the settee with a groan. \u201cThat sure was a long day, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben replied, glancing up from his book. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go up to bed, Hoss? I\u2019m sure Joe won\u2019t be long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds right good,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cYou comin\u2019 up soon, Pa? You\u2019ve had a long day, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ll be up shortly,\u201d Ben answered vaguely. His attention was straying to his book once more. \u201cI\u2019ll just finish this chapter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Hoss got to his feet and bid his father good night. He knew what Ben was like when he had a new book, and it was entirely possible that he\u2019d come down in the morning and find him asleep in the chair by the fire, book clasped in his hand, finished.<\/p>\n

About an hour later, Ben closed his book and put it down. The words were beginning to blur on the pages and he realized that he ought to get to bed. He was surprised to see that it was almost midnight, but he hadn\u2019t really expected Joe home any earlier. Stretching, Ben walked over to peer out of the front door, but there was no sign of Joe as yet, and so Ben retired to bed. Good thing he hadn\u2019t made Joe promise to be home early, he thought.<\/p>\n

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

A hideous jolting sensation heralded Joe\u2019s return to consciousness. He struggled to make sense of it, but his breath was knocked from his body with every bump and he found that he couldn\u2019t open his eyes at all.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Joe\u2019s brain finally kicked into gear, and he realized that he was slung, belly down, over a horse, which was traveling at some speed. This realization made Joe attempt to push himself into the correct position for riding, but he discovered at once that he was tied down, and wouldn\u2019t be getting free any time soon. He was blindfolded and gagged. Joe swallowed against the sudden dryness in his mouth. Clearly, he wasn\u2019t alone, and by concentrating, he could hear other hoof beats pounding the ground.<\/p>\n

Who had done this to him and why? Joe could remember the fight in the saloon, but he thought it unlikely that the man he\u2019d been fighting had been annoyed enough to kidnap him. So who was behind it? Someone with a grudge against the family? Joe tried to think if he or Ben or Hoss had made any enemies recently when bidding for contracts, but he couldn\u2019t think of anyone.<\/p>\n

The journey seemed to go on forever, and Joe was groaning steadily when the horses finally came to a stand still. He felt completely pulped, and his limbs were cramping painfully. Still, when the horse stopped, Joe started to struggle against his bonds, in the hopes of freeing himself before his kidnapper reached him.<\/p>\n

It was a forlorn hope, of course and Joe knew that, but it wasn\u2019t in his nature to accept captivity passively. He froze as a hand grasped his chin and forced his head up at an uncomfortable angle. The gag was ripped from his mouth and a moment later, his blindfold followed. Joe screwed up his eyes at the sudden light, but when he opened them again, he couldn\u2019t prevent a gasp escaping his lips.<\/p>\n

For a moment, his head reeled and Joe knew why he thought he\u2019d seen Adam earlier in the day. \u201cTom,\u201d he croaked.<\/p>\n

His captor, Tom, laughed.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time, Joe,\u201d Tom commented, as he started to untie Joe from the saddle. \u201cAren\u2019t you pleased to see me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot noticeably,\u201d Joe replied, sourly.\u00a0 \u201cLast time we met, you tried to rob my home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLast time we met in person,\u201d Tom corrected, amicably.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Joe gasped, as Tom pushed him from the horse to the ground. He couldn\u2019t stop himself curling up, trying to relieve the awful ache in his ribs and stomach. He bit the inside of his lip to stop himself groaning aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see,\u201d mused Tom, as he knelt by Joe and untied his feet. \u201cThree years ago, I suppose it would have been. You met with a series of unfortunate accidents. A rockslide, an explosion, a tree falling on you and a near drowning.\u201d He ticked them off on his fingers. \u201cDo you remember now, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u00a0was<\/strong>\u00a0you!\u201d Joe gasped, temporarily forgetting his discomfort. \u201cBut why?\u201d He tried to resist as Tom dragged him to his feet, but a backhand slap reminded him that Tom was in charge. \u201cWhy are you doing this now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dragging Joe into a small cave with an earthen floor, Tom threw him face down to the ground and began to re-tie his feet. \u201cThat day at the Ponderosa,\u201d Tom began. \u201cYou made my life a misery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour life was already miserable,\u201d Joe taunted him, heedlessly, remembering what Tom had said about his circumstances.<\/p>\n

Kneeling on Joe\u2019s back, Tom said nothing as he untied then bound Joe\u2019s hands behind him. Joe wheezed and gasped as the knees in his back caused him more misery. He tried to resist, but it was hopeless. Tom tightened his bonds cruelly before rising and looking down on Joe with contempt.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get one thing straight here,\u201d he warned, in a low, cold voice. \u201cI\u2019m in charge and it\u2019s in your own best interests if you don\u2019t annoy me. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe kept silent, but Tom took his silence as assent, for the time being at least. Yanking Joe into a sitting position, Tom turned away and began to build up the fire. Joe looked around the cave. There were signs that it had been occupied for some time.<\/p>\n

Once the fire was going again, Tom turned back to Joe. He looked a little more relaxed. \u201cYes,\u201d he resumed, as though there hadn\u2019t been a break in the conversation. \u201cYou did something to me that day, Joe. You awoke my conscience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t got a conscience,\u201d scoffed Joe. \u201cYou beat me up, stole our things and read my brother\u2019s journals! Some conscience that was!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was then!\u201d Tom spat back. \u201cBut you \u2013 you made me think. And I didn\u2019t like myself much. I still don\u2019t. I haven\u2019t changed, though, so don\u2019t think your moralizing worked. I\u2019m still a wanted murder and bank robber.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t tell me why I\u2019m here, or why you tried to kill me,\u201d Joe persisted. He tried to ease his shoulders, but there was no give in his bonds.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou made me an offer the last time we spoke,\u201d Tom went on, calmly. \u201cSo I\u2019ve come to take you up on it. I\u2019ve had a run of poor luck lately and I decided that I\u2019d come and get that ransom you so generously offered me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa won\u2019t pay you,\u201d Joe informed him, knowing all the time that Ben would. He gazed at Tom, seeing the changes that the years had wrought on him. He looked more like Adam than ever, Joe thought, or was that just because he hadn\u2019t seen Adam in such a long time? That superior smile and the patronizing way of talking were Adam to a T.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course he will, Joe,\u201d Tom told him, condescendingly. \u201cI\u2019ve learned a lot about the Cartwrights over the years, and I hear that your Papa would move heaven and earth for you boys. And now I\u2019m told that Saint Adam has gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it wasn\u2019t Adam I saw this afternoon,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was watching you, Joe,\u201d Tom told him. \u201cJust like last time, people thought I was Adam.\u201d He smiled wolfishly. \u201cDidn\u2019t anyone mention that they\u2019d seen your brother riding about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe grunted, privately thinking that if he\u2019d seen Tom on a horse, he\u2019d have known at once that it wasn\u2019t Adam, for his brother had a unique seat on a horse, due to his bad back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI even told someone tonight that I was your brother, as I scraped you off the sidewalk. You made it so easy for me, Joe!\u201d Tom laughed. \u201cAnd now I\u2019m going to pay you back for making my life a misery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back against the cave wall, Joe met Tom\u2019s gaze with a level look of his own. \u201cIf I awoke your conscience, Tom,\u201d he said, quietly, \u201cit\u2019s because it wasn\u2019t really asleep. You proved that to me last time when you told me about yourself and your family. Your conscience had always been awake – you were just deaf to its voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glaring at his captive, Tom suddenly remembered why he had grown to dislike Joe so much. With great clarity, he remembered Joe telling him that he could still turn himself in, that it wasn\u2019t too late. What was it about this boy that made him wish he\u2019d lived his life differently?<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it, Joe,\u201d Tom said, harshly. \u201cYour Pa will give me enough that I can live on it for the rest of my life and not have to rob another bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd will your conscience be quiet then?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

Goaded, furious, Tom rose to his feet and loomed threateningly over Joe, who looked up at him, undaunted. Tom realized that Joe was no longer a boy, but a man, who was comfortable with himself. He had been impossible to cow the last time, when he was less mature; Tom knew he would be equally impossible now.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Joe!\u201d he ordered and jammed the gag back into his mouth.<\/p>\n

Crossing the cave, Tom sat down in the shadows, but he could still see Joe looking at him pityingly across the space between them.<\/p>\n

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

It was a dark morning, the skies heavy with unshed rain. It was on mornings like this that Ben Cartwright found it hardest to get out of bed. He rose reluctantly and went down for breakfast. As ever, Hop Sing had the table set and within moments of Ben\u2019s arrival at the table, the coffee pot appeared and the appetizing smell of bacon filled the air.<\/p>\n

Within a few minutes, Hoss was down, timing his arrival with the platter of bacon arriving on the table. \u201cMornin\u2019, Pa,\u201d he greeted, cheerfully. \u201cYou didn\u2019 stay up an\u2019 finish that book last night, did ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing Ben shook his head. \u201cNo, son, just for once I didn\u2019t. I went to bed about midnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time did Joe git in?\u201d Hoss asked, piling food onto his plate. \u201cI didn\u2019 go in an\u2019 wake him, \u2018cos I figgered you\u2019d done it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t in when I went up. I didn\u2019t think to wake him. I\u2019ll go in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

They ate in companionable silence, but when Hop Sing began to mutter under his breath and send pointed looks at Joe\u2019s empty chair, Hoss took the hint and rose. \u201cI\u2019ll go an\u2019 wake Little Joe,\u201d he offered and Ben accepted. Waking Joe was never a pleasant task when he had been out late the night before.<\/p>\n

Ben was just pouring himself a second cup of coffee when Hoss clattered back down stairs. \u201cBack already?\u201d Ben queried. \u201cThat didn\u2019t take\u2026 Hoss? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s bed ain\u2019t bin slept in,\u201d Hoss told his father. \u201cHis clothes ain\u2019t there from yesterday an\u2019 his hat ain\u2019t hanging up by the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t suppose he\u2019s been arrested, do you?\u201d Ben asked, trying not to think that something bad had happened to Joe, and failing.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be, Pa,\u201d Hoss agreed, for he, too, didn\u2019t want to think that something had happened to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go into town and see Roy Coffee,\u201d Ben suggested, pretending that he wasn\u2018t concerned. He hurried over to strap on his gun belt. Hoss was at his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m comin\u2019, too,\u201d he declared. \u201cIf\u2019n somethin\u2019s happened to Joe, I want ta be with ya, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, son,\u201d Ben whispered. He patted Hoss\u2019 arm blindly. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The ride into town seemed interminable to them both. The rain began when they were less than half way there and by the time they arrived at the sheriff\u2019s office, they were soaked. Neither man really noticed. They dismounted and climbed the steps, opening the door to the office and going inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Ben,\u201d Roy Coffee, the sheriff and a long-time friend cried as they went in. \u201cWhat brings you here on such a foul day?\u201d<\/p>\n

Those words told Ben that his worst fears had been realized. He groped for a chair and sat heavily. Hoss hitched a hip onto the desk and dropped his head. Water poured from his hat onto the floor, but he was too miserable to notice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Roy asked. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d He gazed at his silent friend for a moment. \u201cIs it Joe? What\u2019s happened? Ben, answer me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe didn\u2019t come home last night,\u201d Ben reported, in a low voice. \u201cWe thought he might be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I ain\u2019t seen him in a couple a days,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cI did have a couple a drunks in here last night from that new place, the \u2018Spit and Polish\u2019, but Joe ain\u2019t one o\u2019 them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere can he be?\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t a stayed at some friend\u2019s place?\u201d Roy suggested. \u201cHe might have had too much to drink to think about riding home. You checked the livery?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I never thought of that,\u201d replied Ben, looking slightly less worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it, Pa,\u201d Hoss offered and headed out of the door. Ben watched him go, knowing that Hoss was as worried as he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not even sure who he was meeting last night,\u201d Ben admitted to Roy as they waited for Hoss to come back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Joe\u2019s fine,\u201d Roy assured his friend. \u201cYou\u2019re jist jumpin\u2019 the gun here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d agreed Ben. \u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

But when he heard Hoss\u2019 steps outside a few minutes later, Ben knew that the news wasn\u2019t good. And when the door opened to admit his middle son, it only took one look at his face to know that trouble had caught up with Joe once more.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cPete says someone collected Cochise about 9:30?\u201d Ben persisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he ain\u2019t too sure, Pa, cos he\u2019d stepped out for a few minutes,\u201d Hoss told him. \u201cbut when he got back jist after 9:30, Cochise was gone an\u2019 the money was lyin\u2019 on his book.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better go looking,\u201d Ben suggested to Hoss and rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m comin\u2019 with ya,\u201d Roy told them.<\/p>\n

Their first port of call was the Silver Dollar. Bruno, the barman, was sweeping up, looking tired. \u201cSure Joe was in here for a while,\u201d he said, when asked. \u201cHe was with Dave and Jeb. Joe wasn\u2019t playing poker and they didn\u2019t stay more than an hour. Don\u2019t know where they went, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perplexed, they began trailing from saloon to saloon, and came up with nothing. \u201cWe ain\u2019t tried that new place, yet,\u201d Hoss commented morosely. \u201cReckon he might a gone there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might as well try,\u201d Ben agreed and they headed over.<\/p>\n

The barman there had clearly just surfaced and let them in with bad grace. There were over turned tables and chairs all over the place and broken glass. \u201cLooks like it was quite a night,\u201d Roy observed, sourly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI handled it,\u201d the man returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see a young man in here, about this height,\u201d Ben indicated with his hand, \u201ccurly hair, green eyes, wearing tan pants and a green jacket?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh him,\u201d sneered the barman. \u201cHe got into the first fight. Next thing I knew, everyone was at it. I threw them out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did the young man go?\u201d Ben persisted.<\/p>\n

Shrugging the barman began to pick up chairs. \u201cI dunno. He was still out cold when I threw him out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut cold?\u201d Ben echoed, feeling a cold hand grab his heart. He suddenly wondered if Joe had managed to get part way home before feeling ill and losing his way. Perhaps he\u2019d had a bad fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s find Dave an\u2019 Jeb,\u201d suggested Hoss. \u201cMaybe they took Joe back with them.\u201d Both of Joe\u2019s friends lived in a nearby boarding house.<\/p>\n

As they walked over to the boarding house Roy tried to think of something encouraging to say to the Cartwrights, but he couldn\u2019t think of anything. He knocked briskly on the door and when the landlady answered, asked to speak to Dave and Jeb.<\/p>\n

Showing them into the parlor, she went off to get them and a few minutes later, they appeared in the doorway, yawning and unshaven. \u201cHello, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Dave said. \u201cHoss, Sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to ask you about last night,\u201d Ben began.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh shoot, it weren\u2019t Joe\u2019s doing, that fight,\u201d Jeb butted in. \u201cHe were the innocent victim, I swear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to hear that,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cBut what happened after the fight? When you were thrown out? Where did you take Joe? To the doctor\u2019s?\u201d He wondered why he hadn\u2019t thought of looking for Joe at the doctor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Dave responded, frowning. \u201cWhy, Hoss here took him home. Didn\u2019t cha, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe never arrived home,\u201d Ben told them. \u201cWhy did you think Hoss had taken him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this feller, he said that Joe\u2019s brother had come an\u2019 taken him home. What other brother does Joe have but Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Exchanging glances with Hoss, Ben remembered that Joe hadn\u2019t known Dave and Jeb all that long, as they were newcomers to town, arriving just a few short months before. They probably wouldn\u2019t know about Adam, as Joe seldom mentioned him. But it hadn\u2019t been Hoss who took Joe away.<\/p>\n

His mouth suddenly dry, Ben muttered, \u201cJoe said yesterday that he thought he\u2019d seen Adam in the street.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019 think\u2026\u201d Hoss began. His voice was hoarse and he looked stunned and white. \u201cPa, you don\u2019t think it was\u2026\u201d Again, he couldn\u2019t go on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Roy demanded, looking impatient. \u201cNot Adam, surely? He\u2019s in Europe, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam\u2019s in Europe,\u201d Ben answered absently. \u201cBut it has to be. Oh, Lord, why? It must be Tom!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTom?\u201d Roy echoed, suddenly remembering. \u201cYou think Tom is back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave and Jeb looked at one another, not having a clue what the Cartwrights were talking about.<\/p>\n

\u201cTom is back,\u201d Ben whispered. \u201cAnd this time he\u2019s got Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The night had been long and cold for Joe. The fire kept the worst chill out of the air, but Joe wished fervently that he had a bedroll, too. For a long time after Tom fell asleep, Joe rubbed his bound hands up and down the rough stone wall behind him, but he couldn\u2019t keep the movement up as the cold crept into his muscles. There didn\u2019t seem to be any give at all in the ropes, but Joe was determined to keep trying.<\/p>\n

He fell asleep sitting up, his exhaustion finally catching up with him, and he woke, stiff and cold, many hours later, haven fallen sideways onto the earthen floor with a thud. From across the cave, Tom was looking at him with sleepy amusement and Joe struggled hopelessly to right himself. Eventually, he slept again, though his dreams were peopled with dark, menacing shadows.<\/p>\n

When Joe woke again, shortly after dawn, he could feel the dampness from the rain outside permeating the air in the cave. He shivered slightly and watched Tom building up the fire. Once more, he tried to lever himself into a sitting position, but the stiffness of his muscles defeated him. He bit deeply into the gag to muffle any groans of frustration that might escape his control.<\/p>\n

Finally, Tom came over and yanked Joe to a sitting position and removed the gag. \u201cYou want something to eat?\u201d he asked and Joe nodded, swallowing to try and relieve the dryness in his mouth. He had to keep his strength up if he was going to make an escape attempt.<\/p>\n

The beans that Tom fed him were clearly on their second or third reheating and were not what Joe would have chosen for breakfast, but he ate them without complaint. The coffee was good and between that and the food, Joe could feel a little warmth spreading inside him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta go out for a bit, Joe,\u201d Tom told him, as he came back from washing the plates. Joe had once more been rubbing the ropes against the walls, and Tom saw at once what he was doing. Kneeling by his captive, Tom hauled him forwards to check the ropes. To his satisfaction, they were still tight and not fraying. \u201cBut since I can\u2019t trust you not to try to escape, I\u2019m going to have to leave you somewhat uncomfortable, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still going to try to escape,\u201d Joe warmed him. \u201cNo matter what you do to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI quite believe you, Joe,\u201d Tom nodded. \u201cLook what you did to yourself last time. What was it, dislocated shoulder?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBroken collarbone,\u201d Joe muttered. He wondered why he was telling Tom this.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what heroics do to you,\u201d Tom gloated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to deliver the ransom note to my Pa, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Joe demanded and saw the cynical smile on Tom\u2019s face as he nodded his agreement. \u201cYou are scum!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Tom agreed, in an oddly quiet voice. \u201cBut with one of his sons gone, will your father want to risk losing another son?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was an argument Joe couldn\u2019t refute. He knew his father would beggar himself on behalf of any of his sons and not count the cost. But Joe wondered if he could live with himself if his father did that. Somehow, he had to get away, and before Pa could pay as much as one red cent of the ransom.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much do you think you\u2019ll get for me?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think $20,000 is out of the question,\u201d Tom replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have that kind of money,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cYou\u2019ll wait forever if that\u2019s what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling cynically, Tom shook his head. \u201cGood try, Joe,\u201d he commented. \u201cBut, if you\u2019re right, then we\u2019ll grow old together while I wait for your father to make good the money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you, Pa doesn\u2019t have that kind of money,\u201d Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh shut up, Joe!\u201d Tom snapped and shoved him roughly over till he was lying on his stomach. Grabbing up another length of rope, Tom swiftly hogtied Joe so that he couldn\u2019t move and put the gag back in. \u201cI\u2019ll be back later,\u201d he advised his helpless captive. \u201cOnce I\u2019ve delivered the ransom note for $20,000!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The wet weather was tailor made for Tom\u2019s nefarious purpose that day. He encountered no one as he rode from his hide-out the 20 odd miles to the ranch. Anyone who didn\u2019t have to be out on such a foul day was sensibly staying indoors, although Tom was confident that in his all-black outfit, he would be mistaken for Adam Cartwright once more.<\/p>\n

On his previous sojourn to the territory, Tom had intended, once he\u2019d made Joe\u2019s life enough of a misery, to take Joe hostage and hold him for ransom then. His plans had been changed dramatically by the return of Adam. There was always a chance then that he\u2019d meet the \u2018real\u2019 Adam, as had happened on his first encounter with Joe, and that would spoil his plan completely.<\/p>\n

Tom had drifted for some time after leaving Nevada, committing a few robberies, but never netting enough money to live on. He didn\u2019t know if his luck had simply run out, or if Joe\u2019s moralizing had made him more careless, but somehow, things just hadn\u2019t gone right for Tom since meeting Joe. Finally, he decided that the only way to sort things out was to get hold of Joe, get a ransom for him and perhaps kill him. Tom hadn\u2019t really decided if he wanted to kill Joe or not. He felt a strange bond with Joe; the youth\u2019s determination to protect his home had touched a chord in Tom, even if he denied it now.<\/p>\n

The yard of the ranch was deserted and Tom watched for quite some time to make sure there wasn\u2019t anyone lurking in the barn or bunkhouse. He slunk down to the house under cover of the undergrowth, uncaring that he got soaked in the process. He shoved the ransom note under the door and left the way he had come, unnoticed. The temptation to break in and ransack the place once more was almost overwhelming, but Tom knew he would get more money sticking to his original plan.<\/p>\n

Riding back the way he had come, Tom smiled to himself. He would get his reply the next day, and then Ben Cartwright would have just two days to come up with the money, or he would send Ben a bit of Joe in a box, just to prove he was serious. Would it be an ear, perhaps? Or a finger? Tom nodded. This was going just the way he\u2019d planned.<\/p>\n

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

By the time Tom arrived back, the afternoon was well advanced. Joe was still on the floor, more or less where Tom had left him. The suffering green eyes that Joe turned on him gave Tom a great deal of amusement.<\/p>\n

It had been a horrendously long day for Joe alone in the cave, bound the way he was. He had struggled mightily against the ropes, but had failed to move them one bit. He had managed to get a little closer to the fire, by dint of a huge effort, but not for warmth, although that was welcome. No, he\u2019d hoped to set fire to the ropes, thereby setting himself free, no matter the cost to himself in pain. But despite his struggles, all Joe had done was burn one hand.<\/p>\n

When Tom returned, Joe was exhausted, but unable to rest because of the agonizing cramps in his limbs. For an unguarded instant, Joe had let Tom see his pain, but then the barriers went up and he sent Tom a look of contempt.<\/p>\n

Ignoring Joe, Tom first built up the fire, and changed out of his soaking clothes. Only then, having made the point that he was in charge, did he untie the rope between Joe\u2019s hands and ankles. As his body flopped open, Joe was unable to bite back the groan of pain that the movement caused him. He curled up involuntarily as Tom removed the gag.<\/p>\n

The pain was incredible as the blood began to pump round his veins again. Joe could do nothing but lie there and suffer as muscles spasms caused his limbs to jump uselessly against their bonds. He was deaf to the small sounds of distress that he made.<\/p>\n

Finally, after what felt like years to Joe, but had been \u2018only\u2019 hours, the pain died back to a dull ache and Joe was able to focus on his surroundings once more. He was surprised to catch a sympathetic look in Toms\u2019 eyes. \u201cThat was tough, huh?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if you care,\u201d Joe ground out. \u201cIn case you\u2019d forgotten, it was you who put me in that position.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t afford for you to run away,\u201d Tom reminded him. \u201cBut I\u2019ll try to think of something else for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow?\u201d Joe repeated. He winced as he made an unwise movement with his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow, I find out your father\u2019s response to the note I delivered to him today,\u201d Tom informed him. \u201cSee if he\u2019s going to pay up without me having to hurt you a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know every despicable trick,\u201d Joe replied, bitterly. \u201cHurt me if you must, but will you be able to live with yourself after you\u2019ve done it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI expect $20,000 will help ease the pain,\u201d Tom retorted and got up and walked away.<\/p>\n

Joe watched him go, then closed his eyes in despair. He knew that Ben would pay up, and he hated to think of how his father would feel when he read the ransom note. Despite the pain he felt, Joe vowed that he would somehow manage to escape.<\/p>\n

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

There had been no conversation on the ride back to the Ponderosa. When they reached home, they handed their horses over to the hands, and went inside. As the door opened, Ben spotted the paper on the floor and bent over to retrieve it. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDunno,\u201d Hoss responded, peering over Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

I have your son, Joe. If you want to see him again, then do exactly as this letter tells you. Tomorrow, go to Forge Creek crossroads at noon and leave a bag containing exactly $100. I will count this as your first payment of the $20,000 you will need to pay me to get Joe back alive. If you do not do this, the next day, I will send you something of Joe\u2019s. Not a possession, but a piece of Joe. If you go to the sheriff or set any kind of a trap for me, you will never see your son again. The following day, you will leave the rest of the $20,000 at Forge Creek crossroads. If I retrieve the money safely, you will get Joe back alive the next day.<\/p>\n

The note, not surprisingly, was unsigned. Hoss looked anxiously at his father\u2019s face. \u201cJoe\u2019s alive,\u201d he pointed out, seeing the horror on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor now,\u201d Ben agreed. He walked on stiff legs over to his chair in front of the fire and collapsed into it. \u201cHow am I going to find $20,000?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow mornin\u2019, you go into the bank,\u201d Hoss told him. \u201cThey\u2019ll help, Pa, I know they will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cI wasn\u2019t thinking, son. I\u2019ll leave the money at the crossroads on the way back.\u201d He looked up at Hoss, who had a thoughtful look on his face. \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon that tonight, after dark, I\u2019ll jist mosey on down to the Forge Creek crossroads and hide myself, so\u2019s I\u2019m ready to follow whoever comes for the money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben protested, but Hoss held up his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I gotta do this,\u201d he said, earnestly. \u201cJoe\u2019s in trouble, an\u2019 we cain\u2019t leave him for another two days! We don\u2019 know much about Tom, but we do know he\u2019d hurt Joe if he tried to escape. I gotta follow Tom an\u2019 rescue Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, for he knew that Hoss was set on doing this regardless of how he felt about it, Ben nodded. \u201cAll right, son,\u201d he agreed, reluctantly. \u201cBut you be careful, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss mumbled. He was pleased that Ben hadn\u2019t forbidden him to do it, as Hoss had intended to go ahead anyway, but now that he had his father\u2019s blessing, he was suddenly terrified that he would somehow mess it up, and be the cause of more pain and suffering to his little brother. Giving Ben an unconvincing smile, Hoss sent up a prayer that his quest would be successful.<\/p>\n

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

The wind changed direction as darkness fell and soon the rain was blowing into the cave. Tom was forced to retreat further into the small space, reluctantly dragging Joe with him. It was only then that he became aware that his captive\u2019s clothes were already damp from the natural dampness of the cave.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get sick on me,\u201d he threatened and Joe looked at him with poorly disguised amusement.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord forbid that I should disoblige you by getting sick,\u201d he retorted, scornfully. He did feel a bit shivery, but put it down to his unaccustomed inactivity.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get smart, boy,\u201d Tom responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019d hate to foul up your plans for me,\u201d Joe shot back. \u201cAfter all, you wouldn\u2019t want to feel any compassion for me, would you?\u201d He smiled scornfully. \u201cOh I forgot; you\u2019re the hard man who doesn\u2019t allow feelings to stop him, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Joe,\u201d Tom warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cAm I making you feel bad? Why would that be? Is your conscience bothering you, Tom?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d Tom yelled, backhanding Joe heavily across the face. Panting, he looked down at his bleeding captive and realized that Joe had somehow gained the upper hand in that exchange. \u201cDon\u2019t push me, Joe,\u201d he threatened quietly. \u201cOr your father might just get that piece of you sooner than he expects.\u201d His knife was in his hand in a second and he was gratified to see Joe\u2019s eyes flick to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what you feel you have to,\u201d Joe told him, calmly. He schooled his face to impassivity as Tom placed the edge of the knife under his chin. He remembered Tom doing this the last time they had met. There was a sharp prick and a trickle of warmth ran down Joe\u2019s neck. He knew what it was. He met Tom\u2019s eyes and their gazes locked, but it was Joe who eventually looked away first.<\/p>\n

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

The rain stopped during the night, for which Hoss was thankful. He had been camped out by the crossroads since shortly after dark, and with no fire to keep him warm, he slept very little. Although the temperature didn\u2019t rise when the rain stopped, it felt less cold and Hoss was grateful for any help with this vigil.<\/p>\n

Quite early in the morning, he saw his father riding to town. Ben kept his eyes on the road, not allowing himself the luxury of looking around, just in case he gave away his son\u2019s hiding position, although he had no idea where Hoss was. Chubb, Hoss\u2019 big black horse, was tethered some distance away to prevent him neighing.<\/p>\n

Sometime before noon, Ben rode back, looking anxious, and stopped to leave a small leather bag in an obvious place on the side of the road. Hoss nodded to himself; things were progressing. He just hoped he would be able to trail Tom back to where Joe was, and so save Ben from having to pay the ransom. Once more, he settled down to wait as patiently as he could.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m leaving,\u201d Tom told Joe and picked up the rope he had used the day before and headed for his captive. Joe reacted instinctively; he did not want to be hogtied again. His abused muscles had barely recovered from the previous day.<\/p>\n

Kicking out frantically, Joe caught Tom unawares. He staggered back as Joe squirmed his way across the floor in a desperate, futile attempt to escape.<\/p>\n

Catching himself, Tom lunged after Joe, furious that he\u2019d been caught out. \u201cCome here!\u201d he bellowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe panted, kicking once more, but this time Tom was ready for him. Reaching down, he snagged the front of Joe\u2019s jacket and hauled him semi-upright. He slammed his fist into Joe\u2019s stomach twice before dropping him to the ground. Again, he hauled his captive upright and back handed him, the rope he held loosely in his hand whipping across Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

While Joe lay groaning on the ground, Tom knelt and bound his ankles and wrist together, as he had done the previous day. Looking at Joe\u2019s bleeding face, he felt a pang of pity, which he ruthlessly subdued before shoving the gag into Joe\u2019s torn and bleeding mouth.<\/p>\n

Pulling Joe\u2019s head up by the hair, Tom gazed deep into his eyes. \u201cI almost hope your old man hasn\u2019t got the money, Cartwright,\u201d he snarled. \u201cBecause right now I would very much enjoy cutting off one of your ears!\u201d He dropped Joe and stormed out.<\/p>\n

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

Moving was almost impossible, for Joe\u2019s muscles had begun to cramp up the moment he was hogtied, but he relentlessly pushed himself to get over beside the dying embers of the fire. After much wrestling, he finally was able to flip over onto his side. Heedless of the pain it would cause, Joe thrust his feet into the fire.<\/p>\n

His boots were smoldering when the ropes finally burnt through and snapped. By then, Joe had been screaming into his gag for quite some time, but he refused to give up. As his body flopped open, Joe forced himself to bang his feet off the floor, stamping out the embryonic flames. Once that was done, he rested, exhausted.<\/p>\n

For quite a long time, the pain was almost more than Joe could bear. The ropes round his feet hadn\u2019t quite burned through and he knew he would have to struggle on some more. Biting deep into the gag, Joe tried to force his feet apart, knowing that would strain the singed ropes. It took a long time, but finally the strands parted and Joe\u2019s feet were free.<\/p>\n

Sagging back, Joe leant against the cave wall and allowed his breathing to return to normal. He wanted his hands free too, but one glance at the fire told him that it had burned out.\u00a0So be it<\/em>, he thought.\u00a0I can<\/em>\u00a0deal with this.<\/em>\u00a0He turned his head and rubbed it against the stone walls of the cave to loosen his gag. It came off in the end and Joe drew in a deep draught of air.<\/p>\n

Joe had no idea how long Tom had been gone, or how soon he\u2019d be back. Scrambling to his feet, Joe cried aloud at the pain, but he resolutely refused to let that stop him from escaping. Limping painfully, he went to the cave entrance and looked around.<\/p>\n

There was no immediate sign of Cochise, although quite how Joe would have mounted the horse even if he had found him right there was anyone\u2019s guess, Joe\u2019s included. However, although he didn\u2019t know exactly where he was, he could take a fair guess, and turned in the direction of home.<\/p>\n

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

Forge Creek crossroads were much closer to Tom\u2019s hideout than the Ponderosa and it took him less time to ride there. He looked around before he approached the bag on the ground, but he didn\u2019t see anyone. Dismounting, he picked up the bag and glanced inside it. There was $100 in it. Tom grinned. He\u2019d known all along that Ben Cartwright wouldn\u2019t balk at paying the ransom.<\/p>\n

After another careful look around, Tom remounted and turned his horse back the way he had come. He could use some more supplies, but decided it could wait for the next day, when he would be a rich man. Joe would survive on short rations. For all he had eaten at his last two meals, Tom was surprised that Joe survived at all.<\/p>\n

Hidden in the brush, Hoss watched Tom intently until he was out of sight. Scrambling to his feet, Hoss hurried to where he had left Chubb, mounted and headed off after Tom. It took him no time at all to pick up the other\u2019s trail and he rode along it as fast as he dared<\/p>\n

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

Stumbling along, Joe was caught unprepared as his feet went out from underneath him as he stood on a loose stone. He crashed to the ground, unable to catch himself and lay there, panting, wondering if he could possibly get to his feet yet again. This wasn\u2019t the first time he\u2019d fallen and he doubted if it would be the last. His boots, badly singed in the fire, were now falling apart and his feet, in addition to the burns, were being cut by the stones under foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet up!\u201d he told himself aloud. \u201cGet up! You don\u2019t want Pa to pay that ransom, do you?\u201d He struggled into a sitting position, resting there for a few minutes before he climbed onto his feet.<\/p>\n

He had just gained his feet when he heard hoof beats and a surge of adrenaline shot through his system. Tom! It was bound to be Tom coming back! The trail that Joe was on was little more than a deer track. It was clearly not widely used and it was unlikely to be an innocent passer-by. Hurrying, Joe scrambled for cover.<\/p>\n

He was too late. Tom came into view before Joe had reached sanctuary and let out a shout. \u201cHold it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Risking a glance over his shoulder, Joe almost slipped off the trail. Below him were bushes and scrubby trees no more than a few feet high, and below them was a drop into the Truckee River. Trying to right himself, Joe fell once more.<\/p>\n

In an instant, Tom was off his horse and charging across the clearing at Joe, who had no chance to protect himself. Tom grabbed him, punched him several times in the stomach and then hauled him upright by the collar of his jacket. Tom had his knife drawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you, Cartwright!\u201d he swore. \u201cEverything\u2019s gone wrong since I met you, but I won\u2019t let you ruin this! I\u2019m gonna make you pay! Your father\u2019s gonna get a memento and you\u2019re gonna remember who\u2019s in charge here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, do your worst!\u201d Joe taunted. \u201cNothing\u2019s gone right since you met me? Ask yourself why, Tom. Go on! Could it be because you really don\u2019t want to live like this any more? You want to turn yourself in and have the chance to go back to your family. You\u2019re jealous of me, because my family loves me enough to beggar themselves for me! You\u2019re jealous of Adam, because even though he\u2019s gone, we still care about him. We care about him more than anyone\u2019s ever cared for you!\u201d Joe saw that his taunts had hit home, but he also knew that he was about to pay for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate you!\u201d Tom screamed. \u201cI\u2019m going to enjoy this!\u201d He raised his knife and placed it on top of Joe\u2019s right ear. The blade began to bite into the cartilage and for a moment Joe felt no pain. Then the blood began to flow and he screamed as the agony drove his wits asunder.<\/p>\n

From somewhere behind Tom, there was an enraged bellow, and for a second, Joe thought that a grizzly bear had happened upon them. Then Tom was dragged away from Joe, the knife sliding down his cheek, leaving a thin, burning line of red behind it, and Joe slumped down, all but unconscious.<\/p>\n

Hoss, angrier than he had ever been before, dragged Tom away from Joe and hit him in the face. Tom looked stunned, but he tried to fight back, bringing the knife up in a futile attempt to protect himself. Contemptuously, Hoss hammered his fist down on Tom\u2019s wrist and the knife dropped from his deadened fingers to the ground.<\/p>\n

Frantically, Tom threw a punch with his left hand, but it glanced off Hoss\u2019 cheek without making any impression on the enraged bigger man. Hoss was shaken by Tom\u2019s resemblance to Adam, and he felt almost as though it was his brother, who had suddenly gone mad and tried to kill Joe.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe saw Hoss beating the living daylights out of Tom. \u201cHoss, no!\u201d he cried and tried to get to his feet. The last thing he wanted was Hoss beating anyone to death on his behalf. \u201cHoss!\u201d he cried again, trying to get to his feet, but failing.<\/p>\n

But Joe\u2019s voice had penetrated the haze of anger that had fallen over Hoss\u2019 mind. He gave Tom one last punch and looked let go of him. Tom reeled backwards and fell into the brush. Hoss made a grab for him, but missed. Tom screamed as he tumbled down the slope and fell into the river with a resounding splash.<\/p>\n

For a frozen instant, Hoss stood there, just looking, then his shoulders slumped and he turned to Joe. \u201cI didn\u2019 mean to do that,\u201d he croaked miserably.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe panted. He suddenly felt shivery and sick and his ear began to throb violently.\u00a0 He leant heavily against the nearest tree, his head spinning.<\/p>\n

Moments later, Hoss was beside him, gently cutting his hands free and rubbing the life back into them. \u201cJoe,\u201d Hoss whispered. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m so glad ta see ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lifting his head and managing a smile, Joe croaked, \u201cNot half as glad as I am to see you, big brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

After a time, Joe persuaded Hoss to go and find Cochise, which didn\u2019t take as long as he had expected. But somehow, Joe didn\u2019t think he could have brought himself to mount Tom\u2019s horse. In point of fact, when push came to shove, he was unable to mount Cochise, and returned home riding double with Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Hoss called, as they entered the yard. \u201cPa!\u201d<\/p>\n

The front door opened and Ben rushed out. He saw Joe slumped in the saddle in front of Hoss and hurried over to take his youngest son into his arms, even as Joe protested in a whisper that he could walk. \u201cGet the doctor,\u201d Ben told Hoss and the other son nodded, sending one of the hands.<\/p>\n

Inside, Ben was carrying Joe upstairs and Hoss followed, after telling Hop Sing to bring some warm water up. He arrived in Joe\u2019s room in time to help Ben pull off the singed boots. Joe, mercifully, passed out at that point and so they were able to strip off his filthy clothing without causing him any more pain. When Joe roused again, Ben was gently washing the blood off his face with a damp cloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home,\u201d Ben said, his voice filled with emotion.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes filled with tears. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to cost you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI paid no more than $100, son,\u201d Ben told him gently. \u201cAnd I would have paid all $20,000 to get you home safe.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled though the tears that were standing in his eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s so good to have you back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so good to be back,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

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

The gash along Joe\u2019s ear would require several stitches to correct, as would the cut on his cheek. Paul diagnosed broken ribs, and the burnt feet and hand would also need treatment. The rope burns on Joe\u2019s wrists weren\u2019t good, but they were minor compared to everything else. The ether mask came out and Joe was soon deep in a drugged sleep, while Paul tended to his injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny deeper, and Joe might have lost that ear,\u201d Paul confided to Ben, while Hoss was out of the room and Joe still unconscious. \u201cHas he told you what happened yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, shaken. \u201cRoy is coming out to hear the story. He has a posse searching the banks of the Truckee River, just in case Tom survived the fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know for sure it was Tom, then?\u201d Paul asked, tying off the bandage that swathed Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHoss fought with him.\u201d He shuddered. \u201cI hope we\u2019ve seen the last of him this time.\u201d Reaching across, Paul squeezed Ben\u2019s arm sympathetically.<\/p>\n

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

By the time Roy Coffee arrived at the ranch, Joe was awake and gingerly eating some soup that Hop Sing had brought up for him. He hadn\u2019t felt very hungry, but both Paul and Ben had insisted that he try to eat and he was rather surprised that he was managing to get anything down at all.<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s arrival was the excuse Joe needed to put the soup aside. Slowly he told them about the fight in the saloon, and awakening face down over his horse. Each revelation and cruelty caused Ben\u2019s face to grow grimmer and his hand stroked Joe\u2019s arm in a soothing rhythm as his son relived his ordeal. Finally, he came to the point where Hoss had come to his rescue and gratefully stopped. Ben offered him some water, which he sipped. \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI alerted the towns that lie downriver from here, Ben,\u201d Roy offered, \u201cbut I doubt if we\u2019ll find his body. Could be he\u2019s drowned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI woulda killed him if\u2019n it weren\u2019t for Joe,\u201d Hoss muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t fret none \u2018bout that, son,\u201d Roy assured him. \u201cAin\u2019t nobody here blamin\u2019 ya fer that. You done what you had to do to save Joe, here, an\u2019 I bet he don\u2019 blame ya none.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou saved my life, Hoss,\u201d Joe told him, sleepily from the bed. \u201cAnd I can\u2019t thank you enough. You saved Pa from having to pay that ransom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling lovingly at both his boys, Ben patted Hoss on the shoulder before stroking Joe\u2019s hair again. \u201cYou boys mean everything to me,\u201d he told them, huskily. \u201cI\u2019d pay any amount of money to have you safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, Paul rose. Roy took the hint, too. \u201cI think Joe needs some rest,\u201d Paul announced, and gave him some morphine for pain. He knew that Joe would be sore for quite some time to come.<\/p>\n

As Hoss showed Paul and Roy out, Ben tucked Joe in and made sure he was comfortable. \u201cPa,\u201d Joe said, sleepily. \u201cIt was weird seeing Tom again. You know, he\u2019s so like Adam. To look at I mean, and the way he talks sometimes, all superior. But do you know what he reminded me of most?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Ben asked<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a wolf in the fold,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cLike a wolf in sheep\u2019s clothing, pretending to be Adam again, but not realizing that they are so different that he could never pass himself off as Adam for more than a few minutes at a time.\u201d He paused and gazed at Ben through glazed green eyes. \u201cDo you think he\u2019s dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied. He sat with Joe until his son was deeply asleep, then he rose and looked out of the window. That was where he was when Hoss came looking for him some time later.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he whispered. \u201cHop Sing says supper\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following Hoss downstairs, Ben was silent. He sat at the table and looked without interest at the food placed before him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cYa ain\u2019t mad at me for what I done to Tom, are ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not mad at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Hoss asked, perplexed. \u201cIt ain\u2019t Joe is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe will be fine in time. But it was something that Joe said.\u201d Ben looked at Hoss. \u201cHe asked me if I thought Tom was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d Hoss wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said yes,\u201d Ben replied. He raised his eyes to meet Hoss\u2019. \u201cBut I lied,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

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

Special thanks and much love must go to my sister Claire once more for help with the title.<\/em><\/p>\n

Next Story in the Only Skin Deep Series:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Fresh Start<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Joe\u2019s nemesis returns. Will he survive this encounter?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,755 words)<\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":13990,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[15,16],"class_list":["post-5329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-ben","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2223,"today_views":3},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/House-Divided.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":5329,"position":0},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","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\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13631,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13631","url_meta":{"origin":5329,"position":1},"title":"Freedom from Fear (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 14, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The aftermath of Joe's kidnapping and subsequent rescue. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (33,760) Due to the subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","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\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12133,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12133","url_meta":{"origin":5329,"position":2},"title":"Frightened Beyond Reason (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"June 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","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\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":5329,"position":3},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5454,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5454","url_meta":{"origin":5329,"position":4},"title":"Autumn’s Surprise (by deansgirl)","author":"deansgirl","date":"October 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Autumn is setting around the Ponderosa and with it comes a very dear and long awaited surprise.\u00a0 \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,180 words) Autumn Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.","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\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12147,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12147","url_meta":{"origin":5329,"position":5},"title":"He Said Not To Tell (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"The author requests those who wish to read this series contact her via eMail: DLB1234@aol.com","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\/11\/1-joe.jpg?fit=238%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5329","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=5329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}