Summary:\u00a0 Lone Eagle seeks to kill Little Joe after sparing his life in “The Promise”. Can Joe endure the torture planned for him?\u00a0 Rated T, WC 34,000 The third in “The Promise” series, links to stories in the series included within.<\/p>\n
The Promise Trilogy:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Promise<\/a> <\/p>\n With Wings of Eagles<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note From Author: I would like to dedicate this story to two people who are very special to me. First to Deer, whose talents created the medium for me to write. Without her assistance, my stories would be gathering dust under my bed. Next, to Heidi; it was your courage and wisdom, which ultimately created the idea for this last story in the trilogy. The two of you are my heroes.<\/em><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cHe giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:\u00a0 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.\u201d<\/p>\n The Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verses 29-31<\/em><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Three tired and dirty men dismounted in front of the Silver Dollar Saloon.<\/strong> Shaking the dust from their shirts they tied the three horses up to the hitching post and stepped up onto the porch. With but one thought in their collective minds they started towards the swinging doors to the saloon, wanting nothing more than to quench their thirst with the liquor that waited inside.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, you two…\u201d Adam Cartwright stopped his two brothers from proceeding through the door. \u201cNo trouble. You understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrouble?\u201d Hoss grinned. \u201cJoe, reckon why older brother here would even suggest such a thing?<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a bit senile, Hoss; leave him alone and just nod his way.\u201d Joe laughed until he felt Adam\u2019s hand grab up a good amount of the jacket he had on.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what I mean!\u201d Adam replied and tried to take on the role of boss. \u201cWe are here for two beers\u2014that\u2019s it! I probably shouldn\u2019t have let you nitwits even talk me into coming here. Pa is probably back from Carson City right now wondering what\u2019s keeping us!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRelax, Big Brother!\u201d Joe put on his most captivating smile as he fought to release himself from his brother\u2019s tight hold. \u201cWe\u2019ll have our two beers and leave peacefully. Won\u2019t we, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Joe! \u2018Sides I don\u2019t know what your problem is, Adam? Me and Joe haven\u2019t busted up a saloon in at least a month or more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because we have been moving cattle for a month.\u201d Adam commented and let loose of his brother Joe\u2019s jacket, smoothing it out with a wink to him. \u201cI know how you both get when you have been working as hard as you have\u2014and I don\u2019t want to see you go in there and try to unwind by getting into a free for all!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe just doesn\u2019t trust us at all does he, Little Brother?\u201d Hoss chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cNaw\u2014and wasn\u2019t it you, Adam, who made the two of us work so danged hard in the first place?\u201d Joe asked and watched as his oldest brother rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cGo in\u2014but if you both start anything I am leaving and not looking back. I\u2019ve rode herd over the two of you for longer than even I can tolerate. Once we are back home, I am gonna make sure that I get some peace.\u201d Adam caved in and pushed his brothers forward and they all sauntered joyously over to the counter.<\/p>\n \u201cThree beers!\u201d Joe addressed Sam the bartender smiling. \u201cOh, and they are on the boss here.\u201d Joe pointed over to Adam and Sam held out his hand to retrieve the money.<\/p>\n \u201cI will buy the first round, but Joe gets the honors of the second,\u201d Adam replied and handed the bartender the cost of the three drinks.<\/p>\n Hoss lifted his beer mug and toasted to his brothers. \u201cHere is to my two wealthy brothers who will be supplying me in beer tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014hey\u2014we have to have three drinks a piece, Adam,\u201d Joe argued the point. \u201cIf we don\u2019t, then Hoss gets off scot free!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo,\u201d Adam answered sipping his beer calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cWho died and left you in charge?\u201d Joe retorted hotly. It was starting to get to him, after spending a month in the constant charge of his oldest brother. He would be glad to have things get back to normal now that his days of driving cattle were over for a while. Pa was the only person Joe would even consider taking orders from, and he was a whole lot easier on him than Adam had always been.<\/p>\n \u201cYou, if you don\u2019t stop jawing at me,\u201d Adam said and tugged Joe\u2019s hat down over his eyes. \u201cNow let\u2019s go get us a table, shall we?\u201d He walked off with both of his brothers following right behind.<\/p>\n \u201cAh…\u201d Hoss said as he sank down into the chair. It didn\u2019t matter that it was a hard wooden one; it just felt good to be stationary for a minute. He sipped on his beer and felt a perfect peace come over him.<\/p>\n \u201cI sure wouldn\u2019t mind getting into that game over there.\u201d Joe pointed across the room where a poker game was in progress.<\/p>\n \u201cNaw\u2014you just keep your money for the beer.\u201d Hoss laughed and saw Joe shoot him a sneering look.<\/p>\n \u201cI could make enough to buy this whole bar and the whole stock of liquor if I had a little time,\u201d Joe boasted.<\/p>\n \u201cA fool and his money,\u201d Adam nodded over to his little brother.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n While the Cartwright brothers relaxed and enjoyed their drinks and soon signaled the bartender for another round, the saloon filled with more patrons. A group of six cowboys took their seats at the next table and started in on their loud conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe it, Hank, just look at what is on the front page here!\u201d One of the men handed his friend to his right a copy of the Territorial Enterprise. The other man laughed as he read the headlines and then shot a look over at the next table where the Cartwrights all sat.<\/p>\n \u201cBen Cartwright, illustrious citizen of Virginia City, appointed head of committee on Indian affairs,\u201d the man reading the paper said loud enough to grab the whole bar\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n Joe shot a look over at him and noticed it was Bob Stevens, the foreman of a ranch that sat on the southern border of the Ponderosa. He turned towards Adam and shot him a warning look. There had been bad blood brewing for months, and not just with that ranch but with other ranches in the area over what their father had been trying to do. Virginia City was split into two factions: those wanting some reparations for the Indians, and those who were totally against the idea. The Circle W was not in favor of helping the Indians in any way, and it was apparent that the folks at the next table were trying to start something.<\/p>\n Joe and his two older brothers were very aware of the feelings of Justin Weathers, the owner of the Circle W. That man hated Indians, no matter what tribe they were from. He had lost his oldest son in battle up at Pyramid Lake fighting with Major Ormsby\u2019s men. By the time that the well-known fight was over, forty-six Indians had perished along with sixty-six white men. Mr. Weathers had made it known from that point on that he hated all Indians and would fight any legislation to help them. It didn\u2019t matter that his son had been killed some four years earlier; his hate for Indians was just as strong as it had been the day he had buried his son.<\/p>\n Joe gritted his teeth and knew the trouble was going to escalate as he saw Mr. Weathers walk into the saloon and sit down with his ranch hands. He knew that his father had warned both him and his brothers that there would be some hard feelings over what the new committee would be trying to do. Joe remembered his father talking to all three sons the night before they had left for the cattle drive. Ben so vividly explained his thoughts and his views on why he felt the Indians needed his help that none of his sons ever questioned what the outcome of his actions would be. The Cartwrights shared the same vision of helping the Native Americans and they all vowed to do whatever was necessary, regardless of the consequences of those actions. As Joe looked back to the next table, he figured one of those consequences was about to take place now.<\/p>\n Mr. Weathers was handed the newspaper and his eyes skimmed the article about his neighbor. \u201cBen Cartwright! My nefarious neighbor!\u201d he called out loudly, knowing it would start a ruckus at the next table. \u201cLook at what that do-gooder has done this time!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shifted in his seat and cast a look between Joe and Hoss and warned them with his eyes not to take the bait offered. He slowly sipped his beer and tried to pretend he hadn\u2019t heard the slam about his father.<\/p>\n \u201cHe got himself appointed to the head of the committee! If he had his way, he\u2019d give up all the Ponderosa to help those thieving savages! Now that\u2019s just fine for him\u2014but you know I think he should keep his mouth shut about all other land!\u201d One of the other ranch hands jumped in with his opinion.<\/p>\n Joe started to stand but Adam\u2019s rough clamp of his hand to the boy\u2019s wrist stopped him. \u201cNo,\u201d Adam whispered and Joe reluctantly sank back down in the chair.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what I can\u2019t figure?\u201d came Mr. Weather\u2019s voice again loudly, shot over towards the Cartwrights. \u201cI just can\u2019t figure why Ben likes them Injuns so much. Hey\u2014Hoss! Wasn\u2019t it an Indian\u2019s arrow that killed your ma?\u201d<\/p>\n The slow simmer in Hoss\u2019 veins turned to a fast boil as he heard what the man had said. Adam threw his hand on top of Hoss\u2019 right hand and shook his head, \u201cno\u201d. Hoss frowned; he wasn\u2019t sure how much more he or Joe could take.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, it wasn\u2019t even a year ago that Ben was burying what he thought was you, Little Joe! Funny that your Pa didn\u2019t get mad at them redskins even though they stabbed you and left you for dead! I guess his love for those savages beats his love for you too!\u201d<\/p>\n It was when Mr. Weathers finished his statement that Adam slowly removed his hat and placed it calmly on the middle of the table in front of him. \u201cI don\u2019t mind him picking on you,\u201d Adam whispered to Joe and then looked at Hoss. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t mind him picking on you.\u201d Both brothers smiled knowing what the next statement would be. \u201cBut, they are picking on my daddy now.\u201d Adam stood and pointed for his brothers to remove their hats. Joe and Hoss broke into big grins. It had been more than a month since they had indulged in any type of brawl and they were more than ready. They decided that even Pa wouldn\u2019t be too mad about it later. After all, they were defending the Cartwright name.<\/p>\n The Silver Dollar Saloon erupted into total chaos. The by-standers decided which cause was the better of the two and they joined along with either the Cartwright or Weathers\u2019 camp and started to bust the place up. Hoss sent one of the Circle W hands flying through the air and over the counter, a second after Sam had ducked out of the way. Then Adam got slammed up against one of the walls and came back with his fists flying. Joe took the time to gather the two unfinished beers that had been on their table and made it across the room. Once there, Joe sought safety under one of the poker tables and drank heartily and watched his two older brothers doing battle. He sent out a cheer of encouragement every now and then between sips, content to know that they didn\u2019t need him at the moment. When the fighting had subsided just a bit, and when the last of the beer was gone, Joe crawled out from under his hideout and joined in on the melee. He had only sent a couple of punches when Roy Coffee made his grand entrance into the saloon. The sheriff fired off a round of buckshot to draw the attention of the brawlers.<\/p>\n \u201cGentlemen,” Roy paused and shot a woeful look around the room, stopping the sound of fists. \u201cIf you will all give me the great pleasure of your company, we are going to the jail house now.\u201d<\/p>\n With the saloon bathed in complete silence, Joe walked over to his two brothers and handed them their hats. Then all the parties involved proceeded to follow the sheriff over to the Virginia City Jail.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright descended the staircase feeling so much better than he did when he had first arrived back home that afternoon. He had spent the better part of the week in meeting after meeting in Carson City and was more than glad to be home. It had been a productive week though, and Ben was very satisfied with the progress he had already made with the newly appointed committee. Though it was still in its fledgling stage, just the fact that the new governor, Henry Blasdel, had commissioned the Indian affairs committee was a big accomplishment. Now it would be up to Ben and the other seven members of the committee to gather all the information needed so they could send it, with the governor\u2019s approval, to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. There was still so much to do that it worried Ben over how much time it would take away from his duties on the Ponderosa. He tried not to let the thought bother him too much. He had all three of his sons to help and they were due back any minute from the cattle drive.<\/p>\n \u201cYou feel better after your bath?\u201d Hop Sing asked as he brought the man some coffee and handed it to him.<\/p>\n \u201cMuch better, Hop Sing! Thanks so much for getting it ready for me. It sure is nice to be home.\u201d Ben smiled as he reached up from his chair and accepted the coffee cup.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen boys come home? Hop Sing make stew so not have to worry about keeping roast warm again.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben grinned; the cook was getting anxious to see his three favorite people in the world. He knew that Hop Sing felt like a second father to Adam, Hoss, and especially Joe. \u201cOh, Adam sent me a telegraph from Sparks three days ago. I am sure they will make it in tonight sometime. You just leave the stew on the stove and they will be mighty glad to have it when they do show up. I know I have missed your cooking, and I have only been gone a couple of days. The boys are probably dying for your home cooked meals. You are a culinary master.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing stared over at Ben trying to figure out exactly what the man had said. It bothered him at times that Ben used big English words, when the little ones were tough enough to remember their meanings. \u201cWhat you say Hop Sing master of?\u201d he asked bewildered.<\/p>\n Ben laughed when it dawned on him what he had just said. \u201cI was just saying you are a wonderful cook!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you say that\u2014Hop Sing no need other words\u2014talk right.\u201d He tried to sound mad but his twinkling eyes showed Ben he appreciated the compliment.<\/p>\n \u201cVery sorry\u2014I must remember.\u201d Ben grinned as the cook made his way back into the kitchen. He didn\u2019t know what he would have done in raising his sons had it not been for the faithful manservant who was far more than that. Hop Sing was as important to the Ponderosa as any of the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n Ben fought his yawns as the night turned late and still there was no sign of his three sons. He had half decided to turn in when he heard the sounds of horses out in the front yard. Knowing it wouldn\u2019t be long before the house would be filled with the sounds of his sons, Ben made his way into the kitchen to bring in a pot of coffee for their arrival.<\/p>\n After bedding down their horses, the three Cartwright brothers made their way into the ranch house sullenly. Joe had insisted on bringing up the rear as they walked through the doorway, not wanting to be first in line when their father caught a good glimpse of the way they all looked.<\/p>\n \u201cWell welcome home, boys!\u201d Ben called cheerily as he made his way around from the kitchen. His warm smile drifted from off his face as his eyes fell on the bruised and battered faces of his sons. \u201cWhat in the world!\u201d he bellowed and all three men dropped their heads down and away from his piercing eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Pa.\u201d Hoss tried to smile as he held his hand up in a futile attempt to throw the man back into his earlier good mood.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t ‘hello pa’ me. I guess you three made a little stopover in town,\u201d Ben called out caustically as they all walked over to the settee. Hoss and Adam sank down onto the cushions as Joe rounded the room the other way and went for his normal perch on the hearth of the fireplace.<\/p>\n Ben set the coffee pot and cups on the coffee table and marched into the kitchen for towels and water to patch up the cuts and bruises his sons wore on their faces. When he made it back into the living room, he could tell that none of his sons wanted to be first with their explanation. Ben dipped a cloth into the water basin and handed it to Adam first. Then he soaked another cloth and handed it to Hoss. When he turned towards his youngest, he noticed Joe wasn\u2019t too bad off. He hardly had a scratch on him. With that sight before him, Ben broke out into a smile in spite of himself. He held his hand out to Joe for a quick shake.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, congratulations, Joseph. For the first time in your life, you got the least damage.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his father\u2019s hand grinning over the compliment. It was then that he noticed both of his brothers sneering over at him.<\/p>\n \u201cCouldn\u2019t get too banged up hiding under a table,\u201d Adam called out angrily.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014here we wuz getting punched out and Little Brother was resting under a poker table drinking a beer!\u201d Hoss joined in on the character assassination.<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d Joe yelled jumping to his feet in protest. \u201cYou both had it under control, remember? No sense wasting good beer.\u201d<\/p>\n It was at that moment that Joe felt the tight squeeze of his father\u2019s hand to his shoulder. Joe looked up into the man\u2019s eyes and saw that he was not happy. Sinking back onto the hearth, Joe decided to keep his mouth shut.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes anybody want to tell me why you boys were in town brawling tonight instead of coming home?\u201d Ben asked still towering over them all.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam started it!\u201d Joe was quick to blurt out, hoping to turn his father\u2019s wrath on the oldest son for a change.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014yeah\u2014that\u2019s right!\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cHe\u2019s the one who told us we could go after those idiots from the Circle W!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI held them back as long as I could, Pa,\u201d Adam explained, shooting each of his brothers a very unkind expression. \u201cBut you know how they are.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sat down in his chair and let his eyes move from one son to the other. He shook his head and then poured the coffee for all three. \u201cThe Circle W? Why were you boys fighting with them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey were shooting off their mouths again! You know about what you are trying to do and all,\u201d Joe said as he accepted his cup.<\/p>\n \u201cOh they were, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa\u2014Joe\u2019s right. And they said some really rotten things about you.\u201d Hoss re-entered the conversation as he wrung out his cloth and tried to ease the pain from the cut on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that was what made you boys fight, is that right?\u201d Ben asked shooting his eyes over to Adam now.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir. They had it coming,\u201d Adam nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014what are the damages? Or do I want to know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell him, Joe,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t telling him\u2014you tell him!\u201d Joe fumed at being put on the spot.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of you tell me!\u201d Ben demanded and set down his cup.<\/p>\n \u201cThree hundred dollars,\u201d Adam whispered just barely loud enough for Ben to hear.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat!\u201d Ben shouted. \u201cWhat did you boys do, burn the saloon down?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t me, Pa,\u201d Joe answered giving his father his most innocent face at the time. \u201cI was just under a table\u2014Hoss and Adam was flinging them around, breaking glass and all.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stared at his youngest and his expression turned harsh. \u201cJoseph\u2014don\u2019t even think of playing me. You are in just as deep as your brothers are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNice try,\u201d Adam sneered over at his youngest brother.<\/p>\n \u201cNow listen.\u201d Ben fought for control over the room. \u201cI understand you don\u2019t like hearing people saying bad things about your father. However, I expect more from all three of you! I do not want you boys to go breaking up saloons over a few bad comments. There are plenty of folks out there that are not too keen on the idea of me heading the governor\u2019s committee. But, you are all going to just have to deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa…\u201d Hoss broke in, his soft blue eyes seeking out those of his father. \u201cThey said things about my mother. They said things about what happened with Joe and Lone Eagle too!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked at his middle boy and felt a twinge of pain. He could see that the mention of Inger had hurt the big man very much. \u201cWhat did they say about your mother, Hoss?\u201d Ben asked and this time was much more sympathetic in his tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cThey said that it was an Injun\u2019s arrow that killed her and that you shouldn\u2019t be trying to do things for the Indians because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned and shook his head once more. \u201cHoss, we\u2019ve talked all about this before. You feel the same as I do, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Course I do, Pa. But, that don\u2019t mean I like my ma\u2019s name brought into it,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI can understand that,\u201d Ben replied and reached across and patted Hoss\u2019 arm to show him that he felt what Hoss was feeling. Next he turned towards Joe. \u201cNow, what all did they say about Lone Eagle, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey said that you must care more about the Indians than you do about me. He brought up about Lone Eagle stabbing me and leaving me for dead,” Joe answered solemnly.<\/p>\n Ben fought his emotions again. The image was back in his mind, the image of his youngest son who they thought had been killed. Though it had almost been an entire year since the attack on the stage, which Joe had been riding in that day, sometimes it seemed, like only yesterday to Ben. Lone Eagle had stabbed Joe, but he had also not killed the boy. To return an old favor, the Indian had left Joe alive. Of course, he had harmed the boy in the process and it was a full eight months before Joe actually regained all he had lost in mind and spirit that day. Ben remembered clearly the raid on Lone Eagle\u2019s renegades four months earlier. Though it was Lone Eagle who was the main target of the posse, he was one of the Indians who had gotten away. When the skirmish was over fifteen braves lay dead in the Indian camp, but Lone Eagle was nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n Ben tried to shake himself from the haunting reminders of the terrible events from the past. He had witnessed his youngest son\u2019s renewal in spirit and vowed not to let anything change his attitude. Ben was a bit worried at first, when he had brought to his son\u2019s attention the whole idea of aiding the Indians of the area. But it had been largely his youngest son who had no problem with what his father wished to do. All three sons had given their father their blessings on his project.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph…you still feel the same way about me being on this committee that you did before you left on the cattle drive, right? Because if you don\u2019t…\u201d Ben was cut off by Joe at that point.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, of course I feel the same way! I know that what those loud mouths said wasn\u2019t true. Well, it\u2019s just that I didn\u2019t want to hear them say it.\u201d Joe reached for his father\u2019s hand and squeezed it in a show of affection and support. \u201cNobody has to tell me how you feel about me. I know it.\u201d Joe smiled.<\/p>\n Ben returned his son\u2019s smile and patted the boy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cLooks like that just leaves you, Adam. How about it? You think I should go on with what I am trying to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa. But, there\u2019s gonna be more trouble before your recommendations are sent to Washington.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I want the three of you to do whatever you can to stay out of harm\u2019s way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam started it.\u201d Joe laughed again and his oldest brother threw a pillow at him. Joe wasn\u2019t quick enough this time and it hit him smack in the head.<\/p>\n Ben shook his head and laughed. His sons were a pure caution but he was so very proud of them it made his heart swell. \u201cOkay\u2014enough with the rough housing. Now if you boys will go and wash your hands I think Hop Sing still has the stew on the stove. I\u2019ll go get you some,\u201d Ben announced standing up.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe doesn\u2019t need his hands washed; he never got them dirty,\u201d Hoss teased his brother and tried for a swat at him as he moved from the hearth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can come with me to help then, Joseph. Since you did the wisest thing for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWisest thing, Pa?\u201d Joe asked as he followed Ben towards the kitchen.<\/p>\n Ben threw his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder and chuckled. \u201cYou stayed under a table and finished your beer. Looking at your two brothers, I would say you did the wisest thing. For a ‘change’.\u201d Ben patted Joe on the back as they made their way into the kitchen to rustle up the food.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n The next morning brought with it a drastic change in the weather. A rare summer storm deluged the Ponderosa with torrential rain. As the sleepy headed Cartwright brothers made their way down the staircase smiles fell on their faces. The Cartwright sons thought it was a great sign that they would get a day of rest. Ben was already seated at the dining room table and he bid each of his sons good morning as they took their seats next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s some powerful storm out there, Pa,\u201d Hoss said as he poured himself some coffee and passed the coffee pot down the line for his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and from the look of those clouds it will probably be with us most of the day.\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. I have a new book and I am going to enjoy just sitting down with it and relaxing after a month on the trail.\u201d Adam reached across the table for the platter of eggs. The bruises from the night\u2019s brawl were very visible on both of the two eldest Cartwright brother\u2019s faces.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll just eat and go back to bed.\u201d Joe smiled at the thought.<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat, and that was not a good sign. All his sons turned toward the man and waited to hear what his warning meant. \u201cI hate to break up your visions of an easy day, boys. But, I just happen to have a little project here inside which will require your attention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d Joe asked frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a stack of papers which need copying. As a matter of fact, there are twenty-one pages in all and they need seven copies each. So, this will be just right for dividing between the three of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, that\u2019s…\u201d Hoss broke from his statement and tried to count how many copies his father needed in all.<\/p>\n \u201cOne hundred and forty-seven,\u201d Adam jumped in showing off his expertise in mathematics.<\/p>\n \u201cShow off,\u201d Joe muttered under his breath as he tried to figure out something else that needed his attention, which would take him away from his father\u2019s planned assignment.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s forty-nine pages each,\u201d Adam continued.<\/p>\n \u201cVery good, Adam,\u201d Ben nodded towards his eldest. \u201cI knew all that college would be good for something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cForty-nine pages!\u201d Joe burst out loudly. \u201cC\u2019mon, Pa! That\u2019ll take all day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you have all day, Joseph.\u201d Ben grinned as he looked at the forlorn faces in front of him. \u201cI need this for the next committee meeting which is in Carson City tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa\u2014you know nobody\u2019s ever been able to read my writing,\u201d Joe continued his protests still hoping for his father to cave in.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that is why you will print, Joseph,\u201d Ben replied sternly. \u201cYou do remember how to print don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam looked over at their little brother and the expression on the boy\u2019s face was priceless. In fact, it was almost worth it to the two older brothers to have to do the assignment just to see Joe being put on the spot.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did we turn this into a school house anyway?\u201d Joe asked sarcastically.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, don\u2019t feel so bad, young’n; there\u2019s always recess you know,\u201d Hoss teased his brother and felt the kick of Joe\u2019s boot from under the table.<\/p>\n Ben laughed and finished his breakfast. Standing now, Ben let his hand fall on the distraught shoulder of his youngest son. \u201cNow don\u2019t be late for school, Little Joe. It convenes at my desk in ten minutes.\u201d Ben chuckled and walked into his study.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather be out in the mud,\u201d Joe muttered as his father walked away from ear shot.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n After all three sons took as long as they possibly could with breakfast, they moved into the study and were handed the pages they were to copy. And so, with inkwell, pen, and paper in hand they all moved into position to start their work. Joe sat opposite Hoss at the small table by the stairs and Adam spread out his sheets of paper on the coffee table and pulled up the chair to be closer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we are doing this, what are you going to be doing?\u201d Joe asked his father in hopes that the man might switch assignments with him.<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his desk and grinned over at the boy. \u201cOh, don\u2019t worry, Joseph. I have plenty of work on these land plats to keep myself occupied.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWanna swap?\u201d Joe called across the room hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, what if…\u201d Joe started and his father cut him off quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo talking in school or I\u2019ll have to keep you after class,\u201d Ben replied with heavy sarcasm in his tone.<\/p>\n Joe gave up on a reprieve and looked over at his brother Hoss. \u201cHey, Hoss, I\u2019ll give you two dollars if you do my copying for me,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t! You did that to me when you wuz in school remember? And it got me in big trouble then. \u2018Sides, two dollars ain\u2019t worth it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree?\u201d Joe persisted.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben called across the room wanting some peace so he could concentrate.<\/p>\n \u201cPut the dunce cap on him, Pa,\u201d Adam laughed and looked over at Joe and smirked.<\/p>\n Joe frowned and sighed. Since there was no getting out of his chore, he reached for the pen and inkwell and started to copy his first page. He remembered now why he had hated school so much. But, at least back in those days, he had pretty girls to look at and not the faces of his two brothers.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n The Cartwright brothers worked diligently on their task up to lunchtime and then took a break. Once that was over, they went right back to it. It was right around two o\u2019clock that Adam strode across the living room triumphantly and handed his father his share of the work.<\/p>\n \u201cVery good, Adam,\u201d Ben nodded his thanks as he looked at the fine penmanship of his eldest.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I will go grab that book now,\u201d Adam cast a sarcastic smile over to his brothers as he walked away.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about you, Hoss? How are you coming along?\u201d Ben called out.<\/p>\n Hoss blew across the sheet of paper to dry the ink and looked over at his father. \u201cGot me eight more sheets and I will be done too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWonderful. And what about the class clown? How are you doing, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up from his writing and set down his pen shaking out the kinks from his hand. \u201cMy danged hand keeps cramping on me, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow many have you done?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, not too sure.\u201d Joe stalled and saw Hoss\u2019 whimsical stare.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many?\u201d Ben reiterated.<\/p>\n \u201cEleven pages.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph…\u201d Ben paused and arose from his chair and headed towards the young man. \u201cThis meeting is tomorrow, not next month.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe if I\u2019d get a little help around here…\u201d Joe shot back, looking over at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t! I did my work.\u201d Adam called across the room.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d Joe asked pleadingly.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing doing. I\u2019m almost done and I ain\u2019t doing no more,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are just going to have to work a little more diligently, Joseph,\u201d Ben said and squeezed the boy\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be sitting there all night,\u201d Hoss laughed and Joe sneered over at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know how important this is, right, Joe?\u201d Ben tried to get to the boy in another way.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa, I know.\u201d Joe nodded as he drew off another sheet of paper.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay then. Let\u2019s get to it.\u201d Ben smiled as he saw the left hand move back into action.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Hop Sing held supper as long as he could waiting for the youngest member of the family to finish his chore. Finally Joe stood from the table and called over to his family who had taken their seats at the dining table. \u201cFinished!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood job, Joseph,\u201d Ben called over to the boy as he made his way to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI probably won\u2019t be able to lift my fork now,\u201d Joe complained and got no sympathy from the others.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got two hands, ain\u2019t you?\u201d Hoss said and kicked his brother under the table in payment for the earlier assault on his leg at breakfast.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, listen. Tomorrow I have to leave bright and early. I\u2019m going to be speaking to the governor at ten and then the first meeting is at noon. I should be back before supper, but if I\u2019m not home by seven you all go ahead without me,\u201d Ben explained his itinerary for the next day.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to go and check out that new string of horses that Clyde Jensen brought up from Texas, Pa,\u201d Joe said as he moved his fork into his right hand and tried to eat that way for a while.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine; just be sure to join up with your brothers at the timber camp after you are done,\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014and don\u2019t take all day either. We\u2019ve got to get that new crew going and believe it or not, we will need your help,\u201d Adam addressed his brother in his usual fashion.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll only be a couple of hours. I am sure you two old men can handle things until I get there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well just get there,\u201d Adam replied, never sure whether he could completely count on his youngest brother, especially when their father was away on business.<\/p>\n \u201cNo getting into any trouble either. And that goes for all three of you.\u201d Ben was clear in his message.<\/p>\n \u201cUs?\u201d The three men asked in unison and it made the room fill with laughter again.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright straightened out his string tie and stared at his reflection in the mirror of his bureau. He wasn\u2019t very happy about getting all duded up to go and see the governor, but he knew he had to present a confident appearance when he met with the man. Walking down the stairs Ben noticed his three sons down at the bottom staring up at their father.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you boys would be gone,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said as he made his way down to the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa, we wanted to tell you something,\u201d Hoss started and then looked over to Adam to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just wanted to tell you how proud we are of you, that\u2019s all. You taking on this whole Indian affairs commission, well, we really think it\u2019s great,\u201d Adam said his peace.<\/p>\n \u201cNo finer man for the job,\u201d Joe grinned and patted his father on the shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, boys. It means a whole lot to me, and so does your opinion of your old man,\u201d Ben replied feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the faith his sons had in him.<\/p>\n \u201cNow go and make us famous.\u201d Joe laughed as they all followed Ben to the front door.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hitched up the surrey for you, Pa. So, you are all set,\u201d Hoss said as he pulled open the door.<\/p>\n \u201cYou boys are awfully chipper today. You aren\u2019t planning something, are you?\u201d Ben asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n Joe laughed and followed Ben out of the house. \u201cNo, Pa, we aren\u2019t planning anything but to go to work. I guess we are just so happy to be out of school is all.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled as he stepped up into the buggy and waved goodbye to his sons.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Joe, now you meet us up at the timberline right after you check on those horses,\u201d Adam said as he swung himself up into the saddle. Hoss pulled Chubb\u2019s reins around and mounted too.<\/p>\n \u201cI will; it won\u2019t take me long,\u201d Joe promised and headed out to the barn to saddle Cochise.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n While Hoss and Adam headed up to the northern border of the ranch, Joe made his way to the Jensen ranch to check out the new horses that Clyde Jensen had purchased. He spent just a little over an hour\u2019s worth of time with the man and then headed back out to meet up with his brothers. He hadn\u2019t made it more than halfway to the timber camp before he started to get an uneasy feeling. Joe pulled back Cochise\u2019s reins and turned in the saddle. He could have sworn he felt someone looking at him. Joe\u2019s eyes searched the hills around him but saw nothing. Hearing a strange sound Joe looked towards the sky and spotted a single eagle in flight right over his head. Eagles were common to the Ponderosa, but it was rare to get such a good sight of one. Joe could make out the color and size of the bird as it circled above him for a few minutes and then took off towards the mountain range in the distance.<\/p>\n His eyes and his mind being on the bird above for the moment, Joe did not hear the very quiet approach of the man on foot. Suddenly Joe felt the fierce tug to his left arm that flung him out of his saddle. Dazed momentarily, Joe focused in on the Indian who now stood above him.<\/p>\n \u201cLone Eagle,\u201d Joe whispered to himself, wondering if he was still daydreaming.<\/p>\n The Indian never spoke a word. He reached behind him and with one swift move struck Joe over the head with his tomahawk, rendering the young man unconscious. Lifting the stricken boy up into his arms, Lone Eagle threw him face down over his own saddle and grabbed up Cochise\u2019s reins in his hand. Slowly the Indian led the horse over to his own mount and he leapt upon the other pinto mare. Kicking at the sides of his animal, Lone Eagle headed off towards the mountain range pulling the unconscious man on the other horse with him.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n \u201cDadgum his ornery hide!\u201d Hoss yelled frustrated and spat on the ground. \u201cI might have known Joe wasn\u2019t gonna show up. He\u2019s probably in Virginia City right now drinking a beer and laughing at us up here waiting on him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnce he knew Pa was going to be over in Carson all day, he probably made his own little plans for the day. I\u2019ll get even with him tomorrow. Let\u2019s head on back, Hoss,\u201d Adam replied and threw himself up into the saddle. Joe not showing up for a chore was not exactly a rare experience. Adam knew better, after all the past history of the boy, than to wait around for him to show up. The two older brothers had made up for the lack of the third Cartwright all day and were worn out. They decided to head on back to the ranch and wait until Joe arrived with whatever whopper of a lie he would offer.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope Pa clobbers him when he finds out,\u201d Hoss said as he rode alongside Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he doesn\u2019t then you and I will.\u201d Adam smiled vindictively at the thought of teaching his little brother a lesson.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n Ben had been in very good spirits when he had first arrived back home that evening. The committee that he chaired was moving along quite nicely and the first draft of the new proposals had already been started. With that thought in his mind, Ben had been smiling as he walked into the ranch house right before suppertime. It didn\u2019t take long to kill his cheery mood. Both of his older sons made sure they ratted on their little brother just as soon as their father had taken his seat at the dinner table.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, what you both are saying is that Joe never showed up at all?\u201d Ben asked exasperated now over the news.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, haven\u2019t seen hide nor hair of him since he left this morning,\u201d Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe probably went to see Clyde and then decided he deserved a beer for his trouble,\u201d Adam jumped in.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, to not come home yet…\u201d Ben began but Adam again broke in.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know how he is, Pa! Probably got into a poker game and lost all track of time. And, if luck is with him and he\u2019s actually winning we probably won\u2019t see him tonight either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Ben shook his head. Though Joseph had pulled a stunt or two in his day, and even though he had a little problem with doing exactly as he had been told, still Ben could not believe that he would not show up for supper. He knew that his father would be worried. \u201cYou don\u2019t think that maybe he\u2019s gotten in some trouble\u2014maybe had another run-in with someone in town? Maybe Roy has him locked up for busting up the saloon?\u201d Ben grasped at straws now.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, if it will make you feel any better, Hoss and I will head into town and bring the kid back,\u201d Adam offered after witnessing the worry that had spread across his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it would make me feel better,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOn one condition,\u201d Hoss broke in again.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Ben looked over at his middle son.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really let him have it when we bring him back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I will. Don\u2019t you worry. Now just go fetch your little brother.\u201d Ben grinned over at his two sons who he could tell were very perturbed at their brother.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Adam called over to Hoss and they headed out to bring back their disobedient younger brother.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Joe groaned as he started to come back around. It was already dark and he had been unconscious for the whole long ride up into the rocky shelter of the mountain side. Squinting his eyes, Joe saw the campfire burning in the foreground about ten yards away. He pulled on the ropes, which bound his arms behind him. It was at that moment that Lone Eagle stood from his spot in front of the fire and headed over to his victim.<\/p>\n \u201cLone Eagle, why?\u201d Joe asked still trying to better focus in on his surroundings.<\/p>\n \u201cLone Eagle should have killed you with others. Instead I free you only to have you kill my warriors,\u201d the Indian began.<\/p>\n \u201cYou only let me live that day because you said you owed my father a favor. Is this how you repay what he did for you all those years ago? He saved your life!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen he mount up his pony soldiers to kill tribe. Father is no friend of Indians.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is so! Right now he is heading up a committee to try and get you and all the other tribes back some of their land!\u201d Joe protested, as he still struggled to free his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cLone Eagle know about white man law. Indian no need white man to give back land that they stole. Your father pretend to be friend of Indians. He worse white man than ones who talk hate of Indians. Lone Eagle will take back land; no need help of Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are wrong about all of this. My father is trying to help, but you don\u2019t want to hear it. You only want to kill. You killed four innocent people the day you raided that stagecoach! You let that massacre happen!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShould have killed you! You bring men; they kill this many of Lone Eagles warriors.\u201d The Indian lifted up his hands twice to signify fifteen, the fifteen braves who had perished when the Cartwrights and Roy Coffee\u2019s posse had raided Lone Eagle\u2019s camp. The only good thing about that day was the fact that they had rescued the little girl who was stolen from the stagecoach during the massacre. Joe had risked his life to save Sandra, and had taken an arrow in his leg for his trouble. The arrow had been sent from Lone Eagle\u2019s bow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you think was going to happen when you went around killing innocent settlers?\u201d Joe asked bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cOne by one, all white men will die. But, you first. As many men as your people killed that day\u2014that how many times I kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe laughed; he couldn\u2019t help himself. Though he knew all too well he was in a deadly situation, the thought of someone killing him fifteen times struck him as funny. \u201cI hate to tell you this, but you can only kill a man once,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n \u201cYou not know Apache.\u201d Lone Eagle stood again, looking down at Joe. \u201cIn morning, Lone Eagle show how we kill that many times. You will pray to your God that I had killed you at stage,\u201d Lone Eagle stated and then walked back to his campfire.<\/p>\n I sure hope that you and Hoss have run to Pa by now telling him I never made it in, Adam,<\/em>\u00a0Joe thought to himself.\u00a0I hope you find me before I find out about this Apache stuff first hand.*<\/em><\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n The search for Joe was not going well. Hoss and Adam checked out all of their brother\u2019s known haunts to no avail. They had checked with Sam over at the Silver Dollar Saloon as well as the bartender over at the less elaborate Bucket of Blood Saloon and neither man had seen Joe that day. After checking with Roy to make sure he didn\u2019t have a familiar prisoner resting in his jail, both men headed out to the Jensen ranch. That, too, proved futile as Clyde told the two Cartwrights that Joe had left before noon and had stated he was going to meet up with his brothers.<\/p>\n When the front door to the ranch house opened, Ben was well prepared to give his youngest son a good tongue lashing. As his eyes fell on Adam and Hoss, he knew that something was badly amiss.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he?\u201d Ben asked as the two men walked over to him. He could see that their anger towards their little brother had been replaced by worry.<\/p>\n \u201cNobody\u2019s seen him. Clyde said he was there all right, but he left before noon,\u201d Hoss replied somberly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis just doesn\u2019t make any sense! You both sure Joe didn\u2019t say he was going anywhere else besides the Jensen ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, and he promised he would meet us. I feel kinda bad now,\u201d Adam said and stared into his father\u2019s anxious eyes. What he saw in them told it all; something had to have happened to the boy. \u201cI never should have just assumed Joe was goofing off in town. I\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed and put his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cNone of that matters right now, Adam. We have to back track and find the boy.\u201d Ben tried to force a state of calm in his voice though he felt totally different in his heart.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d A voice sounded on the other side of the front door and a heavy pounding followed it.<\/p>\n Ben threw the door open to see one of the Ponderosa ranch hands standing there. \u201cCliff? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome out here,\u201d the hired hand said and the three Cartwrights walked out into the front yard. It was very dark, but the light from the small porch lamp lit the ground in front of the house enough so that all the men could see what Cliff had been upset about. There, standing off by the hitching post was Cochise, and she was minus one rider.<\/p>\n Hoss walked over to the horse and calmed it with his quiet manner. He checked the saddle and did not detect anything that would give them a clue as to what had happened to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cShe came in just a minute ago. I was just coming in from town when she trotted right into the yard,\u201d Cliff explained. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what we would all like to know. Nobody\u2019s seen him since noon today,\u201d Adam replied and also walked over to check on his brother\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n Ben stared over at the ominous sight of the riderless horse and his heart pounded rapidly in his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe she threw Joe?\u201d Adam suggested and Hoss shook his head in response.<\/p>\n \u201cCochise throw Joe? Not likely, Adam. This horse has brought Joe home even when he was unconscious before. Something has happened to him,\u201d Hoss said and then wished he hadn\u2019t when he saw his father\u2019s face go pale.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s little we can do in the dark,\u201d Ben muttered and patted the pinto\u2019s neck. He wished the animal was as psychically bonded to him as she was to his son. Unfortunately, there was no way for the animal to give up the information about what had happened to her beloved master. \u201cFirst light we\u2019ll head on out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure Joe is okay, Pa. We\u2019ll get to him, don\u2019t worry,\u201d Adam tried to make his father feel better, but he knew in his own heart the worry would not stop until the green-eyed boy was back with his family.<\/p>\n Oh, Joseph, what\u2019s happened to you?<\/em>\u00a0Ben thought to himself as he reluctantly walked back into the ranch house. It would be an awfully long night as they waited to begin their search.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n The first light of morning fell on the rock-laden ground where Joe sat trussed up with his back leaning against one of the prominent boulders, which surrounded the area. He shifted his weight and tried as he had all night to loosen the leather ties, which bound his arms behind him. It appeared as though there was no way out of his present situation and all that Joe could do was to hope that his family would come searching for him soon.<\/p>\n Lone Eagle saw that his captive was awake and knew it was time to seek his revenge on the young man. He moved over to Joe and looked down at him, anger flaring in his ebony eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you see what Apache do to white man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter what you do to me it won\u2019t help your cause. If you want to see your people getting help, you will wait and see what my father can do. He has gone to see the governor and soon your people, along with the Paiute and the Shoshones and all the other tribes, will start reclaiming their lands legally.\u201d Joe fought to stall Lone Eagle in hopes that he would soon have some help.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce father sees what Indian has done to son, there will be no law, only hatred for all Indians. Then we will battle all of your people and the tribes will rise up against white men all over and we will have land returned to Indian.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want peace!\u201d Joe shouted angrily. \u201cYou do this to make war! You don\u2019t care about your people or about any of the other tribes out there. Your hatred is all you care about. No matter what you do to me, my father won\u2019t stop his legislation. He is a man of honor, unlike you, Lone Eagle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have spoken; now you die.\u201d Lone Eagle yelled and reached behind Joe and encircled a lariat around the boy\u2019s body, forcing it down to his ankles and then pulling the rope taunt. Next, he untied Joe\u2019s arms from in back of him and secured them again tightly in front of his body. Joe struggled against the ropes trying to break free but he was overpowered once more. \u201cFirst death comes now.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe watched in muted horror as the Indian leapt on his horse, throwing the rope\u2019s other end around his saddle horn. It was then that Lone Eagle kicked the sides of the animal and suddenly Joe was pulled onto his back and dragged along behind the horse. Joe could feel his shirt torn by the jagged rocks around the Indian\u2019s camp and soon he could also feel the intense pain throughout his back. Lone Eagle went faster and faster and took his prisoner over dirt, rocks and sagebrush before pulling back up by the campfire.<\/p>\n Joe tried to catch his breath as he fought both the fear and pain from being dragged behind the Indian\u2019s horse. He knew that his back and parts of his legs were now cut and bleeding, but he had been fortunate enough to have kept his head above the ground for protection. Biting his lip to stifle his moans, Joe watched as Lone Eagle dismounted and walked back over to him with a sadistic smile on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cThat only one. And, that is the least of death. Now we move to much worse for you.\u201d Lone Eagle said as he untied the rope around Joe\u2019s ankles. Joe tried to kick at the Indian to knock him over in an effort to free himself but the attempt failed. Lone Eagle pushed Joe back even harder and his victim collapsed on the hard ground. Next, the Indian pulled off Joe\u2019s boots.<\/p>\n Joe watched as Lone Eagle walked back over to the fire and wondered what was in his plans this time. He could see the other man spreading out the hot coals with a stick. Joe wondered if maybe he was going to douse the fire and leave the area. He didn\u2019t realize at the time that Lone Eagle had no intention of leaving; he was merely trying to spread the hot coals to intensify the fire.<\/p>\n Nearing Joe again Lone Eagle reached down and pulled the boy to standing in his stocking feet. He shoved him over towards the coals and Joe stopped abruptly right before the campfire.<\/p>\n \u201cYou move!\u201d The Indian shouted and shoved Joe again. The prisoner tried his best to keep his balance and not move into the blazing campfire. Yet another time Joe was shoved and this time he stepped right into the hot coals, screaming out in anguish. He could feel the material of his socks catch fire as his feet blistered with heat. Lone Eagle reached over again and pushed Joe to the other side of the fire and he fell to the ground. Joe pulled his legs up to his chest and reeled in pain from the burns on his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cThat two.\u201d Lone Eagle commented casually as he watched his victim struggle to ward off the intense burning that the coals had caused.<\/p>\n Joe blinked back tears. It became very evident to the young man that the Indian had every intention of putting him through different forms of torture before finally killing him off. Joe closed his eyes and could see the faces of his family. Tears fell from his eyes as he thought of how they had felt when they thought he was dead almost a year ago. He knew that now, when they found him, he would be killed and they would all have to mourn him yet another time. Joe thought of his father and how it would devastate the man. Hoss had told him that Ben had struggled with a weak heart when he had thought he had lost his son to the stagecoach attack. Joe worried that the event of his death would surely kill his father as well.<\/p>\n Right before Lone Eagle started his next form of torture, Joe\u2019s eyes caught on the bird circling above him. It was the eagle he had spotted on the previous day, or one that looked just like it. Joe\u2019s mind went back to his childhood and he fought to remember something his father had once read to him from the Bible. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint. Joe ran the verse through his mind and then closed his eyes in prayer.\u00a0Please, Dear Lord, help me to soar over this pain like the eagle above me in flight. Help me to endure whatever this man does to me. Keep me alive for the sake of my family. No matter what happens from this point on, please, let me live.<\/em><\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Ben rode in front of his two oldest sons and they all watched for any signs of Joe. They had back tracked from the Jensen ranch and then turned and headed the way Joe would have gone the previous day if he had been headed out to meet his brothers up at the timberline. There wasn\u2019t much conversation that morning as they rode. Both brothers were consumed at the time with the same form of guilt. Hoss and Adam were blaming themselves for not trying to find their brother when he hadn\u2019t showed up at the timber camp. They were both feeling it was their fault for just assuming the boy had disobeyed and headed into town. Both Adam and Hoss wondered whether their lack of faith in Joe could have made the difference in what had ultimately happened to him. Ben jumped down from his saddle when he spied his son\u2019s tan hat lying alone in the grass. He lifted it up to his chest and knew it was a bad sign. Joe had to be hurt not to have picked up his hat. Perhaps he had been kidnapped? Ben shook his head to erase that thought since there had been no form of a ransom note offered by the time they had left the ranch house.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s out here somewhere,\u201d Adam said after seeing the hat. He stood in his stirrups and cast a hard glance around the area. \u201cSee any tracks, Hoss?\u201d he asked noticing the big man was walking around the whole area hoping to find a clue that would tell them which way Joe had gone.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo horses. This one was unshod,\u201d Hoss replied and then looked into Ben\u2019s eyes and saw the pure dread forming in them.<\/p>\n \u201cUnshod? Like an Indian\u2019s horse?\u201d Ben whispered. There hadn\u2019t been any bad trouble with the Paiute recently, and they were the tribe that most frequented the area around the ranch. His mind fought the image it was forming, the image of the skirmish, which had taken place four months previous. \u201cYou don\u2019t think…\u201d Ben started and stopped himself from saying it.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t matter; both of his sons read what was on their father\u2019s face. He was thinking about the run-in they had earlier with the Apache renegade Lone Eagle.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we had run Lone Eagle out months ago,\u201d Hoss commented as he mounted his horse again.<\/p>\n Ben swung into his saddle and stared over at his sons. \u201cI only hope it\u2019s not true. Because if it is…\u201d Ben stopped once more. He didn\u2019t even want to think about the possibility that his youngest son had encountered Lone Eagle another time. \u201cLet\u2019s ride. Those tracks can\u2019t be that hard to follow.\u201d Ben turned his horse and followed Hoss\u2019 lead this time up towards the mountain range.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n While his family continued to search for him, Joe was being staked spread-eagled on the ground. Lone Eagle had ripped off what had remained of the boy\u2019s shirt and secured wooden stakes in the ground to hold down both of Joe\u2019s arms and legs. The hot summer sun beat down against the rocks and dirt and Joe\u2019s body was soon soaked in sweat. He closed his eyes to stop the penetrating glare of the sun above him. It was then that Lone Eagle bent down with a large rock in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cTen deaths all together now.\u201d The Indian announced and put his knee down in the palm of Joe\u2019s left hand.<\/p>\n Joe inhaled waiting for the next injury. He prayed again for the ability to soar above his torture. Then, one by one, Lone Eagle thrust the rock at Joe\u2019s outstretched fingers. Joe screamed as he heard and felt each finger break from the weight of the rock\u2019s blow. It was then that Joe felt so lightheaded he wasn\u2019t sure if he had fainted.<\/p>\n Joe looked down at his own body and watched as the Indian moved over to his right hand. It seemed so strange, as if in a dream, as he watched as the fingers of the other hand were broken, and yet he felt nothing. The pain was gone from him. Joe could feel the cool breeze against his cheeks and felt as though he was flying far above the scene of torture below.<\/p>\n Lone Eagle wondered why the boy had stopped his protests after the last finger had fallen to the weight of the rock. It was only a few moments later that Joe\u2019s eyes reopened.<\/p>\n \u201cThat ten and two. Three more to die,\u201d Lone Eagle announced. \u201cYou pray to your God that he take you before next death.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI already have,\u201d Joe muttered as the Indian pulled the knife from out of his leather sheath. Lone Eagle knelt alongside his victim again and laid the blade against the left side of Joe\u2019s face. With a swift movement, he cut through the boy\u2019s cheek leaving a four-inch gap in it. The blood flowed swiftly down Joe\u2019s face and pooled as it reached the hollow of his neck.<\/p>\n Again, Joe\u2019s mind soared above his position on the ground. The pain could not reach him there. Lone Eagle wondered once more how his victim could remain conscious throughout the torture. He had used the same methods of torture on other men and they had either died or passed out before he had even cut them. Joe was still conscious and continued to stare up towards the heavens.<\/p>\n \u201cThat ten and three,\u201d Lone Eagle stated and wiped the blade of the knife on Joe\u2019s trousers. \u201cNext one make you beg me to kill you.\u201d The Indian walked off and Joe continued to lie still and let his mind rise above it all.<\/p>\n When the Indian returned, he had a pouch, which he had filled with sand that he had gathered from the base of the boulder at the far end of his camp. He kneeled down and took Joe\u2019s bloody face into his left hand to force the boy\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n Joe broke away from his thoughts temporarily and stared up at the Indian. It was then that Lone Eagle forced open each of Joe\u2019s eyes and poured the fine grained sand into them. Joe tried to release his face from Lone Eagle\u2019s grasp but he couldn\u2019t. Shouting for God to help him, Joe again felt his spirit leave his body and lift up into the sky. The Indian shoved each eyelid down roughly causing the sand to scratch the surface of Joe\u2019s eyes. Lone Eagle was especially confused now; he had never had anyone survive up to this point without going mad. But, Joe\u2019s strong countenance was still very apparent. The Indian walked over to the fire again and heated his knife in the flames.<\/p>\n Turning back for Joe, Lone Eagle called out to him, \u201cThat was ten and four; this ten and five, then you die last time.\u201d The Indian reached down and wrapped his hand tightly around Joe\u2019s throat causing a gag reflex. Joe opened his mouth to try and force air into his windpipe and Lone Eagle thrust the end of the fiery hot knife into the boy\u2019s mouth scalding his tongue.<\/p>\n Joe did not feel the heat of the Indian\u2019s knife, once again being spared the torture as he soared above the scene below. Lone Eagle stood and walked off to prepare the final death.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n The three Cartwrights had followed the tracks high up into the mountains. It had become much harder to spot the horses which had headed upwards into the rocky shale on the previous day. Fortunately, Hoss was an expert tracker and he spotted even the faintest sign which sent them onward. The horses climbed higher and higher and the riders surveyed the rocks and boulders in their path.<\/p>\n \u201cLook over there, Pa!\u201d Hoss called and pointed way ahead in the distance where the faint smoke of a fire could be seen.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d Ben answered and they all picked up the pace.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Lone Eagle had emptied out all of the snakes he had captured the previous day. It had taken a long while to gather over a dozen rattlesnakes, but, fortunately his victim had been unconscious the whole time from the tomahawk chop to his head, which gave the Indian time to trap them. Lone Eagle set them down carefully into the rock crevice below the campsite. The drop was only about ten feet and the only thing it had done to the rattlers was to make them even angrier than they had been in their burlap sack.<\/p>\n Lone Eagle removed the stakes from the ground and pulled Joe to his feet. Joe became aware of the movement as his feet fell on the rocky ground again and the burns shot pain up Joe\u2019s legs. In spite of the burns, Joe fought to stay upright. Unable to see the pit below, Joe could nonetheless hear the sound of the rattlers. His eyes so full of sand and his hands unable to reach up to them to try and ease the pain, Joe waited for what was coming next. Sending forth one final prayer, the young man held his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cYou live through ten and five deaths, better than most white men. But, now you go to pit of serpents. Now you die for the last time.\u201d<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Ben put his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder and whispered, \u201cyou only have one shot, son; make sure you don\u2019t hit Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss bit at his lip and aimed his rifle at Lone Eagle. They all knew there was no way they could take the Indian by surprise and felt this was the only way to save Joe. Hoss squeezed the trigger of his weapon sending out with it a bullet along with a prayer.<\/p>\n The bullet found its target, but right as Lone Eagle fell to the ground, he managed to shove Joe down into the pit below. And with that last evil deed accomplished, the Indian drew his final breath.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Joe could suddenly see again, but it wasn\u2019t a normal type of vision. He could see himself spread out on the ground at the bottom of the snake pit. He could feel a presence behind him and looked up to see a shepherd. It would have seemed a strange sight, but it was no more strange than to be looking across the pit at his own body.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I dead?\u201d Joe asked the shepherd who stood there in a long white robe holding a staff at his side. The vision was surrounded by a multitude of bright colors which cast a peaceful glow.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, my son, you are not. I am keeping the snakes from you now. See how they stop right before reaching you?\u201d The shepherd answered with the most serene voice Joe had ever heard.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, how can I be here and over there too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI pulled you out of your body for a short while so that you would not feel the pain. I heard your prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you God?\u201d Joe asked the vision before him.<\/p>\n \u201cI am the shepherd who watches over all of God\u2019s lambs. Your prayer was for your family and not for yourself. It was that which saved you. And, Joseph, you are not done here on Earth. Your family is coming. I will keep the snakes from them as they pull you up,\u201d the shepherd said and walked over to where Ben Cartwright was climbing down into the pit. The shepherd stepped in between the anguished father and the snakes as he drew his son up into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t leave,\u201d Joe told the shepherd as he started to vanish before his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will talk again, Joseph. Your family is with you now; you must stay alive for them.\u201d The shepherd touched Joe\u2019s shoulder and then disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t leave,\u201d Joe muttered, but his father could not understand what he was trying to say. Joe\u2019s tongue was so swollen from the burn from the Indian\u2019s knife that his words were slurred.<\/p>\n \u201cYour pa has you now, Joseph,\u201d Be whispered to his son as Hoss and Adam hoisted them both up.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam reached for their father\u2019s shoulders and for the boy clutched tightly in his arms. They pulled them both to solid ground and gasped at the sight of their little brother. Ben tried to catch his breath as he sought out Joe\u2019s ankles and other exposed areas of his body to inspect for any sign of snake bite which was the first immediate danger.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he bit?\u201d Adam asked anxiously kneeling down alongside his father.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d Ben stopped when he caught a good glimpse of his son\u2019s injuries. \u201cMy God.\u201d Ben drew in his breath and fought the sickness in the pit of his stomach at the sight before him.<\/p>\n Hoss brought over the canteen and poured water onto the neckerchief Ben had removed. Ben held it up to his son\u2019s bleeding face and it was at that moment that he felt something inside of his own soul die. He knew his youngest son had been tortured, as his eyes inventoried the boy\u2019s body. With the horrendous sight before him, the seed of hatred was planted in Ben\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have time to do any doctoring; if we don\u2019t get Joe home, he\u2019ll die.\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at his eyes!\u201d Adam exploded when he realized the extent of torture that his brother had been forced to endure.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me that canteen, Hoss,\u201d Ben called to his son and was handed the water. \u201cPull open his left eye, Adam, Ben said and when the eye was forced open, he poured the water from the canteen into his son\u2019s eye. He then did the same with the boy\u2019s right eye. A sickness came in waves over Ben\u2019s whole being. He didn\u2019t have the time to worry over whether his son would be permanently blinded by what the Indian had done to him. Ben knew if they were going to save Joe\u2019s life they would have to hurry back to the ranch house and get him immediate medical care. \u201cRemove my saddle, Hoss. I\u2019ll hold him on the way back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe could make a travois,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n \u201cNO! \u201c Ben shouted, not in anger over Hoss\u2019 suggestion, but in anger over what had happened to his youngest son. \u201cCan\u2019t you see we don\u2019t have time for that? Your brother is dying. Adam, get to Doc\u2019s as quick as you can and bring him to the house. Hoss and I will bring Joe in.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sprang to his horse and mounted. \u201cWe\u2019ll meet you there!\u201d he shouted and turned Sport abruptly and rode down the mountainside. Hoss quickly removed the saddle from his father\u2019s horse and walked back over holding the reins in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, lift Joe up. I have to get on Buck first,\u201d Ben said pulling himself off the ground.<\/p>\n Hoss knelt down and lifted the battered body of his little brother up into his arms. \u201cDon\u2019t leave us, Short Shanks,\u201d he whispered to the boy as he walked over to his father\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n Ben positioned himself on his horse and reached down for Joe. \u201cFace him towards me, Hoss. We can\u2019t lean him forward; he doesn\u2019t have any strength left in him.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss lifted his brother up into the protective arms of his father. Ben pulled Joe close so that his face rested on his father\u2019s shoulder and his arms fell around his waist. By the time Hoss had mounted his own horse, Ben\u2019s shirt was already coated in the blood that was spilling out from his son\u2019s wounds. \u201cWe\u2019re going home, Joseph. Fight to stay with us. We love you,” Ben whispered as they headed towards the Ponderosa ranch house.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n The road back home never had seemed longer that it had that afternoon. Ben held his horse\u2019s reins in one hand and fought to hold his son close to him with the other. His mind racing and his heart beating rapidly, Ben prayed each mile of the way. Joe never made a sound, and if it hadn\u2019t been for the faint sensation of his son\u2019s breath against his neck, Ben would have presumed the boy to be dead.<\/p>\n Hoss rode right next to his father\u2019s horse keeping a watchful eye towards his brother all the way home. He could see the intensity on his father\u2019s face and it scared him. Ben\u2019s anger covered his face like a tight mask and in his somber eyes Hoss could read the pure hatred building for the Indian who had tortured Joe.<\/p>\n The two hour journey came to a merciful end as the Cartwrights entered the front yard of the ranch house. Hoss quickly dismounted and rushed over to Buck to lift his brother down.<\/p>\n \u201cEasy,\u201d Ben called out as he maneuvered Joe into his big brother\u2019s waiting arms.<\/p>\n \u201cI got him,\u201d Hoss said cradling Joe in his massive arms.<\/p>\n Ben jumped down off his horse and ran ahead of his sons to open the front door. \u201cHop Sing!\u201d Ben shouted as they entered the house and headed briskly for the stairs.<\/p>\n Hop Sing made it as far as the dining room table before comprehending what all the shouting had been about. He could see the young man in his brother\u2019s arms and the panic written on both Hoss and Ben\u2019s faces.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2019s hurt bad. Bring up whatever you can get your hands on to help us,\u201d Ben yelled as he climbed the staircase behind Hoss.<\/p>\n Ben passed Hoss in the second floor hallway and threw open Joe\u2019s bedroom door. He tossed the blanket and comforter back off the bed as Hoss entered the room. Leaning over the bed, Hoss tried as gingerly as he could to set his brother down onto it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get his clothes off,\u201d Ben instructed and started at the boy\u2019s feet. When his eyes fell on what was left of his son\u2019s socks Ben realized for the first time that Joe\u2019s feet had been burned. \u201cDon\u2019t touch these,\u201d Ben insisted grimly. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to soak Joe\u2019s feet in order to get what remains of his socks off.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked over to see what his father was seeing and it was then that the tears stung the big man\u2019s eyes. Both men were just starting to get a clearer picture of the extent of the torture that Lone Eagle had doled out.<\/p>\n Ben reached across the side of the bed and removed Joe\u2019s belt. He and Hoss carefully tugged down Joe\u2019s trousers and tossed them over in the chair. Deciding that he needed to inspect his son\u2019s entire body to determine which injury would take priority, Ben started at the laceration on the boy\u2019s face. Ben closed his eyes for a moment trying to quell the thought of there being a scar on the handsome boy\u2019s face. He knew that he had to try and not dwell on that idea long, there was so much more damage and the major importance at that time was to keep Joe alive.<\/p>\n Knowing already that Joe\u2019s eyes had sustained some kind of damage to them, Ben moved down his body to inspect the two hands, which were swollen to twice their normal size. \u201cThey\u2019re all broken,\u201d Ben called over to Hoss as he checked each finger one at a time.<\/p>\n \u201cSon of a bitch,\u201d Hoss cursed as he clenched his fists. He wanted so badly to punch something to control the rage brewing in his chest over what had been done to his beloved little brother.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp me roll him over,\u201d Ben whispered and they carefully moved Joe to his side.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was dragged,\u201d Hoss said horrified at the abrasions and bruises on Joe\u2019s back and legs. Hoss knew that his brother had been pulled behind the Indian\u2019s horse, the damage told the story.<\/p>\n Hop Sing entered the bedroom carrying as much as he could to help tend the injured boy. Moving next to Ben, Hop Sing set down the tray and began soaking a couple of wash cloths in the basin of fresh water.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s clean him off some first,\u201d Ben addressed the two men. \u201cWe need to wash down his back as quickly as we can and then get him back into position to work on his face.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Hop Sing and Hoss took turns washing down the boy\u2019s back and legs, trying to be as gentle as they possibly could. Ben stood at the opposite side of the bed, resting his hand on Joe\u2019s side trying to keep him balanced. He tried with all his will power to overlook the awful damage to his youngest son, but found himself to be losing the battle.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s as good as we can get right now, Pa,\u201d Hoss called across the bed and handed Hop Sing the washcloth.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll have to do. We have more important things to contend with now,\u201d Ben nodded towards Hoss and eased Joe onto his back again.<\/p>\n Hop Sing hurried downstairs again to fetch more fresh water and towels. He also set several pots of water on the stove to bring them to boiling knowing the doctor would be needing them soon.<\/p>\n Holding a clean towel up to the cut on Joe\u2019s face Ben noticed the blood had started to clot. The bleeding had slowed, but the laceration would need an awful lot of stitches to close it up. \u201cMy poor boy,\u201d Ben whispered as his hand fell to his son\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cHis eyes, his face, his hands, his back, his feet\u2014dear Lord\u2014Lone Eagle tortured the kid in every way,\u201d Hoss muttered shaking his head in disbelief. He had seen other men who had been tortured by Indians, but none as bad as the sight before him now.<\/p>\n Ben noticed how swollen Joe\u2019s lips were and then he remembered how odd the boy\u2019s words had sounded to him when he was being lifted up out of the snake pit. \u201cHoss, come here,\u201d Ben whispered and waved his son over closer to him.<\/p>\n Hoss moved to stand right next to Ben and questioned the man with his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp me. I need to make sure…\u201d Ben began to explain but found himself to be choking on his own words. The terrifying thought of Joe\u2019s tongue having been cut from him would not leave Ben\u2019s mind. He had seen it done before to other men who had been tortured; especially by Apache. Ben prayed that they would find his son\u2019s tongue to be intact, but he had to be sure and there was only one way to do that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked not understanding the newest worry on his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cHis tongue…\u201d Ben stammered. \u201cI need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss mashed his lips together tightly fighting back the gruesome thought. He felt as though he was going to be sick to his stomach right there in the room. \u201cNo, Pa,\u201d Hoss\u2019 reply came off like the plea of a frightened child.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp me,\u201d Ben repeated as he reached over to try and pry Joe\u2019s mouth open. Hoss\u2019 hand shook as he held the bottom of his brother\u2019s chin to assist his father.<\/p>\n Ben parted the boy\u2019s lips and his mouth opened ever so slightly. Both men could see the end of Joe\u2019s tongue and there was a collective sigh sent out. Ben pulled the mouth open a little more and with the index finger of his right hand he tried to inspect the area for damage.<\/p>\n \u201cMove that light over here,\u201d Ben directed and Hoss reached behind him and grabbed the lamp off the nightstand. Holding it closer so that his father could get a better view, Hoss waited to hear the verdict of the inspection.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d Ben cried weakly. He maneuvered Joe\u2019s tongue so he could see the surface of it clearer. It was then that he spied the blisters, which had formed all over it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Hoss asked unsure of what his father had seen.<\/p>\n \u201cHis tongue\u2014it\u2019s been scalded,\u201d Ben groaned and moved abruptly away from the bed leaving Hoss standing there by himself. Moving over to the window, Ben fought to find the internal fortitude, which had just left him. \u201cSavages,\u201d Ben muttered and wiped his eyes with his shirtsleeves, his back still turned towards Hoss.<\/p>\n The movement from down below the window forced Ben\u2019s gaze and he could see the surrey and rider pulling up. His heart soared as he recognized both Doctor Martin and Adam rushing towards the house. \u201cThank God,\u201d Ben called over to Hoss. \u201cThey\u2019re here!\u201d<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n \u201cWe got here as quick as we could!\u201d Adam called over to his father short of breath.<\/p>\n \u201cDoc…\u201d Ben started as he neared his old friend. \u201cIt\u2019s bad\u2014real bad.\u201d Ben spoke sullenly and Paul read the look in the man\u2019s eyes. Though the doctor had seen fear in the father\u2019s eyes before, especially when dealing with an injury to one of his sons, it was never more evident than now.<\/p>\n Paul rolled up his sleeves, walked over to the water basin in the corner of the room and scrubbed his hands thoroughly. After drying them off, the man walked dutifully over to the bed and his eyes surveyed some of the damage. \u201cTell me what we have, Ben.\u201d Paul said as he bent over and inspected the gaping wound on the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t going to believe this\u2014Lone Eagle didn\u2019t spare a part of Joe\u2019s body,\u201d Ben spat out angrily. Deciding to start from top to bottom with his list, Ben began, \u201cHis eyes had something poured into them\u2014maybe sand\u2014not sure. We rinsed them out once on the trail. Then the cut…\u201d Ben stopped his rendition. He couldn\u2019t believe he could go on with the details; his heart was in his throat now.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on,\u201d Paul commented as he lifted up each of Joe\u2019s eyelids to inspect for damage.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been dragged\u2014his back and legs are torn up pretty badly. We washed him off to try and remove some of the dirt. Then his hands…\u201d Ben paused again as he watched Paul looking down at Joe\u2019s fingers. \u201cAll his fingers are broken, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I see that,\u201d Paul replied, shaking his head in disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bottoms of his feet are burnt so bad, we were afraid to try and remove his socks for fear that we would pull off skin with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul walked to the end of the bed and winced at the sight of the boy\u2019s burns. \u201cYou did right\u2014we need to soak these first.\u201d Paul looked into the glazed eyes of his old friend and put his hand on his arm. \u201cIs that it?\u201d Paul asked and then thought it sounded awfully trite a question. As if that isn\u2019t enough?<\/em>\u00a0Paul thought to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cHis tongue…\u201d Ben replied and then the thought of the whole ordeal suddenly came down on him like a crushing weight. He sank down onto the chair, covered his eyes with his hands, and wept. He could not continue on, it had all just been too much for the anguished father.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about his tongue?\u201d Paul asked turning to Hoss now, trying to give Ben time to gather himself a little.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like it\u2019s been burned too, Doc,\u201d Hoss answered and noticed then how his oldest brother went pale.<\/p>\n Paul paced the room for just a minute or two trying to plan the strategy for what he had to accomplish. Abruptly stopping in his tracks, he struck his most authoritative pose to address the family. \u201cHere\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do,\u201d Paul started and walked over to Ben first. \u201cI want you to go get yourself some brandy first, Ben. Hoss, you go with your pa. On your way back up, bring two basins with tepid water in them. We will begin soaking Joe\u2019s feet while we work on other areas. Oh\u2014and send one of the ranch hands into town to the blockhouse\u2014we are gonna need some ice. Have them bring as much as they can, and when it gets here, we need to have them chip it rather finely. We are going to have to get the swelling down in Joe\u2019s hands before we can set his fingers. Right now, with Adam\u2019s assistance, I am gonna close this cut on Joe\u2019s face. Then I will need some sterile water to rinse his eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss reached for his father and helped him stand. His heart bled for the anguish he saw written on the man\u2019s face. Hoss thought of how his father had always been the rock of the family, especially in times of a crisis. He didn\u2019t blame Ben for falling apart a little now, Hoss felt like he was about to explode himself. \u201cC\u2019mon, Pa,\u201d Hoss whispered and his father started to turn out of the room with his middle son.<\/p>\n Stopping his exit, Ben turned and faced the doctor again. \u201cPaul\u2014can you save him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do everything I can\u2014you know that. Now go on downstairs for a minute and get some air. Then I am going to need all of you to help me tend the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and turned out of the room with Hoss\u2019 arm thrown over his shoulder for comfort.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Hoss raced outside to summon a couple of hired hands to hurry into town for the ice they needed for Joe. He was back quickly and walked to the kitchen to tell Hop Sing what all the doctor needed. Ben had made his way over to his desk and was preparing to down his second shot of brandy. His eyes fell on the stack of papers on his desk. Committee for Indian Reparations,<\/em>\u00a0Ben read to himself the top sheet there in front of him. With an anger which had very rapidly turned to disgust and hatred, Ben\u2019s hand shot the papers off of his desk, scattering them like fallen leaves all over the floor in front of his desk.\u00a0Damned the committee<\/em>, Ben cursed internally.<\/p>\n It was at that moment that Hoss re-entered the living room and his mouth fell open witnessing his father\u2019s sudden rage. \u201cPa?\u201d He called over to him. \u201cPa\u2014your papers…\u201d Hoss continued and moved to where his father was standing. He started to bend down to pick up the sheets of paper but Ben\u2019s hand fell onto his shoulder stopping his progress.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave them be! Let\u2019s get back upstairs,\u201d Ben commanded and headed into the kitchen to bring up the supplies the doctor needed.<\/p>\n Hoss stood momentarily stunned by his father\u2019s harshness. He hoped that is was just a passing thing as he stared down at the weeks of hard work that the man had already put into the project. Shaking his head wearily, Hoss turned and walked away to join his father in the kitchen.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n By the time Hoss and Ben made it back upstairs to Joe\u2019s room, the doctor was just finishing with the last suture to the boy\u2019s face. Ben and Hoss carried with them the two basins of water.<\/p>\n Paul cut off the last stitch and turned to the two men at the foot of the bed. \u201cI tried my best to make them small, Ben. But, in all likelihood the boy\u2019s gonna have a scar.\u201d Paul\u2019s words came off with an apology in their tone.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d Ben nodded towards the man. \u201cHere\u2019s the water you wanted,\u201d Ben continued trying to shake off what the doctor had told him.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, you and Hoss each take a foot and soak it slowly. Keep a watch out. We can\u2019t pull off the material until it loosens more from the skin,\u201d Paul directed and one by one each brother took one of their brother\u2019s feet, bending each of Joe\u2019s legs at the knee to help keep them in the water basin.<\/p>\n \u201cBen, you come up here and assist me with Joe\u2019s eyes.\u201d Paul waved Ben over. \u201cHas Hop Sing got the water boiled?\u201d he asked just as the cook appeared in the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cJust as Mr. Ben say\u2014water boil\u2014water cooled,\u201d Hop Sing stated and handed the doctor a small pitcher filled with the sterile water.<\/p>\n \u201cVery good, Hop Sing, thanks.\u201d Paul nodded and then looked around. \u201cHand us those towels will you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing reached over to the nightstand where the fresh supply of towels had been placed earlier. He handed one each to Paul and Ben.<\/p>\n Paul rolled one of the towels to give it more depth to soak up the water runoff. He pointed for Ben to do the same with his towel and they placed each one at either side of Joe\u2019s head. \u201cOne at a time\u2014let\u2019s get his right eye first. You pull the lid open as far as you can and I will wash it out.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded that he understood and gently lifted Joe\u2019s right eyelid. Paul slowly poured the sterile water into the bloodshot eye maintaining a stream to try to pull out whatever sand remained trapped in it. They then did the same procedure to the other eye.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d Ben whispered. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n Paul pulled away the soaked towels and handed them off to Hop Sing to remove. \u201cI have some medication to put into Joe\u2019s eyes now and then we are going to have to bandage them. We really won\u2019t know anything until we can talk to the boy. He hasn\u2019t come around at all?\u201d Paul asked concerned as he checked Joe\u2019s pulse again.<\/p>\n \u201cJust once when we first got to him. Nothing since then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust as well, I guess\u2014I would only have to sedate him anyway,\u201d Paul commented and reached into his medical bag for the eye drops. He shot a few drops in each of Joe\u2019s eyes and then reached for the gauze pads. \u201cHelp me wrap these up.\u201d He called to Ben and they carefully encircled the boy\u2019s head with the gauze wrap securing the pads over each of his eyes. \u201cWe\u2019ll give it a day or two and then take this off and see what we have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re scratched pretty bad, aren\u2019t they?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014but let\u2019s just put that aside for now\u2014we have too much to do yet,\u201d Paul looked down towards Hoss and Adam. \u2018Well? Is it loosening any yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so\u2014but I\u2019m afraid to even try to pull this loose,\u201d Hoss replied biting his lip. He couldn\u2019t stand the thought that he might accidently harm his little brother if he did something wrong.<\/p>\n Paul walked to the end of the bed and took over. He eased the remainder of Joe\u2019s right sock off and then did the same with the left. \u201cTake the basins away\u2014and hand me that ointment out of my bag.\u201d He called to the other men. Hoss and Adam moved the water away and Ben handed Paul the jar of medication.<\/p>\n Paul patted the bottoms of Joe\u2019s feet dry and then coated them with the ointment. \u201cLet\u2019s let these breathe for awhile before wrapping them in gauze, Ben,\u201d Paul stated and then moved back to the top of the bed. \u201cNow, I guess we\u2019d better have a look at that tongue\u2014I can\u2019t do anything with Joe\u2019s hands until that ice gets here.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stepped back to allow the doctor to move closer. Paul used the same method that Joe\u2019s father had earlier with his inspection of the mouth. When Paul had made his own probe of the tongue he stood back up shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he gonna be okay, Doc? His tongue and all?\u201d Hoss asked before anyone else could.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s burned\u2014that\u2019s for certain. And there really isn\u2019t a whole hell of a lot you can do for a tongue. It\u2019s gonna be months before Joe will be able to taste anything, and until that time, it\u2019s gonna be awfully painful to eat. Once he comes around, we will just give him drinks through a straw to help. Nothing with any spices…absolutely no salt, Hop Sing.\u201d Paul called over to the cook.<\/p>\n \u201cNot worry…Hop Sing make broth…no salt.\u201d He nodded towards the doctor.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a bit of a fever going,\u201d Paul commented as he touched Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cBut, after all that he\u2019s been through he\u2019s lucky to still be alive. This kid is as tough as they come. But, you all know that.\u201d Paul tried to sound optimistic but he was finding it harder to do this time than in the past. Even though he had absolute faith in the boy lying there unconscious in the bed, he wasn\u2019t at all sure that even Joe could rise above all his injuries this time.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Without warning, Joe began to talk and it shocked all of those in the room. Ben moved quickly to his right side as the doctor and the boy\u2019s brothers walked around to the other side of the bed. The sound of Joe\u2019s voice was so peculiar, partly due to the thickness of the boy\u2019s tongue, which had swollen due to Lone Eagle\u2019s fiery knife. When the first few words came forth, all the members in the room strained to hear what the boy was saying. It only took a few seconds to realize Joe was not talking to any of them.<\/p>\n \u201cI see. I know they are. I hate what is happening,\u201d Joe began, pausing between each choppy sentence. \u201cNo, he won\u2019t. I\u2019m sure of it. Okay, I\u2019ll try,\u201d Joe continued.<\/p>\n Ben leaned in closer to his son and let his trembling hand caress Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t make it out,\u201d Adam whispered over to his father. \u201cWhat\u2019s he saying?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head wearily. \u201cIt\u2019s like he\u2019s talking to someone\u2014but not to us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably out of his head with fever,\u201d Hoss remarked and dropped his hand onto his brother\u2019s left arm gently. \u201cIt\u2019s okay there, Short Shanks. You just rest easy.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe began again to speak, his words still slurred and barely recognizable. \u201cI\u2019ll do the best I can. It\u2019s gonna be hard. Yes, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben cast a glance over at the doctor\u2019s face and instantly knew what he was thinking. His heart fell in his chest as he saw Paul reach again for Joe\u2019s pulse, deep consternation taking over the man. \u201cIt isn\u2019t the fever, is it?\u201d Ben asked barely audible.<\/p>\n Paul looked back over at Ben and shook his head. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t exactly sound delirious if that\u2019s what you are asking me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it? Joe is having a whole conversation with somebody,\u201d Hoss broke in.<\/p>\n Ben slowly lowered himself into the chair next to the bed, his face wrought with despair. \u201cTell them, Paul,\u201d Ben whispered covering his face again with his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know it for sure, Ben,\u201d Paul argued against the logic of worrying the two brothers any more than was necessary.<\/p>\n Ben dropped his hands down to display the tears, which had started to drift out from his eyes. \u201cI remember when my father died. The night before he passed, he did this same thing. He had a whole conversation with someone who wasn\u2019t in the room\u2014or at least not that we could see. I believed that he was talking to my mother\u2014who had died two years earlier. You\u2019ve seen this with other patients haven\u2019t you, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know this to be fact yet, Ben. We have to stay focused for Joe\u2019s sake. Just because he is talking like this doesn\u2019t mean he is dying. You should know better than to quit on this boy so easily. How many times has he proved us to be wrong in the past?\u201d Paul fought to ease Ben\u2019s worry. He had seen the same behavior from other dying patients. In fact, he had seen it numerous times. Paul felt that nothing good would come of him agreeing with Ben\u2019s diagnosis. He would never stop trying to save the young man; Paul had grown to care about him far too much.<\/p>\n \u201cIf\u2019n Joe is talking to someone who\u2019s passed\u2014then I betcha it\u2019s his ma\u2014and she\u2019s telling him to come back to us,\u201d Hoss stated trying to keep from crying himself.<\/p>\n Ben closed his eyes again to try to feel the presence of his beloved third wife. He did not feel her there with them, though he had in the past on many occasions when their son was in danger. \u201cPaul\u2019s right.\u201d Ben drew in a deep breath to cast away any doubt in his mind. \u201cJoe\u2019s gonna come back to us just like he always has in the past.\u201d Ben stood back up and bent down and whispered to the boy, \u201cIsn\u2019t that right, Joseph? You won\u2019t stop fighting will you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell him,\u201d Joe muttered and then ceased talking. All of the other men in the room shook their heads wondering again just who the boy had been conversing with so intently.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n The door to the bedroom was already wide open as Cliff Hartman walked down the hallway and entered the room. \u201cHop Sing told me to bring this right up,\u201d the hired hand said and placed the large pail of ice on the floor by the night stand.<\/p>\n “I didn\u2019t even notice Hop Sing leave,\u201d Adam replied looking around the room. \u201cThanks for fetching the ice so fast, Cliff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI brung more too\u2014Hop Sing and Fletcher are downstairs breaking the rest of it up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll use the two basins that we used earlier. Hoss go empty them out so we can get to your brother\u2019s hands now.\u201d Paul was quick to pass on his instructions. He had been extremely concerned over the boy\u2019s hands and wanted to get them right into the ice to bring down the swelling.<\/p>\n Hoss exited the room momentarily and hurried back with the empty basins. He handed them to the doctor. Cup by cupful Paul placed the ice into the two containers. When each was halfway full Paul handed one over to Adam and one to Ben. He felt it would be a good thing at the time to keep the anxious father busy by helping him assist in his son\u2019s care.<\/p>\n \u201cSlowly set his hands into the basins and I will cover them up with the remaining ice,\u201d Paul instructed and Ben and Adam carefully took each one of Joe\u2019s wrists and set the hands down into the shaved ice. The doctor covered the swollen hands with the additional ice and then turned to look into Ben\u2019s apprehensive eyes. \u201cWe will alternate every ten minutes taking them out and putting them back in. Until the swelling is down, I can\u2019t even see his fingers well enough to set them.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing re-entered the room with another load of ice. \u201cBring more for you, Doctor. Plenty more downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine. Let\u2019s put a bit of it in a towel and we can ice down Joe\u2019s cheek a little too. That cut is gonna be awfully sore when the boy wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen do you think that will be? He\u2019s been out of it all day,\u201d Adam asked as he kept a watchful eye down at his brother\u2019s left hand.<\/p>\n \u201cHard to say,\u201d Paul commented and took a minute\u2019s breather over in the chair. He had been standing for almost two hours and was wearing thin. \u201cHis body is just worn out from all it\u2019s gone through I guess. It\u2019s good in a way, gives us time to do all the patching up without heavy sedation. I am sure he will need some pretty strong stuff once he does come around. Those injuries even by themselves would be terrible, but combined as they are\u2014well\u2014it will be excruciating I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss moved to the head of the bed while both his father and his brother continued to tend to the boy\u2019s injured hands. He inventoried the body before him. It pained Hoss\u2019 whole person, right down to his very soul to see his baby brother in such dire circumstances. Hoss had dealt with injuries before, and was known to all in the area as one of the best animal doctors there was. Staring at his brother now, Hoss realized that if these same injuries had happened to a horse, or any of the other critters he was tending that he would have sent a bullet into the animal to humanely put it out of its misery.<\/p>\n Hop Sing witnessed the look in the big-hearted brother\u2019s eyes and it melted his heart. He knew that Joe\u2019s condition was eating away at everyone in the room, himself included. Folding some ice into a soft washcloth Hop Sing handed it over to Hoss. The Oriental member of the family figured that just the act of trying to ease his brother\u2019s pain would help the big man as well. \u201cYou hold to Little Joe\u2019s cut\u2014make pain go away.\u201d He whispered over to Hoss and saw him nod his thanks. With the gentleness he had perfected over the years, Hoss tried to soothe his brother\u2019s swollen cheek. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna be fine, Little Brother. Just fine,\u201d Hoss called down to the boy, hoping underneath somewhere Joe would hear his words and respond.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n After spending the better part of an hour icing down Joe\u2019s broken fingers, Paul determined that the swelling had gone down sufficiently to try and set the bones. He was very worried that far too much time had elapsed already and that the fingers would never be as they had been prior to the Indian\u2019s assault. Paul dug into his medical bag and came up with a handful of heavy wooden tongue depressors.<\/p>\n \u201cI think these will do nicely. We will set the fingers and use these for splints. I think with a little careful binding we can get them to hold up for the job. Once we are sure that the set has worked I will bring back some plaster from my office to cast them, but let\u2019s just take it one step at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Adam moved the basins off the bed again and turned to the doctor to see how the set would be accomplished. Paul put his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes to gauge whether the big man would be up for the task he had planned for him. \u201cHoss? This job is unfortunately going to require a great deal of strength. What I need is for you to snap each finger back into place while I hold your brother\u2019s hands rigidly. I can\u2019t do both, and, well, I figure out of all of us you could do this better. You think you are up to it?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss chewed at his bottom lip and cast a frightened look over to his father. He was just as worried as he had been when he had the task of soaking his brother\u2019s feet earlier. Hoss was so afraid he might make his brother worse off if he made a mistake.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re not up to it…\u201d Ben said softly, noticing the dread on his middle boy\u2019s face. \u201cI will do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss swallowed hard. The last thing he wanted to do was to put any more strain on his father. Always in the back of his mind was the fact that Ben had once suffered from a weak heart and he didn\u2019t want anything to encourage a relapse. \u201cI got it okay, Pa.\u201d Hoss nodded bravely towards his father and moved closer to the doctor. Paul held up Joe\u2019s right hand, bracing it at the palm and holding the swollen fingers out towards the boy\u2019s brother.<\/p>\n \u201cJust pull quick and straight, Hoss. Let\u2019s start at the thumb, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n Pulling from whatever internal strength he had left in his body, Hoss clasped Joe\u2019s thumb between his clenched fist and gave it a quick jerk. The sound of the bone snapping back into place could be heard across the room. Both Adam and Ben grimaced upon hearing the noise.<\/p>\n \u201cVery good, Hoss!\u201d Paul tried to encourage the man as he went about wrapping the thumb with gauze so that it would sit firmly on the wooden splint. \u201cReady for the next one?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded and again readied for the set. He closed his eyes briefly and sent up another quick prayer and then snapped Joe\u2019s index finger into its original position. Again, Paul bound the finger to the splint. One by one the two men continued, until all of Joe\u2019s fingers were held into their normal position by the wooden tongue depressor splints.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat job, Hoss.\u201d Paul nodded over to him and patted his arm. \u201cYou made a fine assistant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben called over to Hoss. He knew how hard it had been on the kind hearted young man to have done what he did, and Ben\u2019s eyes reflected the great pride he had for his son.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing\u2014can you find me some more pillows? I want to elevate these hands a little,\u201d the doctor called over to the cook and the other man took off into the guest room on his mission. He was back in only a minute\u2019s time with two pillows clutched in his arms.<\/p>\n Paul rested Joe\u2019s two bandaged hands on the pillows on either side of him. He then turned to all the men in the room. \u201cNow, I want you all downstairs to get some dinner in you. I don\u2019t want to hear any complaints about it either! I\u2019m going to sit here until you are back and then I will have some dinner as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d Hoss muttered, not wanting to leave his brother\u2019s side for even a minute.<\/p>\n \u201cI said no complaints! Now get,\u201d Paul replied sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Pa. Doc\u2019s right\u2014we\u2019ve got a long night ahead of us\u2014we\u2019ll need to eat something,\u201d Adam said to his father and tried to coax him out of the room.<\/p>\n \u201cI want you all to go\u2014Doc you too\u2014I will eat when you get back. I am not leaving Joseph\u2014not now at least. When you are done then I will go down for a few minutes. And\u2014Paul\u2014this time you just have to listen to ME\u2014okay?\u201d Ben addressed the doctor and his sons forcefully.<\/p>\n Paul frowned but gave up on the idea for the time being. He had seen the look in Ben\u2019s eyes and knew that a protest of the matter would prove to be pointless. \u201cLet\u2019s eat, boys.\u201d Paul sighed and motioned Adam, Hoss, and Hop Sing out of the room.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n A short time after everyone except Ben had left the bedroom, Joe began to move his lips slightly as if he was again going to speak. Ben pulled the chair closer to the bed and waited breathlessly for the boy to say something.<\/p>\n \u201cPahhhh…\u201d The faint sound of the boy\u2019s word could be heard, though still hard to understand.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m right here, son,\u201d Ben whispered and brushed the curls off of the boy\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cPahhhh…can\u2019t…see…you…\u201d Joe muttered unaware of the bandages which covered his wounded eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m right here next to you, Joseph. You just rest easy,\u201d Ben replied softly trying to calm the fear he knew had to be growing in the young man\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n \u201cPah…hold…hold…my…hand…\u201d Joe struggled with his words again. Every word that he spoke caused fierce pain to his tongue as it brushed against the roof of his mouth and his teeth.<\/p>\n Ben looked down at Joe\u2019s hands lying helplessly at the boy\u2019s sides. Silent tears fell from the grieved father\u2019s eyes as he answered his son\u2019s request. \u201cI can\u2019t \u2014not right now, Joseph…\u201d Ben stopped in mid-sentence. He didn\u2019t want to remind his child of the magnitude of his injuries. Joe had obviously forgotten what had happened to his hands. Ben placed the palm of his hand to the right side of his son\u2019s face and stroked it gently. \u201cI\u2019m right here\u2014can you feel my hand on your face?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPahhhh…where are you? Can\u2019t see you…so dark…\u201d Joe continued on, his mind only focused on the fact that he could not look into his father\u2019s eyes at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, listen to me; your eyes are bandaged, but you are gonna be fine…\u201d Ben tried for another brave front but it was killing him on the inside.<\/p>\n \u201cPahhhh hold my hand,\u201d Joe repeated his earlier plea.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t…\u201d Ben whispered and then covered his eyes to fight the tears that were leaving them.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t cry…Pah…don\u2019t cry…\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n Ben pushed back his tears and stared over at his son. He could not comprehend how the boy knew he was crying. Ben had made sure he hadn\u2019t made a sound to give away the fact that tears were leaving his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t, Pahhhh…I won\u2019t,\u201d Joe whispered feeling light headed again.<\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t what, son?\u201d Ben asked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t die…Pah…\u201d Joe replied softly.<\/p>\n Ben knew his heart was breaking now without any doubt. Just to hear Joseph address the idea of him dying sent a pain through to Ben\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n \u201cPromise?\u201d Ben whispered and let his hand fall down to the boy\u2019s swollen lips.<\/p>\n \u201cPromise…Pah…but so tired…so tired…hold my hand.\u201d Joe barely got his words out before falling back into the dark void where the pain could not reach him.<\/p>\n Ben reached down for the boy\u2019s right hand and carefully wrapped his fingers around just the palm of it to give his son the reassurance he had asked for. When he looked back up, Ben could tell Joe had fallen back to sleep. Leaning over, still holding his boy\u2019s hand, Ben kissed him on the cheek and said, \u201cI\u2019m holding your hand, Joe. You rest awhile, your pa\u2019s right here.\u201d<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t long before Hoss, Adam and Doctor Martin appeared back in Joe\u2019s room. They had all decided that they would forcefully remove Ben from the room if need be. Hours of hovering over his injured son had worn the worried father emotionally thin and it showed on his face as the three men neared him.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing has your dinner all ready, Pa,\u201d Hoss began.<\/p>\n Ben looked up at his son and sighed. He could read the determination on the faces of his sons and the doctor as well. Knowing he had promised to go and eat after they had returned, Ben slowly pulled himself to standing.<\/p>\n \u201cAny change while we were gone?\u201d Paul asked checking his patient\u2019s pulse.<\/p>\n \u201cHe talked to me briefly. Joe\u2019s very disoriented,\u201d Ben replied looking down at the injured boy.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, he was talking to you this time, right, Pa?\u201d Adam asked hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014only for a few minutes and then he fell back off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d Hoss broke in with his question.<\/p>\n \u201cHe promised me that he wasn\u2019t going to die,\u201d Ben answered, the emotion of his son\u2019s promise starting to form tears in his eyes again.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if Joe said it then it\u2019s good enough for me.\u201d Paul smiled and patted Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI think we all know how hard the boy tries to keep his promises\u2014especially to his father.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and turned rather reluctantly to the door. \u201cI won\u2019t be long.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s in good hands, Ben, you take some time to relax, we still have a long night before us,\u201d Paul stated sternly and Ben walked out of the room.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n Ben ate his meal, though his mind was never far from his son who still fought for his life upstairs. He still found it so hard to believe that his youngest had fallen victim to such horrible forms of torture by the Indian who obviously planned it all out before capturing the boy. Ben knew that Joe had more strength of spirit than perhaps all the other Cartwrights put together. Despite that fact, he couldn\u2019t help worrying about how the boy would ever be able to recover from both the physical and emotional abuse he had been forced to endure.<\/p>\n Walking over to his desk for another badly needed shot of brandy, Ben\u2019s eyes fell to the floor and noticed that the papers he had earlier thrown off his desk were back on top of it now. He frowned when he realized someone had taken the time to put them back together in order, just as they had been when he had set them there the night before. Had it just been last night that he had returned from Carson City after yet another committee meeting? Ben shook his head at the thought. It seemed like a lifetime ago now. Pouring brandy into his glass the distraught father could feel his growing hatred. It pressed against his heart and grew from there upwards to his mind. Ben could feel it and almost taste it as it wrapped it\u2019s venom around his thoughts for revenge. Here he had been so worried about the affairs of all of the Indian tribes when his son was being cut and burnt and dragged by Lone Eagle. Ben cursed his actions and all that had sent him into Carson City that day. He couldn\u2019t get it out of his mind that if he had been home that day that maybe he could have prevented what had happened to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll never happen again,\u201d Ben muttered to himself and placed the glass on his desk.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n After having taken the time to wash up and change his clothes, Ben walked back into his son\u2019s room and cast a look into the faces of the three men who were tending the boy. \u201cHow is he? Did he come around again?\u201d Ben asked nearing the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s moaning a little\u2014I think he\u2019s starting to feel the pain of his injuries,\u201d Paul replied and drew up some pain medication into his syringe. \u201cI\u2019m just going to give Joe a little something that will take the edge off. If he\u2019s gonna come around this won\u2019t prevent it\u2014just make the pain a little more bearable.\u201d Paul injected the medicine into the inside of Joe\u2019s right arm.<\/p>\n Ben rinsed a washcloth in the basin on the nightstand and wrung it out. He then used it to cool his son\u2019s feverish brow. It was at that point that Ben and the other men noticed the fierce grimace on Joe\u2019s face and knew that his suffering was getting far worse. \u201cJoseph\u2014you\u2019re gonna be okay\u2014you just rest easy\u2014we are all here with you.\u201d Ben whispered to the boy. \u201cYour brothers are here\u2014and Doc…\u201d Ben stopped as Hop Sing entered the room.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing here too\u2014Little Joe,\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing whispered to the young man and stood at the opposite side from where Ben was still attempting to cool Joe\u2019s fever. Brushing back the boy\u2019s hair from his forehead when Ben turned to rinse the cloth out again, Hop Sing muttered a prayer for Joe\u2019s recovery. \u201cHop Sing fix you all up\u2014you see\u2014you be all better vely soon.\u201d<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Joe watched the whole scene as it was happening from across the room where he stood with the shepherd who had earlier saved him from sure death.<\/p>\n \u201cThey love you so much,\u201d the shepherd said smiling over at the boy. \u201cThey haven\u2019t left your side\u2014and they won\u2019t until you are all better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut will I get better?\u201d Joe asked the vision before him. \u201cI look pretty bad off\u2014I\u2019m really gonna make it?\u201d<\/p>\n The shepherd\u2019s arm fell around the frightened young man. \u201cThey all need you just as badly as you need them, Joseph. There\u2019s an awful lot you still have to do with your life. You will live.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy eyes\u2014will I see?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll your injuries\u2014you will recover from them all. You have a long road back, but you will rise above it all. You will only have a small scar to show that this ever happened. But you will see, you will walk, and you will have all the usage of your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot such a bad trade, I guess\u2014just a scar. I can handle that. Looks like there\u2019s gonna be a whole lot of pain when I move back over there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPain can be a lesson in itself. Your father has a different kind of pain right now. One that hurts as much as any physical pain actually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? You mean \u2018cause he\u2019s worried about me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014that\u2014along with a whole lot of other things. And this time it will be your turn to help your father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHelp Pa? Help him how?\u201d Joe asked confused. He could see his father mopping his brow across the room.<\/p>\n \u201cThe seed of hate has grown in his heart. It is up to you to pull it from him. He is a fine man\u2014one we are proud of. But, even the best of men can fall from grace\u2014and I am afraid that is what is going to happen now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand\u2014you said this before\u2014but I still don\u2019t know what you mean? How could Pa fall from grace? My father is the kindest most loving person I know\u2014even if he wasn\u2019t my pa\u2014I would still say this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been tested\u2014perhaps by fire this time. You must put him back on track. He has hate in his heart now towards all Indians\u2014just because this happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO\u2014not my father! Pa wouldn\u2019t hate\u2014not a whole race of people because of what Lone Eagle did!\u201d Joe insisted staring into the kind and patient eyes of the shepherd.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will see, Joseph. And when you have your chance you must tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell him what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo not hate an entire race for the evil of one. You must make him understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll try\u2014I still can\u2019t believe that he would think that way. My Pa is as perfect as a man can get.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo-one is perfect…\u201d the shepherd insisted wisely. \u201cBut, he is closer than most. Let\u2019s keep him that way. Now are you ready to go back?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stared over again at his mutilated body and sighed. It scared him to feel the pain again. It would have been so much easier just to let go, but he couldn\u2019t. Joe could feel the love, which surrounded his bed and knew he was needed, regardless of the consequences of returning to his battered body. \u201cI am ready now. Will I ever see you again?\u201d<\/p>\n The shepherd nodded, and when he smiled at Joe, the boy could almost see the face of God in his glow. \u201cYes, Joseph, you will see me again. Now remember\u2014it\u2019s up to you to help your father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will.\u201d Joe nodded and when he closed his eyes he suddenly had the sensation that he was flying. Then, just as quickly, Joe felt as though he was back inside his body again. He moaned as the pain fell on him like a dead weight.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Ben stared over at the doctor and shook his head worriedly. They had once again witnessed another conversation Joe had been having with an invisible presence. All they could hear were his answers to the shepherd and had no idea what the conversation had been about. Ben only knew that Joe was now hurting and far worse than earlier. The boy\u2019s moans became louder as his face scrunched up into a deep grimace.<\/p>\n \u201cPain…\u201d Joe mumbled and tried to draw up his bandaged hands to his face. Doctor Martin forced the boy\u2019s arms back down at his sides.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be all right,\u201d Paul whispered and looked hesitantly over at Ben. \u201cWe need to get some water into him before I do anything else. Hand me that glass, Ben. Adam, get me one of those glass straws out of my bag please.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grabbed a straw and handed it to his father who poured some water into a glass and handed it to the doctor standing at the head of the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2014you have to drink now\u2014I\u2019m going to lift your head up just a bit,\u201d Paul said a little louder in tone to try to make the boy more alert. Carefully reaching under Joe\u2019s head, the doctor lifted it slightly and maneuvered the straw towards the dry and swollen lips. \u201cTry to take a sip now, Joe. Take it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPain…\u201d Joe repeated and tried to refuse the straw he could feel poking at his bottom lip.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to drink something first, Joe. Then we can give you something more for the pain,\u201d Paul replied.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Joseph,\u201d Ben called to his son and held onto his right arm. \u201cJust try.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPah?\u201d Joe\u2019s word came out still a bit thick sounding. \u201cPahhh\u2014where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight here\u2014we\u2019re all right here,\u201d Ben reassured the boy who seemed a bit agitated over what they were trying to get him to do.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Joe\u2014just drink some, okay?\u201d Hoss called out and Adam repeated the plea.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a sip will do, Little Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t see\u2014dark\u2014pain,\u201d Joe muttered still fighting the movement of the straw against his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cYour eyes are bandaged\u2014but not for long\u2014now let\u2019s get some water down, Joe,\u201d Doc tried again.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s lips wrapped around the straw and he tried to gather the strength to take a quick pull of the water from it. He ended up half-choking on it and most of it poured back out. \u201cNo… hurt…hurt!\u201d Joe cried. The water had passed over the blisters on his tongue and pain shot throughout his mouth.<\/p>\n Paul looked over at Ben and shook his head. They all hated what they had to do. Everyone in the room now had seen the extent of damage that had been done to the boy\u2019s tongue and it pained them almost as much as it did Joe himself. Drawing in a deep breath to figure out their next move, Paul looked over to the pitcher of ice Hop Sing had earlier left by the lamp. \u201cSee if that\u2019s melted at all, Ben,\u201d Paul pointed over to it.<\/p>\n Ben lifted the pitcher up and nodded. \u201cNothing but ice water now, why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDump this out\u2014it\u2019s lukewarm. Maybe the ice water will not hurt as badly.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben handed the water glass to Adam and he emptied it into the basin on the floor, which had been used earlier to ice down Joe\u2019s hand. Paul poured the ice water into the glass and tried again. \u201cOkay, Joe, this is gonna feel lots better than the last time. It\u2019s going to ease your tongue a bit. Try one more time and we will let you rest,\u201d Paul said and lifted Joe\u2019s head again.<\/p>\n Joe attempted to draw in the liquid again, and this time had better results. He drew in a couple of good long sips before giving up. Paul eased his patient\u2019s head back onto the pillow.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s keep the ice going. He needs to get as much water into him as he can and I think it will really help that tongue if it\u2019s good and cold,\u201d Paul directed.<\/p>\n Ben took Paul\u2019s place at the head of the bed and pulled the chair back up to it. \u201cJoseph? You still with us?\u201d he asked. Unable to see his son\u2019s eyes, Ben could not be sure if he had fallen back to sleep or not.<\/p>\n \u201cPah…hurt…all over…pain…\u201d Joe muttered and tried again to lift his hands. Ben caught a hold of his right arm and set it back down on the pillow as Hoss did the same with his left one.<\/p>\n \u201cSon…try not to move your hands, okay? They are bandaged and you have to keep them still for awhile,\u201d Ben spoke soothingly and held onto the boy\u2019s right palm to try and calm him.<\/p>\n \u201cLone…Eagle…he tried…\u201d Joe stopped as the sharp pain jabbed at his face. \u201cHurt…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Joseph. He can\u2019t hurt anyone anymore. Don\u2019t you fret about him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHurt…all over…pain,\u201d Joe repeated himself again.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere does it hurt, Joe?\u201d Paul asked, wanting to know what area was the worst before giving the boy any more medication. He wanted to be sure he hadn\u2019t missed any injury when he had treated him.<\/p>\n \u201cFace…\u201d Joe began and scrunched his cheeks again in agony. \u201cHands…back…feet…tongue…\u201d Joe listed all his known wounds. \u201cPain…hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood abruptly from the chair and moved over to the window. He had to get away from the sight of his youngest son, if only momentarily. Seeing the boy suffering so terribly was killing him. The rage and hatred he felt inside him grew by leaps and bounds the minute Joe started to tell of his pain. All eyes in the room fell over to Ben at that moment, worried for his health. They could see he was struggling in spirit just to prevent screaming out of the injustice of his son\u2019s torture.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to put something in your water this time, Joe. We\u2019ll kill two birds with one stone, how\u2019s that? We\u2019ll give you something to help with the pain and get some more fluids in you as well. Think you can drink just a little more for us?\u201d Paul whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cPah? Where\u2019s…Pah?\u201d Joe called out. Though he couldn\u2019t see his father, somehow Joe could sense that he was no longer there at his side.<\/p>\n \u201cBen!\u201d Paul called over to the man who was deep in thought and had not heard his son\u2019s question.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked shaking himself out of his anger filled daze.<\/p>\n Paul signaled for him to come back over to the bed. He knew he could get nowhere with his patient if he didn\u2019t have the boy\u2019s father to assist him. Ben slowly moved back over to the chair next to Joe and sat back down. He reached again for the boy\u2019s hand and battled his emotions to try to force a calm into his voice as he spoke to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m right here, Joseph…\u201d Ben whispered and accepted the glass the doctor handed to him.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a sedative in there this time that will help ease his pain.\u201d Paul told Ben.<\/p>\n Ben nodded and lifted his son\u2019s head up once more. \u201cNow you drink this and before you know it that pain will ease up, son. Drink as much as you can this time.\u201d Ben positioned the straw up to Joe\u2019s lips and waited patiently for him to start drinking.<\/p>\n \u201cDone…\u201d Joe said when he had taken as much as he could get down. \u201cSnakes…snakes on the ground…\u201d Joe mumbled. He was starting to fade away again and all the men in the room knew he was trying to explain what had happened to him with Lone Eagle.<\/p>\n \u201cYes…there were snakes…but they didn\u2019t get to you, Joseph,\u201d Ben replied calmly and handed the glass back over to Paul.<\/p>\n \u201cShep…heerd..\u201d Joe broke up his word and no-one in the room could understand what he had said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that, Joe?\u201d Ben asked stroking the boy\u2019s face gently.<\/p>\n \u201cShepppp…herrd…\u201d Joe repeated groggily.<\/p>\n Ben looked around at the other men and they all shrugged their shoulders. No-one could make out what the boy had said even the second time.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just go back to sleep, Joseph. Everything\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPah…\u201d Joe whispered, fading faster.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPah…shep…herd…shep…herd…\u201d Joe tried to get his meaning across, but failing to get his father to understand he grew weary and dozed back off again.<\/p>\n \u201cShepherd?\u201d Ben asked confused and looked again at his sons and the doctor. \u201cI think he said shepherd.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMust\u2019ve been that medication,\u201d Paul nodded over at Ben.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n All night long the five men took turns tending the injured young man, each getting little rest in between care giving. Paul had been ready to force a sedative on Ben, but stopped short when he saw that the worried father had passed out due to exhaustion in the chair next to his son\u2019s bed. Sending both Adam and Hoss to their rooms to get some real sleep, Paul kept his own vigil waiting for morning.<\/p>\n \u201cI must\u2019ve dozed off,\u201d Ben muttered at first light and stood from the chair trying to ease his sore back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got in a couple hours, Ben. But, you are going to have to try to get some real rest later today or you\u2019ll be in your own sick bed soon,\u201d\u00a0 Paul commented as he checked his patient\u2019s forehead once more. \u201cStill has some fever going\u2014but I would say it\u2019s safe enough to leave him for awhile. I need to go into town for more supplies.\u201d Paul closed his medical bag and turned for the bedroom door when it opened and in walked Hoss and Adam again. “Good. You boys can spell your father for a while. I am heading back to my office.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben walked over to join Paul, wanting to walk him down the stairs and get any last minute instructions for Joe\u2019s care before he left.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like we need more ice,\u201d Adam said staring into the water pitcher. He reached for it and turned out of the room with the other two men while Hoss sat down in the chair Ben had just vacated.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Walking down the long staircase, Ben and Paul discussed Joe\u2019s prognosis.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that set is holding nicely. I will bring back the plaster we\u2019ll use to make the castings of his hands. We need to rinse his eyes again when I return. Until then, you just keep getting fluids in the boy. It\u2019ll help with his fever,\u201d Paul said making it down to the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll send Cliff back into town for more ice,\u201d Adam said and Paul turned towards him.<\/p>\n \u201cNo sense doing that. I\u2019ll bring a supply back with me, Adam. Hop Sing told me a little while ago he still has some left. He\u2019s been keeping it cooled in the root cellar all night. It should be enough to get you by till I return.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoc\u2014what do you think? I mean\u2014Joseph…\u201d Ben asked hoping for some reassurance.<\/p>\n Paul put his hand on Ben\u2019s arm and stared into his careworn face. \u201cBen\u2014he\u2019s got an uphill battle ahead of him\u2014but at least he\u2019s not at death\u2019s door like he was yesterday. He\u2019ll survive…\u201d Paul stopped short of saying Joe would be okay eventually. The doctor really didn\u2019t think the boy would totally recover from all his massive injuries. He worried about the damage which had been done to Joe\u2019s fingers. Even with the set seemingly doing well, there was always the chance that the boy would lose some mobility due to the severity of the fractures.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014will he recover? I mean\u2014his hands\u2014his face\u2014everything. He just looks so terrible.\u201d Ben tried to convey his fears without again breaking down to tears.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not sure about his hands\u2014we are gonna have to wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd his eyes?\u201d Ben begged for a straightforward answer this time.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re scratched pretty badly\u2014Ben\u2014I am not trying to dodge your questions\u2014I just simply don\u2019t have an answer to them yet. Joe\u2019s a very injured young man right now; I consider it a huge accomplishment that we were able to keep him alive. We\u2019re going to just have to wait. But, realistically we can\u2019t fool ourselves either. That scar on his face\u2014well\u2014it\u2019s not going away. He\u2019s going to have some permanent damage, the extent of it can\u2019t be determined just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked down to the floor fighting the anger again and the images of his son\u2019s tortured body. He could not speak, the words choked in his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cBen\u2014let\u2019s concern ourselves with the most important things right now. I\u2019d say Joe\u2019s eyes and his hands have to be our biggest concern. His tongue\u2014as well as his feet\u2014they will eventually heal with proper care. Let\u2019s do all we can for the boy\u2019s eyes and his hands and let nature deal with everything else. Nature and God that is,\u201d Paul whispered, trying to help his old friend through his emotional pain.<\/p>\n Ben took a deep breath, trying to pull from whatever internal reserve he still had. \u201cWill you send a telegraph for me when you get back to town?\u201d Ben asked abruptly and Paul looked at him bewildered.<\/p>\n \u201cTelegraph? To whom?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClark Rogers\u2014he\u2019s the second in command on the Indian Affairs Committee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure\u2014what do you want me to tell him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell him I resign,\u201d Ben said flatly and started to walk away from where both Adam and Paul stood at the front door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat!\u201d Adam called out loudly. \u201cPa\u2014you can\u2019t resign…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen\u2014maybe you can just get a postponement\u2014maybe a couple of weeks\u2014and then you can get back to it.\u201d Paul tried to offer an alternative to his friend. He knew how hard Ben had fought to get the committee appointed by the governor. Paul also knew that without the guidance of Ben Cartwright, the committee would never meet their goals. It had been Ben\u2019s idea and his drive, which had started the whole thing.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014I resign\u2014I don\u2019t want to have anything to do with it,\u201d Ben insisted, his anger bleeding out as he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014Pa…\u201d Adam reached for his father as the man tried again to walk away. Gripping Ben\u2019s arm his eldest son stared intently into his eyes. Adam could not believe the hatred that burned in the brown recesses of his father\u2019s normally compassionate eyes. \u201cYou know how important this is to the Indians\u2014you were the one who started it! You can\u2019t just quit!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben broke Adam\u2019s grip harshly and shot his own arm towards the stairs and pointed. \u201cYou tell that to your little brother, will you? You go up there and tell him that his father is needed in Carson to help the Indians! You tell him that he can just lay there and suffer alone\u2014without his pa\u2014just so those savages can get more land!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014I can\u2019t believe you are saying this…\u201d Adam whispered so stunned by all that Ben had said. Paul also stood at the door with his mouth opened in wonderment.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had been here two days ago instead of working on that damned committee maybe Joseph wouldn\u2019t have been tortured! If I had been here doing my job as the boy\u2019s father instead of as some head honcho over a meaningless committee maybe Joseph wouldn\u2019t be blind! Maybe if I had cared more about my own people\u2014well\u2014maybe I could have prevented all of this!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen\u2014this isn\u2019t like you\u2014you are just upset,\u201d Paul broke in gently.<\/p>\n \u201cUpset!\u201d Ben yelled. \u201cOh yes\u2014I am upset! My youngest son is upstairs battling pain because some savage decided to seek his own vengeance on the white man by torturing him! Help the Indians now? No\u2014and never again either!\u201d Ben fired back, his hatred flowing like a venomous river, drowning all things in its way.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was Lone Eagle, Pa! Not all the Indians…\u201d Adam argued against his father\u2019s logic. \u201cYou\u2019ve taught all of us\u2014Joe included\u2014not to hate\u2014and here you are spouting this kind of prejudice just as if you were Justin Weathers himself! This isn\u2019t like you, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe had a son murdered by Indians\u2014now I have had a son almost murdered by them too. Perhaps I misjudged the man all along.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t you\u2014Pa\u2014you are just upset and tired…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPaul\u2014please send the telegraph,\u201d Ben broke in on Adam\u2019s protests staring over at the doctor. He then turned and headed into the kitchen.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Adam walked sullenly with the doctor outside to the other man\u2019s surrey. Fletcher, one of the hired hands, had readied it for the doctor\u2019s trip back to Virginia City. When Paul stepped up into the surrey he put his hand on Adam\u2019s sunken shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cTry not to be too hard on your father, Adam. This whole thing is eating away at him. You have to understand how much seeing Joe like this has killed him on the inside. Your brother is in awfully bad shape.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that, Doc\u2014and I hurt for Joe too. But, you\u2019ve known Pa many years. He\u2019s a good man. If he gives up his post on that committee, he may regret it for the rest of his life. Maybe we can get him to come back around\u2014I mean once Joe starts doing a little better?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe\u2014okay\u2014I\u2019ll tell you what.\u201d Paul stopped and patted Adam\u2019s shoulder again and winked at him as a thought came into his head. \u201cI\u2019ll send a telegraph explaining about what happened to Joe\u2014and I\u2019ll ask for a two week postponement. I\u2019m sure with what\u2019s happened and all they\u2019ll agree to it. That buys us a little time to work on Ben. But, I think it would be wise if we waited a couple of days. How about it?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded gratefully. \u201cYeah\u2014that will work. Thanks, Doc. You\u2019re a good friend\u2014to all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, after tending that little brother of yours so many times, I almost feel like one of the family now anyway. I should have my own bedroom at least.\u201d Paul laughed and sent the carriage forward and headed back to Virginia City.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Hop Sing had noticed the anguished look on Ben\u2019s face as he had entered the kitchen. He had also heard the loud discussion in the next room earlier and worried more now about Ben. Removing from the stove the fresh pot of coffee, Hop Sing insisted that his employer and friend sit down in the kitchen to regroup.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Hop Sing. I needed this,\u201d Ben commented as he sat at the small table in the kitchen and sipped on his coffee. The cook brought over another cup and poured coffee for himself and sat down next to Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Ben vely worried about Little Joe\u2014 Hop Sing read it on face,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014I couldn\u2019t hide it even if I wanted to. I guess it\u2019s a good thing that Joseph can\u2019t see my face\u2014\u201d Ben started and stopped abruptly thinking about his son\u2019s eyes. \u201cWhat will we do if Joe loses his sight? What if he can\u2019t use his hands?\u201d Ben asked the other man, his voice trembling at the horrible images that his mind had conjured up.<\/p>\n Hop Sing reached across the table and patted Ben\u2019s arm affectionately. \u201cLittle boy always make worry\u2014no matter when he hurt…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle boy?\u201d Ben said and the thought of what the cook had called Joe forced a smile onto his face. \u201cDon\u2019t let Joseph hear you calling him a little boy, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways be Hop Sing\u2019s little boy\u2014no matter how old he get…\u201d Hop Sing insisted. \u201cRaise from baby\u2014Little Joe know\u2014Hop Sing love him vely much.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and put his hand on the cook\u2019s arm this time in a show of support. \u201cWell, he\u2019s my little boy too\u2014you know? Of course, that\u2019s what he gets for being the youngest, I guess. I couldn\u2019t have gotten him this far in life if it hadn\u2019t been for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe help him together\u2014like we do always.\u201d Hop Sing offered his brightest Oriental smile.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014he\u2019s so bad off this time,\u201d Ben replied shaking his head in worry again.<\/p>\n \u201cOne step at a time\u2014you say this to Hop Sing all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cYes\u2014I guess I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing hear much yelling\u2014you fight with Mr. Adam?\u201d Hop Sing got to the root of the matter trying to smooth things out in the family.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014I am not fighting with Adam\u2014just disagreeing with him. I have resigned from the committee\u2014and he\u2019s not happy with my decision.\u201d Ben was now frowning as he thought about the words he had earlier with his oldest son.<\/p>\n \u201cSon learn from father\u2014sometimes father learn from son same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get back to Joseph if you don\u2019t mind. I\u2019m about spent on the other topic at the moment. We\u2019ve got to get something down the boy more than just water. He hasn\u2019t eaten in days\u2014and with his tongue…\u201d Ben stopped as his mind flashed back to the picture of the burn he had found in his son\u2019s mouth the day before. It sent a pain throughout his body.<\/p>\n Hop Sing could tell that Ben was once again hurting over all he had witnessed and decided to offer what help he could. \u201cI make broth\u2014on stove now,\u201d he said standing and moving over to a large pot on top of the stove.<\/p>\n Ben neared the other man and looked down into the pot with a confused look on his face. \u201cHop Sing\u2014Doc said Joe could only drink cold things now\u2014warm or hot liquids will hurt him too badly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing know\u2014will cook and then cool\u2014and then add ice.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s face scrunched up at the thought of ice cold beef broth. \u201cYou think he\u2019ll drink it?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing smiled broadly and nodded his head. \u201cLittle Joe drink whatever Hop Sing bring him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben patted the cook\u2019s shoulder and grinned. The man sure did have a way with the youngest member of the family, that was for certain. And if anyone could get Joe to drink the concoction, it would be Hop Sing. \u201cWhatever you say. I think I\u2019ll go up and send Hoss down for breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO\u2014you stay\u2014you eat first\u2014then Mr. Hoss and Mr. Adam,\u201d Hop Sing replied sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014okay\u2014I\u2019ll eat first and then send them down. I\u2019ve already fought with two people today\u2014don\u2019t want to chance having a run in with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRun in? What that mean?\u201d Hop Sing asked bewildered.<\/p>\n \u201cFight\u2014a fight\u2014you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014you no fight Hop Sing\u2014you know Hop Sing always win.\u201d The cook grinned and started to crack the eggs into a frying pan.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, as a matter of fact you do.\u201d Ben nodded and reached again for his coffee. For some strange reason his little conversation with Hop Sing had cheered him from his earlier glum mood.<\/p>\n Hop Sing stared over at the head of the Cartwright clan and knew he had gotten through to him. He started humming a Cantonese tune pleased with his minor victory. One step at a time,<\/em>\u00a0Hop Sing thought to himself grinning over towards Ben.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n That whole second day was spent just as the first one had been. All of the Cartwrights and Hop Sing took turns tending to the injured boy. Joe only intermittently returned to consciousness, though he managed to drink a few sips of water here and there before falling back into protective slumber. By the time the doctor had returned to the ranch house early in the evening, Joe\u2019s family were very anxious to hear what Paul thought about the boy\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n \u201cHas he said anything?\u201d Paul asked as he examined his patient.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s mumbled a bit\u2014but nothing intelligible. I\u2019m worried\u2014shouldn\u2019t he be starting to come around more by now?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNot necessarily, Ben. Look at all his body has been put through,\u201d Paul replied and opened his medical bag and removed the eye drops and gauze he needed to treat Joe\u2019s eyes again. \u201cLet\u2019s get his eyes taken care of before we move to his hands. It\u2019s going to take awhile to cast both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben carefully eased the gauze bandage from around Joe\u2019s head in preparation to rinse his eyes. Hop Sing had brought in the sterile water and handed it to Doctor Martin. They set the towels again on either side of Joe\u2019s head and began the procedure.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s it look?\u201d Ben asked as Paul inspected both eyes once the water had run out of them.<\/p>\n \u201cA bit better\u2014perhaps tomorrow\u2014if Joe is back with us\u2014we can ask him about his vision. But, for right now, we need to cover them again.\u201d Paul dropped the medication into both eyes and then reached for the new bandage to place over them. After he secured Joe\u2019s eyes Paul moved down to his feet to take a look at the burns. \u201cThese look better\u2014I was worried about infection\u2014but I think they are coming along nicely. Let\u2019s put some more salve on them and wrap them up\u2014they\u2019ve aired out enough.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam jumped into the picture and helped Paul with their brother\u2019s feet, so glad to hear some good news for a change. The salve was spread onto both feet and then the gauze was wrapped loosely around the burns.<\/p>\n \u201cNow\u2014I think we should try to get Joe to drink something before we start with the casts. He has to keep from getting dehydrated\u2014and he\u2019ll need something for the pain of us working on his hands.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben bent down closer to Joe and began softly caressing his face and calling out to him. \u201cJoseph\u2014come on\u2014time to wake up\u2014come on\u2014can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n All eyes in the room were on Joe as he changed his breathing and winced up his face in pain. \u201cPah?\u201d Joe whispered, his voice hoarse and dry.<\/p>\n \u201cRight here next to you, Joe\u2014we have to get you to drink now,\u201d Ben said and reached for the glass Hop Sing offered him. Ben saw that it was the iced down broth and his stomach churned at the thought of having to drink it himself. Ben positioned the straw in the glass and lifted his son\u2019s head a bit. \u201cNow you drink this all up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWater?\u201d Joe asked still foggy in mind.<\/p>\n Ben shot a look around the room and shrugged his shoulders helplessly. He didn\u2019t want to describe to his son what was really in the glass. Remembering the doctor having told them all that Joe would not be able to taste anything for months, Ben decided that a small lie was appropriate at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014Joseph\u2014just some water…\u201d Ben replied and fought off a slight grin as he watched Joe drink the broth. It took a little prodding but Ben was able to coax Joe enough to finish the entire contents of the glass and then he handed it over to Hop Sing. The cook winked at Ben pleased to see that their little plan had worked. \u201cVery good, son,\u201d Ben smiled and patted Joe\u2019s arm lightly.<\/p>\n \u201cPah? Can\u2019t see…who…who\u2019s here?\u201d Joe stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all here, Little Brother,\u201d Hoss sang out.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014right here next to the bed,\u201d Adam joined in and patted the boy\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n \u201cBad…off…\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n Ben turned to the doctor to let him address Joe\u2019s worries this time.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve had a bad time of it, Joe\u2014but you are gonna make it,\u201d Paul reassured the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cI…know…shepherd…said…\u201d Joe slightly nodded his head as he spoke.<\/p>\n All the men in the room questioned in their minds again what Joe was saying. Had he said shepherd again? They wondered if the boy was falling back under.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you say shepherd, Joseph? It\u2019s kinda hard to hear you,\u201d Ben asked softly.<\/p>\n \u201cTongue…burned…can\u2019t talk…can\u2019t talk so good…\u201d Joe replied sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve kinda been in and out of it for a day, son. Don\u2019t you worry\u2014you\u2019re gonna be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPah? Have to tell you…have to tell you…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me what, Joe?\u201d Ben drew closer to hear what Joe was saying to him, it was getting harder to understand him again.<\/p>\n \u201cShep…herd…have to tell…\u201d Joe stopped as he started to feel weak once more.<\/p>\n \u201cShepherd? I\u2019m sorry, son\u2014I don\u2019t understand\u2014what\u2019s this about a shepherd?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo tired…hurt…too tired,\u201d Joe repeated over and over again.<\/p>\n Paul laced another glass of water with some medication and handed it to Ben. \u201cGive him this before he falls back under, Ben. We don\u2019t want him coming around while we are casting his hands.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a little more water, Joseph\u2014now you drink this for me.\u201d Ben lifted Joe\u2019s head up again.<\/p>\n \u201cToo tired…\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon\u2014just a bit\u2014just try,\u201d Ben urged on. Joe finally drew some of the liquid up in the straw and swallowed. A minute later Ben could feel his son\u2019s head fall a little in his grasp and knew the boy had gone back to sleep. \u201cHe didn\u2019t get much down.\u201d Ben said turning back towards Paul after he had settled Joe back onto his pillow.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014it will just have to do. We need to get to these hands now,\u201d Paul said and moved to inspect the splints. The fingers of Joe\u2019s right hand were fine, and had held up to the sets well. Paul then noticed that two of Joe\u2019s fingers on his left hand had not fared so well. He chewed on his bottom lip as he realized that the index finger and thumb appeared to have moved too much and would need to be re-set. \u201cBen\u2014how about going downstairs for a little while? I have more than enough help here.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stared over at the doctor and knew by the man\u2019s facial expression that something was very wrong. He also knew that Paul was trying to withhold the bad news from him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it? C\u2019mon\u2014level with me,\u201d Ben demanded the truth.<\/p>\n Paul breathed in deeply and let it out very slowly trying to figure out what he was going to tell the man. He could see the fatigue all over Ben\u2019s face already; he also knew how much anger there was still in the worried father\u2019s heart. \u201cWe need to re-set two of these fingers here. I\u2019d just really rather you not stay for it. Hoss can help me. Right, Hoss?\u201d Paul cast a pleading glance over to the big man at the end of the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Doc\u2014no problem\u2014won\u2019t take long at all,\u201d Hoss nodded. Deep in his soul, he dreaded having to do what he had just done the previous night. He could still remember the sounds of his brother\u2019s fingers snapping back into place and it pained his heart at the thought he\u2019d have to do it yet again.<\/p>\n Ben looked over at both of his sons and then back at Paul. He knew that if he stayed in the room one more minute he would explode in anger. How much more could his child endure anyway? Ben couldn\u2019t believe all the pain and suffering that Joe had already had to deal with, and now yet another procedure. Why? Why was all this happening? Ben\u2019s thoughts raced in his mind and always stopped on the one solid image in his head; Lone Eagle. Without responding verbally, Ben hurried out of the bedroom.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Hoss asked quietly as he made his way down into the living room an hour later. He could see his father deep in thought in his leather chair in front of the huge fireplace. Hoss couldn\u2019t help thinking that Ben looked old. He worried again about the man\u2019s heart and hoped that all that had happened to his little brother would not take its toll on their father this time.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014it\u2019s all done\u2014Joe\u2019s got his hands all casted and Doc says they look real good. We don\u2019t have to worry about them moving now that the plaster is holding them.\u201d Hoss tried to sound as encouraging as he could as he walked over to the man and put his hand down on his shoulder for support.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d Ben nodded, knowing it had taken an awful lot of internal and external strength for Hoss to have re-set his little brother\u2019s fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014Joe\u2019s gonna be okay\u2014you just gotta stop brewing over it. It\u2019s not helping him none\u2014and it\u2019s not good for you. Remember your heart, Pa, we don\u2019t want nothing to happen to you,\u201d Hoss pleaded with his father.<\/p>\n Ben finally looked up into the blue eyes of his middle boy and read the compassion and love shooting out from them. \u201cNothing is gonna happen to me, Hoss. Stop worrying. I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2014I don\u2019t think you are,\u201d Hoss said shaking his head. \u201cI had a talk with Adam earlier today. I know you probably don\u2019t want to talk about it\u2014but I can\u2019t help it! Pa\u2014you\u2019ve got to get back to your committee! Now I ain\u2019t saying today\u2014or even this week. I know you have to stick around for Joe\u2019s sake and all. But, once he is on the mend you just gotta go back there. Please don\u2019t quit now. Adam and I don\u2019t want you to\u2014and neither does Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood up and began pacing the room trying to contain his anger and hatred. It was a losing battle. Looking over at his second child he could see the vision of the young man\u2019s mother there before his eyes. Hoss\u2019 eyes and hair and even his gentleness were a constant reminder of Inger, his mother. Ben remembered the love he had for the blonde beauty and also the grief he had felt when she had been killed. Killed by an Indian\u2019s arrow! Ben groaned without thinking about it as he remembered that day so long ago that he had buried his second wife out there on the dusty trail. He thought he had buried his hatred for Indian\u2019s that day too, but, evidently he had not. It burned now in his heart just as strong as it had when he had seen Inger fall. Ben had tried through the years to make up for the hatred he had felt by trying everything he could to help the Native Americans. He wondered now if all his so-called help had caused the torture of his son inadvertently. Ben knew he would never be able to forget seeing Joe\u2019s body lying there in the pit of snakes. He would never forget taking the boy home on his horse and praying that he didn\u2019t die right there in his arms. Ben knew he would never forget the sounds of hearing his son\u2019s fingers, one at a time popping back into place nor the way his face gapped from the Indian\u2019s knife wound. He could never forget the burns or anything else that had been done to his youngest son, nor could he ever forgive.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about that committee ever again. And I\u2019ve turned the other cheek for the last time as far as all Indians are concerned. Before you ask me something foolish\u2014like WHY I feel this way\u2014why don\u2019t you go and take a good look at your little brother. That says it all,\u201d Ben replied to his son and then headed back towards the stairs.<\/p>\n Hoss closed his eyes in prayer. He prayed for guidance and for a way to help his father now. The man who had left and hurried up the stairs was not the man who had raised him. Hoss wanted that person back, the father he knew and loved and the man who he respected above all those he had known in his life. He asked for God\u2019s help to accomplish that task.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Doctor Martin could not force Ben to change his attitude. He could not force the man to stop his hatred towards the Indians either. But, he could force a sedative on his old friend, and that\u2019s exactly what he did with the help of Hop Sing. They put the medication into his drink while he wasn\u2019t looking. They all knew that if Ben didn\u2019t get some real sleep that he would become ill. They also knew if they hadn\u2019t sedated the man that he would spend yet another night in the chair next to Joe\u2019s bed. Paul made sure that didn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n Ben slept all through the night and into part of the next day, his body taking over where the sedative had left off. When he awoke, he was surprised to find himself in bed and frowned when he realized that he had been sedated. He washed, dressed, and hurried into the next room.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s doing fine, Pa,\u201d Adam called over to his father as he entered the room. Adam set down the book he was reading and stood from the chair making room for Ben. \u201cHe only woke up a couple of times.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stroked Joe\u2019s hair and looked back towards his eldest son. \u201cYou all doped me up,\u201d he said angrily.<\/p>\n \u201cHad to\u2014you didn\u2019t give us any choice in the matter. Joe needs you\u2014you don\u2019t want to fall out do you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned at Adam\u2019s logic, even though he knew it was valid. He sank down into the chair and felt Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t seem as warm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014his fever shot up a little last night, but has been coming down all morning. Doc\u2019s gonna be back soon and we\u2019re going to look at those eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid Joe call for me?\u201d Ben asked worriedly.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce\u2014but we told him you were sleeping and he was fine. The kid worries about you too you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHas he drank anything today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014Hop Sing gave him more of that special water,\u201d Adam laughed. \u201cHe drank it all up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Ben said and settled back in the chair.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna go see if Hop Sing has made lunch yet. I\u2019ll bring you back something.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled up at Adam, relieved that his son did not seem to harbor a grudge over the words the two of them had the previous morning. \u201cThanks, son.\u201d Ben nodded over to him.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Pulling the curtains closed, Paul looked across the room at all the worried family members. He knew that they were frightened about the outcome of his examination of Joe\u2019s eyes. Joe had come back around a short time after the doctor had returned from town, and Paul decided it was the right time to check for damage now. He walked back over to the head of the bed and slowly removed the gauze bandages that covered the boy\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, I want you to slowly open your eyes, Joe. And, remember what I told you. Don\u2019t worry if you can\u2019t see anything right away. Your eyes are badly scratched\u2014and it may take awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded as the doctor removed the two pads, which covered his eyes, and he slowly blinked trying to clear his vision.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d Paul asked calmly.<\/p>\n Joe turned his head from the left side where the doctor stood, over to the right side of the bed where Ben stood. \u201cHi…Pa,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you see me?\u201d Ben choked out.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a little blurred is all\u2014but I can make you out fine,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n \u201cThank God,\u201d Ben whispered as tears fell uncontrollably from his eyes. It had been the first good news that he had heard in so long.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me take a good look,\u201d Paul said and checked the eyes more thoroughly. \u201cHow clear, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can make out features and things\u2014just a bit hazy you know?\u201d Joe answered, but his words were again starting to slur due to his tongue. He swallowed hard as the pain started to get to him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to take awhile\u2014but I believe you will get all of your vision back, Joe. I want to keep your eyes bandaged for awhile to protect them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2014wait just a minute will you?\u201d Joe pleaded. He wanted to take a good look around the room.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014just a few,\u201d Paul gave in to the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss…Adam…\u201d Joe started and then coughed. His throat had dried and his tongue was throbbing from all he had spoken already. Ben reached over and made sure he just had water in the glass this time. Now that Joe could see what he was drinking, the game he had been playing with the boy was over. Joe took a couple of sips and then looked back over at his brothers. \u201cYou don\u2019t look so good\u2014think you all need sleep,\u201d Joe called over to them and they laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we\u2019ve missed a night or two because of you!\u201d Adam smiled over at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014Little Brother\u2014you worried the devil out of us this time,\u201d Hoss joined in.<\/p>\n Joe looked down at his hands lying helplessly on the pillows at his sides. He then tried to pull himself up on the bed by using the bottoms of his feet. He moaned in pain as they touched the sheets. \u201cGuess that wasn\u2019t such a good idea,\u201d Joe whispered, he had forgotten all about the burns he had received due to his walk in the campfire. \u201cSomebody pull me up will you…I can\u2019t use my hands…or my feet…\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached down and pulled Joe up higher in the bed so he could better see everyone in the room.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry I never made it to the timber camp\u2014bet you thought I was goofing off somewhere,\u201d Joe called over to his brothers. Hoss and Adam looked down at the floor feeling guilty.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to rest, Joe, I think that\u2019s enough talking for now,\u201d Paul instructed his patient.<\/p>\n \u201cHow much for the damages this time, Doc?\u201d Joe asked fighting back pain with his humor.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you\u2019ll get my bill once we have you all fixed up. You still have a long way to go, though.\u201d Paul smiled and patted Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n Joe noticed how quiet his father was. It was hard for him to read Ben\u2019s face, as it was still a bit blurred due to his weakened vision. \u201cPa… don\u2019t worry…I\u2019m gonna be okay,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n Ben looked at his son and fought his tears again. Joe had no clue as to how bad off he really was. His son had yet to get a look at the four-inch scar, which ran down the left side of his face; Ben worried what that would do to the boy once he could see it. He also realized that his son\u2019s hands might never be as they had been before. Ben figured that Joe was the only person in the room who thought that he would really be okay. He hated to take that hope from him now.<\/p>\n \u201cOne step at a time, Joseph\u2014right now you are a bit…\u201d Ben stopped in mid-sentence trying to think of an appropriate word to use.<\/p>\n \u201cMangled?\u201d Joe shot back to his father.<\/p>\n Ben had to fight off his smile at Joe\u2019s very descriptive word. It did, however, sum up his son\u2019s appearance nicely. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t exactly say that,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI would.\u201d Joe nodded and closed his eyes as a flash of pain shot into them.<\/p>\n Paul could see the strain on Joe\u2019s face and knew he was suffering. \u201cEnough is enough. Let\u2019s get those eyes bandaged again. You can talk more later. Right now you need all the rest you can get,\u201d Paul stated and began to wrap the gauze around the boy\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSo does everyone else in this room, Doc. Make them go away for awhile. I\u2019m okay,\u201d Joe said after his eyes were again bound.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing…\u201d Paul called as the cook appeared in the doorway. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you sit with Joe for awhile? I\u2019m ordering everyone else downstairs at Joe\u2019s request.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing moved gladly over to the chair and sat down next to the bed. He put his hand out onto Joe\u2019s right arm. \u201cLittle Joe need sleep\u2014Hop Sing make sure he get it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014let\u2019s go,\u201d Paul called to the others in the room. Adam and Hoss filed out, but Ben paused for a moment at the head of the bed. He bent down and planted a kiss on his son\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back up in just a little while,\u201d Ben whispered and turned to leave the room.<\/p>\n Later that night, Adam had taken over as Joe\u2019s caregiver hoping to give the others some rest. Joe dozed in and out but started to stay awake for longer periods. His oldest brother read to him from one of the boy\u2019s favorite books trying to take his mind off his injuries for a little while.<\/p>\n \u201cHad enough for one night, Joe?\u201d Adam asked looking over at his brother and noticing the boy was yawning.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess so\u2014why don\u2019t you read me the end tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know how it ends anyway.\u201d Adam laughed and closed his book. \u201cI think I\u2019ve read you this book a dozen times over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love The Three Musketeers\u2014reminds me of the three of us.\u201d Joe attempted a smile, but his sutures tightened on his cheek and he winced.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014I bet it does. That\u2019s why you use to run around with that blasted sword jumping from table to table when you were a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou gotta admit I was cute back then,\u201d Joe replied thinking back to his younger days.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe\u2014just a little bit.\u201d Adam chuckled and stood and stretched.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t think I\u2019ll be jumping on any tables for awhile\u2014and I can\u2019t even move my fingers right now\u2014so sword fighting is out of the question.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed; he wondered if Joe would ever be as he had been. All he could see now was a very badly battered little brother. He hoped that Joe would regain the use of his hands, but having watched as the doctor set all his fingers, Adam was having some doubts as to Joe\u2019s chance for a full recovery. He looked down at his brother and saw the horrible scar that he now wore. It cut through his heart to think that Joe would no longer be considered such a handsome young man. Adam wasn\u2019t sure how his little brother would handle all that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Adam? You sure are quiet all of a sudden,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u2014I was just fixing you something to drink,\u201d Adam lied, poured water into a glass, and held it up to his brother\u2019s lips. He pulled Joe\u2019s head up a little higher and the boy drank all that had been offered to him.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks\u2014but I think you have something on your mind. I may not be able to see you right now\u2014but I can sense things pretty good. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe repeated his question.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess I am just a little worried about you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be\u2014I\u2019m gonna be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2014you might not get back to one hundred per cent\u2014but you know we almost lost you…\u201d Adam stopped in what he was trying to get across to the boy. He didn\u2019t want to put anything more on Joe than he could handle at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cI said I am gonna be okay\u2014so stop worrying. Now tell me what\u2019s going on with Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Adam asked sitting back down in the chair.<\/p>\n \u201cI can feel that there\u2019s something wrong with him too. He\u2019s taking all this hard, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou stop worrying about others\u2014you just worry about Joe for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2014I need to know. Tell me. There\u2019s something wrong with Pa. He\u2019s not sick, is he? Is his heart acting up again?\u201d Joe asked heightened concern taking over his voice now.<\/p>\n \u201cRelax, Kid, Pa\u2019s health is fine. Other than being a little tired he\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell…” Adam began and then looked over at his brother and wondered if he should be burdening the boy with the truth of the matter. He could tell that Joe was not going to ease up in his questioning, so he decided that he would have to tell him what was really going on. \u201cJoe\u2014Pa wants to resign from the committee. He\u2019s so upset over what happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does what happened to me have to do with the committee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014well\u2014he blames all the Indians for what happened to you. I think he blames himself a little too. He thinks that if he had been here on the ranch that day instead of being over in Carson City that he could\u2019ve protected you somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t make any sense,\u201d Joe whispered, very upset over what he was hearing.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2014I\u2019ve just never seen Pa like this\u2014you wouldn\u2019t believe it either. He has such hate in him now…\u201d Adam trailed off. He was feeling guilty for having unloaded on his little brother. The boy had far too many other problems just in trying to recuperate. \u201cSorry, Joe, you don\u2019t really need to worry about this right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014Adam\u2014I need to know\u2014I need to help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if anyone can help Pa right now. His anger and hatred are out of control. And\u2014this from a man who taught the three of us ‘musketeers’ not to be prejudiced!\u201d Adam gave an ironic chuckle at the thought of it all.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll talk with him, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019ll help. One look at you\u2014and all that you suffered through, and it will be even harder for him to stop hating.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I didn\u2019t suffer…\u201d Joe started and then coughed. His tongue was throbbing again and the pain was back in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2014I know you are trying to be brave and all\u2014and you know I think you are as tough as a person could be. But, if you were on this side of the bed you would see what we do when we look at you. You were tortured\u2014we all know you suffered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me talk to Pa\u2014just give me a little while to rest\u2014and then I\u2019ll do it,\u201d Joe replied as he tried to battle his fatigue and hurt.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some of those powders the doctor left to ease your pain. Let\u2019s get that into you now and then you rest. There\u2019s plenty of time to talk to Pa.\u201d Adam reached back over to the nightstand and mixed the pain medication into Joe\u2019s water glass. \u201cHere\u2014you drink this and then you need to sleep awhile,\u201d Adam said as he lifted his brother\u2019s head again and Joe accepted the straw. He finished all the contents again and his brother set the glass back down.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Pa,\u201d Joe muttered and then fell right off to sleep.<\/p>\n Adam pulled the covers up around his brother\u2019s shoulders and shook his head wearily. \u201cPoor kid,\u201d he whispered as he sat back down in the chair to keep a watch over him.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t have a chance that night to speak to his father. The medication and fatigue put him back under for the entire night. The next day the doctor returned and examined him again thoroughly and treated his eyes once more. It wasn\u2019t until later that afternoon that Joe finally got the opportunity to talk alone with Ben. Hoss and Adam were just leaving the bedroom as Ben reappeared in the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing wants you two downstairs for lunch,\u201d Ben called over to his sons.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were just leaving. See you in a little while, Joe,\u201d Hoss replied and turned out of the room with Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014how are you doing, Joseph?\u201d Ben smiled and sat down next to his son.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay\u2014Pa\u2014I\u2019m glad you\u2019re back\u2014I need to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs there something wrong? Are you hurting?\u201d Ben asked, the worry coming back in his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014I just need to talk\u2014that\u2019s all. Will you take these bandages off of my eyes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow\u2014you heard what the doctor said\u2014we\u2019ve got to keep them on for awhile yet. Your eyesight is coming back\u2014but that doesn\u2019t mean we don\u2019t have to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease\u2014Pa\u2014I need to see you\u2014it\u2019s really important,\u201d Joe pleaded. \u201cAs soon as we\u2019ve talked, you can wrap them back up, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease?\u201d Joe shot back adamantly.<\/p>\n Ben frowned and shook his head. He didn\u2019t want to go against the doctor\u2019s instructions, but it seemed like there was something very desperate in Joe\u2019s request that he just couldn\u2019t deny.<\/p>\n \u201cJust for a bit\u2014but then right back on, agreed?\u201d Ben sighed and started to unwrap the gauze bandage.<\/p>\n \u201cAgreed.\u201d Joe nodded as his father freed his vision. Joe blinked a couple of times trying his best to clear his sight. He focused in as best he could on his father\u2019s careworn face.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014now what was so important, son?\u201d Ben asked patiently and reached for Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cI have so much to tell you, Pa\u2014I\u2014I\u2014don\u2019t know where to start. But\u2014I need you to listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I\u2019ll listen to you.\u201d Ben grinned and patted the boy\u2019s arm fondly. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take a drink to soothe your tongue first? I\u2019m getting the notion that this is gonna be some chat.\u201d Ben held up the glass straw to his son\u2019s lips and Joe drank the water gratefully.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks\u2014that\u2019s better. I know it\u2019s kinda hard to understand me at times\u2014that\u2019s why I hope you will listen carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m listening\u2014go on.\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, Adam told me about you resigning from the committee…\u201d Joe began but his father cut him right off again.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2014he shouldn\u2019t have told you\u2014and I don\u2019t really want to get into this right now. So, if that\u2019s what this whole thing is about…\u201d Ben was then cut right back off by his son.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you said you\u2019d listen,\u201d Joe argued. \u201cI told you this is important to me. Will you please let me say what I have to say?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben groaned and let go of Joe\u2019s arm and leaned back in the chair. \u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014I know you are looking at me and you are thinking that I have suffered\u2014but I haven\u2019t \u2014not really.\u201d Joe said and paused briefly to clear his throat. \u201cI know that I look like death warmed over\u2014but it\u2019s not really as bad as it seems. Pa\u2014I didn\u2019t suffer\u2014not really\u2014I hardly felt anything that Lone Eagle did to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNice try\u2014and I know that you are saying this to get me to go back to Carson\u2014but it\u2019s not going to work. Joseph\u2014you fail to remember that I helped doctor you! I was the one who pulled you from that pit of snakes you were in. Don\u2019t think that I don\u2019t know how badly you were tortured\u2014because I know it all too well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014look into my eyes\u2014go on! Pa\u2014I don\u2019t lie to you\u2014well\u2014maybe a fib or two in the past\u2014but never over something this important! And, I am not lying now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you don\u2019t want me to know how bad it was on you\u2014you have some idea in your head that if you didn\u2019t suffer then everything will just be fine!\u201d Ben retorted.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014I didn\u2019t suffer. Now let me explain while I can still talk.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben folded his arms across his chest and nodded back over to his son. \u201cGo on then, get it all out of your system.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you remember a verse you use to read to all of us\u2014I think it was one of your favorites from the Bible? It goes something like this\u2014they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles\u2014you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben fought back the bitterness in his heart for a moment to recall what had been his most treasured verse. \u201cYes, Joseph\u2014yes\u2014I remember. Why do you mention it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Lone Eagle had me\u2014right when he was about to break my fingers\u2014I saw this eagle that was high in the air above me\u2014I watched it for a minute, lying there on the ground. It made me remember that verse. I prayed to God to let me rise above the pain. I prayed that I would live\u2014so you wouldn\u2019t have to go through the pain of burying me\u2014again\u2014like when you thought I had died on the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stared intently over into his son\u2019s eyes and saw the earnest way he was looking towards him. He knew that Joe was trying his best to relate to him exactly what had happened. \u201cWhat happened, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gonna sound strange\u2014you probably aren\u2019t going to believe the rest of this story. But, Pa\u2014I promise you I am telling you the whole truth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo on.\u201d Ben nodded and found his hand to be back on Joe\u2019s arm again urging him on with his story.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt like I was lifted up into the air\u2014I could feel the wind on my cheeks\u2014just like the eagle so high in the sky. I could see my body below and what the Indian was doing to me. But, Pa\u2014I felt nothing\u2014there was no pain\u2014there was no suffering. You\u2019ve just got to believe me!\u201d Joe insisted.<\/p>\n Tears rolled out of Ben\u2019s eyes as his son begged him to accept all he was telling him. He had worried so much over all that Joe had endured. His heart ached at the thought of the torture that the boy had lived through. And now, Joe was trying his best to tell him that there had been no real suffering\u2014no real pain. Ben struggled to believe his son\u2019s story.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe you\u2014I believe that you are telling me what you think happened at least.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2014it DID happen\u2014just like I\u2019ve told you. No matter what Lone Eagle did to me from that point on\u2014I was able to soar above it. God kept me from suffering\u2014you have to believe that! If he hadn\u2019t\u2014well\u2014if I had felt all that Lone Eagle did\u2014I don\u2019t think I would be here talking to you now. I never could have endured that kind of pain. I\u2019m only human you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand you are telling me this to ease my worry\u2014and my pain\u2014over what happened to you, son. And, I thank you for that. But, this has nothing to do with why I have resigned from the committee\u2014at least it\u2019s not the whole reason for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014I\u2019m not done, Pa! I have to tell you the rest\u2014could you get me some more water?\u201d Joe stopped abruptly, his tongue aching from all the talking.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we should continue this later?\u201d Ben asked as he held the glass back up to Joe\u2019s lips and he took a long pull on the straw.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014I have to tell you this,\u201d Joe insisted getting back to his story. \u201cNow\u2014promise me you won\u2019t think I am crazy\u2014what I am about to tell you\u2014well\u2014is gonna sound very strange.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt won\u2019t be the first time you\u2019ve told me something strange\u2014go ahead.\u201d Ben smiled and waited for Joe to settle back to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014now\u2014when Lone Eagle was done all his tortures\u2014he got up to fifteen I think\u2014wanted to pay us back for the fifteen braves he lost when we raided his camp.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s face turned into a harsh scowl just thinking again about Lone Eagle, and all Indians in general. \u201cI wish we had killed him when we had the chance. I wish I hadn\u2019t saved him all those years ago…\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cPa? Pa\u2014you gotta listen now\u2014you listening?\u201d Joe asked as he noticed the far away gaze in his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014son\u2014go ahead\u2014I\u2019m still listening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014so he was getting ready to push me into this pit of snakes when I guess one of you sent that shot that killed him. He was able to shove me right before he fell to the ground. Anyway\u2014all of a sudden\u2014though my eyes were full of sand\u2014I could suddenly see again! But, it was weird\u2014like it was so bright and all. I looked up and I could see my body lying over on the other side of the pit\u2014I could see all the snakes around me\u2014but I wasn\u2019t in my body. That\u2019s when I saw him…\u201d Joe stopped and swallowed hard. He had to somehow convey his vision so it would seem real to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cSaw who? There was no-one there with you when I climbed into the pit, son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe shepherd, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered and noticed his father\u2019s eyes jumped at the word.<\/p>\n \u201cShepherd? Joe, you have been muttering something about a shepherd ever since we first brought you home. You\u2019re saying that there was a shepherd there with you? Did he leave before I came or what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa\u2014he was still there when you climbed down to get me.\u201d Joe nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why didn\u2019t I see him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess you weren\u2019t supposed to\u2014Pa\u2014this is the hard stuff to explain to you. I know you are gonna end up thinking I was just out of my head or something. But, it was real. He stood there next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. I asked if he was God and he said that he was the shepherd who watches over all of God\u2019s lambs.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes showed both doubt and amazement in them. But he could tell that Joe was dead serious in what he was relating.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought that maybe I was dead\u2014but he said I wasn\u2019t\u2014and he showed me how he was keeping the snakes from getting to me. He said that he heard my prayer and pulled me out of my body so I wouldn\u2019t feel the pain. That\u2019s when I saw you climbing down into the pit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014you couldn\u2019t have seen me\u2014you were lying face down on the ground as I made my way to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014Pa\u2014I wasn\u2019t in my body at the time! I remember you reached for my head and you slowly rolled me over. Then right before the snakes started to move towards you the shepherd took his staff and placed it between you and them and they started to move back.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought hard on the information Joe had just offered him. All Joe had said about what he had done and what the snakes had done were accurate. Ben could not figure out how Joe could have known all that. He had been totally unconscious when his father had lifted him up into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014you\u2019ve got my full attention now, Joseph. Go on.\u201d Ben grinned, anxious to hear the rest of the story now.<\/p>\n \u201cHe told me that I was needed here\u2014that you all needed me as badly as I needed you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was right about that.\u201d Ben nodded and patted his son\u2019s arm again.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said I had to live\u2014that I still had things to do here. Then he disappeared and that\u2019s all I remember until I got home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014that is some story, son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2014it\u2019s not over yet. I am getting to the most important part. I saw him again\u2014the shepherd\u2014and he was right here in this room the night you were all trying to patch me up! I talked with him again.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben closed his eyes and remembered the one-sided conversation he had witnessed his son to be having the first night he was brought home. He remembered wondering whom the boy had been speaking to. Ben sat perplexed in appearance as Joe continued on.<\/p>\n \u201cHe told me that you would fall from grace\u2014he told me you would have hate in your heart towards the Indians now\u2014because of what happened to me. I told him that you wouldn\u2019t but he insisted that the seed of hate had been planted in your heart. He told me that I needed to tell you…\u201d Joe stopped and tried to remember exactly what he had been instructed to say to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me what, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo not hate an entire race for the evil of one.\u201d Joe repeated the exact words that the shepherd had used.<\/p>\n Ben swallowed hard after hearing his son\u2019s words. He fought to register them in his brain and in his heart but, looking at the battered body of his youngest child he resisted letting go of the hatred he felt.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014you just have to let it go\u2014you just have to,\u201d Joe insisted urgently. \u201cYou are too good of a person to hate any one race\u2014just because of what one stupid man did to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph…\u201d Ben started and placed the palm of his right hand gently against his son\u2019s scarred face. Tears left his eyes again as he thought on the damage that had been done to his boy. \u201cI can\u2019t let it go. Don\u2019t you understand? Joe, you\u2019re never going to be back to normal. I wish to God I could make it so\u2014but it\u2019s not going to happen. There\u2019s a strong possibility that your hands will never work as they did before. Then your face\u2014oh\u2014Joseph\u2014your face!\u201d Ben sobbed as he stared at the grotesque four inch sutured gap on his handsome son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014Pa\u2014you don\u2019t know that for sure\u2014but I DO! The shepherd said I would get it all back\u2014my hands will be fine\u2014my feet\u2014my tongue\u2014my eyes! And this scar\u2014that you are so worried about\u2014it\u2019s gonna fade too. It\u2019s just gonna turn into a tiny one\u2014hardly even noticeable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2014you can\u2019t count on that\u2014I don\u2019t want you to be disappointed in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Joe whispered and tried his best to smile at his father. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna be disappointed\u2014don\u2019t worry. The shepherd told me I would be okay\u2014and I believe it. I know it. He saved me\u2014you gotta believe all that I\u2019ve told you. \u2018Cause it\u2019s the truth, Pa. I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed and brushed his eyes with his shirt sleeve to push away his tears. He saw the complete faith on his son\u2019s face and wanted to believe all that the boy had told him to be fact.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014it\u2019s important to me to keep my promise to the shepherd\u2014for all he did for me. You\u2019ve got to go back and get your work done with the committee. If you can\u2019t bring yourself to do it for the Indians, or for yourself\u2014please\u2014Pa\u2014please do it for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben felt a pain in his heart, a very strange kind of pain. It was the removal of the deeply imbedded seed of hatred and prejudice which had been lodged there for days. Looking at his son Ben couldn\u2019t help but to abide by his wishes. If all that the boy had conveyed was fact, then Ben reasoned that he definitely owed the shepherd something for saving something so precious to him; Joseph.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re really going to be okay?\u201d Ben whispered as he stared back into the hazel eyes of his boy.<\/p>\n \u201cYou bet,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cWill you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho am I to argue with a shepherd? Especially a shepherd who saved my son. I\u2019ll go back. But, not for another week. I\u2019m going to stick around until I know you can do without me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014I\u2019ll never be able to do without you. But, Carson City isn\u2019t all that far away. You\u2019ll be back home every night. And it doesn\u2019t look like I\u2019ll be getting out of bed anytime soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood and grabbed the bandages to cover Joe\u2019s eyes again. \u201cWell, young man, if you are through with giving your father a badly needed talking to, then I think we\u2019d better cover those eyes back up.\u201d Ben grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014I\u2019m through. I\u2019ll have to hand it to you, Pa\u2014this lecturing stuff sure takes a lot out of you. Glad you aren\u2019t nearly as hard headed as some other folks we know,\u201d Joe teased as his father circled the bandage around his eyes.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s hand fell again to Joe\u2019s face and he said, \u201cJust a little scar, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014Pa\u2014you\u2019ll hardly notice it at all,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very proud of you, Joseph\u2014next time you see that shepherd of yours you tell him thanks for me will you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa.\u201d Joe nodded and settled back against the pillows. He was very worn out from his long talk with his father, but very satisfied with the results.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a credit to the man who raised you.\u201d Ben laughed and sat back down in his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing will be glad to hear you say that,\u201d Joe teased and felt his father\u2019s hand on his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014let me rephrase that\u2014you are a credit to the men who raised you. I want partial credit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got it, Pa. Now why don\u2019t you go and get some lunch. I think I\u2019ll doze off awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe it\u2019s time for your lunch too,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHold up on the brown water for awhile\u2014I\u2019m too tired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrown water?\u201d Ben asked raising his eyebrows surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014you know\u2014what you have been passing off for water? I\u2019ve known for two days now it wasn\u2019t water. I just didn\u2019t want to take away all your fun\u2014or Hop Sing\u2019s either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014how did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2014I\u2019ve lost my taste buds \u2014 and my eyesight under these bandages\u2014but I still have my sense of smell. You think I couldn\u2019t recognize Hop Sing\u2019s beef broth after all the times he\u2019s cooked it for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have become a very smart young man, Joseph.\u201d Ben laughed again over the thought of Joe finding out about his father\u2019s little deceit.<\/p>\n \u201cA credit to the father who raised me,\u201d Joe whispered and fell off to a restful slumber.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Joe continued to heal, though slowly at first. After two weeks had passed Ben finally agreed to go back to Carson City and chair the committee he had created. He started to feel more at peace with his decision as each day passed and his hatred had melted away completely due to the loving words of his youngest son. Even still, Ben was a bit apprehensive leaving Joe the first day as he prepared to gather his papers and slip on his suit coat. He knew it was what the boy had been pestering him about for days, and yet the thought of being miles away troubled him. Ben couldn\u2019t help but to think of the last time he had gone into Carson City and all that had happened when he had returned.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I guess I have everything. Think I\u2019ll just go and tell Joe goodbye,\u201d Ben called over to both Adam and Hoss who stood in the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you already done that, Pa.\u201d Hoss grinned and winked over at his brother. They both could read the apprehension on their father\u2019s face. Both men knew that their father would worry about the boy all day.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014you know we\u2019ll take good care of him. It\u2019s not the first time we ever babysat the kid you know,\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare tell Joseph that you are babysitting him\u2014he will find a way to get out of that bed if you do? And I am quite sure the boy could pack a real whollup with that casted left hand of his,\u201d Ben warned jokingly.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Adam replied turning serious for a moment. He walked with Hoss over to their father and they both gave him an impromptu hug.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014what\u2019s that for?\u201d Ben smiled, touched by their gestures.<\/p>\n \u201cJust to let you know how proud we are of you\u2014we\u2019re mighty glad to have our Pa back,\u201d Hoss replied patting his father on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Boys\u2014sorry for all I said…\u201d Ben felt a bit embarrassed now over his former behavior.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just go and get that bill written up so they can get it to Washington the way only Ben Cartwright can.\u201d Adam nodded over to his father letting him know he forgave his earlier outbursts, and that he understood why he had acted the way he had.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just be a minute\u2014tell Fletcher to hold the surrey.\u201d Ben grinned and hurried up to his youngest son\u2019s bedroom.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Joe turned his face toward the door as he heard it open. His eyes remained bandaged, but he was able to take them off for a bit longer each day now.<\/p>\n \u201cHi ya\u2014Pa!\u201d Joe called across the room.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d you know it was me?\u201d Ben asked as he approached the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cBay rum\u2014and quite a bit of it I might add.\u201d Joe laughed as he felt his father\u2019s hand ruffling his hair in protest over his statement.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I get you anything before I leave?\u201d Ben turned serious.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see now\u2014two new hands\u2014two feet that aren\u2019t blistered and itching to high heaven\u2014a tongue that can taste anything,\u201d Joe started in on his long list.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are in rare form today I can see. Wish I could stay for the rest of your performance, son, but I have to be going. Now you sure you\u2019ll be okay while I\u2019m gone? I won\u2019t be back until around dinner time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014think I\u2019ll run those two brothers of mine ragged for awhile\u2014fetching things all day. You don\u2019t have to worry, Pa. I\u2019m just kidding. I\u2019ll be fine\u2014I sure as heck ain\u2019t going nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014well\u2014I guess I\u2019d better get going.\u201d Ben paused and bent down and kissed Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cI\u2019ll see you tonight, Joseph,\u201d Ben said and turned for the door.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Joe called across the room before Ben made it out of the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re my hero.\u201d Joe smiled sightlessly over towards his father\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ve heard that somewhere before.\u201d Ben laughed, remembering back several months to when he had said that very thing to his youngest son. \u201cI\u2019ll try to live up to your compliment this time, Joseph. See you later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve never let me down. Now get out of here so I can sleep,\u201d Joe called across the room as his father turned to leave. He could hear his father\u2019s laughter in the hallway and it lifted his spirits. He felt he had his pa back, and this time for good.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Epilogue<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Committee on Indian Affairs worked well through the summer on their plans for reparations for the various Indian tribes in the area. It was three months of arduous work and planning and many late nights of discussions and rewrites of the bill they planned to send on to Washington, D.C. During this time, while Ben was hard at work with the committee, his youngest son was slowly healing from his injuries. Joe had regained his vision, and it was just as clear as it had been before Lone Eagle\u2019s attack. The burns on his feet healed, as did his back and leg injuries. Joe still had a long while to go before he could actually taste food again, but at least he was now able to eat soft foods without it causing him any pain.<\/p>\n Doctor Martin had been extremely strict this go-round with his favorite patient. When Joe could finally move about a bit, the doctor made sure he stayed confined to the inside of the ranch house. The casts had just been taken off the boy\u2019s hands the previous week, and Joe was busy with various exercises to try and work them enough to undo the stiffness that had settled in the bones of each of his fingers.<\/p>\n The most amazing thing about Joe\u2019s recovery was the fact that the horrid scar on his face had gradually faded. In little more than three months, it had healed so well that only a little over an inch of a scar could now be seen at all. Fortunately that scar fell right along the normal lines of Joe\u2019s left cheek and jaw, and had to be sought out in order to be noticed. Paul Martin wished he could take the credit for such fine suturing, but he knew that the disappearance of most of the scar had to have come from a far greater healer than himself. He was content and happy to know that he had an unseen assistant helping him in the healing of one Joseph Cartwright.<\/p>\n **********<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright entered the ranch house a bit exhausted from his long day in Carson City. He had met again with Governor Blasdel and received an accommodation for all of his hard work. All of the committee\u2019s findings had just been forwarded to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and were now out of the hands of all those who had worked so hard trying to assist the Indians. Ben was more than content as he removed his dress coat at the front door, hoping he wouldn\u2019t need to wear it again for a long time. He was ready to go back to the dull routine of running the large Ponderosa and helping his sons with preparations for the fall round-up.<\/p>\n Turning at the credenza, Ben spied his youngest standing by the bottom of the stairs. The boy, he reasoned, must not have noticed the entrance of his father. Joe had his holster strapped to him and was practicing twirling his revolver and putting it back rapidly into its holder. Ben watched amused for a minute or two before clearing his throat loudly to gain the boy\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n \u201cI sure hope that\u2019s not loaded!\u201d Ben called sternly across the room. The twinkle in his eyes gave away the fact that he really wasn\u2019t angry to see the boy practicing in the house.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so too!\u201d Joe teased as he accidently dropped the weapon at his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben shouted, now worried for real.<\/p>\n \u201cJust kidding\u2014naturally I took out the bullets, Pa. I\u2019m a very smart young man\u2014remember?\u201d Joe grinned and holstered the weapon again. \u201cHey\u2014call out to me and I\u2019ll show you how fast I\u2019ve gotten.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed. He was tired, but he didn\u2019t want to quell Joe\u2019s enthusiasm in trying to get his gun prowess back to normal. \u201cGo!\u201d Ben shouted and out like a flash came Joe\u2019s revolver. Then Joe spun it rather fanciful and holstered it again.<\/p>\n \u201cHey-pretty good, huh, Pa?\u201d Joe smiled and walked over to where his father was now taking a seat by the fireplace.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Doc told you to exercise your hands\u2014I\u2019m not sure that was what he had in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014I know\u2014I\u2019ve done the other stuff too, Pa. But, can you believe how good my left hand has gotten lately? The other week I could barely even bend the fingers\u2014and now it\u2019s almost as good as new. So is my right hand for that matter.\u201d Joe grinned and perched on the coffee table opposite his father.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014but then again\u2014you did say you would get everything back to normal. So, we shouldn\u2019t be surprised, right? Isn\u2019t that what your shepherd said?\u201d Ben winked over at his son amused.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2014yeah\u2014and I want to thank you again for not telling Hoss and Adam about it. Glad it\u2019s just between you and me. They would tease me\u2014and make it all a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we know it was real, don\u2019t we?\u201d Ben smiled and let his hand fall lightly on the left side of Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019ve known it was real ever since that scar left. You can hardly tell you have one there anymore, Joseph. Only when you turn just a certain way can I even see the tiny mark that remains.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust like he said.\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cSo\u2014how\u2019d it go today? You got everything done? How did your meeting with the governor go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverything is all sent to Washington. We had our final meeting today\u2014and Governor Blasdel gave me a formal commendation for heading the committee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? In writing? Can I see it?\u201d Joe asked very excited that his father had received the accolade.<\/p>\n Ben leaned over to where he had set down his briefcase and opened it. He handed his son the certificate the governor\u2019s office had printed up with his name on it.<\/p>\n \u201cTo honor Benjamin Cartwright, for his assistance in forming Nevada\u2019s first Committee for Indian Affairs, Governor Henry Goode Blasdel humbly thanks you for all your efforts on behalf of the State of Nevada.\u201d Joe turned and patted his father\u2019s knee proudly. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to frame this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe\u2014\u201d Ben replied and then reached down into his briefcase again. \u201cI have a little something for you too.\u201d He said and handed his son a package.<\/p>\n \u201cMe? Why?\u201d Joe asked as he started to tear at the brown paper to get to his gift.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see.\u201d Ben grinned and watched as Joe finally pulled the piece of finely crafted sculpture from the box.<\/p>\n Joe held the form up and his face broke into a peaceful grin. Carved out of ivory was a beautiful figure of a shepherd, staff at his side and all. \u201cOh\u2014Pa\u2014this is wonderful…\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it pretty close?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up with tears glazing his eyes, so touched by the meaning behind the gift. \u201cYeah\u2014Pa\u2014just like him. Where did you find it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014just passing a store in Carson City one day\u2014a couple of weeks ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve kept this for weeks? How come?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually I was waiting to see\u2014just to be sure…\u201d Ben replied a bit embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014you wanted to see that everything was going to come out just as he said it would!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014all that matters is that it did. You are almost completely back to normal, and the committee is over. And I\u2019m very thankful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a wild year all right\u2014but I think we\u2019ve all learned some important things for our trouble\u2014don\u2019t you?\u201d Joe asked still holding the statue in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you are very right, Joseph\u2014on both counts. It has been a wild year\u2014and I have learned a great deal. I\u2019ve learned to practice what I preach for one thing. And it was a tough lesson\u2014but with the help of my youngest I came to my senses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did have a little help you know, Pa,\u201d Joe replied and handed Ben the shepherd.<\/p>\n Ben took the figure into his hands and stared fondly at it, remembering all that his son had told him about his encounters with his own shepherd. \u201cI think that has got to be one of the best lessons I\u2019ve learned.\u201d Ben stated nodding his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was?\u201d Joe didn\u2019t understand his father\u2019s statement and he looked at him questioning him with his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does my heart good to know\u2014that no matter where you are\u2014no matter how far away you are from me\u2014that there\u2019s always someone watching over my little lamb.\u201d Ben grinned and patted his son\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s real nice and all, Pa…\u201d Joe started and then scrunched up his face as he thought about the remark his father had just made. \u201cBut don\u2019t say this little lamb stuff around my brothers\u2014they\u2019ve always called me the black sheep of the family\u2014let\u2019s not give them any new material to use.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2014now go find a good place for this shepherd\u2014I doubt you\u2019ll want to explain this one to them either.\u201d Ben smiled and handed his son the statue.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2014I\u2019ll put it up in my room just as soon as I dig around upstairs for a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat for?\u201d Ben asked and he stood as Joe headed to the staircase.<\/p>\n \u201cGotta find a frame\u2014it\u2019s not every day that you get a certificate from the governor you know!\u201d Joe winked at his father and on his face was one hundred per cent pride for the man who had raised him.<\/p>\n *****End***** Written by Wrangler\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n (Note from writer, this story wouldn’t have been written if it wasn’t for a reader who dared me to hurt Little Joe ten times in one story.\u00a0 Challenge taken — with plenty of SJS in addition to her ten suggested.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary:\u00a0 Lone Eagle seeks to kill Little Joe after sparing his life in “The Promise”. Can Joe endure the torture planned for him?\u00a0
\nThe Jonah
\n<\/a>With Wings as Eagles<\/a><\/p>\n
\nRated T, WC 34,000
\nThe third in “The Promise” series, links to stories in the series included within.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140,"featured_media":57052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1015,23,1008,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-pa","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2001\/05\/Screenshot_20250601_190848_YouTube.jpg?fit=737%2C720&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5367","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\/140"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5367"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5367\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/57052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}