{"id":5601,"date":"2003-08-20T00:48:31","date_gmt":"2003-08-20T04:48:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5601"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:42:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T18:42:27","slug":"mistaken-identity-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5601","title":{"rendered":"Mistaken Identity (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Helping a friend of Joe\u2019s almost costs the Cartwrights more than they are willing to pay.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0 (11,400 words)<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

MISTAKEN IDENTITY<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was a decided nip in the air that autumn day. Joe Cartwright was riding along on a loose rein, his mind miles away as he thought about his up-coming date with Callie Burns, in a couple of days\u2019 time, when he was escorting her to the Governor\u2019s Ball, which was being held in Virginia City. Ben Cartwright, Joe\u2019s father, always received tickets to the ball, although he seldom attended, given the distances often involved. This year, Ben and all three of his sons were going.<\/p>\n

It was the sudden quickening of his horse\u2019s gait that alerted Joe and he swiftly pulled his mind back from its wanderings and glanced around, smoothing one hand down the silky black and white neck in front of him. \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Cooch?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Movement seen from the corner of his eye had Joe reaching for his gun, but as he turned to look more closely, he realized that his caution was unwarranted, for the man standing there was an old school friend of Joe\u2019s, Ken Blake.<\/p>\n

But the sight of Ken aroused all Joe\u2019s caution again and he rode forward warily. \u201cKen?\u201d he called. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d For his friend had a black eye and was wearing ragged, threadbare clothes and was on foot. Joe thought he had been robbed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ken looked at him and smiled, the smile revealing a split lip. \u201cYeah, I guess I\u2019m all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sliding down from Cochise, Joe took a closer look at Ken\u2019s face. The bruising was clearly a day or so old. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked. \u201cWere you robbed?\u201d He looked around. \u201cWhere\u2019s your horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy horse died yesterday,\u201d Ken replied. He grimaced. \u201cBetter for him. And this?\u201d He gestured to his face. \u201cPa wasn\u2019t in a good mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure quite what to say. Ken\u2019s father was a small rancher, who hadn\u2019t made the success of his spread that he should have done. He was known for his foul temper, meanness and drunkenness. This was not the first time he\u2019d taken his bad mood out on one of his sons. Unfortunately for Ken, his three older brothers had all left home and he was the only one there to bear the brunt of it.<\/p>\n

But before Joe could think of anything to say, Ken went on. \u201cI tell you, Joe, I\u2019ve had enough! I\u2019m on my way into town to find a job. I can\u2019t take it any longer!\u201d<\/p>\n

In that moment, Joe made up his mind. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for hands on the Ponderosa,\u201d he lied. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you come work for us? I can swing it with my Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure?\u201d Ken asked, doubtfully. \u201cDon\u2019t you have to ask your Pa first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, of course I\u2019ve got to clear it with him,\u201d Joe agreed, knowing he would have to do some fast talking, \u201cbut he trusts our judgment. The job\u2019s yours, I guarantee.\u201d Joe vowed to himself that even if he had to pay Ken\u2019s wages himself, he\u2019d give his friend the job he so badly needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI accept,\u201d Ken replied, sounding relieved and Joe knew he\u2019d made the right decision. \u201cJoe, I gotta go back and tell Pa. Would you come with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Joe agreed. He glanced at his friend, noticing him shivering. \u201cKen, where\u2019s your coat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t got one,\u201d Ken replied, his tone quite accepting. \u201cI haven\u2019t had one in the last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing away to hide his expression, Joe was appalled. Ken\u2019s clothes were so tattered he doubted if Hop Sing would use them to wash the kitchen floor and he guessed that his shirt was thicker than the rags on Ken\u2019s back. \u201cHere, borrow mine, because you look cold,\u201d Joe told him, shrugging out of his green jacket. When Ken would have protested, Joe over-rode him. \u201cGo on, I\u2019m warm enough. You can give me it back later, when you\u2019ve got a new one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re sure,\u201d Ken agreed, doubtfully, but when Joe insisted, he slipped the jacket on gratefully. The warmth was delicious and he couldn\u2019t stop himself hugging the material close, not realizing how much he gave away in that gesture. \u201cThanks, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get your stuff,\u201d Joe proposed, and mounted Cochise before offering Ken a hand to get up behind him.<\/p>\n

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

The ranch was even more neglected than Joe remembered. The three horses in the corral were so thin that their ribs showed and their coats were staring. Joe was horrified. The cattle out in the pasture were too far away for Joe to see any details, but he suspected they were in much the same state as the horses; the pasture was exhausted.<\/p>\n

Aaron Blake was waiting for them on the porch. His clothes were dirty, but warmer that Ken\u2019s. He had looked much the same all the years that Joe had known him; thin, stooped, with a craggy face and no teeth. He glared at the world from under the brim of a hat, and he had carried a chip on his shoulder for most of his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you been, boy?\u201d he growled, ignoring Joe completely. \u201cWhere\u2019d ya git that coat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave it to him,\u201d Joe replied, as Ken fumbled for words. Undaunted, he glared back at Blake.<\/p>\n

\u201cI weren\u2019t askin\u2019\u00a0you<\/em>, boy!\u201d Blake snapped, but Joe refused to be intimidated.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019ve got a job at the Ponderosa,\u201d Ken said, all in a rush. \u201cI\u2019ve come to collect my things and I\u2019m leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t goin\u2019 nowheres,\u201d Blake growled. \u201cLeastwise, not till you\u2019re 21.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sliding to the ground, Ken seemed to find his courage at last. Joe dismounted to stand beside him, silently offering his support. \u201cI\u2019ve been 21 for four months, Pa,\u201d Ken shot back, scathingly.<\/p>\n

This was clearly a surprise to Blake, although Joe thought it shouldn\u2019t be. He had known that Ken was 21, for he had helped Ken celebrate it. Joe was older than Ken, although they had been friends at school. Joe had felt sorry for the younger boy, as he seemed out of place in his family and they had the added bond that they had both lost their mothers when young. Joe had made the effort to befriend the boy in the dark days after Ken\u2019s mother died, and he had enjoyed the fruits of the rewarding friendship ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t leavin\u2019!\u201d Bake exclaimed and raised his hand to Ken.<\/p>\n

An ominous click froze him in place, with his hand raised. \u201cLeave him alone!\u201d Joe warned, his tone perfectly calm and somehow menacing. Without taking his eyes from Blake, Joe said, \u201cGet your stuff, Ken.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a momentary hesitation, Ken headed into the house. Joe put the safety back on his gun, but he didn\u2019t put it away. He and Blake stood there, eyeing each other. \u201cI\u2019ll git ya for this, Cartwright!\u201d Blake warned. \u201cYou\u2019re stealin\u2019 ma boy away an\u2019 I ain\u2019t gonna stand fer it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKen is old enough to decide what he\u2019s going to do with his life,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHe wants to work for us and that\u2019s just what he\u2019s going to do. You can\u2019t stop him, Blake. Ken is of age and is doing this of his own free will.\u201d<\/p>\n

A moment later, Ken was back and his saddlebags were noticeably flat. Keeping an eye on Blake, Joe mounted Cochise, then put his gun away. Moments later, Ken was on the horse behind him and they rode slowly away. Joe could feel Blake\u2019s eyes on him the whole time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll git ya, Cartwright!\u201d Blake screamed. \u201cYou\u2019re a dead man!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

As they rode slowly back to the Ponderosa, Joe decided that the best thing to do would be drop Ken off at the bunkhouse, while he went inside and persuaded his father that they had to take Ken on. The rhythm of life slowed on the ranch through the autumn and winter, with work beginning afresh come spring. But there were always odd chores needing done, and although Ben had let most of the hands go, he was sure there would be a place for Ken.<\/p>\n

Just for once, the first part of Joe\u2019s plan worked like a charm. He dropped Ken at the bunkhouse, telling him to stow his gear and introducing him to the foreman, Charlie, who had been there longer than Joe \u2013 or so he told everyone. \u201cThank, Joe,\u201d Ken muttered, as he handed back the jacket. \u201cThanks for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mention it,\u201d Joe told him. He shrugged the jacket back on, glad of the extra warmth, for he had been getting quite cold on the ride home, although nothing on earth would have persuaded him to admit it! \u201cI\u2019m sure Charlie can find you a jacket, Ken,\u201d he added, with a wink at the foreman. There were certain advantages to working with a man for all those years, he thought, as he saw Charlie quickly assess Ken\u2019s clothing. Before long, he would be the recipient of a few warm garments, all coaxed from their owners by the persuasive Charlie.<\/p>\n

Putting Cochise into the barn, Joe hurried through his chores, anxious to speak to his father before Adam and Hoss arrived back. He found Ben at his desk, writing a letter. \u201cI need to talk to you, Pa,\u201d he began, and launched into the story.<\/p>\n

Listening, Ben kept his face impassive. He knew Aaron Blake and had never liked the man. He bore a chip on his shoulder and when the first of his sons had left home, nobody had been surprised. Thinking back, it occurred to Ben that each son had left shortly after his 21st birthday. Had Blake been as free with his fists with the older sons as he had with the youngest? And Ben remembered the persistent rumors that had circulated after the death of his wife; that he had murdered her.<\/p>\n

Of course, Roy had looked into them, but he had Paul Martin as an eye witness of the woman dying in childbirth, along with the infant daughter she bore. There was no question of foul play over Mrs. Blake\u2019s death, but Paul had mentioned that he\u2019d found a poorly healed break in her arm, which had still been giving her pain during the labor and he had wondered. But there was no concrete evidence and Blake had gone on living the way he always had.<\/p>\n

It suddenly impinged on Ben that Joe had fallen silent and was waiting with barely concealed impatience for Ben to say something. In truth, very little that Joe had said had reached him. \u201cTell me again about going to Blake\u2019s ranch?\u201d he suggested, as that was where his mind had strayed.<\/p>\n

Impatience evident in every syllable, Joe repeated his stand-off with Blake, watching his father\u2019s face for signs of anger. He had been too caught up in his tale to notice Ben\u2019s inattention the first time round, but his father asking for him to tell it again suggested to Joe that there was about to be an explosion.<\/p>\n

But there wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 Ben nodded. \u201cI don\u2019t approve of you holding a gun on him,\u201d he stated, \u201cbut you couldn\u2019t have stood back and let him beat Ken. I appreciate that, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silent now, Joe\u2019s shoulders slumped. He was sure Ben was going to tell him that Ken had to go elsewhere. He didn\u2019t know how he was going to tell Ken. Raising his head to make one last effort, Joe saw that Ben was smiling. Uncertainly, Joe began to smile back. He wasn\u2019t in trouble and perhaps\u2026 He refused to let himself hope any more.<\/p>\n

\u201cKen can stay,\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa!\u201d Joe exclaimed and threw his arms round his father\u2019s neck, all but strangling him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see what we can do about some clothes for him,\u201d Ben suggested, patting Joe on the back before disentangling himself. \u201cAs I recall, Ken\u2019s about your build, isn\u2019t he?\u201d He led the way to the stairs, with the grinning Joe following behind. \u201cIsn\u2019t it time you cleared out your wardrobe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Joe agreed. He bounded up the stairs. Ben followed more sedately. He was very proud of Joe for sticking up for Ken. He realized that more of what Joe had said had got through to him than he realized, for he remembered Joe offering to pay Ken\u2019s wages out of his own. Of course it wouldn\u2019t come to that, but he was proud of Joe for suggesting it.<\/p>\n

Going into Joe\u2019s room, Ben felt that his chest was so swelled that it might burst. He swept Joe into an exuberant hug before they started hunting through his clothes.<\/p>\n

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

Over supper, Adam and Hoss were apprised of the situation. Ben and Joe had gone down to the bunkhouse with the clothes he had found, and Ken had been embarrassingly grateful. He\u2019d already received some things from the other men. Normally, someone like that would never accept what they termed \u2018charity\u2019, but Ken had had to live with hand-me-downs all his life and they had never been as good as the clothes he now owned. The sheer novelty and delight of being warm enough, with a full belly, for the first time he could remember, made him more than grateful. As he left to return home, Joe was reminded once more just how fortunate he had been all his life.<\/p>\n

He was still mulling this over when they returned home. Adam had been sitting strumming his guitar, but he put it aside as his father and youngest brother came in. \u201cHow did it go?\u201d he asked, with the cynical certainty of one who had seen many a benefactor soundly thrashed for the munificence.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Joe murmured, doffing his hat and coat. \u201cHe was very grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam commented. He\u2019d heard this before, although he was surprised that Ben didn\u2019t look annoyed and Joe wasn\u2019t sporting any red areas \u2013 embryonic bruises. \u201cYou must be faster than he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, Adam!\u201d Ben snapped. \u201cKen was grateful and I don\u2019t want to hear any more snide comments about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Adam responded, looking surprised and chastened. Joe was throwing him dark looks. \u201cBut giving clothes to a destitute hand isn\u2019t usually very successful, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I suppose not,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut Joe told you everything went fine. Why didn\u2019t you believe him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, any fight that Joe comes out of not dead went fine by his standards,\u201d Adam offered, and even Joe had to laugh at that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI allus felt plumb sorry fer them Blake boys,\u201d Hoss commented. He was laying out the checkers board. \u201cOl\u2019 man Blake were allus meaner than a rattlesnake. I mind the one \u2018bout ma age \u2013 Frank? \u2013 tellin\u2019 me he never got no dinner ta bring ta school after his mama died. His Pa said it were a waste o\u2019 good food, feedin\u2019 the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others looked at Hoss, profoundly shaken by his sorrowful comment. \u201cAh mind him tellin\u2019 me that he were expected ta do lots more chores than we was expected ta at the same age. He were doin\u2019 a man\u2019s work as well as bein\u2019 at school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he wasn\u2019t too happy when Ken said he would like to go on with his schooling,\u201d Joe remarked. He perched on the edge of the table and contemplated the board before him, but didn\u2019t make a move. He\u2019d never entirely understood Ken\u2019s thirst for learning, not realizing that he was absorbing a great deal of knowledge, not just at school, but at home, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cKen hasn\u2019t had an easy life,\u201d Ben commented, softly. \u201cWe must do what we can to help him settle in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam answered for all of them. \u201cWe will.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Over the next week, Ken found his place on the ranch. He was a hard worker and keen to learn, but for a young man raised on a ranch, there were an awful lot of things he didn\u2019t know. The first morning, Joe had handed him a horse and told Ken that this horse was his to use as long as he worked on the ranch. Ken was delighted and patted the horse enthusiastically. But when the end of the day came, and Joe was putting his horse up in the barn, he saw that Ken hadn\u2019t groomed the sweat off his horse, nor given him a measure of grain.<\/p>\n

Putting his head round the bunkhouse door, Joe saw Ken lying flat out on his bunk. The other youth looked exhausted and Joe knew that he\u2019d done a full day\u2019s work, even though he really wasn\u2019t fit enough. Joe didn\u2019t know when he had last seen someone as thin as Ken. \u201cKen,\u201d he called and the other sat up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe?\u201d he asked, although he hoped he wouldn\u2019t be asked to do anything else that day, because he was worn out.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you come here a minute?\u201d Joe led the way to the barn and looked pointedly at Ken\u2019s horse. \u201cIs that the way you\u2019re going to leave your mount?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with it?\u201d Ken asked, defensively. \u201cThat\u2019s the way I\u2019ve always left my horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe replied, taking firm hold of his patience. \u201cBut that\u2019s not how we do it here. You always take care of your horse before you do anything else, unless you\u2019re badly hurt, ok?\u201d He walked over to the horse. \u201cI\u2019ll show you what to do,\u201d he explained. \u201cAnd you do it every time you put your horse up for the night, even if you\u2019re out camping.\u201d\u00a0 Explaining what he was doing and why, Joe scraped the dried sweat off the horse, sponging down some of the worst bits, and then groomed the animal from head to tail and picked out his feet. That done, he made sure there was adequate fresh water and gave it some grain. While the hungry horse tucked into its meal, Joe made Ken go into the hay loft and fork down some hay.<\/p>\n

\u201cGee, no wonder our horses never lasted on us,\u201d Ken commented as he patted the animal\u2019s neck. \u201cWe didn\u2019t ever give them hard food like this. They had just hay, and not much of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing that Ken\u2019s basic horse management would need watching until he was more confident, Joe dispensed a few more words of wisdom. \u201cDon\u2019t give your horse too much cold water when he\u2019s very hot,\u201d he advised. \u201cThat\u2019s a fast way for them to blow up and get colic. If your horse is down with colic, try and get him onto his feet and moving, otherwise he might twist his gut and there\u2019s only one cure for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is?\u201d Ken asked.<\/p>\n

In answer, Joe pulled out his gun and held it up. Ken looked at it for a long moment, then nodded. \u201cI understand. I\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t do all this, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re still learning,\u201d Joe excused him. \u201cWe all make mistakes as we\u2019re learning. If you aren\u2019t sure how much grain to give your horse, then ask someone. Remember to check his shoes regularly and if he loses one, don\u2019t ride him, walk him back and get it seen to as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Ken nodded.<\/p>\n

Feeling there had been enough lessons for one night, Joe grinned at his friend. \u201cYou did a good day\u2019s work out there,\u201d he praised him and Ken\u2019s grin lit up his face. \u201cNow, go get your supper and put some flesh on those bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t got much more flesh than I have,\u201d Ken defended himself, although he was already moving in the direction of the delicious smell coming from the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut mine\u2019s all muscle!\u201d Joe quipped and Ken laughed as he disappeared.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI thought you\u2019d decided to live out there,\u201d Adam commented as Joe came in the door. \u201cYou got back ages ago. What were you doing; giving your horse a manicure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa ha,\u201d Joe commented, taking off his gun belt and coiling it neatly before setting it down on the top of the credenza. \u201cKen hadn\u2019t taken care of his horse, so I showed him how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t know?\u201d Adam asked, incredulously.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cHe didn\u2019t know anything about caring for his horse.\u201d He sighed. \u201cTomorrow, I\u2019ll show him how to clean his saddle, because I bet he doesn\u2019t know\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0either!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou still sure bringing him here was the right thing to do?\u201d Adam asked, knowing all the time what Joe\u2019s answer would be, but wanting to give the boy a subtle reminder that this was part and parcel of rescuing his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course!\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cI wasn\u2019t complaining, I was merely telling you where I\u2019d been.\u201d He gave Adam a hard look.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was the sigh for?\u201d Adam wanted to know. He deliberately softened his tone.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed again. \u201cI\u2019m tired, Adam. That ever occur to you?\u201d He walked across the room and climbed the stairs to freshen up for supper.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoseph, I need you to ride into town this morning to send an urgent wire for me,\u201d Ben said the next morning as they were having breakfast. \u201cWait for the reply, and when you come back, you can start getting ready for the Governor\u2019s Ball.\u201d He fought to keep a straight face. \u201cA haircut wouldn\u2019t go amiss.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he had expected, Joe reacted to this as though he\u2019d been stung. \u201cI got a haircut last week!\u201d he objected, strenuously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t notice,\u201d Adam commented, keeping his face to his plate so that he didn\u2019t give anything away.<\/p>\n

\u201cNor me,\u201d agreed Hoss, but he was less successful in schooling his face and Joe suddenly tumbled that he was being teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, you got me there!\u201d he grumbled, but he couldn\u2019t keep a straight face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Hoss, you can both finish early, too, so we\u2019re ready to leave on time this evening,\u201d Ben continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n

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

Riding into town, Joe thought how cold it was. He had on one of his old blue jackets, while Hop Sing steamed and brushed his green cord one for that evening, and this jacket wasn\u2019t as warm as his green one. The wind seemed to cut right through the jacket.<\/p>\n

Dismounting outside the telegraph office, Joe handed over the wire Ben wanted sent and paid for it. \u201cThere should be a reply, Rudi,\u201d he told the clerk. \u201cI\u2019ll look back in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe,\u201d Rudi agreed.<\/p>\n

Wandering aimlessly away, Joe wasn\u2019t quite sure what he was going to do to while away the time. He didn\u2019t want to go to the saloon, because it was too early for a beer. He didn\u2019t need anything from the mercantile and he wasn\u2019t sure he was in the mood for window shopping. There didn\u2019t even seem to be anyone he knew wandering about the streets.<\/p>\n

Finally, Joe decided that he would walk down one side of the street and back up the other and see what happened. He was in no rush and strolled across the street, skillfully dodging buckboards and horses from long years of practice.<\/p>\n

A few times, Joe lifted his hat to a lady he knew, but the cold edge to the wind made everyone want to get indoors and Joe was no exception. He was on his way back up the street, and hurrying slightly, for this side was in the shade, and was decidedly cold, when he heard his name called. \u201cCartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning warily, Joe was in time to see a fist coming right at his face, and although he jerked his head sideways, he couldn\u2019t avoid the blow completely, and it grazed along his cheekbone, knocking him off balance. He stumbled further up the alley he\u2019d been passing.<\/p>\n

It came as no surprise to see that it was Aaron Blake. Joe caught his balance, and faced his attacker cautiously. He didn\u2019t want to get involved with a brawl with the dance coming up that night, and he certainly didn\u2019t want to get into a brawl with Aaron Blake!<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Mr. Blake\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe got no further than that, even though he\u2019d had no idea what he was going to say. \u201cI\u2019ll see you dead, Cartwright! You stole my son!\u201d<\/p>\n

Backing off, Joe watched Blake. He wore a gun, but had made no move to draw it, and Joe had no desire to draw his gun. \u201cI didn\u2019t steal Ken,\u201d he protested, knowing his words were useless. \u201cKen left home and came to work for us!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA boy should be at home with his pa,\u201d Blake snarled. \u201cYou Cartwrights always have to have things yer own way. Yer pa\u2019s got three boys. Why do he want mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKen left because of the way you treated him,\u201d Joe accused the other man. \u201cWhat had he done to deserve a beating like you gave him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLip!\u201d Blake snorted. \u201cJist like you; all lip!\u201d<\/p>\n

With sudden speed, he jumped at Joe and punched him in the stomach, hard. As Joe crumpled involuntarily, Blake brought his hands up to smash down on the back of Joe\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

But some awareness made Joe dive to the ground, to avoid Blake\u2019s blow and he partially succeeded. He was still moving as the hands hit him and instead of knocking him out, the blow only dazed him. He scrambled to regain his feet, but Blake thought fast and kicked out, catching Joe in the ribs. Joe fell to the ground, still trying to get away, but aware that he had no breath left to move. Another kick in the ribs drove his newly regained breath away and Joe sprawled onto his back. The world seemed to be quite dark, and he squinted vilely to try and see where Blake was.<\/p>\n

A hand twisting into the front of his jacket told him, too late. He tried to turn his head to avoid the punch he could see coming, but just couldn\u2019t do it. Blake\u2019s fist caught him right in the mouth and Joe could feel blood spurting as his lips split. He managed to throw a punch that spoiled the aim of Blake\u2019s next blow, but he knew it was all over. His head was ringing.<\/p>\n

There was a shout from the mouth of the alley and a moment later, hands pulled Blake away from Joe. But whoever his rescuer was wasn\u2019t any more successful in holding off Blake, as he crumpled to the ground. But the shout had attracted attention and Blake fled up the other end of the alley and disappeared.<\/p>\n

Moments later, the alley was filled with people. Joe wished they would all go away and leave him in peace as he tried to get his head together and sit up. But he was still flat on his back when Sheriff Roy Coffee and Dr Paul Martin arrived at a run.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Paul knelt by the youth as Joe attempted to smile. \u201cDon\u2019t move!\u201d he admonished. After a moment, he nodded. \u201cThose ribs are probably cracked, and your face is a bit of a mess, but I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything broken,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho done this to ya, Joe?\u201d Roy Coffee asked, his voice full of concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cAaron Blake,\u201d replied another voice and Joe cautiously turned his head to discover that his rescuer had been Rudi the telegraph clerk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Rudi,\u201d Joe croaked as he gingerly sat up. His head whirled a bit, but it soon settled down.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s your wire, Joe,\u201d Rudi chirruped and disappeared back to his office. Joe tucked the flimsy paper into his pocket, wincing at the movement.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him down to my office,\u201d Paul suggested to Roy, supporting Joe, \u201cand then you can ask him whatever you want while I put him back together?\u201d<\/p>\n

That was what they did, and although Joe wouldn\u2019t admit it, he needed the help they gave him. However, by the time he had filled Roy in on all the happenings of the last few days and Paul had bandaged up his ribs and dabbed anti-septic on the cuts on his face, he felt a good bit better. His head still throbbed, but Paul insisted he take a painkiller and soon Joe felt almost human again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go out ta Blake\u2019s place,\u201d Roy declared, when Joe finished talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, Roy, please,\u201d Joe begged. \u201cHe\u2019s just sore, is all. I\u2019m sure he didn\u2019t mean to hurt me. He just lost his temper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning at Joe, Roy tried to see if Joe meant this or was covering up for Blake. \u201cHe could a killed ya, boy,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut I\u2019m sure he\u2019s probably horrified about this already. Please, Roy, I\u2019m all right. There\u2019s no point in pressing charges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Roy agreed. He wasn\u2019t quite as sure as Joe that Blake didn\u2019t mean to hurt him, but since Joe didn\u2019t want to press charges there was very little he could do. What Roy didn\u2019t know was that Joe was sure that Blake had meant to kill him, but he couldn\u2019t have Ken\u2019s father arrested. Besides, a few nights in a cell and Blake would be free again. Joe vowed to be more careful in future.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I go now?\u201d he asked Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful riding home,\u201d Paul warned him. \u201cI think you should go straight to bed when you get in, but I dare say you won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to get ready for the Governor\u2019s Ball,\u201d Joe informed him. \u201cI\u2019m taking Callie Burns.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnjoy yourself,\u201d Paul told him, wondering how his date would react when she was the bruising on his face. He watched as Joe hauled himself into his saddle and rode slowly away down the street. \u201cI wonder what story he\u2019ll think of to tell his date?\u201d he mused to Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere won\u2019t be a particle o\u2019 truth in it, whatever it is,\u201d Roy grunted and they both smiled.<\/p>\n

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

Riding home, it wasn\u2019t his date that Joe was worried about telling. He hoped he would be able to avoid Ken and tell Ben the whole story before he encountered the cowboy, for he didn\u2019t want to tell his friend the truth. Ken would be devastated if he learned that his father had tried to kill Joe and would probably leave. Joe did not want that to happen. Ken needed somewhere where he was getting good food and enough rest in a warm place before he went out and tried his hand in the big bad world.<\/p>\n

Luckily for Joe, Ken was nowhere near the yard when he rode in. Charlie was there and he took one look at Joe\u2019s face and took Cochise\u2019s reins without a word and Joe nodded his thanks. Paul Martin\u2019s painkiller had worked in the town, but riding home had proved too much for it and he ached all over.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he called, walking into the house and dropped his hat on the credenza.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Ben replied, in a pre-occupied voice.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe walked round to the study area and delved in his pocket for the wire. He stifled the wince that the movement brought to his lips, but he knew that the evil moment couldn\u2019t be put off much longer. \u201cPa,\u201d he said, softly, and Ben looked up, unable to stifle a gasp.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what happened?\u201d Ben asked, leaping to his feet and coming round the desk to put his hand gently on Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cAre you all right? Sit down,\u201d he ordered, steering Joe into the chair.<\/p>\n

With obvious reluctance, Joe told the whole story. Ben listened wordlessly, but his hand rested comfortingly on Joe\u2019s arm throughout. \u201cDo you understand why I did it, Pa?\u201d Joe asked, after telling of his decision not to charge Blake.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben was silent. He saw the white face behind the darkening bruises and the pain that Joe couldn\u2019t quite hide and understood perfectly. \u201cYes, I understand. I might not have made the same decision if I\u2019d been there, but I know why you did it, Joe.\u201d He patted his son\u2019s arm. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a bit sore,\u201d Joe admitted, \u201cbut the doc patched me up.\u201d He looked up at Ben with a worried expression. \u201cI don\u2019t want to tell Ken about this, Pa. I\u2019ll just say I got caught in a fight in the street, is that all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Ben understood Joe\u2019s reasoning, and nodded, although he preferred to tell the truth. \u201cAll right, son. I\u2019ll tell Adam and Hoss. Now, why don\u2019t you go up and have a lie down for a while? Hop Sing will heat some water for a bath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Joe agreed. He rose stiffly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry this happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, son,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cYou go and get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIs he all right?\u201d Adam asked, his face dark with anger as he heard about Joe\u2019s morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s pretty sore,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut you know Joe; he won\u2019t admit it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019 worry, Pa, he\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Hoss assured him. \u201cAn\u2019 we\u2019ll be sure an\u2019 tell his tale if\u2019n we\u2019s asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben muttered. He glanced at the clock. \u201cI\u2019d better go and waken him so he can have his bath. We don\u2019t want to be late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Joe will want to go?\u201d Adam wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019ll want to go,\u201d Ben answered, wryly. \u201cIf only to prove that he\u2019s all right!\u201d He smiled and the other two laughed.<\/p>\n

However, when Ben went in to waken Joe he wondered if he would want to go to the ball, for his face was smudged with bruises and his lower lip was badly split and swollen. Shaking Joe\u2019s shoulder gently, Ben saw the pain rise to his face as he awakened. \u201cTime to wake up, Joe,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe asked, dazedly. His headache was back full force and as he tried to sit up, his body protested mightily. He winced, then forced a small smile. \u201cI think I\u2019m a bit stiff,\u201d he offered, but Ben wasn\u2019t deceived.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to stay in bed, we won\u2019t mind, and I\u2019ll explain to Callie,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe was tempted, but he really did want to see Callie that night and he also didn\u2019t want Blake getting the satisfaction of knowing he\u2019d hurt Joe so much he\u2019d had to miss the Governor\u2019s Ball. \u201cNo, I\u2019ll be fine,\u201d he declared. \u201cIs my bath ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cWant a hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can manage, Pa, honest,\u201d Joe assured him. Ben caressed his head briefly before going down stairs.<\/p>\n

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

The hot bath did wonders for the stiffness Joe felt, although he had to submit to having his ribs bandaged again after it. Hop Sing handed the youth a cup of steaming tea and Joe drank it down, not knowing what it was and making a face at the bitterness of the brew, but after a little while, he realized that the pain in his head had gone and his ribs were down to a barely-felt ache. This wasn\u2019t the first time the Cartwrights had experienced Hop Sing\u2019s home remedies, and Joe sincerely hoped it wouldn\u2019t be the last.<\/p>\n

Dressing slowly, Joe winced every time he looked in the mirror. The bruise up his cheekbone was black and swollen and along with the split lip made Joe look a lot like the kind of man Callie Burns\u2019 father wouldn\u2019t want her going out with! And what would everyone else think? Joe hated to go out looking less than what he considered perfect, but he was determined not to allow Blake to win.<\/p>\n

Deciding he looked as presentable as he was going to, Joe went downstairs, where his family were waiting patiently for him. He waited for the inevitable jibes from his brothers, but they didn\u2019t; come and it was in unexpected amity that they went out to the buggy.<\/p>\n

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

To say Callie was not happy when she first saw Joe was something of an understatement. Her mouth tightened noticeably and she sent him a dark look as he edged carefully out of the buggy. Hoss was there to give him a hand until he was securely on his feet and for once, Joe didn\u2019t complain. Whatever Hop Sing had given him earlier had begun to wear off on the way into town.<\/p>\n

Taking as deep a breath as he could, Joe mounted the steps to meet his angry date. \u201cJoe Cartwright! Look at you!\u201d she cried, but before she could go on, Ben was there at Joe\u2019s back, greeting Alistair Burns, her father.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvening, Mr. Burns,\u201d Ben boomed, jovially. \u201cI thought I\u2019d just come and apologies for Joe\u2019s appearance. He got caught up in a little trouble in town this morning and he looks just like a hoodlum. However, I have to say in his defense that he is entirely innocent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard, as it happens,\u201d Burns responded.<\/p>\n

By now, Callie\u2019s anger had gone as though it had never been. She linked her arm carefully though Joe\u2019s and drew him slightly aside. \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d she asked, raising her hand to touch his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d he assured her, catching her hand before she could touch the bruise on his cheekbone. \u201cJust a little sore. I hope you don\u2019t mind if I sit out the fast dances?\u201d<\/p>\n

When Joe turned on the charm, there were few people who could resist him and Callie certainly wasn\u2019t one of them. \u201cOf course I don\u2019t mind,\u201d she chided him and they made their way to the door with the other members of their families.<\/p>\n

The evening was a glittering occasion, and the ballroom was filled to capacity. The governor was graciousness itself to everyone, but he did unwind for a few people, one of whom was his old friend Ben Cartwright. \u201cHello, Ben!\u201d he boomed, pumping his hand. \u201cGood to see you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Stewart,\u201d Ben returned, smiling. \u201cYou\u2019re looking well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you still can\u2019t lie worth a damn!\u201d Stewart Ingram replied. \u201cAre these your boys?\u201d he asked. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen them since\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince Joe was in diapers?\u201d Adam supplied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly, Adam, hardly!\u201d Ingram laughed. \u201cBut you were pretty small, young man,\u201d he added to Joe, who smiled as best he could and tried not to fidget. He didn\u2019t remember meeting Ingram at all. But Ingram didn\u2019t prolong their ordeal, releasing the boys with a few well-chosen words and continuing his conversation with their father.<\/p>\n

Heading off to rejoin Callie, Joe tried to hide how tired he was, but he only fooled the strangers around him. Adam snagged his arm. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re all right, buddy?\u201d he asked, concern in his dark eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Joe told him. He smiled and Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t overdo it,\u201d he suggested and Joe agreed, but with a twinkle in his eyes that told Adam he would overdo it if he wanted to.<\/p>\n

For quite a while the company and the dancing kept Joe\u2019s mind off his woes, and his intention to sit out the faster ones deserted him as soon as the music started. But as the evening wore on, he found that whatever painkilling concoction Hop Sing had given him had really worn off, and he was more than glad when Callie\u2019s father collected her to take her home quite early. Joe found himself a soft seat in a quiet area and tried to keep the pain off his face.<\/p>\n

However, Ben had been keeping a discreet eye on Joe, and when he noticed him sitting alone, he excused himself from the person he was talking to and collected Adam and Hoss before making his way over to where Joe sat. \u201cReady to go?\u201d he asked, and Joe nodded. Ben put a hand down and helped his son to his feet. \u201cStraight into bed for you, young man,\u201d he chided lovingly, \u201cand there you\u2019ll stay all day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed, \u201cI feel like I could sleep all day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ride to the Ponderosa passed in a blur as he dozed against Ben\u2019s shoulder. When they arrived home, he was more than happy to allow Ben to pull off his boots before he undressed and fell into bed. He was asleep in seconds.<\/p>\n

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

The next morning, Joe was so stiff and sore that he was more than glad to spend the day in bed, and he slept on and off. He rose for supper and joined his family at the table in his dressing gown and slippers. Hoss and Adam, both of whom had had a light day\u2019s work, teased him mercilessly, but Joe was equal to the task of responding.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou spent a lot of time talking to Governor Ingram last night, Pa,\u201d Adam commented as they sat by the fire drinking coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re old friends,\u201d Ben agreed, taking a sip.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must have had a lot of catching up to do,\u201d Joe noted. \u201cYou seemed to talk to him all night!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Adam said last night, son, I haven\u2019t seen him since you were in diapers,\u201d Ben agreed, but his mouth twitched slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was you talkin\u2019 ta him about, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cYou looked mighty serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe asked me if I was willing to stand for Governor at the next elections,\u201d Ben told them and watched the reactions.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and half smiled, as though having his suspicions confirmed; Hoss sat with his mouth open and Joe looked momentarily delighted, then his face fell. \u201cDoesn\u2019t surprise me,\u201d Adam commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya gonna do it?\u201d Hoss demanded. Joe looked at Ben anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, smiling at the different reactions he got once more.<\/p>\n

Joe looked vastly relieved; Hoss looked surprised, and Adam looked disappointed. \u201cWhy not, Pa?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou\u2019d make a great Governor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not for me,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI\u2019m happiest here on the Ponderosa with you boys. Oh, I know I once thought of running for the legislature, but that was a few years ago and it wasn\u2019t until I was forced to withdraw from the race that I realized how much pressure it had put on me, and how often I would be away from home and you boys. I was glad not to be running any more. No, the political life is not for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Adam began to list all the reasons Ben would be a great Governor, Joe rose. \u201cI\u2019m going to bed,\u201d he announced and headed upstairs without a backward glance. After a few minutes of listening to Adam\u2019s logical arguments, Ben shook his head firmly and stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe answer is still no,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m going to speak to Joe.\u201d He went up to his son\u2019s room and knocked briskly before entering. \u201cJoe? Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe replied, but Ben could still see the shadows in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis decision has nothing to do with Le Duc, Joe,\u201d he told him, sitting down on the edge of the bed. \u201cYes, I was referring to him downstairs, but I told you then, as I\u2019m telling you now, that it was a relief to realize that I didn\u2019t have to be polite to some of the half-wits that work for the government, or all these strangers that I didn\u2019t know. There was no pressure on me, and I liked that. I don\u2019t want the office, Joe. Stewart was saying that his marriage is under severe strain because of his governorship, and he doesn\u2019t know his children. I didn\u2019t want that to happen to you boys. I don\u2019t want the post!\u201d He lifted Joe\u2019s chin and looked into those green eyes, so like his mother\u2019s. \u201cHave I ever lied to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir,\u201d Joe responded. He smiled. \u201cI just thought, with Adam so for it\u2026\u201d he let his voice trail off as Ben grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we should nominate Adam,\u201d Ben whispered and Joe roared with laughter.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next week or so, Joe found himself spending more time with Ken, teaching him the things he needed to know to become part of the team. Ken was bright and learned quickly, although he found the theory often easier than the practical side. Joe taught him to rope and herd, to clean tack and muck out the barn, to check the grazing and the rudiments of tracking.<\/p>\n

However, it was soon clear to Joe that Ken didn\u2019t want to be a rancher. He certainly had the pedigree and he was good with the stock, often able to spot a sick animal before anyone else had seen much wrong. What Ken wanted was to go to college and learn book keeping or maybe law. Something that involved working indoors at a desk, preferably far away from cows or horses.\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t say he blamed him, after the life he had led.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m saving my wages from here to pay for my college,\u201d Ken told Joe, showing him the letter he had received from a college, detailing all his expenses for the courses he was interested in.<\/p>\n

Whistling, Joe tipped his hat back on his head. \u201cBoy, this is pretty steep,\u201d he commented, with renewed admiration for his father for managing to keep Adam in college while still building the ranch and feeding and clothing two other sons at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut worth it,\u201d Ken replied, his eyes glowing. \u201cI don\u2019t mind waiting, Joe. I want to earn my place in this world, the same way you\u2019re doing. I just want to do something different. You can learn all you need to here; I want to go to school to do my learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll do it,\u201d Joe assured him, thinking that he might talk to his father about helping Ken out somehow.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe, I want you and Ken to do down to the winter pasture and check the waterholes and streams today,\u201d Ben told his son over breakfast a week or two later. The leaves were falling with a vengeance now and there had been hard frost for the last few nights. The first snows could come any time. \u201cAdam, you and Hoss take the rest of the men and start gathering the herd together. I\u2019ll come and check on you boys at noon, Joe, and then ride up and let you two know if we can get the herd moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three all mumbled assent. They continued to eat as though they had never seen food before and Ben hid a smile. It was always like this in winter; the boys ate vast amounts of food to keep themselves warm for the first few minutes until whatever work they had that day took over the job. In a few weeks, it would be too cold to go out without a big jacket on.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, that reminds me,\u201d Ben said, as Joe started to get up. \u201cDoes Ken have a winter coat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Joe shrugged. \u201cBut I\u2019d be surprised if he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to see what we can do,\u201d Ben suggested, thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can have that blue one of mine,\u201d Joe announced, cheerfully. \u201cAfter all, I\u2019ve got that new sheepskin one you bought me and there\u2019s nothing really wrong with the other one\u2026\u201d His voice trailed off. Ben was cocking an eye at him, since Joe had persuaded his father that the coat was getting a bit thin. \u201cApart from the fact it\u2019s ugly and made me look like I was wearing one of Hoss\u2019 hand-me-downs,\u201d Joe added. He made a face and shrugged again.<\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, Ben sought to look disapproving, but since he had bought Joe the coat in the first place, and had never thought it looked good on his slender son, he made no further complaint. \u201cGo on, then,\u201d he agreed. \u201cGive him the blue coat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how you do it,\u201d Adam commented as they went out of the door, Joe\u2019s arms full of the blue coat. \u201cIf I\u2019d said anything like that, Pa\u2019d have skinned me alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smirking, Joe responded, \u201cWell, I am his favorite son, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took to his heels as Adam lunged for him and his manic laugh could be heard quite clearly all over the yard.<\/p>\n

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

Clearing out waterholes could be a pretty grotty job, but the winter pasture seemed to have survived the summer quite well. The streams were all running freely, although they were already ice-cold, reflecting the snow that had fallen in the mountains.<\/p>\n

There really wasn\u2019t that much to do, apart from clear some weeds out of one waterhole. Joe had expected this. That same hole had grown weeds all the years he could remember and he seemed to be the only one who had to clean them out! With two pairs of hands, the job went quickly and they broke for something to eat just before noon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre those rain clouds, Joe?\u201d Ken asked, eyeing some slate grey clouds in the north west.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Joe replied, casting an eye over them. \u201cThere might be some hail from them. As soon as we\u2019re finished here, we\u2019ll meet Pa if he\u2019s not been here already and go and give the others a hand with the herd. The sooner we get them here, the less likely we are to be caught in the weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to thank you for the coat,\u201d Ken went on. \u201cYou\u2019ve all been so kind to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cYou\u2019ve worked real hard since coming here.\u201d He pulled the front of his green jacket a little closer to his neck. \u201cSay, I wish I did have my big coat, it\u2019s pretty chilly here, today.\u201d<\/p>\n

They ate their lunch in virtual silence and after they had finished, Ken went to the stream to rinse the coffee pot and cups and Joe put out the fire. Satisfied that it was dead, Joe rose and stretched slightly. Walking over towards the stream, he was caught by surprise when something thudded into his back. A moment later the shot echoed, but Joe had already fallen face down across the freezing stream.<\/p>\n

Someone cried out his name, but Joe couldn\u2019t seem to focus his thoughts on anything but the pain. Then he heard another shot and something heavy fell on top of him. The pain was appalling and Joe spiraled down in darkness.<\/p>\n

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

As the two rifle shots echoed off the hills, Ben Cartwright drew his gun and urged his horse to hurry. He could see Cochise and another horse milling about anxiously, and when he looked around, he saw a figure hurrying away towards the trees. Ben fired at him, but he knew it was useless. He touched his heel to his mount again and galloped over to the other horses.<\/p>\n

At once, he spotted the body lying ominously still by the stream. Hurrying over, he reached for the man and saw that it was Ken. Blood was spurting out of his chest and his breathing was ragged. \u201cKen,\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Ken whispered. \u201cIt\u2026 was\u2026 Pa.\u201d His eyes rolled back into his head, and Ben saw that he was dead. The blood stopped a moment later.<\/p>\n

Gently laying the dead youngster aside, Ben was unprepared to see Joe lying face down in the stream. Frantically, he grabbed the back of his son\u2019s jacket and hauled him out.<\/p>\n

For a moment, he thought Joe was dead, then he detected the rise and fall of his chest and he searched to find out how badly his son was injured. Joe was soaking and already shivering in the rising wind. Frantic with worry, it took Ben several moments to find the bullet wound low in Joe\u2019s back, about waist level. There was no exit wound.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t a moment to lose, Ben knew. He dashed over to his horse and dragged the blanket from the back of his saddle. He drew his gun and fired three shots \u2013 a cry for help that he hoped his other sons would be close enough to hear.<\/p>\n

As he tucked the blanket around Joe, his son groaned. \u201cIt hurts,\u201d he whimpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, son, don\u2019t try to move,\u201d Ben urged him. \u201cYou\u2019ve been shot, Joe. Stay still now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe breathed, sounding puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, Joe,\u201d Ben soothed, taking a moment to stroke the wet hair back from his son\u2019s brow. \u201cJust lie still, Joe; I\u2019ll get you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he desperately gathered the things he would need for a travois, Ben heard three shots fired in the distance and returned them. Knowing that Adam and Hoss were on the way, Ben allowed himself another check on Joe, something he had been doing every few minutes. Joe was drifting in and out of consciousness and shivering, despite the blankets Ben had piled on him. The only thing in his favor seemed to be that he wasn\u2019t bleeding much.<\/p>\n

Ben had no way of telling how long it took Adam and Hoss to arrive, but he filled them in with a few short sentences and they took over the travois, two pairs of hands making quicker work of it than one pair had done. As soon as it was ready, they loaded Joe carefully onto the travois, and set off for home.<\/p>\n

After placing Ken\u2019s body over the saddle of his horse, decently wrapped in his bedroll, Adam galloped to town for the doctor and the sheriff. As he left, he shot a glance at the blanket wrapped bundle that was his youngest brother. He sent up a prayer that Joe would survive, but Adam wasn\u2019t too sanguine about his chances. That bullet was badly placed.<\/p>\n

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

Throughout the journey home, Joe remained unconscious, which worried Ben immensely, even though he was glad his son couldn\u2019t feel the pain. When they arrived back at the Ponderosa, Ben and Hoss carried Joe upstairs between them and laid him gently on the bed. Although Ben didn\u2019t want to move him more than was necessary, he knew he had to get the wet clothes off Joe. Hop Sing brought the scissors and Ben proceeded to cut his clothes away. While he did that, Hoss went out to move Ken\u2019s body. They didn\u2019t want the hands coming back to find that.<\/p>\n

Gradually the warmth brought Joe back to mumbling consciousness, and Ben took his hand and soothed him, urging him to remain still, for they had taken enough risks with Joe\u2019s life bringing him back. Joe was clearly in great pain, and although he tried to stifle his groans for Ben\u2019s sake, he failed.<\/p>\n

Miserably, Ben bathed Joe\u2019s brow with cool water, for the youth\u2019s temperature was rising as his body reacted to the dreadful shock it had had. He hoped Adam would be able to find Doc Martin quickly, as Joe needed medical attention now. Ben hoped that he wasn\u2019t facing having to try and remove this bullet himself.<\/p>\n

But at last there came noises from the yard and a few moments later Adam burst through the door, followed by Paul Martin, who looked concerned. They were both wet, and Ben realized that the promised rain had arrived. \u201cHow is he?\u201d Adam asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cBad,\u201d Ben replied, moving so that Paul could look at the wound.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the bullet still in there?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d nodded Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to have to operate,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cHop Sing can help me. Go downstairs and drink something hot and sweet. Doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d He glanced at Adam, who nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Pa,\u201d Adam urged, leading Ben from the room. He knew how hard the waiting would be for Ben; how hard it would be for all of them. He patted Hoss\u2019 shoulder as they went downstairs to wait.<\/p>\n

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

The operation took a long time. Paul found himself searching for a small piece of lead amongst Joe\u2019s kidneys, liver and bowels. The danger of accidentally nicking an artery was high and although every instinct urged Paul to hurry, he forced himself to be slow and methodical. And eventually, his strategy paid off and he retrieved the bullet without causing any more damage to the surrounding tissue.<\/p>\n

There had been some internal bleeding, but remarkably little considering. Paul thought that the fact Joe had been lying in cold water, even for that short time, had made a difference to the amount of bleeding. But Joe was weak; his system in shock, and Paul knew that there was still a chance he could die. Bandaging the wound, Paul then covered Joe with every blanket he could find and sat watching him until he began to rouse from the anesthetic. Only when Joe was awake and aware did Paul allow Ben and the boys to return to the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep him quiet and warm,\u201d Paul instructed them. \u201cIf he gets to running a fever, as he probably will, then do everything you can to cool him off. Strip off those blankets if need be. Give him fluid as often as you can. I\u2019ve made up a solution of sugar water for him, to help replace the blood he\u2019s lost. Another 24 hours should tell us how he\u2019ll be. As long as infection doesn\u2019t set in, he should recover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if infection does set in?\u201d Adam asked, grimly.<\/p>\n

Paul looked at him steadily for a long minute. \u201cThen he\u2019ll die,\u201d he said, bluntly. \u201cI\u2019ve done all I can. It\u2019s up to Joe now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

About an hour later, Roy Coffee arrived. \u201cHow is Joe?\u201d he asked, in his kindly way, motivated by real concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cResting,\u201d Ben answered, for he really didn\u2019t know how Joe was. His son had not moved since Paul had left. Ben found it extraordinary that it was still just afternoon. It felt like days had passed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m real sorry \u2018bout this,\u201d Roy told him. \u201cI went out to Blake\u2019s place and found him there, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this, Ben\u2019s attention sharpened. \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe admitted it,\u201d Roy replied, his face screwed up in an expression of distaste. \u201cAdmitted shootin\u2019 his boy an\u2019 then Joe. Didn\u2019 try to deny it, an\u2019 didn\u2019 put up any kind o\u2019 a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t make sense,\u201d Ben muttered, slowly. \u201cKen was on top of Joe; his blood was all over him. Joe must have been shot first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Adam said,\u201d agreed Roy, nodding. \u201cI told Blake that. He shook his head. Said he\u2019d shot his boy first.\u201d He sighed. \u201cHe tol\u2019 me where he was hidin\u2019 an\u2019 I asked how he knew it was his boy at that range. He said he knew by the jacket, \u2018cos Joe Cartwright had given Ken his green jacket. He knew, because Joe was wearin\u2019 a blue jacket when he beat him up in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, trying to make sense of this, Ben just gazed at his friend. \u201cBut Joe hadn\u2019t given Ken his green jacket; he just leant it to him that first day. He was wearing his blue jacket because\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026because his green jacket was being steamed for the Governor\u2019s Ball,\u201d Adam finished. \u201cBlake must have thought that Joe had given Ken the green jacket to keep!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why?\u201d Hoss burst out, bewildered. \u201cWhy did he want ta shoot Ken?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that you Cartwrights had stolen Ken from him and he wanted to make sure you didn\u2019t keep him.\u201d Roy shook his head. He had seen a lot of the darker side of life, but it still saddened him. \u201cThere\u2019ll be a trial, o\u2019 course, but I don\u2019t doubt Blake will hang.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so sad,\u201d Ben murmured. \u201cA man with four fine sons and he drove three of them away and murdered the fourth. What a waste.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deciding that now was as good a time as any to leave, Roy began to edge towards the door. \u201cI\u2019ll be hearin\u2019 about Little Joe,\u201d he offered and left.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine what that man must be feeling right now,\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI cain\u2019t imagine what made him do such a thing in the first place,\u201d Hoss corrected. \u201cWhy\u2019d he want ta do a thing like that, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Ben seemed to come back to them from somewhere far away. \u201cI have no idea, Hoss,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cNone. He must be sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neither Adam nor Hoss could argue with that.<\/p>\n

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

Through the rest of the day and that night, Joe tossed and turned, mumbling incoherently while his body fought to replenish the blood it had lost and deal with the damage done. Although his temperature rose, it didn\u2019t reach dangerous levels, and the rest of the family took heart from that.<\/p>\n

Both Adam and Hoss knew that there was no point in trying to coax Ben into sleeping before he knew that Joe would be all right, so they traded off on sleeping and keeping their father company and supplied with coffee all night. As the hours wore on and Joe showed no signs of waking, they began to fear the worst.<\/p>\n

But shortly after dawn, Joe\u2019s restless movements ceased and after a minute of breathless anxiety, he opened his eyes. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered, his voice cracked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here,\u201d Ben responded, moving so that Joe, who was lying on his stomach, could see him. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSore,\u201d Joe admitted. His eyelids dipped briefly then opened again. \u201cWhat happened? I remember being hit in the back\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were shot,\u201d Ben told him, steadily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember now,\u201d Joe whispered, and Ben hurried to give him some of the sugar water Paul had left. Joe made a face at the taste, but drank it thirstily. Then Ben gave him the painkiller that had been left, and Joe also drank that without complaint. \u201cIs Ken all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The momentary hesitation told Joe everything he wanted to know. His eyes widened, and filled with tears. \u201cNo!\u201d he whispered. \u201cPlease no!\u201d The tears spilled down Joe\u2019s face and Adam moved away so he didn\u2019t have to be a witness to his brother\u2019s distress. Just the thought of it was distressing enough to him without having to see it, too. He could feel tears pricking at his eyes.<\/p>\n

After Joe\u2019s initial grief had run its course, he slipped into sleep again, worn out by his emotion. Adam looked at Ben, and saw that his father was no less exhausted. \u201cGo and rest, Pa,\u201d he suggested, hoarsely. \u201cI\u2019ll come and get you when Joe wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think I will,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next few days, Joe began to recover and was soon sitting up in bed for a short time every day. He had never again mentioned Ken, and when Ben expressed his worry over this, Paul explained that the brain often did this, when the body needed a lot of healing. Once Joe was well on the mend, he would ask the questions he needed to.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Blake was brought to trial and Ben was required to go along to testify. He didn\u2019t tell Joe where he was going, and Adam and Hoss allowed Joe to think that Ben was asleep. Joe was too ill to see through this lie.<\/p>\n

Blake was a broken man. He meekly followed Roy into the court room and sat where he was told to. When it was his turn to be questioned, he answered all the questions in a dull monotone. It was like watching the man\u2019s ghost, Ben thought, unexpectedly moved by pity for him.<\/p>\n

Over the course of the questioning, it came out that Blake had a history of violence towards his family. It also became quite clear that he had lost his reason. He wasn\u2019t a raving madman, by any means. He was just lost inside himself and when the judge handed down the sentencing of hanging, Blake didn\u2019t react. Ben thought of pleading for mercy, but the judge had made it clear that clemency was not going to be given in this case.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna come an\u2019 watch the hangin\u2019, Ben?\u201d Roy asked, as they stood together outside the courthouse in the late fall sunshine.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cNo, I\u2019m going home to be with my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019 blame ya,\u201d Roy agreed. \u201cSee ya soon. Give Little Joe my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Ben replied, mounted up and rode home.<\/p>\n

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

It was the following week before Joe, who had now progressed to sitting in a chair for an hour or so every day, asked, \u201cWho shot me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eyeing Joe closely, Ben could see the color returning to his cheeks. They had had some worrying times with Joe, for the bullet had been perilously close to his spine and Paul had been afraid that his legs might have been paralyzed and for the first day, Ben had feared the same, seeing how still Joe\u2019s legs were. But that fear had mercifully proved unfounded and each day saw Joe a little stronger. \u201cAaron Blake,\u201d Ben replied, watching Joe closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cAaron Blake?\u201d Joe repeated, faintly. His eyes were wide with horror. \u201cKen\u2019s father?\u201d Ben nodded. \u201cBut\u00a0why<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thought we\u2019d stolen Ken from him and decided that if he couldn\u2019t have Ken, neither could we.\u201d Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s. \u201cHe told Roy that he\u2019d tried several times to kill both you and Ken, but that you had always been with someone else. He\u2019d even come looking for you the night of the Governor\u2019s Ball, and was angry when he saw you there. He\u2019d thought you\u2019d be too badly hurt to attend. He said,\u201d and Ben\u2019s mouth twisted down, \u201cthat it was a case of mistaken identity. He thought you were Ken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that doesn\u2019t make sense,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it doesn\u2019t,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut Blake seems to have lost his reason somewhere along the line. Perhaps, in the strange world that he inhabited, it made sense to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

In dribs and drabs over the next few days, Ben told Joe about everything that Blake had said and about the trial. Joe absorbed it all, trying to comprehend the incomprehensible and failing, as the rest of his family had failed.<\/p>\n

Gradually, Joe grew stronger and seemed to put the incident behind him. Ben was relieved that Joe seemed his usual cheerful self most of the time, although he had some dark days when his wound gave him a lot of pain, or he was annoyed that his body was still weak. He took comfort from the fact that when Joe was upset, the whole world knew it.<\/p>\n

There came a day when Joe was able to go outside alone and it coincided with the first deep snow of the winter. Joe loved to be out in falling snow, and Ben had to make him promise not to stay out too long, for it was very cold and Joe was still weak.<\/p>\n

When he came back in, glowing and laughing, Joe flopped down in front of the fire and for all the world looked like his old self again. \u201cCoffee?\u201d Ben suggested, wanting to do something concrete to warm Joe up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be great, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

They sipped companionably for a minute, then Joe broke the silence. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about Ken,\u201d he offered and Ben lowered his cup and nodded.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cKen had a rotten life for a long time,\u201d Joe went on. \u201cBut you know, when he died, he was happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe not right that minute,\u201d Joe allowed. \u201cBut before that, he was really happy. He told me so. He was making his way in the world, working to pay for what he wanted, learning new things every day and with a goal in mind. He was working with people who respected him and treated him decently.\u201d He glanced at Ben. \u201cNot everybody realizes how lucky they are,\u201d he concluded. \u201cI hadn\u2019t, till he said that to me. I took all this for granted.\u201d Joe looked around his home with fresh eyes. \u201cI\u2019m so very lucky, Pa, to have a home like this, where I\u2019m shown such love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, despite the tears standing in his eyes, Ben leaned over to hug Joe. \u201cWe\u2019re all lucky, son,\u201d he said, huskily.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 Helping a friend of Joe\u2019s almost costs the Cartwrights more than they are willing to pay.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0 (11,400 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":14045,"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":[1015,23,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-pa","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-23-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\/2014\/04\/ETG-14.jpg?fit=687%2C544&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5601"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5601\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}