Disclaimer: I do not own the Bonanza, the Cartwrights or the Ponderosa. No copyright infringement is intended on Mr. Jerry Adelman’s screenplay for this episode. This story is for entertainment purposes only.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Hatful of Guilt<\/strong><\/p>\n The Virginia City Town Council had come to the Ponderosa to convince Adam Cartwright to help out Sheriff Roy Coffee in the performance of his duties.\u00a0 Roy was getting old and his reactions weren\u2019t what they should be.\u00a0 Both Ben and Adam were reminded that only a few weeks before, Roy had been shot with his own gun while escorting a recently captured criminal to jail<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the Wagner Gang preying on nearby communities, everyone knew it was only a matter of time until the gang struck Virginia City.\u00a0 In each bank strike, the gang rode into town, incapacitated the sheriff, entered the bank, and helped themselves to the money.\u00a0 The town council was worried that if Roy couldn\u2019t handle one lone criminal he wouldn\u2019t be able to stop an entire gang.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had reluctantly accepted the council\u2019s decision for him to act as Roy\u2019s deputy until the Wagner Gang had been caught.\u00a0 He was surprised that Pa had sided with the other members of the council on this issue.\u00a0 Adam knew he would rather tell Roy what was going on instead of letting the council handle it.\u00a0 \u201cHow am I going to break the news to Roy, Pa?\u00a0 He\u2019ll think people have lost confidence in him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTell Roy the truth, Son.\u00a0 He\u2019d rather get the news from a friend than through gossip.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess you\u2019re right\u201d said Adam.\u00a0 With that, he told his father goodnight and went upstairs to bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next morning, Adam was up and out of the house early.\u00a0 He wanted to talk to Roy before too many people were stirring up rumors.\u00a0 Riding into Virginia City, he tried to imagine the conversation they were going to have.\u00a0 No matter how many scenarios he came up with, each one ended with Roy angry about being betrayed by those he was charged with protecting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arriving in town, Adam noticed that not many people were around.\u00a0 Some people were probably shut in at home, expecting the Wagner Gang to arrive at any moment.\u00a0 He pulled Sport up in front of Roy\u2019s office, dismounted, and hitched the horse to the rail.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Entering the office, Adam took off his hat.\u00a0 \u201cGood morning, Roy\u201d he said as he closed the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMornin\u2019, Adam.\u00a0 Yer in town awful early.\u00a0 Is there somethin\u2019 I kin do fer ya?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI need to talk to you, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u00a0 Is yer family okay?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s fine.\u00a0 I need to talk to you about the Wagner Gang.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve bin keepin\u2019 in touch with other sheriffs about them.\u00a0 Hopefully, that gang\u2019ll be stopped afore they kin reach Virginia City.\u00a0 You be sure to let yer Pa know that his money is safe over at the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Running his fingers through his hair, Adam said \u201cI\u2019m not here about Pa\u2019s money.\u201d\u00a0 He approached Roy\u2019s desk and sat down on one corner.\u00a0 \u201cThe town council came out to the Ponderosa last night. They\u2019re concerned about you being able to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYa mean to tell me that they think I cain\u2019t protect this town?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re concerned about you, Roy.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that long ago that you were shot and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo they think I\u2019m getting\u2019 too old to do my job.\u00a0 I admit I ain\u2019t as young as sheriffs in other towns, but I do a damn good job of protectin\u2019 Virginia City!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know that, Roy.\u00a0 Everyone\u2019s just nervous with the Wagner Gang on the loose.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow did yer Pa side on this issue, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reluctantly, Adam answered \u201cHe supported the council.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a short pause, Roy asked \u201cWho does the council have in mind fer sheriff?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe want you to continue as sheriff, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYer not makin\u2019 sense, Son.\u00a0 Ya jest said they think I cain\u2019t do my job.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say that, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it that yer sayin\u2019 then?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked at the floor and took a deep breath.\u00a0 Looking back up, he said \u201cThe council wants me to act as your deputy until the Wagner Gang is caught.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy stood up and paced to the other side of the room and back to the desk.\u00a0 \u201cLet me get this straight.\u00a0 The council is worried that I\u2019m too old to protect Virginia City.\u00a0 They decided to have you serve as my deputy to help out.\u00a0 Instead of bringin\u2019 in another lawman, the council decided to have one a their own work with me.\u201d\u00a0 Roy found his voice was rising and he couldn\u2019t control it.\u00a0 \u201cI guess this way you can spy on me and tell them I\u2019m too old and feeble to do more than sweep a broom across the floor!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam found himself on the defense.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not that way at all, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat way is it then?!?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Again, Adam paused for a breath.\u00a0 This was going all wrong.\u00a0 \u201cThe council just thinks a little extra help can\u2019t hurt right now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy was still angry but he realized that Adam probably wasn\u2019t happy either.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll swear ya in but you\u2019d best stay outta my way.\u00a0 Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was surprised.\u00a0 He quickly said \u201cI won\u2019t do anything to get in your way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a deputy badge.\u00a0 He handed it to Adam and said \u201cI hereby swear you in as an official deputy to uphold the law.\u201d\u00a0 Adam pinned the badge to his shirt.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 to the hotel for breakfast.\u00a0 Yer in charge of the office, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked around the office, which was a mess.\u00a0 Roy\u2019s desk was stacked high with papers, wanted posters, letters, telegrams, and books.\u00a0 The floor looked as if it hadn\u2019t been swept in years.\u00a0 Old wanted posters for criminals who had long since been hanged were still on the walls.\u00a0 Adam decided that he\u2019d do Roy a favor and clean up the office.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Roy returned an hour later, he didn\u2019t recognize his office.\u00a0 Going to the desk, he couldn\u2019t believe the orderly layout.\u00a0 Looking around, he noticed that the walls were no longer papered with wanted posters.\u00a0 There were only five posters on the wall now, one of which was for the Wagner Gang.\u00a0 Finally looking at Adam, Roy said \u201cI thought I swore you in as a deputy, not a house keeper.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to do something helpful for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that I ain\u2019t appreciative, but ya jest cain\u2019t come in here and rearrange everythin\u2019.\u00a0 All of those papers on my desk help me do my job.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you want me to mess things up again?\u201d offered Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Son, I know you jest wanted ta help me out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Frank Armistead, a member of the town council, entered the sheriff\u2019s office to see if Adam had talked with Roy yet.\u00a0 Seeing Adam with a deputy\u2019s badge, Armistead felt quite proud that he and the other members of the council had convinced Adam that this was the right thing to do.\u00a0 \u201cI see Roy\u2019s already sworn you in.\u00a0 I guess we\u2019ll show that Wagner Gang if they show their faces in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy\u2019s eyes narrowed.\u00a0 Adam knew that Armistead had said the wrong thing.\u00a0 Before he could say anything, Roy lost his temper and turned on the younger man.\u00a0 \u201cI was right!!\u00a0 You and the rest of the council think I\u2019m too old to do my job anymore.\u201d\u00a0 Taking off his badge, Roy threw it on his desk and said \u201cIf you think you kin do my job, Cartwright, yer welcome to it!\u201d\u00a0 With that, Roy stormed out of the office.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam, sitting at his desk, put his face in his hands.\u00a0 He\u2019d been afraid this might happen.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to be sheriff.\u00a0 Roy had been elected by the citizens of Virginia City.\u00a0 Why did the council think they could force Roy into a lesser role in protecting the town?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d asked Armistead.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d think he\u2019d be happy to have some help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Looking up, Adam said \u201cYou just confirmed his worst fear\u2014that he\u2019s no longer able to perform his duties as sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous!\u00a0 He\u2019s able to act as sheriff as long as the criminals aren\u2019t dangerous.\u00a0 Why he\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam interrupted hotly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re saying that it\u2019s okay for him to putter around town and lock up the drunks.\u00a0 When it comes to protecting life and property, you don\u2019t have any confidence in him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Armistead looked at the floor, his face red with shame.\u00a0 Adam had hit the nail on the head.\u00a0 Looking up, Armistead said \u201cYou\u2019re the only lawman we\u2019ve got now, Adam.\u00a0 You\u2019re going to have to protect us from that Wagner Gang.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do what I can, but I don\u2019t have the experience that Roy does.\u00a0 Hopefully, you and the rest of the council have learned not to meddle in other people\u2019s affairs.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wilting under Adam\u2019s glare, Armistead turned and slunk out of the sheriff\u2019s office.\u00a0 He hoped Adam could protect Virginia City.\u00a0 Maybe Adam could deputize his brothers so the town would have three lawmen.\u00a0 Maybe he and the other members of the council should approach Ben with the idea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Armistead left, Adam sat down in Roy\u2019s chair.\u00a0 How had he let himself get talked into this?\u00a0 He had known what the probable result of the council\u2019s action would be yet he had gone along with it.\u00a0 Now Roy was gone to who knew where, angry at everyone.\u00a0 What if he decided to not return to Virginia City?\u00a0 Adam knew he didn\u2019t want to be a full-time lawman.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting up, Adam decided to visit all of the businesses in town to let their owners know he was now the law in Virginia City.\u00a0 When he told Mose over at the Bucket of Blood, he said beer was on the house.\u00a0 When Adam told Sam over at the Silver Dollar, that bartender said all liquor was free.\u00a0 At the mercantile, Mr. Anderson said a special line of credit would be started for him.\u00a0 Adam found himself becoming annoyed with the courtesies being extended to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Going back to the office, Adam sat down to think for a while.\u00a0 He was surprised to see Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Anderson tole me that yer the law here now.\u00a0 What happened to Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cExactly what I was afraid of.\u00a0 He thought the town council was trying to push him aside, so he quit.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cQuit?\u00a0 Where\u2019d he go?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 If I did, I\u2019d go after him and persuade him to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMebbe he\u2019ll change his mind in a day or two.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a short pause, Hoss said \u201cYa want me to help ya out in any way?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Brother, but I need to figure out what to do first.\u00a0 Would you let Pa know what\u2019s going on?\u00a0 Let him know that I\u2019ll be staying here for the time being.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShore thing, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss then left to collect the needed supplies at the mercantile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Going through the telegrams on the desk, Adam tried to predict where the Wagner Gang would strike next.\u00a0 He picked up a pencil and stood to face the territorial map on the wall.\u00a0 He drew a circle around each town that had been hit and wrote the date beside the circle.\u00a0 Finishing, Adam realized that there was no rhyme or reason to the gang\u2019s attacks.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t traveling in a straight line or going in alphabetical order.\u00a0 No wonder Roy didn\u2019t give the appearance of working hard enough to protect Virginia City\u2014he knew that when the gang arrived, it would be at a completely random time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That evening, Adam was having supper at the International House.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, his meal was compliments of the hotel.\u00a0 While he was eating, his father entered the dining room and came to his table.\u00a0 Adam dabbed his mouth with his napkin as his father sat down.\u00a0 \u201cHi, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss told me what happened with Roy.\u00a0 I\u2019m really sorry, Son.\u00a0 I should have known better than to support the council on this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s done is done, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019m not prepared to be this town\u2019s lawman.\u00a0 What am I going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re here for you, Son.\u00a0 If you need us to help in any way, just say so.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let pride stand in your way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t, Pa.\u00a0 Thank you for offering to help.\u00a0 Just let me find my bearings.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finishing his supper, Adam asked \u201cDo you want some pie, Pa?\u00a0 No doubt it\u2019ll be on the house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo thank you, Son.\u00a0 I need to be getting back.\u00a0 Just let us know if there\u2019s anything we can do to help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI will, Pa.\u00a0 Good night.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben and Adam left the restaurant together.\u00a0 Adam watched his father mount up and head for home.\u00a0 He wondered where Roy was.\u00a0 As he walked down the sidewalk to the office, he hoped that Roy would change his mind and come back.\u00a0 Virginia City needed him no matter what the other members of the town council thought.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waking in Roy\u2019s room at the back of the sheriff\u2019s office the next morning, Adam realized that yesterday hadn\u2019t been a dream.\u00a0 Roy was really gone and now he was the law.\u00a0 He lay in the bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering if it was worth the effort to get out of bed.\u00a0 Finally deciding to get up, Adam thought he should rise before someone came in the office for an update on how he was protecting Virginia City.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After washing his face, he ran his hand over his stubble.\u00a0 Was it worth the bother of shaving?\u00a0 Deciding it wasn\u2019t, he pulled on his boots, put on his gun belt, and headed for breakfast at the International House.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He ate a leisurely breakfast and had several cups of coffee.\u00a0 Sitting at a table near the window, he could keep an eye on what was happening on the street.\u00a0 At least it was early enough in the morning that few people were stirring yet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Leaving the International House, Adam looked up and down the sidewalk.\u00a0 The bank was opening its doors for business as was the mercantile.\u00a0 People would be coming into town soon to get supplies.\u00a0 He hoped that no one would cause any trouble.\u00a0 Making an arrest was not something he was looking forward to doing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Going back to the office, he sat down at Roy\u2019s desk and went through the telegrams again.\u00a0 There had to be a pattern to the gang\u2019s strikes.\u00a0 Maybe they were choosing towns where the sheriff was inexperienced.\u00a0 If that was the case, then he hoped that word hadn\u2019t gotten out about Roy leaving.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After going through the telegrams without success, Adam decided to sit out on the porch.\u00a0 He wished he had his guitar since he didn\u2019t do much whittling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before he could get too bored, Joe and Hoss came into town.\u00a0 They were riding their horses so they weren\u2019t here for supplies.\u00a0 Pa must have sent them to check on him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arriving at the sheriff\u2019s office, Joe looked at the deputy badge on his brother and said \u201cPa told me what happened.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad it\u2019s not me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks a lot\u201d said Adam sarcastically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t mean it like you think\u201d Joe started to protest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before Adam could say something else, Hoss butted in.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019re ya holdin\u2019 up?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam winced at Hoss\u2019 choice of words.\u00a0 \u201cI mean are ya doin\u2019 okay?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, so far so good.\u00a0 What are you two doing in town?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa wants a telegram sent to Frank Shinn about some cattle\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt takes both of you to send a telegram?\u201d Adam asked with a raised eyebrow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, no, but Pa thought one of us could go over to the bank, too.\u00a0 This way we\u2019d kill two birds with one stone.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s doing what?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I thought Lil Joe here could handle the telegram while I go to the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I appreciate that you want to help, but there\u2019s no need for you to stand guard at the bank all day.\u00a0 The Wagner Gang might not ever come here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Adam\u2026\u201d started Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you go send that telegram?\u00a0 Hoss, if it makes you feel better, you can stay here and help me keep an eye on Main Street.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss was only too happy to sit and look out the window.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t going to let the Wagner Gang get the drop on Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About ten minutes later, Adam and Hoss heard a disturbance from the vicinity of the Silver Dollar.\u00a0 Leaving the office, they were surprised to see Joe in a fist fight that had spilled out into the street.\u00a0 Running over, Hoss managed to grab Joe while Adam got hold of Abel Sutton.\u00a0 Once the two were separated, Adam asked how the fight had started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe pointed at Abel and yelled \u201cHe said you ain\u2019t qualified to be a lawman, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho threw the first punch?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sam, the bartender, said \u201cLittle Joe did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI had to, Adam\u201d insisted Joe.\u00a0 \u201cAble was bad-mouthing you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Letting Abel go, Adam said to Joe \u201cCome with me.\u00a0 You can cool your heels in a cell for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re lockin\u2019 me up?!?\u201d asked Joe, flabbergasted.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t start it!!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, you did, Joe\u201d replied Adam as he and Hoss escorted the youngest Cartwright to the sheriff\u2019s office.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not qualified to be a lawman, but I\u2019m all Virginia City has right now.\u00a0 The last thing I need is you and Hoss fighting to defend me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reaching the cells, Adam unlocked one, prodded his youngest brother to go in, and then shut and locked the door.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to have to charge you with disturbing the peace.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I didn\u2019t disturb the peace\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 \u201cAbel started it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbel was trying to provoke you to see how you\u2019d respond.\u00a0 You just couldn\u2019t walk away, could you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s gaze dropped to the floor as he wilted under Adam\u2019s glare.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, will you let Pa know so he can come bail me out?\u201d pleaded Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure, Shortshanks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss set off for home while Adam went back to the desk.\u00a0 He covered his face with his hands.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t Joe realize that his actions reflected on his older brother?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A few hours later, Ben and Hoss arrived at the office.\u00a0 Going in, they saw Adam looking at the map on the wall.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u201d said Ben, \u201chow much is Joe\u2019s bail?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going to stay in that cell until morning, Pa.\u00a0 People will talk if I just let him out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t keep him locked up for no reason.\u00a0 He\u2019s your brother!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa, if I let Joe out, people will say that I\u2019m showing favoritism to my family.\u00a0 What kind of confidence will they have in me if they think I\u2019m not applying the law to everyone equally?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWould you treat someone else the same as you\u2019re treating Joseph?\u00a0 Are you being harder on him than you would on Abel Sutton?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa.\u00a0 There\u2019s not one law for us Cartwrights and another for everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what I mean, Son.\u00a0 What I\u2019m asking is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A shout from outside ended the conversation.\u00a0 Milton Kelley from the bank was running towards the office.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!!!\u00a0 Come quick!!!\u00a0 The Wagner Gang is robbing the bank!!!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shot out of the office and headed down the street.\u00a0 Ben grabbed the cell keys from the desk and went to free Joe.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, help your brother!!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss left the office and was heading for the bank.\u00a0 Adam was reaching for the door when a tremendous explosion blew the doors clean off of their hinges.\u00a0 The force of the blast threw Adam backwards about twenty feet; he landed face down on the street with one of the doors partially across him.\u00a0 Members of the gang stepped out of hiding and ran for the bank to get the money from the blasted safe.\u00a0 Hoss opened fire as did Ben and Joe.\u00a0 Three members of the gang were soon dead in the street but the fourth was able to get to his horse and race out of town.\u00a0 Before he left, though, he put a bullet in Adam\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben, Hoss, and Joe ran for Adam once the shoot-out was over.\u00a0 Adam hadn\u2019t moved since the explosion.\u00a0 Hoss pulled the door away and Ben gently pulled Adam over.\u00a0 There were burns and splinters on his face, hands, arms, and chest.\u00a0 Joe noticed the bullet wound in Adam\u2019s calf was pumping blood into the street.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Martin came rushing towards the men, along with a crowd of onlookers.\u00a0 Quickly assessing the damage, Paul told Ben to put Adam on the door and to transport him over to his surgery.\u00a0 Hoss and Ben gently got Adam loaded onto the door and the crowd parted to let the Cartwrights through.\u00a0 One onlooker asked \u201cWhat are we gonna do without a lawman?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once inside the surgery and when Adam had been transferred to the examination table, Ben told Hoss \u201cI want you to find Roy.\u00a0 Do whatever you have to do to bring him back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere should I look, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWherever you think he might have gone.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Martin busied himself with Adam\u2019s leg.\u00a0 The bullet had gone clean through, so the doctor cleaned out the entry and exit wounds.\u00a0 Luckily, the bullet had missed the bone and artery, going clean through the muscle.\u00a0 After bandaging the leg, Paul turned his attention to the burns and splinters.\u00a0 He carefully pulled out the splinters, which had miraculously missed Adam\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 Cleaning the burns, Paul applied a salve and then bandaged Adam\u2019s left hand with gauze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow is he, Paul?\u201d asked Ben with a tremor in his voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe burns are fortunately not as bad as they could be.\u00a0 There will probably be some scarring.\u00a0 Lucky for him, the splinters missed his eyes.\u00a0 The bullet passed through muscle, so he should be able to get around with a crutch for a while.\u00a0 I\u2019m most worried about any head trauma from that explosion.\u00a0 Adam has a slight concussion, so we\u2019ll have to wait until he wakes up to assess any further damage.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill I be able to take him home soon?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s wait until he wakes up\u201d said Paul, giving Ben\u2019s shoulder a squeeze.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going over to the mercantile.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you and Joe just sit with Adam for a while?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat down on Adam\u2019s right side and took hold of his son\u2019s right hand.\u00a0 Joe just looked at Adam miserably.\u00a0 \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t been fighting, I could\u2019ve been there to help Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joseph, this isn\u2019t your fault.\u00a0 If I hadn\u2019t supported the other members of the council, Roy would never have left and Adam wouldn\u2019t have had to face the Wagner Gang.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa, Adam made the decision to help Roy.\u00a0 He thought he was doing the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut the council and I made Roy feel that he couldn\u2019t do his job anymore.\u00a0 Our actions put Adam in this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI made Adam make a hard choice, Pa.\u00a0 He felt he had to put me in jail because I\u2019m his brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEven if you hadn\u2019t been in jail, we were caught completely unaware by that gang.\u00a0 They must have known Roy wasn\u2019t in town.\u00a0 They must have known Adam was acting as deputy.\u00a0 Adam was charged with protecting Virginia City since Roy left and he took that responsibility seriously.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good thing all of us were here when they struck the bank.\u00a0 I just hope Hoss can find Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe put his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe Hoss and I should have convinced Adam to swear us in.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow would that have changed anything?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 He reached forward and ran his fingers along Adam\u2019s hairline, brushing back the dark hair.\u00a0 Ben wished that he hadn\u2019t raised Adam to take responsibility so seriously.\u00a0 Adam only accepted the council\u2019s recommendation because he wanted to help and protect Roy.\u00a0 He should never have sided with the council against Roy and put his son in this situation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A couple of hours later, Joe was sitting and staring out the window while Ben was holding Adam\u2019s hand between his own.\u00a0 Paul had just checked Adam\u2019s pulse when his patient moaned and moved his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u201d Ben urged, \u201cLook at me, Son!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam moved his head from side to side and then opened his eyes.\u00a0 He saw Pa and Joe looking at him with concern and Paul hovering.\u00a0 He saw their mouths moving but couldn\u2019t make out the words.\u00a0 \u201cWhy are you all whispering?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at Paul in confusion and then back at his son.\u00a0 \u201cWe aren\u2019t whispering, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWHAT?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul looked at Adam and then shouted \u201cCAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWHAT DO YOU MEAN BY NOW?\u00a0 HOW COME YOU\u2019RE THE ONLY ONE TALKING NORMALLY?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Looking at Adam, Paul talked in a normal tone of voice.\u00a0 Again, Adam complained of whispering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe explosion must have caused some hearing loss, Ben.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s only temporary.\u00a0 Only time will tell.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWHY WON\u2019T ANYONE TELL ME WHAT\u2019S GOING ON? I\u2019M NOT A CHILD!\u00a0 YOU DON\u2019T HAVE TO WHISPER!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Raising his voice, Paul said \u201cYOU\u2019VE GOT SEVERAL BURNS FROM THAT EXPLOSION AS WELL AS A BULLET WOUND TO YOUR LEG.\u00a0 IF YOU\u2019RE NOT RUNNING A FEVER IN THE MORNING, I\u2019LL LET YOU GO HOME.\u00a0 HOW DOES THAT SOUND?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSOUNDS GOOD TO ME\u201d Adam answered with a smile.\u00a0 Looking at Pa and Joe he asked \u201cWHERE\u2019S HOSS?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Realizing he\u2019d have to speak loudly, Ben replied \u201cHE\u2019S GONE TO FIND ROY AND BRING HIM BACK HERE.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWHAT HAPPENED TO THE WAGNER GANG?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWE MANAGED TO GET THREE OF THEM.\u00a0 THE FOURTH GOT AWAY.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDID THEY CLEAN OUT THE BANK?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTHEY DIDN\u2019T GET ANYTHING, SON.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNO THANKS TO ME, I SUPPOSE.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTHERE\u2019S NO WAY YOU COULD HAVE KNOWN THEY WERE GOINGTO DYNAMITE THE SAFE.\u00a0 WHY DON\u2019T YOU GET SOME REST?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul mixed several drops of laudanum into a glass of water.\u00a0 Bringing it over to the bedside, Adam looked at him and made a face.\u00a0 \u201cTHIS WILL HELP YOU REST AND START TO HEAL.\u201d\u00a0 Deciding to give in, Adam allowed the doctor to pour the concoction down his throat.\u00a0 With a tired look at his father and brother, Adam fell asleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs it likely that this hearing loss will be permanent?\u201d asked Ben with fear in his voice.\u00a0 Adam so enjoyed music, but would he continue to play his guitar if he could no longer hear?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt may last a short time or for several months.\u00a0 We\u2019ll just have to wait to see if the damage is permanent.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe looked out the window.\u00a0 What would become of Adam if he could no longer hear?\u00a0 Would he just busy himself in his books and withdraw from life?\u00a0 He could not imagine never hearing a woman\u2019s laugh, the sound of a horse\u2019s hooves, or the chirping of birds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben pulled Adam\u2019s hand to his cheek.\u00a0 His son no longer able to hear?\u00a0 Adam brooded enough as it was.\u00a0 Would he further withdraw into himself?\u00a0 If the hearing loss was permanent, he wouldn\u2019t be able to negotiate contracts anymore.\u00a0 Nothing would devastate Adam more than to feel like a burden to his family.\u00a0 They\u2019d all have to band together to get Adam through this.\u00a0 He hoped Hoss found Roy and brought him back soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That evening, Hoss appeared at the doctor\u2019s office.\u00a0 \u201cI found Roy, Pa.\u00a0 He was out at Pyramid Lake doin\u2019 some thinkin\u2019 and fishin\u2019.\u00a0 I tole him what happened to Adam and he felt powerful bad.\u00a0 He\u2019s over at his office right now, puttin\u2019 his badge back on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood job, Son\u201d praised Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy came into the surgery and saw Adam lying on the table.\u00a0 By the lamplight he took in the condition of Adam\u2019s face and his bandaged leg and hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ben.\u00a0 I would never have wished this on Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben turned to look at his old friend.\u00a0 \u201cI know, Roy.\u00a0 But I feel partly to blame.\u00a0 If the other members of the council and I had had complete confidence in you, then you would have never had a reason to leave.\u00a0 Please accept my apology?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t apologize, Ben.\u00a0 My pride couldn\u2019t accept that mebbe I could use some help every now and then.\u00a0 If it\u2019s alright with you, I\u2019d like to swear in Hoss as deputy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Looking at Hoss, Ben raised his eyebrows.\u00a0 Hoss said \u201cI wanna help Roy, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Ben.\u00a0 Hoss told me that the last of the gang got away.\u00a0 We\u2019ll do ever\u2019thing we can to track him down.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s Adam, Pa?\u201d Hoss finally asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPaul says he can come home in the morning if he\u2019s not running a fever.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s great, Pa\u201d Hoss said with a big smile.\u00a0 He noticed that neither Pa nor Joe was smiling, though.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u00a0 Is Adam going to be okay?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe can\u2019t hear\u201d said Joe bitterly.\u00a0 \u201cThe doctor doesn\u2019t know yet if it will be permanent or not.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both Hoss and Roy were shocked by the news.\u00a0 Roy was already feeling guilty about Adam\u2019s injuries at the hands of the Wagner Gang.\u00a0 Adam had been put in a difficult position and Roy thought \u201cI acted like a child throwing a tantrum.\u201d\u00a0 Could Adam ever forgive him for leaving Virginia City at a time when her citizens needed him most?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The night seemed to pass at a snail\u2019s pace.\u00a0 When the first rays of sunlight began to break through the window in the surgery, Joe and Hoss were sound asleep.\u00a0 Ben had stayed up all night looking at his son\u2014his precious gift from Elizabeth.\u00a0 Maybe Adam\u2019s hearing would return in a few days\u2019 time at the longest.\u00a0 He could only hope and pray.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss awoke and stretched.\u00a0 Looking at Pa he said \u201cDidn\u2019t you get any sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben just shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019re we gonna get Adam home, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you see about getting a buggy from the livery?\u00a0 I\u2019ll drive him home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you let Lil Joe or me drive you and him home, Pa?\u00a0 You don\u2019t look fit enough to drive a buggy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shot Hoss a glare. Perhaps his son was right.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t slept and didn\u2019t need to further endanger Adam.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Hoss. Joe can drive us home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss left for the livery.\u00a0 Ben looked over at Joe, still asleep on a chair by the window, his head resting against the wall.\u00a0 He looked down at Adam, still sleeping.\u00a0 In sleep, he so resembled his mother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n An hour after sunrise, Paul entered the surgery to check on his patient.\u00a0 Still sleeping, Adam couldn\u2019t protest the placement of the thermometer under his tongue.\u00a0 Ben watched hopefully, knowing Adam could come home if he wasn\u2019t running a fever.\u00a0 Pulling out the thermometer, Paul held it up to see how far the mercury had gone.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s normal, Ben.\u00a0 You can take him home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled; his boy was all right.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to wake Joe soon so they could get Adam loaded up.\u00a0 \u201cAny words of caution, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t let him do too much for a few days because of his leg.\u00a0 Make sure he uses the crutch when he walks.\u00a0 You\u2019ll probably want to tap him on the shoulder or arm before you speak to him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll make sure he doesn\u2019t work on the fences or break horses for a while\u201d said Ben as a joke.\u00a0 Paul recognized that Ben was trying to make light of the situation and smiled.\u00a0 He just hoped that Adam wouldn\u2019t mope around the house feeling useless because he couldn\u2019t hear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss came back into the surgery to announce that he had a buggy, Buck, Cochise, and Sport waiting outside.\u00a0 \u201cPa, you promise me that you\u2019ll let Lil Joe drive home.\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked up at Hoss and said \u201cI promise.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cGood\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cYa want anythin\u2019 for breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow about some coffee and biscuits?\u201d suggested Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back in two shakes of a lamb\u2019s tail\u201d said Hoss as he left the surgery.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben figured that Hoss would be a while longer than that.\u00a0 He\u2019d probably clean the International House out of bacon and eggs before returning with the coffee and biscuits.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe began to stir on his chair by the window.\u00a0 Stretching, he rubbed his eyes and asked \u201cMorning already?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt would appear so\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy came into the surgery with a pot of coffee and two cups. \u201cI thought you could use some coffee, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Roy\u201d said Ben, reaching for a steaming cup.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s he doin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPaul says he\u2019s all right.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to take him home when he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The aroma of coffee caused Adam\u2019s nose to twitch.\u00a0 He started to come out of his drug-induced sleep.\u00a0 Seeing his son\u2019s eyelids flutter, Ben set down his coffee and leaned towards Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally opening his eyes, Adam looked around the room.\u00a0 His eyes focused on Roy.\u00a0 \u201cWHAT MADE YOU COME BACK?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018HUH?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018HUH?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou have to speak up, Roy\u201d advised Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHOSS\u201d said Roy with a shout.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I FIGURED A HORSE BROUGHT YOU BACK, BUT WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO COME BACK?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy looked at Ben in confusion.\u00a0 All Ben could do was shrug.\u00a0 Joe was trying hard to stifle a laugh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYER BROTHER, HOSS.\u201d\u00a0 Roy paused and then added \u201cI\u2019M AWFUL SORRY, ADAM.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNOT YOUR FAULT.\u00a0 I COULDN\u2019T FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO STRIKE NEXT.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIS THAT WHY THERE ARE CIRCLES ON THE MAP IN MY OFFICE?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHOW CAN THE CIRCUS BE AT THE MABIN\u2019S PLACE?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy shouted \u201cCIRCLES ON THE MAP.\u00a0 YOU DREW THEM?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOH, YEAH.\u00a0 I THOUGHT I COULD FIND A PATTERN.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss had come back and was standing outside of the door listening to this exchange.\u00a0 When Pa had said Adam couldn\u2019t hear, he thought that meant deaf.\u00a0 Adam could hear, which meant there was hope.\u00a0 Coming into the surgery, he held the plate of biscuits before him and said in a booming voice \u201cI GOT BISCUITS AT THE HOTEL.\u00a0 YA WANT SOME, ADAM?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSURE!\u201d was his reply.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sat up and Hoss placed the plate on Adam\u2019s lap.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t spread butter on them with one hand, so Joe pulled several apart and buttered them for his oldest brother.\u00a0 Joe was surprised to see the gratitude in Adam\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 After fixing several biscuits for Adam, Joe helped himself to a few.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Adam and Joe happily munched away, Ben and Roy talked about the remaining gang member.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know which way he went or if he intends to come back.\u00a0 After all, Hoss, Joe, and I can identify him if we see him again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll wire the nearby towns so they know he\u2019s on the loose.\u00a0 I should never have left, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe council and I shouldn\u2019t have interfered.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hate to break up this guilt-fest\u201d said Hoss, \u201cbut staying around here won\u2019t catch our man.\u00a0 \u2018Sides, Pa, I thought ya wanted to git Adam home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Son\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 Hoss could be very wise at times.\u00a0 Looking at Adam, he saw Joe break apart the last biscuit and offer half to Adam.\u00a0 He was surprised to see Adam take it with a smile for his youngest brother.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t often that Joe got to feel that Adam needed him.<\/p>\n \u201cARE YOU ABOUT READY TO GO, SON?\u201d Ben boomed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSURE AM\u201d was Adam\u2019s reply.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, Hoss hitched up a buggy for us.\u00a0 Will you help me get Adam outside?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet me\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 He went over to the bed, pulled back the covers, and picked Adam up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPUT ME DOWN!\u00a0 I CAN WALK!\u201d protested Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNO YOU CAIN\u2019T.\u00a0 YER WEAK AS A KITTEN.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAM NOT!!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cARE TOO.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAM NOT!!!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHUSH UP!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shoved against Hoss\u2019 chest with his good hand.\u00a0 \u201cSet your brother down, Hoss\u201d ordered Ben.\u00a0 Doing as he was told, Hoss set Adam on his feet, where he promptly began to fall.\u00a0 Joe rushed to Adam\u2019s side and placed Adam\u2019s arm across his shoulders and his hand around his brother\u2019s waist.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, Hoss, let\u2019s get him outside.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben watched with pride as Hoss and Joe got Adam outside.\u00a0 \u201cWhat am I going to do with those boys?\u201d he mused.\u00a0 All Roy could do was look at the floor.\u00a0 He felt responsible for Adam\u2019s injuries.\u00a0 Everything would be better if he\u2019d been killed by that explosion at the bank.\u00a0 At least he would have died doing his job.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault\u201d said Ben, placing a hand on Roy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThe important thing is that you\u2019re back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t let anything happen ta Hoss\u201d he swore to Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust catch that man, Roy\u201d said Ben as he went outside to his sons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The buggy ride back to the Ponderosa was a silent one.\u00a0 Ben slept while Joe drove.\u00a0 Adam sat in the back and frowned.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t hear the creak of the buggy, the clip-clop of the horses\u2019 hooves, or the sounds of Nature.\u00a0 What kind of life was he going to have now?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arriving home, Joe nudged his father awake.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re home, Pa.\u00a0 Should we take Adam upstairs?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I want him in the downstairs bedroom. \u00a0I won\u2019t have to worry about him negotiating the stairs that way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting down from the buggy, Joe reached up to help Adam down.\u00a0 Once standing and leaning on the buggy, Joe handed Adam the crutch.\u00a0 Holding the crutch under his right arm, Adam took a tentative step.\u00a0 His legs were a little weak, but he was able to make it to the door on his own power.\u00a0 That was a plus, he thought.\u00a0 Once inside, he headed for the stairs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNO, ADAM\u201d shouted Ben.\u00a0 Adam turned to face his father.\u00a0 \u201cI WANT YOU TO STAY DOWN HERE FOR THE TIME BEING.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked up the stairs and then over to the guest room.\u00a0 With a sigh, he turned and went to the guest room and shut the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll bring some of his things down\u201d said Joe before bounding up the stairs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben felt despondent.\u00a0 He knew Adam didn\u2019t want to be treated like a child.\u00a0 However, Ben needed to take Adam\u2019s condition into account.\u00a0 His son could get around with a crutch and being downstairs would be much easier for him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe came downstairs with clothing and Adam\u2019s guitar.\u00a0 Ben asked \u201cAre you sure that\u2019s a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Joe.\u00a0 He figured that Adam would know what the chords sounded like in his head so he didn\u2019t actually have to hear them.\u00a0 He was wrong.\u00a0 After entering the guest room and setting the clothes in a chair, Joe handed the guitar to his brother.\u00a0 Adam looked at the guitar and then at Joe, who smiled hopefully.\u00a0 After positioning the instrument, Adam strummed a few chords.\u00a0 His face took on a dark look with he realized he couldn\u2019t hear the guitar and he tossed it from himself.\u00a0 Joe was stunned and felt tears coming to his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDON\u2019T CRY, JOE.\u00a0 I\u2019M DOING US ALL A FAVOR BY NOT PLAYING THAT.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sniffed, turned, and left the room.\u00a0 He passed Hop Sing who was bearing a tray.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing entered Adam\u2019s temporary room and approached the Number One Son.\u00a0 Adam looked up and thought that Hop Sing was going to try to cheer him up, too.\u00a0 The cook set the tray down on the nightstand and touched Adam\u2019s arm.\u00a0 He pointed to Adam\u2019s eyes and then to his own mouth.\u00a0 Doing it again, Adam realized that Hop Sing wanted him to watch his lips move.\u00a0 Speaking slowly, Hop Sing asked \u201cYou want tea?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYES\u201d answered Adam with a shout.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing motioned to his ear and then Adam\u2019s mouth and shook his head.\u00a0 He did it again.\u00a0 Adam put the motions together and realized that Hop Sing was indicating that he was shouting.\u00a0 He whispered, he hoped, \u201cI\u2019d like some tea.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing beamed and poured a cup for his Number One Son.\u00a0 Adam smiled, too, realizing that all was not lost.<\/p>\n Hop Sing left the room as Joe left to take care of the horses.\u00a0 He needed to put Buck, Sport, and Cochise in the barn, feed them, and give them a good rub down.\u00a0 Hoss had said to leave the buggy.\u00a0 He\u2019d come for it later.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was sitting in front of the fire drinking a cup of coffee.\u00a0 He was glad that Roy had come back but he couldn\u2019t help but be a bit resentful for him leaving in the first place.\u00a0 If Roy had stayed, then Adam probably wouldn\u2019t have been injured.\u00a0 On the other hand, Ben wouldn\u2019t want Adam to be all right at Roy\u2019s expense.\u00a0 However, Roy was paid to protect Virginia City.\u00a0 Adam had been put in that position by him and the other members of the council.\u00a0 He\u2019d make it up to Adam in some way or another.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam limped out of his room to go get his copy of Robinson Crusoe.\u00a0 He felt as if he was marooned on a desert island right now.\u00a0 Seeing his father sitting in front of the fire, he thought of Hop Sing\u2019s instructions and said \u201cHi, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben leapt up.\u00a0 If Adam was speaking in a normal tone, that meant he could hear again.\u00a0 He faced Adam and said \u201cYou can hear?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With a look of disappointment, Ben went to his son and embraced him in a hug.\u00a0 Puzzled, Adam patted his father\u2019s back. Ben finally pushed back from his eldest and said \u201cWe\u2019ll get through this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not getting what Pa said, Adam just nodded his head and smiled.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want Pa\u2019s pity or Joe\u2019s either.\u00a0 Going to his book, Adam picked it up and then headed for his room.\u00a0 He\u2019d rather read alone than have to look at the sadness in Pa\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When lunch time came around, Hop Sing came to his room and asked him to come to the table.\u00a0 Adam was only too happy to comply.\u00a0 He sat in his usual chair across from Pa and picked up the sandwich from his plate.\u00a0 Happily munching away, he didn\u2019t notice that Pa was speaking to him.\u00a0 A motion finally caught his attention.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI SAID, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR TODAY?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u201d Adam responded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDON\u2019T YOU WANT TO GO OVER THE BOOKS?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHOW ABOUT A FEW CONTRACTS?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWHAT ARE YOU GOINGTO DO?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Frustrated, Ben gave up on conversation.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like shouting across the table.\u00a0 Hopefully, Adam wouldn\u2019t mope too much.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe came in and plopped himself down at the table.\u00a0 He picked up a sandwich and began eating.\u00a0 Turning to Adam with a mouthful of sandwich, he shouted \u201cYOU WANNA COME OUT AND HELP ME IN THE BARN?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shoving half-chewed sandwich to one side of his mouth, Joe shouted again \u201cYOU WANNA HELP IN THE BARN?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I think I\u2019m going to go out to the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shot his father a questioning look.\u00a0 Ben just shrugged a shoulder and raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Following lunch, Adam went out to the barn to check on Sport.\u00a0 He stroked the horse\u2019s neck and fed him an apple.\u00a0 What he wouldn\u2019t give to saddle Sport and go for a long ride.\u00a0 Sighing, he knew that Pa would have a fit if he left the house, yard, or barn without Joe or Hoss around for protection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A tap to his shoulder caused Adam to spin around in fright.\u00a0 As he turned, he swung his fist in an arc.\u00a0 His fist practically whistled over the top of Joe\u2019s head.\u00a0 Both men were ashen when they realized what had happened.\u00a0 Adam leaned against the stall wall, panting in fright.\u00a0 Joe, afraid to touch Adam again, bent over and put his hands on his knees and took deep breaths.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After several minutes, Adam turned around to apologize to Joe.\u00a0 He was surprised to see that his little brother was gone.\u00a0 What must he be thinking at this moment?\u00a0 Sadly, Adam headed back to the house.\u00a0 Nothing would ever be the same again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Back in town, Roy and Hoss compared the faces on the wanted poster to the dead men of the Wagner Gang.\u00a0 Red Watson was the only one left.\u00a0 Since Roy was going to send some telegrams, he told Hoss to return home to check on Adam and to let his family know they had a name for the final member of the gang.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arriving home, Hoss tied Chubb to the back of the buggy.\u00a0 He\u2019d return it to the livery when he went back to town.\u00a0 Going in the house, he saw Pa sitting in front of the fire, staring at the flames.\u00a0 Joe was stretched out on the settee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on?\u201d asked Hoss with concern.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u201d answered Joe in a surly tone.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDeaf\u201d replied Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow is he, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know\u201d he answered without looking away from the fire.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs he upstairs?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, he\u2019s in the guest room\u201d Ben said while gesturing with his thumb.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss went to the guest room and knocked on the door.\u00a0 There was no answer and Hoss realized that Adam probably hadn\u2019t heard.\u00a0 Opening the door, he entered and was surprised to see Adam laying face-down on the bed.\u00a0 Going over to his brother, Hoss said \u201cADAM.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam rolled onto his side and his tear-stained face looked at his younger brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kneeling down beside the bed, Hoss looked into Adam\u2019s eyes and asked \u201cWHAT HAPPENED?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI almost clobbered Joe because I didn\u2019t know he was in the barn with me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019M SHORE LIL JOE FERGIVES YA.\u00a0 WHY DON\u2019TCHA FERGIVE YERSELF?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat if it had been Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss pulled Adam to his chest and could feel his older brother quietly crying.\u00a0 Adam had always been there to protect him; now he was going to have to protect his older brother.\u00a0 After several minutes, Adam pulled away and wiped at his eyes with his hand.\u00a0 \u201cThanks\u201d was all he said.\u00a0 Hoss gently squeezed Adam\u2019s shoulder and left the room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna go back ta town, Pa.\u00a0 Roy wanted ya to know that we know which member of the gang is left.\u00a0 We\u2019re gonna catch him.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry.\u201d\u00a0 Since neither Ben nor Joe replied, Hoss plucked an apple from the fruit bowl and headed for the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Supper was a somber affair.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t feel like talking and absorbed himself in his mashed potatoes.\u00a0 He made mountains and a road before piling the potatoes up again.\u00a0 Joe watched this while leaning on his fist.\u00a0 Ben picked at his food, wishing his family would return to normal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting tired of seeing Adam play with his food, Ben ordered \u201cEAT YOUR SUPPER.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019M NOT A KID!!\u201d was Adam\u2019s angry retort.\u00a0 He shot out of his chair and went to his room.<\/p>\n Hearing the shouting, Hop Sing came out of the kitchen with a tray.\u00a0 He glared at Ben and Joe.\u00a0 Letting himself into Adam\u2019s room, he set the tray down on the nightstand.\u00a0 Number One Son laid face-down on the bed, so Hop Sing went to the foot of the bed where he pushed on the mattress.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aware that someone was in the room, Adam rolled over.\u00a0 Seeing Hop Sing, he relaxed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing approached the head of the bed and then pointed to the tray.\u00a0 He then slowly brought his fingers up to his face.\u00a0 Adam followed the progress of Hop Sing\u2019s hand until he was looking at the cook\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou eat.\u00a0 Get strong.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFood won\u2019t make me hear.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou not child.\u00a0 Accept fate.\u00a0 Live.\u201d\u00a0 With that, Hop Sing left the room and shut the door behind him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next morning, Adam came out of his room and went to the table.\u00a0 Much to Ben\u2019s and Joe\u2019s surprise, Adam piled food onto his plate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After he finished his breakfast, he announced \u201cI\u2019m going out to the barn.\u201d\u00a0 He got up, went over to the sideboard, strapped on his gun belt, and put on his hat.\u00a0 Ben and Joe exchanged puzzled looks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing came to the dining area to take away Adam\u2019s dirty dishes. \u00a0\u201cWhat did you tell Adam last night?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTell him accept fate.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou eat food.\u00a0 Eggs get cold.\u201d\u00a0 With that, Hop Sing went back to the kitchen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finishing up, Ben told Joe \u201cI\u2019m going into town to see if Roy and Hoss have had any luck tracking down that Watson fellow.\u00a0 Keep an eye on Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben went to the barn to saddle Buck.\u00a0 Adam was sitting on a bale of hay, mending a bridle.\u00a0 As he saddled his horse, he heard a noise he couldn\u2019t place.\u00a0 Suddenly, he realized that noise was Adam whistling.\u00a0 He smiled to himself, not wanting to let Adam know that his whistling was horribly off-key.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Ben led Buck out of the barn, Adam looked up.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are you going, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTO TOWN TO CHECK ON HOSS.\u00a0 JOE\u2019S IN THE HOUSE.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay.\u00a0 See you later.\u201d\u00a0 Adam went back to working on the bridle.\u00a0 He started whistling again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once in town, Ben went straight to Roy\u2019s office.\u00a0 Roy and Hoss were poring over a map.\u00a0 \u201cMorning\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMornin\u2019, Ben\u201d answered Roy.\u00a0 \u201cHoss found some tracks that might be Watson\u2019s.\u00a0 We\u2019re tryin\u2019 to figure out where he may be headed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m worried that he\u2019s gonna try ta kill you or Joe, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we worry about finding him, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe were gonna head out soon, Ben.\u00a0 Do you wanta join us?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou bet\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A half hour later, the three men headed out in search of Red Watson.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile, back at the Ponderosa, Adam was finishing up a second bridle.\u00a0 Maybe Hop Sing was right\u2014he\u2019d accepted his fate so everything would work out now.\u00a0 He decided to head for the house.\u00a0 The front door was opening, so Joe was probably going to come out and check on him.\u00a0 Realizing that he\u2019d left his hat in the barn, Adam turned around and headed back for it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When asked later what made him turn around to the house, Adam would say he didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 He turned around to see the front door open and Joe falling backwards into the house in what seemed like slow motion.\u00a0 He was sure he saw red on Joe\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Looking off to his left, he saw a man with a smoking gun.\u00a0 This had to be the last member of the gang!\u00a0 Adam quickly drew his gun as Watson realized there was a witness.\u00a0 Adam and Watson shot within seconds of each other.\u00a0 As Adam fell backwards, he got off a second shot.\u00a0 He thought he saw the other man falling, too.\u00a0 Pain enveloped him and he felt that Old Sheba was sitting on his chest.\u00a0 Stars briefly danced before his eyes before the entire world went black.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben, Hoss, and Roy had heard a shot and had urged their horses to go faster.\u00a0 They arrived as Adam hit the ground.\u00a0 Pulling Buck to a sudden stop, Ben stumbled as he dismounted.\u00a0 He ran to his son, who was bleeding from a chest wound.\u00a0 Blood was also on his lips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss saw that the front door was open and he ran to the house.\u00a0 Joe was beginning to stir.\u00a0 He had been shot in the left shoulder; the bullet looked like it had entered just above the collarbone.\u00a0 Hoss helped his younger brother sit up and he checked Joe\u2019s back for an exit wound.\u00a0 Luckily, the bullet had gone clean through.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly frightened, Joe asked \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n The look on Hoss\u2019 face gave Joe his answer.\u00a0 The younger Cartwright burst into tears, assuming that Adam was dead.\u00a0 He had again failed his oldest brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy went over to Watson\u2019s body to confirm that it was the man they had been seeking.\u00a0 Watson had two bullet holes in his chest.\u00a0 Again, Roy felt guilt.\u00a0 Because of him, Adam might by dead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss, Joe, and Roy walked over to where Ben was holding Adam.\u00a0 The bullet had gone into the right side of Adam\u2019s chest.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 fer the doc\u201d announced Roy.\u00a0 He may have caused all of this but he wasn\u2019t going to let Adam die.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss gently moved his father away from Adam.\u00a0 Then he picked up his older brother.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s cheek rested against Hoss\u2019 bicep.\u00a0 Ben noticed that Joe had been shot, too, and noticed his son\u2019s tear-stained face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI failed him, Pa\u201d sobbed out Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo did I\u201d replied Ben.<\/p>\n They both went into the house to wait for Dr. Martin.\u00a0 Hoss had put Adam in the guest room.\u00a0 Hop Sing was already tending to his Number One Son.<\/p>\n When Paul arrived, he let himself in and called out \u201cBen?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cIn here\u201d was the reply from the guest room.<\/p>\n Paul went in and began checking Adam\u2019s wound.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone out except for Hop Sing\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n An hour later, Paul came out of the guest room.\u00a0 \u201cLet me see to your shoulder, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Adam\u2026?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Ben, he isn\u2019t.\u00a0 The bullet entered his lung, which is why there was blood on his lips.\u00a0 I got the bullet out and fixed him up.\u00a0 I left a drain in his chest to wick out any fluid so he\u2019ll have less of a chance for infection.\u00a0 I won\u2019t promise that there won\u2019t be any infection.\u00a0 A bit of fever will be normal, but if he develops a high fever, send for me immediately.\u201d\u00a0 Paul finished cleaning up Joe\u2019s shoulder, bandaged the area, and put the arm in a sling.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Paul\u201d said Ben as his friend went to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence fell after Paul left.\u00a0 Roy finally spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cThis is all my fault, Ben.\u00a0 Adam was doing my job when he was injured and then Watson came out here to hurt you and yer boys.\u00a0 Mebbe I should just resign.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben felt his anger rising.\u00a0 There had been more than enough guilt.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t change things though.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll not resign, Roy.\u00a0 None of this was your fault.\u00a0 If the council hadn\u2019t meddled, you would never have quit.\u00a0 If we\u2019d let you do your job, you probably would\u2019ve caught the gang before they got near the bank.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be with Adam if anyone needs me.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy stood for a few moments with his hat in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t yer fault, Roy\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cThat gang has killed all over the Territory.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t a mattered if you\u2019d been in town that day or not.\u00a0 Ya cain\u2019t keep beatin\u2019 yerself up over this.\u201d<\/p>\n Without a word, Roy put on his hat and let himself out.\u00a0 Hoss let out a heavy sigh.\u00a0 Joe said \u201cI was supposed to be looking after Adam.\u00a0 Instead, I left him in the barn all alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, if he hadn\u2019t shot Watson that man woulda probably finished ya off.\u00a0 Adam musta heard that shot and come outta the barn to see Watson standin\u2019 there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you\u2019re right\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 He then trudged up the stairs to his room.\u00a0 Hoss was left all alone in the big room.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin came out the next morning to check on Adam.\u00a0 He changed the packing for the drain and the bandages.\u00a0 Taking Adam\u2019s temperature, he noted that it was elevated but not too high.\u00a0 Pulling out his stethoscope, he listened to Adam\u2019s chest and gave a satisfied nod.\u00a0 Looking at Ben, Paul said \u201cHe\u2019s going to pull through just fine.\u00a0 Adam is young and strong.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up at Paul and said \u201cThank you for saving my son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to check on Little Joe\u201d Paul announced, gathering up his medical equipment.\u00a0 Going upstairs, Paul found Joe still in bed.\u00a0 \u201cI need to look at your shoulder, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sat up and obediently exposed his shoulder for the doctor.\u00a0 Changing the bandaging, Paul declared that the wound looked good.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s reply was a snort.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Little Joe?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not fair!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat isn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverything that\u2019s happened to Adam.\u00a0 He was just doing Roy\u2019s job.\u00a0 Will he ever be his old self again?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s been here for me my whole life.\u00a0 He\u2019s always protected me whether I wanted him to or not.\u00a0 I failed him yesterday, Paul.\u00a0 If I\u2019d been in the barn with him, Adam wouldn\u2019t have been shot and maybe dying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam is going to recover, Little Joe.\u00a0 I checked in on him before coming up here.\u00a0 His healing will just take time.\u00a0 There\u2019s no way you can know if things would have turned out differently if you\u2019d been in the barn with him yesterday.\u00a0 You can\u2019t go back and change events.\u00a0 Help your family move forward.\u201d Paul gave Joe\u2019s knee a squeeze and then left the room.<\/p>\n Coming back to the first floor, Paul saw that Hoss was alone.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you doing, Hoss?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, I guess.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t hurt if that\u2019s what yer askin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lot has happened over the past few days.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure there\u2019s been a lot of strain.\u00a0 How are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI feel bad fer Adam and Pa.\u00a0 But I cain\u2019t change anythin\u2019.\u00a0 All I can do is look out fer my family and see that we git through this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re doing okay then, Hoss\u201d said Paul.\u00a0 He then let himself out and headed back to Virginia City.<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss spent the day tip-toeing around the house.\u00a0 They peeked in the guest room every so often to see Pa keeping a close watch over Adam.\u00a0 When one of them offered to sit with Adam for a while, Pa shooed them out.\u00a0 He was going to stay with Adam until he woke up.<\/p>\n That evening, Hop Sing brought a pot of coffee into Adam\u2019s room.\u00a0 He poured a cup and handed it to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cNumbah One Son accept fate.\u00a0 Now you do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMistah Adam accept he no hear.\u00a0 Now he fight to come back.\u00a0 You accept he come back.\u201d\u00a0 Pulling a small incense burner from his pocket, Hop Sing lit it and let the smell waft through the room.\u00a0 \u201cYou ask ancestors to guide Mistah Adam back.\u201d<\/p>\n After Hop Sing left the room, Ben began a conversation with Elizabeth.\u00a0 \u201cYou must be so proud of our son, Liz.\u00a0 He took on a responsibility he didn\u2019t want and tried to do what was right.\u00a0 Did you hear him in the barn yesterday?\u00a0 That whistling was awful, but he was doing it anyway.\u00a0 Our son is fearless, like you, Liz.\u00a0 A challenge rises up and he meets it head on.\u00a0 I want him back, darling.\u00a0 You left too soon.\u201d\u00a0 Tears were flowing down Ben\u2019s cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cYour son has been my rock.\u00a0 I\u2019ve leaned on him for so long that I take him for granted sometimes.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got to send him back to me, my love.\u00a0 If I lose him, then I won\u2019t have anything to remember you.\u00a0 When I look at our son, I see your eyes and smile.\u00a0 When I hear him stand up to someone, I hear your convictions.\u00a0 Our Adam is a well-respected man, Liz.\u00a0 I hope you\u2019re as proud of him as I am.\u00a0 Please, Liz, guide him back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n By morning, the incense had burned out.\u00a0 Ben had fallen asleep holding tightly to Adam\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe came downstairs hoping that their brother had made it through the night.\u00a0 Looking into the guest room, they saw Adam\u2019s eyes were still closed and that Pa was sleeping, clasping Adam\u2019s hand to him.<\/p>\n Hop Sing came out of the kitchen with toast and coffee.\u00a0 \u201cYou be quiet.\u00a0 Fathah sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe sat down at the table and each took some toast.\u00a0 They hoped Adam was going to wake up soon.\u00a0 Wrinkling up his nose, Hoss asked \u201cWhat\u2019s that smell?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing came back in with a bowl of eggs and a plate of bacon.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard Hoss\u2019 question.\u00a0 \u201cIncense bring Mistah Adam\u2019s mother.\u00a0 She keep watch ovah him.\u00a0 He come back soon.\u00a0 You see.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss and Joe just exchanged puzzled looks.<\/p>\n Ben woke up to the smells of breakfast.\u00a0 How Hop Sing knew he was awake was a mystery.\u00a0 The cook appeared with a plate containing eggs, bacon, and toast.\u00a0 \u201cYou eat now.\u00a0 Be ready when son wake.\u201d\u00a0 Obeying, Ben ate everything on his plate.<\/p>\n That afternoon found Ben still sitting at his son\u2019s bedside.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe were in the room, too.\u00a0 They had done the barn chores (Hoss had mostly done the chores) in record time and come back inside.\u00a0 Hop Sing seemed to think that Adam would be awake soon, but so far nothing had happened.<\/p>\n Late in the afternoon, Adam\u2019s eyes opened.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t speak; he just looked from face to face.\u00a0 Assuming that Adam\u2019s hearing hadn\u2019t returned, Ben shouted \u201cHOW ARE YOU FEELING, SON?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam put a hand to his head and said \u201cDon\u2019t shout, Pa.\u00a0 It makes my head hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe gasped in shock.\u00a0 Hoss smiled really big.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes teared up.\u00a0 \u201cYou can here me?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I can.\u00a0 What happened to that man?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou killed him\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw him shoot you, Joe.\u00a0 Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Adam.\u00a0 How did you know he was there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I was going back to the barn to get my hat when I felt like I had to turn around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood thing ya did\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n Hop Sing entered the room with a bowl of broth.\u00a0 He had a very large smile on his face as he handed the bowl to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHe eat all\u201d was the only instruction the cook had.<\/p>\n Roy arrived at the house that evening.\u00a0 Hop Sing ushered him into the guest room.\u00a0 \u201cGood to see ya, Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry fer\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t apologize, Roy\u201d said Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThe council backed you into a corner.\u00a0 I would\u2019ve left, too, if I\u2019d been in your position.\u201d<\/p>\n Relief filled Roy\u2019s face.\u00a0 Adam could\u2019ve easily blamed him for his injuries.\u00a0 \u201cAnytime ya wanta come and clean my office, feel free to stop in.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam chuckled softly.\u00a0 He knew Roy could let go of his guilt now.\u00a0 Exhausted from being awake for a few hours, Adam fell asleep.<\/p>\n Ben saw Roy to the door and thanked him for stopping by.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s right, Roy.\u00a0 The other members of the council and I backed you into a corner.\u00a0 None of us should have been surprised when you left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had ta do it all over again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d all do things differently if we could do it over again, Roy.\u00a0 We\u2019ve forgiven you, Roy, forgive yourself.\u201d\u00a0 Ben squeezed Roy\u2019s shoulder and he sighed in relief.\u00a0 He had been sure the Cartwrights would see him run out of Virginia City.\u00a0 Heading back to town, Roy vowed to never again let down those he protected and served.<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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