{"id":5751,"date":"2007-06-02T22:20:02","date_gmt":"2007-06-03T02:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5751"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:23","slug":"a-mouthful-of-regret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5751","title":{"rendered":"A Mouthful of Regret (by Patina)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span>It’s roundup time for the Cartwrights. Heated words are exchanged between Adam and Joe as they search for steers. A bear attack, though, changes everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated T\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Word Count=6472<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviews from the Old Library are on page 2.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Mouthful of Regret<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights were searching out strays for their annual roundup.\u00a0 All four Cartwrights, along with Hop Sing and six of the hands, were beating the bushes and scrub for steers.\u00a0 Ben had assigned everyone a partner and a location to look for Ponderosa beef.\u00a0 At twelve years old, Joe felt that he was old enough to work on his own rather than under the supervision of his oldest brother.\u00a0 When Joe protested, Ben told him to get the job done and to listen to Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe were riding cutting horses instead of their regular mounts.\u00a0 Splotch, a piebald, was Adam\u2019s horse while Socks was Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 The two Cartwrights were following a beaten cowpath in the hopes of finding some of their cattle. All they had found so far were a few carcasses.\u00a0 The day was hot and Joe\u2019s patience was wearing thin.\u00a0 Adam found himself snapping at his youngest brother several times.<\/p>\n

After Joe got his horse tangled up in some scrub, Adam said \u201cWhy don\u2019t you watch what you\u2019re doing instead of daydreaming?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not daydreaming!\u00a0 I can\u2019t help it if this stuff is in the way!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust pay closer attention to what you\u2019re doing.\u00a0 The sooner we find our steers the sooner we can get back to camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBossy Boots\u201d Joe muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d asked Adam with a glare directed at his youngest brother.\u00a0 He had hooked his right leg over the saddle to look at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019\u201d came the sullen reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not overly happy about being out here either, but Pa gave us a job to do.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just get it done.\u201d\u00a0 Adam then turned in his saddle to face forward, put his foot back in the stirrup, and continued the search for strays.\u00a0 Joe stuck his tongue out at Adam\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

The two continued to search and finally came across a lone steer.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve wasted all of this time for one lousy steer?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery steer counts during roundup, Joe.\u00a0 You should know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe muttered under his breath rather than stay quiet.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ve got something to say, just say it\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say anything\u201d Joe shot back defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t make the work assignments.\u00a0 Maybe Pa will let you work with someone else next time\u201d said Adam, hoping to calm Joe down.<\/p>\n

Joe blurted out \u201cIf you knew what you were doing, Pa wouldn\u2019t make me work with you to make sure you do everything right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think Pa trusts you?\u00a0 You were gone a long time.\u00a0 I guess you thought you could just come back and boss everyone around.\u00a0 Well, I learned a lot about horses and cattle and ranching while you were gone.\u00a0 I probably know more than you do.\u00a0 But you just can\u2019t think of me as a grownup and knowing how to do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had a look of complete surprise on his face.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know that Joe felt this way.\u00a0 He\u2019d left when the boy was six and come back when he was ten.\u00a0 Last year during roundup, Adam had worked with Jake, one of the hands, and Joe had worked with Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t boss you around\u201d said Adam, \u201cand I certainly don\u2019t treat you as if you don\u2019t know anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do all of the time\u201d Joe shot back with a glare.\u00a0 Then he added \u201cSometimes I wish you\u2019d just stayed back East.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside, Adam felt as if he\u2019d been punched in the gut.\u00a0 How could his own brother wish such a thing?\u00a0 In a low voice, Adam responded \u201cYou know what, buddy?\u00a0 There are times I wish the same thing.\u201d\u00a0 Joe was surprised to hear that.\u00a0 Adam then nudged Splotch and headed for a thicket to look for cattle.<\/p>\n

Joe was left sitting on Socks, watching his brother ride away.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t expected to hear Adam say that.\u00a0 Instead, Joe had thought Adam would give him a lecture about responsibility and respect.<\/p>\n

Before Joe could gather his thoughts, he heard the frightened bellow of a steer.\u00a0 As he turned in the direction of the bellow, he saw the steer running straight for Splotch and Adam.\u00a0 Splotch, picking up on the steer\u2019s fright, began to panic.\u00a0 As Joe watched in terrified fascination, the steer managed to miss the horse and its rider and kept running at top speed.<\/p>\n

Adam was struggling to control Splotch when he felt a heavy weight slam into the horse.\u00a0 Joe tried to yell but his throat and mouth had gone completely dry.\u00a0 A large grizzly bear had been chasing the terrified steer and saw a different prey in the horse.\u00a0 The sheer force of the bear toppled Splotch and the horse fell on Adam.\u00a0 Both horse and rider screamed in pain\u2014Splotch from the bear\u2019s claws and Adam from the impact of the horse.<\/p>\n

Joe could hear Adam yelling something, but his brain couldn\u2019t sort out all that was happening.\u00a0 The collision had happened in a split-second.\u00a0 Now, a bloodied Splotch was struggling to get up.\u00a0 When the horse regained his feet, Joe saw that Adam\u2019s right foot was stuck in the stirrup.\u00a0 Splotch reared and struck at the bear with his forelegs.\u00a0 The bear swiped a paw at the horse and Splotch squealed in pain as he was raked by sharp claws.\u00a0 Survival instinct kicked in and the horse tried to make a run for it.\u00a0 The angry bear lashed out at the horse\u2019s rump and sharp claws again made contact with horseflesh.\u00a0 Adam was screaming at Joe to shoot, but Joe was still frozen.<\/p>\n

Splotch sprang forward and Adam felt himself being dragged.\u00a0 The bear noticed a new prey in Adam and lunged for the man.\u00a0 Joe watched in horror as the bear sprang forward and landed on Adam\u2019s abdomen.\u00a0 As a result, Splotch was pulled into a rear since Adam\u2019s boot was still in the stirrup.\u00a0 The terrified horse tried to leap and there was a split-second where it seemed as if Adam\u2019s leg might come off.\u00a0\u00a0 The stirrup finally tore free of the saddle and Splotch was able to take off.<\/p>\n

The bear swiped a paw and sharp claws raked Adam\u2019s left hip and thigh, tearing his chaps and jeans.\u00a0 Joe finally recovered his wits and pulled his rifle from the scabbard.\u00a0 Adam was desperately trying to curl himself into a ball.\u00a0 He felt sharp claws rake his back and powerful jaws clamp down on his arm.\u00a0 \u201cShoot!!!!\u201d he screamed.\u00a0 He was assuming that Joe had his rifle in hand.<\/p>\n

Feeling himself being pulled up by the bear, Adam was frantically trying to protect his head.\u00a0 Teeth clamped down on his shoulder, snapping the collar bone.\u00a0 Adam heard what sounded like gunfire and hoped that Joe was shooting at the bear.\u00a0 An intense pain radiated through Adam\u2019s back as he lost consciousness.<\/p>\n

Joe had fired four shots and the bear hadn\u2019t dropped yet.\u00a0 Adam was lying unprotected on the ground, his clothing shredded and bloody.\u00a0 With the fifth shot, the bear was finally killed and it fell across Adam.<\/p>\n

Shaking now, Joe nudged Socks forward.\u00a0 He was afraid of what he would find when he reached Adam.\u00a0 Was his oldest brother still alive?\u00a0 Joe now regretted saying he wished Adam had stayed back East.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want Adam to go away again.<\/p>\n

Hoof beats came thundering from several directions.\u00a0 The hands, Ben, and Hoss were riding towards Joe. Hoss veered away and disappeared from sight.\u00a0 Ben and the hands made it to Adam and dismounted.\u00a0 Joe was still sitting on Socks, in complete shock at what had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me with this bear!\u201d yelled Ben.\u00a0 Hank and Luke pulled at the grizzly to get it off of The Boss\u2019 son.\u00a0 Everyone gasped in shock when Adam was uncovered.\u00a0 Ben shot a stunned look at Joe and barked \u201cDidn\u2019t you try to help your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t used to bearing the brunt of his father\u2019s anger.\u00a0 Pa got mad at him but never yelled with such accusation or glared daggers.\u00a0 The boy felt a tightness around his heart.<\/p>\n

Ben fell to his knees and gently felt at Adam\u2019s neck for a pulse.\u00a0 A hush came over everyone and even Nature had gone quiet.\u00a0 With a look of relief, Ben said \u201cHe\u2019s alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome help me, Luke\u201d requested Ben.\u00a0 The two men slowly lifted Adam into a reclined position so Ben could check his son over.\u00a0 Ben was stunned by the gashes caused by the bear\u2019s claws on Adam\u2019s legs, back, abdomen, and arms.\u00a0 There were also some scratches to his face.\u00a0 \u201cBring me a canteen\u201d ordered Ben.\u00a0 Three of the hands returned to their horses, got their canteens, and brought them to The Boss.<\/p>\n

As Ben began dabbing at some of Adam\u2019s wounds, Luke said \u201cHey, Boss, there\u2019s a bullet in Adam\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!?\u201d Ben thundered in disbelief.\u00a0 Joe flinched and turned the color of old campfire ash.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t possible!\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t have shot Adam!<\/p>\n

Hoss came riding up and was shocked to see the bloody mess that was his older brother.\u00a0 He gulped to keep the bile down.\u00a0 \u201cI found Splotch a ways back, Pa.\u00a0 He\u2019s dead.\u00a0 Is\u2026is Adam\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked over his shoulder at Hoss and said \u201cNo, he isn\u2019t.\u00a0 We need to get him home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing, driving the chuck wagon, came rumbling up.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we put him in the wagon, Boss?\u201d asked Hank.<\/p>\n

Ben tore his eyes away from Adam for a few seconds to look at the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cUnload the wagon to make room for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s gonna happen to all of the food?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re so concerned about the food, you can just stay here and guard it\u201d Ben barked at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to get your brother home.\u00a0 Which one of you is going to ride for the doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a word, Robbie strode over to his horse, mounted up, and headed for Virginia City.<\/p>\n

Joe was still sitting on Socks, rifle in hand, trembling from witnessing the attack and from hearing the accusatory tone of his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 Hoss, several of the hands, and Hop Sing were unloading the wagon.\u00a0 Pa and Luke were trying to stop the bleeding on Adam\u2019s thigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you sitting there, Joseph?\u00a0 Get over here and help us.\u201d\u00a0 Joe was startled by the way his father had said that as an order.<\/p>\n

Joe dismounted and approached Adam on shaking legs.\u00a0 Seeing his brother\u2019s wounds up close made Joe sick.\u00a0 He quickly took several steps away and emptied his stomach.\u00a0 Instead of providing words of comfort, Ben tossed a canteen at Joe and told him to clean himself up and then come over to help clean up Adam.<\/p>\n

Not wanting to seem like he was dawdling, Joe hurriedly cleaned out his mouth and then approached Adam.\u00a0 Dropping to his knees, Joe removed his bandana, dampened it, and began to clean up his brother.\u00a0 The cuts on Adam\u2019s face weren\u2019t too bad, but his back was a mess.\u00a0 Some of the clawmarks were deep and the bullet wound was an ugly hole.\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t stand to look at the damage he\u2019d caused.<\/p>\n

Once the wagon was unloaded, Hop Sing approached with a pouch full of buzzard down.\u00a0 He had learned from the Paiutes that a buzzard\u2019s down, when packed into a wound, will help stanch bleeding.\u00a0 Joe helped Hop Sing to put the downy feathers into the gashes on Adam\u2019s back and thigh.<\/p>\n

Once the bleeding was under control, Ben looked at the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cIs it ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cWe gotta put somethin\u2019 down to keep Adam comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone get your bedrolls.\u00a0 Lay them out on the bottom of the wagon.\u00a0 Get your blankets, too.\u00a0 We can cover him with those.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was still kneeling by Adam when Ben said \u201cI said to get your bedroll.\u201d\u00a0 Startled, Joe looked into his father\u2019s dark eyes.\u00a0 All he saw was anger.\u00a0 When he got up, Ben told him \u201cGet my bedroll, too.\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked back and saw his father holding Adam\u2019s hand and gently stroking his cheek.<\/p>\n

As Joe fumbled with the ties holding his bedroll, he was thankful that Pa wasn\u2019t yelling at him.\u00a0 The boy sniffled as he got the bedroll loose.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t meant to shoot Adam.\u00a0 In fact, he didn\u2019t know how he could have missed the bear and hit his brother.<\/p>\n

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Joe quickly spun around and found himself facing Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cThank the Lord ya killed that bear, Lil Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB\u2026b\u2026but I hit Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stopped that bear from killin\u2019 him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I\u2019ve killed him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t just stand there\u201d yelled Ben, \u201cget those bedrolls over to the wagon.\u00a0 And bring me your blanket, Joseph.\u00a0 Get some sturdy sticks, Hoss.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s leg needs a splint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had jumped at the sound of his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 Hoss gave his little brother\u2019s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before going to look for those sticks.<\/p>\n

When Joe reached the wagon, he saw Ira laying the bedrolls out.\u00a0 He handed his and Pa\u2019s bedrolls up to Ira, who took them without much of a glance for the boy.<\/p>\n

Hoss returned with two stout, straight sticks.\u00a0 He handed these to his father along with bloody strips of Adam\u2019s shirt.\u00a0 Before splinting his leg, Hoss worked gently to remove Adam\u2019s boot from his leg so the stirrup could be discarded.\u00a0 Once Adam\u2019s leg was splinted, Ben worked to immobilize his left arm.\u00a0 The collarbone was protruding from Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t want the arm to get jostled and damaged further.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him into the wagon.\u00a0 Hoss, help Luke and me to get this blanket under him.\u00a0 Hoss and Luke gently rolled Adam towards them as Ben placed the blanket flat on the ground.\u00a0 Then they gently rolled him back to lie on the blanket.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll lift him on the count of three.\u00a0 One\u2026two\u2026three.\u201d\u00a0 In unison, Hoss and Luke lifted Adam and slowly carried him over to the wagon.\u00a0 Reaching the wagon, Ben called out for Rezin to come help with lifting Adam into the wagon.\u00a0 Ben climbed into the back with Ira and told Rezin to support Adam\u2019s middle.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll lay Adam on his back, Ira.\u201d\u00a0 As Hoss, Rezin, and Luke lifted Adam, Ben and Ira gently guided him into the back of the wagon.\u00a0 The two men gently laid him on the bedrolls and then Ben covered him with the blankets.<\/p>\n

After Adam had been made comfortable, Ben and Ira jumped out of the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cRoundup is going to have to wait, men.\u00a0 I\u2019ll pay you for the work that would\u2019ve been done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll bring in those steers that we\u2019ve already found, Boss\u201d said Rezin.<\/p>\n

The other hands echoed what Rezin had said.\u00a0 Ben was touched by his men\u2019s loyalty.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, men.\u00a0 Ira, I\u2019d like for you to ride back with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, I want you to ride Joe\u2019s horse back to the house.\u00a0 Get everything ready for our arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mr. Cartlight\u201d answered the cook.<\/p>\n

As the men mounted up Ben said \u201cI\u2019ll drive the wagon.\u00a0 Hoss and Ira, you ride alongside.\u00a0 Joseph, you ride in the back with Adam and make sure he stays steady back there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone did as told.\u00a0 Joe was kneeling in the back when the wagon lurched forward.\u00a0 He fell forward and put out his hands to brace himself.\u00a0 Unfortunately, he landed on his brother.\u00a0 Adam hadn\u2019t made any noise up until this point\u2014he let out a large moan of pain.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s head whipped around and he yelled \u201cDon\u2019t hurt him further!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe managed to get himself upright and then seated next to Adam without doing further harm.\u00a0 He could feel hot tears stinging his eyes.\u00a0 Why was Pa blaming him for what had happened?\u00a0 Neither one of them had seen the bear until it was too late.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t we gonna go faster?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going slowly so Adam\u2019s injuries won\u2019t be made worse.\u00a0 Have some concern for your brother.\u201d\u00a0 The way Ben snapped off that last sentence felt like a slap to the face for Joe.\u00a0 He was concerned.\u00a0 Despite what Pa thought, he did care for his oldest brother.\u00a0 It was just hard for him to show it when being bossed around by someone who had left and then come back so changed.<\/p>\n

Joe decided to lie down alongside Adam.\u00a0 His brother\u2019s coloring was very bad and his breathing was ragged.\u00a0 Joe put his fingers to Adam\u2019s throat to feel for a pulse.\u00a0 Finding it, Joe was surprised by how thready it was.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled back the blankets a little and laid his cheek against Adam\u2019s chest.\u00a0 The hair there tickled against Joe\u2019s cheek and ear.\u00a0 He remembered doing the same thing as a little boy of four and five.\u00a0 When he had bad dreams, he\u2019d go to Adam\u2019s room to sleep under his protection.\u00a0 Adam would pull his youngest brother into the bed and help him snuggle in.\u00a0 Joe would place his ear against Adam\u2019s chest and fall asleep to the steady thump-thump of his brother\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Now, that heartbeat wasn\u2019t as strong and steady.<\/p>\n

When they were halfway to the house, Ben looked into the back of the wagon.\u00a0 Seeing Joe asleep on Adam might have ordinarily brought a tender smile to Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 Instead, he frowned and yelled out \u201cWake up, Joseph!\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s head popped up and he called out \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re back there to tend to Adam, not sleep.\u00a0 Stay awake!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sat up but his shoulders slumped.\u00a0 He moistened his bandana with the canteen and wiped the sweat from Adam\u2019s face.\u00a0 Putting one hand against Adam\u2019s forehead, Joe was surprised to feel how hot his brother was.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Pa, Adam\u2019s got a fever.\u00a0 Will we be home soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to keep him cool\u201d was all Ben said in reply.\u00a0 Joe continued to wipe Adam\u2019s face with the moist bandana.\u00a0 Why did they have to pick the area that stupid bear was in?\u00a0 He had killed predators before, but why had he frozen when the bear attacked?<\/p>\n

Joe thought back to what he\u2019d said to Adam right before the bear attack.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes I wish you\u2019d just stayed back East.\u201d\u00a0 Did he really, truly wish that?\u00a0 Adam was so different when he came home after college.\u00a0 He was far more independent and aloof.\u00a0 Joe was disappointed that the fun-loving brother he remembered wasn\u2019t the one who came home.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam seemed to easily renew their relationship, but Joe and Adam were a different story.\u00a0 Adam always seemed to criticize and rarely praised.\u00a0 He criticized the way Joe did his chores, took care of his horse, and, especially, the pranks he played.\u00a0 More often than not, Adam was the target when it came to pranks.\u00a0 Joe had become infamous for short-sheeting Adam\u2019s bed, tampering with the length of his stirrups, and hiding his books under the cushions of the settee.\u00a0 The boy sniffled at these memories.<\/p>\n

An even bigger surprise for Joe had been Adam\u2019s response to his wish\u2014\u201cThere are times I wish the same thing.\u201d\u00a0 Had Adam not wanted to come home when he finished college?\u00a0 Maybe Pa told Adam he had to come back when he really didn\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n

The wagon stopped rolling and Joe realized they were home.\u00a0 He climbed out of the back of the wagon as Pa came around.\u00a0 \u201cStay out of the way, Joseph\u201d was all he said.\u00a0 Ira and Hoss got into the back while Robbie and Ben waited to carry Adam inside.\u00a0 Paul Martin was waiting by the wagon to quickly assess his patient\u2019s injuries.\u00a0 \u201cRobbie told me that Adam was attacked by a bear and shot.\u00a0 Is the bullet still in him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so\u201d was Ben\u2019s response.<\/p>\n

Ira and Hoss lifted the blanket Adam was lying on and slowly handed him out to Robbie and Ben.\u00a0 Robbie took the foot end and Ben waited for the head end.\u00a0 They carried Adam into the house and up the stairs to his room.<\/p>\n

Paul quickly looked over Adam and pulled a pair of scissors from his bag.\u00a0 He cut Adam\u2019s chaps and pants off to get a better look at his unsplinted leg.\u00a0 \u201cWhy is his right leg splinted?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was standing outside of the door.\u00a0 \u201cSplotch fell on Adam when the bear slammed into the horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had assumed the break was caused from fighting with the bear.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you shoot the bear before it attacked?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t any time, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you had time to shoot your brother.\u201d\u00a0 Joe flinched at the anger in his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 The boy ran for the stairs and the solitude of the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll worry about his broken leg later, Ben.\u00a0 Pull him up so I can check for an exit would from that bullet.\u201d\u00a0 Ben gently lifted Adam by placing a hand to his back.\u00a0 He then placed himself on the bed behind his son.<\/p>\n

Paul checked Adam\u2019s sides, back, chest, and abdomen for signs that the bullet had exited.\u00a0 Not finding such evidence, Paul pulled forceps from his bag.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have to stay\u201d he said to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cJust find the bullet\u201d was Ben\u2019s only response.\u00a0 The doctor hated to operate in the presence of a worried parent, but he had no choice.\u00a0 He inserted the forceps in search of the bullet.\u00a0 Even though he remained unconscious, Adam let out a low moan.\u00a0 With a sound of surprise, Paul quickly found the bullet.\u00a0 He pulled it out of the entry wound and was startled by its flattened shape.\u00a0 \u201cIt looks like it hit something before going into Adam.\u00a0 It\u2019s possible that it went through the bear and then into him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Paul in surprise.\u00a0 He had assumed that Joe had missed the bear and shot Adam.<\/p>\n

After stitching up the bullet wound, Paul said \u201cI need to clean out those gashes on his back and stitch them up.\u00a0 Hold him steady.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s moans tore at Ben\u2019s heart.\u00a0 His son couldn\u2019t die.\u00a0 Ben wouldn\u2019t allow it.<\/p>\n

Finishing with his back, Paul told Ben, \u201cI need to set his shoulder and clean out those bites.\u00a0 Pull him back so his back is against your chest.\u201d\u00a0 Ben did as ordered and made sure that Adam\u2019s head was against his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cCome help me, Hop Sing\u201d said Paul.\u00a0 \u201cPull gently on his arm as I guide the collarbone back in.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing did as told and a scream came from Adam\u2019s throat.\u00a0 Ben shed tears as he placed a hand to his son\u2019s cheek and turned his head so Adam\u2019s forehead was against his father\u2019s neck.\u00a0 To soothe his son, Ben began humming a lullaby he remembered Inger singing.<\/p>\n

After getting the collarbone set and the bites cleaned, Paul stitched up the wounds, bandaged the arm, and immobilized it with a sling.\u00a0 He then turned his attention to the claw marks on his patient\u2019s side and abdomen.\u00a0 The doctor stitched up the deeper ones and then bandaged Adam\u2019s torso.\u00a0 He then stitched up and bandaged Adam\u2019s left thigh.\u00a0 \u201cDid you set his leg before splinting it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we just splinted it so it wouldn\u2019t get worse.\u00a0 Did we do the wrong thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the right thing to do at the time, Ben.\u00a0 It just means that I\u2019ll have to set the bones now.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be surprised if he screams.\u00a0 His leg has had time to swell, but I should be able to get the bones lined up properly.\u201d\u00a0 Paul removed the splints and set the sticks aside.\u00a0 Turning again to Hop Sing, he said \u201cI want you to take his foot and pull as I tell you.\u201d\u00a0 Working together, the men got started.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s screams could be heard in the barn.\u00a0 Joe was hiding in the loft.\u00a0 Pa must really hate him now.\u00a0 This probably wouldn\u2019t have happened if Adam had been working with Hoss.\u00a0 Most likely, Hoss would\u2019ve smelled the bear and known it was there.\u00a0 They could\u2019ve ridden away from the area and continued to search for steers.<\/p>\n

An exhausted Paul Martin finally finished the binding on Adam\u2019s leg.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to put a cast on it with all of the gashes.\u00a0 Pulling a cloth from his bag, he threw it over his shoulder and went to the basin to clean up.\u00a0 Paul washed his hands until the water was a dark red.\u00a0 Wiping his hands on the cloth, he looked over his patient.\u00a0 Adam resembled a mummy in a way.\u00a0 Ben was still sitting behind his son, humming to him.\u00a0 Tears stained the man\u2019s cheeks.<\/p>\n

Looking up, Ben asked \u201cHe\u2019ll recover?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s young and strong.\u00a0 His body should be able to fight off infection.\u00a0 He will run a fever as his body fights.\u00a0 Try to keep him cool so his fever won\u2019t get too high.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to leave you a bottle of laudanum for the pain.\u00a0 I think it would be best if you dosed him regularly so he\u2019ll stay asleep.\u00a0 Give him beef broth, Hop Sing, to keep his strength up.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be back tomorrow to check on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul\u201d was all Ben said before turning his attention back to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll walk you out\u201d offered Hoss.<\/p>\n

The two went downstairs and outside.\u00a0 After seeing the doctor off, Hoss realized that he hadn\u2019t seen Joe since they came in.\u00a0 He searched the house but didn\u2019t find his little brother.\u00a0 Going out to the barn, he searched the stalls.\u00a0 Hoss was about to give up when he heard a sniffle.\u00a0 Climbing the ladder, he checked the loft.\u00a0 Joe was curled up and crying.<\/p>\n

Hoss stepped onto the loft floor, went to his brother, and sat down.\u00a0 Pulling Joe into his lap, Hoss gently rocked the boy.\u00a0 \u201cHush now, Lil Joe.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s gonna be jest fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I\u2026I heard him screaming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was when the Doc set his leg.\u00a0 You saved Adam by shootin\u2019 that bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB\u2026b\u2026but I shot Adam.\u00a0 Pa hates me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul said that bullet looked like it went through the bear before hitting Adam.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t shoot him, Lil Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I\u2026I didn\u2019t?\u201d Joe asked with relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shore didn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss hugged Joe tighter.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes of sniffling, Joe asked \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Lil Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I\u2026I told Adam I wished he\u2019d st\u2026st\u2026stayed back East.\u00a0 Then the bear got him.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t mean it, Hoss.\u00a0 I wanna tell him I didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss rocked Joe and said \u201cHe knows ya didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB\u2026b\u2026but he said he wished he was b\u2026b\u2026back East.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pushed Joe away from him so he could look his little brother in the eye.\u00a0 \u201cAdam says that when he\u2019s feeling blue.\u00a0 My mother\u2019s death anniversary is in a couple of weeks.\u00a0 He always feels down about this time of year.\u00a0 Hadn\u2019t ya noticed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sniffled and said \u201cI didn\u2019t know, Hoss.\u00a0 Honest.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0 He then started crying again.<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled Joe to him again and rocked his little brother.\u00a0 When Hoss had begun to have questions about his birth mother, Adam took the time to tell his younger brother about what a wonderful person she had been.\u00a0 Hoss could hear the love in Adam\u2019s voice as he spoke of her kindness, generosity, compassion, patience, and love.\u00a0 Adam had been devastated by her death, which he\u2019d witnessed.\u00a0 He had watched Pa and the men in the wagon train dig her grave and bury her.\u00a0 His dreams for months afterwards were of attacking Indians stealing away his baby brother.\u00a0 The only reason Hoss knew these things was because Adam had shared this with him.\u00a0 If Adam wished to go back East it was only because of the ache in his heart for a mother he had absolutely adored. Pa had told him that Inger had been buried in a grave marked by a wooden cross that was probably gone now.\u00a0 There was no way that Adam could put flowers on her grave as he was able to do for his own birth mother back in Boston.<\/p>\n

Realizing that Joe was asleep, Hoss picked up his younger brother, slung him over his shoulder, and climbed down the ladder.\u00a0 Reaching the barn floor, he gently moved Joe into the cradle made by his arms.\u00a0 Hoss then headed for the house.<\/p>\n

He took Joe upstairs to put the boy in his own bed.\u00a0 But first, he stopped by Adam\u2019s room.\u00a0 Pa had got off of the bed and was now sleeping in a chair, Adam\u2019s hand held tightly in his own two.\u00a0 In a flash of inspiration, Hoss laid Joe down on Adam\u2019s bed and placed Joe\u2019s cheek against their older brother\u2019s chest.\u00a0 Neither Joe nor Pa woke while Hoss was doing this.\u00a0 After getting Joe settled, Hoss went to Pa\u2019s room and came back with a chair.\u00a0 He set the chair down, pulled out his pocket knife and a piece of wood, and began to whittle to pass the time.<\/p>\n

When Ben awoke at nightfall, he was surprised to see the lamp on.\u00a0 Hoss was sitting in a chair surrounded by wood shavings.\u00a0 Joe was on the bed next to Adam.\u00a0 Ben felt a pang of regret for the harsh words he\u2019d directed at his youngest.\u00a0 Gently, he brushed the soft curls with his hand and gazed with love at his eldest and youngest.<\/p>\n

Joe stirred and felt the tickle of chest hair against his cheek and ear.\u00a0 For a second, he thought they were back in the wagon.\u00a0 He slowly sat up and rubbed at his eyes with a fist.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u201d his father said softly.<\/p>\n

Joe turned his head and saw Pa looking at him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben guided Joe off of the bed and onto his lap.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry for being so harsh with you, Joseph.\u00a0 I had no right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Softly, Joe said \u201cYou were worried about Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at me, Son\u201d said Ben with his fingers on Joe\u2019s chin.\u00a0 Joe obeyed and looked into his father\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m proud of you for killing that bear. You saved Adam\u2019s life.\u00a0 You were very brave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel like I was brave. Look how hurt he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stood your ground and shot that bear until it was dead.\u00a0 We heard those shots and came riding as fast as we could.\u00a0 By the time we got there, you had killed the bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe began to sniffle again, so Ben pulled his son tightly to him.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2026we\u2026we argued, Pa.\u00a0 What if I don\u2019t never get to say I\u2019m sorry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you\u2019ll be able to tell him you\u2019re sorry.\u00a0 We just have to help him get his strength back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing entered the room with a small bowl of lukewarm beef broth.\u00a0 Ben nudged Joe off of his lap and raised Adam enough to take the bowl.\u00a0 Hop Sing slowly got the broth into Adam.\u00a0 Once the broth was gone, Ben gently laid Adam\u2019s head back on the pillows.<\/p>\n

For one week, Ben nursed Adam around the clock.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s fever broke after the fourth day, but Paul recommended continued use of the laudanum.\u00a0 On the eighth day, Paul was checking on his patient when Adam\u2019s eyelids began to flutter.\u00a0 The doctor lightly tapped Adam\u2019s cheeks until the young man\u2019s eyes opened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere am I?\u201d was all he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn your room\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did I get here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe brought you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul interrupted to ask \u201cWhat\u2019s the last thing you remember?\u201d\u00a0 Joe held his breath.\u00a0 He was sure it would be his words.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s brows drew together as he thought.\u00a0 \u201cI was looking for steers with Joe.\u00a0 We heard a loud noise.\u00a0 And then\u2026then\u2026\u201d he paused for a breath, \u201csomething hit me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know what it was?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had to think hard again.\u00a0 \u201cI think it was brown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe let out a relieved breath.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a bear\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 Adam looked surprised.\u00a0 After another pause, he asked \u201cDid you catch my horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss said \u201cNo, Adam, we didn\u2019t.\u00a0 He must have run clean off to the Paiutes.\u201d\u00a0 Ben shot a look at Hoss and realized that hearing of Splotch\u2019s death might be too much for Adam to hear right now.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and winced.\u00a0 Gingerly, he raised his head and looked at all of the bandages and the sling.\u00a0 Moving his fingers and wiggling his toes caused a spasm of pain.\u00a0 \u201cDid the bear do this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt did\u201d was Ben\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid it get away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph killed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

After another pause, Adam shot Joe a brief smile and said \u201cGood job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks\u201d was Joe\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n

Adam was obviously tiring, so Paul poured a few drops of laudanum into a glass of water.\u00a0 After stirring the water, Paul gently raised Adam\u2019s head and placed the glass to his lips.\u00a0 Adam drained the glass and made a face.\u00a0 Paul lowered Adam\u2019s head to the pillows.\u00a0 With a sigh, Adam fell back asleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s healing very well, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen will he be up and around again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be at least a month.\u00a0 Don\u2019t try to rush things.\u201d\u00a0 Paul then gathered up his things to leave.\u00a0 \u201cKeep dosing him with the laudanum as long as he\u2019s in pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few days later, Joe was sitting alone with Adam when he woke up.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019re you feeling?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I\u2019ve been in bed forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe let out a giggle in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we had words that day, Joe.\u00a0 Am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was startled.\u00a0 Slowly, he said \u201cWe had a few.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam fixed his little brother with a look and said \u201cSeems like you wished I was back East.\u201d\u00a0 Joe felt as if he\u2019d been slapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I said that.\u00a0 You gotta believe me.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Joe.\u00a0 Sometimes I wish it, too.\u00a0 Life is harder out here with more dangers.\u00a0 But I wouldn\u2019t trade everything here for a life there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t?\u201d Joe asked in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t help it if I\u2019m bossy.\u00a0 It\u2019s an old habit.\u201d\u00a0 Adam yawned and added \u201cI love you, buddy.\u00a0 Don\u2019t change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sniffled and looked at his oldest brother.\u00a0 He saw nothing but love in those tired eyes.\u00a0 Surely it wasn\u2019t the laudanum talking.\u00a0 \u201cI love you, too, Bossy Boots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam let out a soft snort.\u00a0 His eyelids began to droop so Joe leaned forward and kissed his brother\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 The smile on Adam\u2019s lips touched Joe\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Feeling tired himself, he laid down on the bed next to his oldest brother and placed his cheek on Adam\u2019s chest.\u00a0 The tickle of chest hair was a minor annoyance as Joe fell asleep.<\/p>\n

Ben entered the room a while later.\u00a0 He stopped at the sight of his oldest and youngest.\u00a0 Joe was sound asleep, his cheek resting on Adam\u2019s chest, and Adam\u2019s hand was on Joe\u2019s hip.\u00a0 Ben noted the smile on Adam\u2019s lips and felt himself smiling.\u00a0 He arranged the covers around his sons and sat down on the chair.\u00a0 When Adam was able to get around again, Joseph would be there to help him.<\/p>\n

His sons were a source of strength for him and each other.\u00a0 Despite their age difference and upbringings, Ben knew that Adam and Joseph were more alike than they would admit.\u00a0 Hoss was always trying to make them see that.\u00a0 But both of them had the Cartwright stubbornness.\u00a0 Ben relaxed into the chair, knowing that Joseph had saved Adam\u2019s life.\u00a0 All would be right at the Ponderosa again when those two started bickering and denying they were anything alike.\u00a0 As long as he had his sons, Ben Cartwright was the wealthiest man on Earth.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

June 2007<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>Cheaux<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>27 Feb 2013 06:21 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of Regret\u00a0Nice story. \u00a0 I’m glad that Adam and Joe were able to make peace at the end.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>bonzan<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>03 Nov 2011 01:33 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of Regret\u00a0Great story Patina!\u00a0 I loved it.I loved the relationship between Adam and Joe, very realistic.\u00a0 Your writing has a way of drawing the reader in right away.\u00a0 I could not put it down once I started.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>Julie Scherr (nevadagal)\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"half-star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>03 Jul 2011 06:27 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of Regret\u00a0Great story, Patina.\u00a0 My poor Adam.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>readerwriter<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>29 Jun 2011 08:10 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of RegretLove this story. Thank you. I am so glad to find your stories on here. I was so worried about not being able to read your stories again after Bonanza World closed. =)<\/p>\n
*<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>reah reinink.\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"half-star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>27 Oct 2010 11:22 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of Regret\u00a0l love you to Adam and the rest of the family and joe hoss Ben also hop sing and doctor paul Martin also he is nice to the cartwight family and l like him to .Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Thank you, Reah.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>Lynne Coulson\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>17 Oct 2010 01:32 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of Regret\u00a0This was a good story, although rather intense, with Joe feeling so guilty and Ben being nasty to him, although that was only because he was so worried about Adam.Thank goodness for Hoss – loved the bit when he found Joe in the loft and made him feel betterAnd the ending was so sweet, after all at 12 Joe was still only a boy, not a man, and needed a hug with his brotherLittle Joe foreverLynneAuthor’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Thank you, Lynne, for understanding why Ben lashed out at Joe.\u00a0 Hoss was probably used to his father getting riled up and didn’t let him bother him, yet he knew his little brother needed some comfort.\u00a0 I’m so pleased to know you enjoyed this story.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>jojay\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>30 Aug 2010 08:35 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of Regret\u00a0Thanks for the SAS!Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>You’re welcome, jojay.\u00a0 I’m glad to know you enjoyed it.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>jfclover\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>04 Jan 2010 02:56 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of Regret\u00a0You could rename this one ‘rugburn’ LOLGood story Patina,Thanks, PatAuthor’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Thanks, Pat.\u00a0 Um…I think I’ll stick with the current title (lol).*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>poppsied<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>\u00a0[
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>02 Jan 2010 07:44 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of RegretIliked that story very muchAuthor’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Thank you, poppsied.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>moira4eku<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>05 Feb 2009 09:58 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of RegretI’ve always enjoyed this story. I do believe Joe grew up quite a bit in this tale. Thanks for bringing the story here.Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Thank you, moira4eku!\u00a0 I appreciate your review.*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>michelle\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>\u00a0\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"\"star\"
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>12 Aug 2008 08:34 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Mouthful of RegretI have read this one before it is one of my favorites.Author’s Response: Thank you for giving this another read, michelle!\u00a0 I’m pleased to know this is one of your favorite stories.<\/i><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0It’s roundup time for the Cartwrights. Heated words are exchanged between Adam and Joe as they search for steers. A bear attack, though, changes everything.<\/p>\n

Rated T Word Count=6472<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":5753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prequels","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3964,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SAS-Stories.jpg?fit=613%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14355,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14355","url_meta":{"origin":5751,"position":0},"title":"Cartwrights Forever (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"June 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A tribute in rhyme for everyone who loves the Cartwrights, especially those who love to write about them. Rating: \u00a0G \u00a0(560 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/four.jpg?fit=298%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15004,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15004","url_meta":{"origin":5751,"position":1},"title":"The First Roundup (by Starlite)","author":"starlite","date":"September 14, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A look at a very enthusiastic little boy's first roundup. Rated:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0(2,400 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/two.jpg?fit=300%2C257&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7668,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7668","url_meta":{"origin":5751,"position":2},"title":"Stampede (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A cattle drive, a stampede, and one guilty Cartwright make for a simple little tale. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0 1211","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/cattle-drive.jpg?fit=357%2C267&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15580,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15580","url_meta":{"origin":5751,"position":3},"title":"The Caf\u00e9 Scene (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"May 5, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben raised them better than this.\u00a0 We know he did. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (870 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12750,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12750","url_meta":{"origin":5751,"position":4},"title":"A Modern Cartwrights Story #3 – A Quarter\u2019s Worth of Glory: Joe in the Infernal Machine (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Headlines ripped from the daily newspaper in this modern era tale of the Cartwrights. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (775 word) A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13952,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13952","url_meta":{"origin":5751,"position":5},"title":"The Butterfly (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A new foreman at a neighboring ranch causes trouble on the Ponderosa. Word Count: \u00a029,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5751","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\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}