{"id":577,"date":"2001-07-31T23:01:46","date_gmt":"2001-08-01T03:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=577"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:17","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:17","slug":"shadow-of-deception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=577","title":{"rendered":"Shadow of Deception (by Karen)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Strange happenings on the Ponderosa. –<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0T (30,095 words)
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Vicious Circle Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Vicious Circle<\/a>
\nShadow of Deception<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shadow of Deception<\/strong><\/p>\n

The barn was dark and shadowed<\/strong> with the coming night. As dusk crept in and the horses settled for the night, Little Joe Cartwright gave his beloved pinto a final rubdown with the curry comb and then headed for the house. He stopped briefly by the horse trough to splash his face with cool water from the pump. He let the water trickle down the back of his neck and soak his shirt. The heat, combined with a long day of breaking horses had left him sweat-soaked and weary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing with relief as the water refreshed his spirits, Joe straightened, his thoughts already turning toward dinner and a relaxing evening with his family. The glint of something gleaming silver in the feeble light thrown off by the early moon caught his attention. He stopped and bent over to pick up a pair of shiny silver spurs that were lying half-concealed in the loose dirt near the water trough.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A perplexed frown creased Joe\u2019s face. He had seen just this set of spurs for sale in the mercantile in town the other day. In fact, he\u2019d stopped to admire them and had even considered purchasing them. A quick check of his wallet had convinced him to wait until payday later in the week, and he had put the spurs out of mind. Now here they were lying in the dirt in front of his house. Who could have left them there? He had only seen a single pair of the spurs in the little store, so this must be the same set. It was a mystery. Joe quickly put the spurs into his shirt pocket, making a mental note to check with the hands in the morning to see who had bought the spurs, so that he could return them. The smell wafting from Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen quickly put the thought of the spurs out of his mind, and he headed for the house, his hunger the only thing on his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Later that evening, as the Cartwrights relaxed in front of the fire, Joe was reminded of the spurs in his pocket. He felt the weight of them as he leaned forward to pounce on Hoss\u2019s remaining checkers. As he cleared the board and gave his brother a cheeky grin of triumph, Joe fished the spurs from his pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook what I found out front,\u201d he announced, holding the spurs up for all to see. \u201cThey were in the dirt by the horse trough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss leaned forward for a closer look, Adam letting out a soft whistle of admiration. \u201cThose are nice spurs, Joe. They look expensive. Who would have left them lying around outside?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I looked at them in the mercantile the other day and they were pretty expensive. I was going to buy them, but I didn\u2019t have enough money. I didn\u2019t think one of the hands would have had the cash to buy them before payday, but someone must have had something in his poke. They didn\u2019t get here by themselves, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just ask around tomorrow, Joseph?\u201d Ben Cartwright advised his son. \u201cI\u2019m sure the hand who lost them will be worried about losing something so expensive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll do just that, Pa,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI want to know who bought them. I kinda wanted them for myself, maybe whoever it is will let me buy them offa him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled. \u201cI knew there was more to this than just worry over some ranch hand losing their things, Short Shanks. I shoulda figgered that you\u2019d want those for yerself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe feigned annoyance with his older brother, and playfully punched his arm. \u201cHey, I always think about the other guy, Hoss. You know that!\u201d And with that the two men were off on a round of wrestling, which Adam and Ben tolerated until they upset the table that held Adam\u2019s cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben quickly called his unruly sons to order, and the roughhousing was discontinued for the night. The Cartwrights bid each other goodnight and headed up the stairs for a good night\u2019s rest. The spurs were forgotten, lying in a little silver heap on the coffee table in front of the fireplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was reminded of the spurs when he descended the stairs the following morning. He quickly spotted them lying where he had left them the night before and, once again, he slipped them into his shirt pocket. After a hasty breakfast and a farewell to his father, Joe set off for his day\u2019s assignment. Although he questioned every hand he met that day, no one admitted ownership of the spurs. Joe pushed any thoughts of them to the back of his mind as he concentrated on breaking the day\u2019s quota of horses. He would ask his father what he should do that evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The day was long and exhausting. Joe pulled himself wearily from Cochise\u2019s back with a sense of satisfaction. The current crop of horses was a good one, and he knew the army would be pleased with them. In fact, they might even be able to drive the price up from last year\u2019s figures. He strolled toward the house, a soft whistle on his lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s booted foot had only made it up onto the planked porch that flanked the large ranch house, when again he stopped and stared. Lying in a little heap on the rough board planking was a brand-new neck cloth. Joe had seen one exactly like it in the mercantile the same day he had admired the spurs. It was a soft green color, and he had fingered it momentarily, while debating about the spurs. He was just vain enough to know that it would set off his eyes nicely. Stooping to pick it up, he could tell that it was the same one he had admired in the store. It had a subtle flaw in one corner, in exactly the same spot as the one he had looked at.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He frowned in consternation. First the spurs, and now the neckerchief. Who was dropping the little objects around the Ponderosa? It wasn\u2019t one of the hands. None of them had known anything about the spurs, and he\u2019d be willing to bet that they wouldn\u2019t admit to knowing about the kerchief either. Still fingering the soft cloth, he entered the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked up from his chair by the fireplace as Joe entered. The greeting he\u2019d been about to utter died on his lips when he saw the expression on Joe\u2019s face. Standing quickly he moved to meet his brother. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Joe?\u201d he asked quickly. \u201cYou look worried about something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe raised troubled eyes to his older brother\u2019s face. \u201cI found this out on the porch, Adam,\u201d he replied, his voice betraying his confusion. \u201cI was looking at this in the mercantile the other day, when I saw the spurs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s wrong with that, little brother?\u201d Adam couldn\u2019t understand why Joe was upset by such trivial incidents. \u201cAnyone could have dropped those things. We get a lot of men coming through here all day long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I asked all the hands about the spurs, and no one knew anything about them,\u201d Joe said quietly. \u201cI know if I ask about the kerchief I\u2019ll get the same response. Someone is leaving these things for me to find, Adam, and I want to know who it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cI think you\u2019re making a mountain out of a molehill. How do you know the things were left for you, Joe? They could have been meant for me, or Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head stubbornly. \u201cThey were left for me. I know it. I was the one who saw them in the mercantile, and I was the one who found them. I want to know who\u2019s playing games with me.\u201d He brushed past Adam, a flash of irritation appearing on his face. \u201cI should have known you wouldn\u2019t listen to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The chuckle died on Adam\u2019s lips and he quickly grabbed Little Joe\u2019s arm and spun the younger man around to face him. \u201cI am listening, Joe!\u201d he protested. \u201cI wasn\u2019t trying to make fun of you or belittle your feelings. It\u2019s just that we don\u2019t have any evidence to back up your theory. I still say the spurs and the neckerchief could have been dropped by anybody, and they aren\u2019t necessarily being left for you to find.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cYou\u2019re wrong, older brother. Somehow, I\u2019ll prove it to you. Now if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019m going upstairs to clean up for dinner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood watching Joe as he took the stairs two at a time. He flinched when the slam of the bedroom door reverberated through the house. A sigh escaped his lips. It never failed to amaze him how often he and Little Joe knocked heads, even when he had no intention of fighting with his younger brother. Wearily he headed back for his chair and picked up his book, but the words danced meaninglessly in front of his eyes. He\u2019d find a way to make Joe talk to him later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~**~*~**~*~**~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stayed tense and watchful over the next couple of days, but he found no more small trinkets lying in strange places. Adam kept a close eye on him, and when he saw Joe start to relax, he became less tense as well. The two men were fixing the fence line on the North Ridge and had spent the day in casual conversation, the earlier argument long forgotten. When even Adam had to admit that the fence line had been repaired enough to meet even his exacting standards, the two men called it quits and headed for the ranch house.<\/span><\/p>\n

They rode companionably for several miles, when Joe reined in suddenly. Slapping a hand to his forehead, he exclaimed in dismay, \u201cAdam, I left those new work gloves back on that tree stump. I\u2019ve got to go back and get them, or they\u2019ll be ruined.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed heavily, his muscles were aching after the long day\u2019s work, and the last thing he wanted to do was go back the way they had come. But the older man gamely turned his horse\u2019s head to follow his brother up the trail. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d he called to his brother. \u201cI\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be right where you left them, after all, who else has been out this way today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re right, brother,\u201d he called back. \u201cBut Pa just gave me those gloves, and he\u2019ll be furious if I lose them the first day I use them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They rode quickly back to the fence line, and Joe spotted the gloves lying on the tree stump where he had left them. Dismounting quickly, he leaned over to pick them up and then stopped his body frozen in shock. Adam looked up in time to see the blood drain from Joe\u2019s face, and he quickly leaped from Sport\u2019s back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked urgently, as he moved to grab the swaying form of his younger brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe just pointed to the gloves. Adam followed the pointing finger with his eyes, and he gasped in shock. The gloves were still lying on the tree stump, but they were now ripped and torn. It looked as if they had been shredded with a sharp knife. Joe reached for them with a shaking hand, but Adam pushed him aside and quickly grabbed them himself. The dark-haired man examined the tattered leather gloves and let out a low whistle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like some animal really tore these to pieces,\u201d he mused quietly. \u201cIt must have smelled your scent on the leather, Joe, and attacked them.\u201d The mellow voice trailed off as Adam eyed the gloves speculatively. Even to his ears the story sounded weak and implausible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe raised wide, green eyes to his older brother\u2019s face. \u201cNo animal did that, Adam,\u201d he said shakily. \u201cAn animal would have dragged them off into the woods, not left them on that stump, and you know it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hastily tucked the gloves into his hip pocket. Placing strong hands on the slender shoulders of the younger man, he struggled to infuse his voice with confidence. \u201cYou don\u2019t know that for sure, Joe. It\u2019s possible that an animal shredded these gloves. We certainly didn\u2019t see anyone else out here today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head in disbelief. \u201cWe both know that\u2019s not what happened, older brother. I can\u2019t explain it, but someone was here and destroyed those gloves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In silence the men mounted their horses and resumed their ride home.<\/span><\/p>\n

~**~*~**~*~**~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over a lavish dinner provided by Hop Sing, the Cartwrights discussed the shredded gloves. Joe was adamant in his believe that someone had deliberately shredded them and left them for him to find. Adam was equally insistent that it could have been an animal who had taken a dislike to the human scent on the leather. Finally, in disgust, Joe slammed his hand down on the table and asked his father\u2019s permission to go to his room. When Ben had waved him away, Joe stormed up the stairs and showed the depth of his distress by the harsh closing of his bedroom door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The three remaining Cartwrights looked at each other in consternation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe sure is riled up \u2018bout those gloves,\u201d Hoss observed with a frown of concern. \u201cIt ain\u2019t like him to carry on like that about his things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He moved as if to follow his brother away from the table, but Ben motioned for him to stay where he was. \u201cJoe needs some time to cool down, Hoss,\u201d he advised calmly. \u201cAnd I think it\u2019s more than the gloves. He\u2019s been tense and edgy since he found the spurs and the neckerchief.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam snorted softly. \u201cYou\u2019re right about that, Pa. You should have seen his face when he walked in here with that neck cloth. He acted like it was a snake about to bite him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s craggy face clouded over with worry. \u201cI wonder what\u2019s got into the boy?\u201d he asked, not really expecting an answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged telling glances, once again Little Joe had managed to cause his father worry. Both shrugged without answering and returned their attention to their forgotten dinners. There was no use trying to talk Ben Cartwright out of worrying about his youngest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, Ben\u2019s voice broke the silence. \u201cI think I\u2019ll send him into town tomorrow. He can pick up that load of grain from Silas Wheeler\u2019s place and get the mail. A trip to Virginia City always perks him up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to go with him, Pa?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cHe might like the company?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cNo, son. We\u2019re behind schedule with that timber contract and I need you and Hoss to ride out and get the men working more quickly. You\u2019ll get your own trip to town in soon, I promise.\u201d He smiled broadly at the chagrined expression on Adam\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled loudly and slapped Adam on the back. \u201cHe\u2019s got ya there, older brother. You thought you\u2019d sneak in a trip to town, but Pa\u2019s onto ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam raised his glass in a silent salute to his father, and once again the men returned to their meals, Joe and his problems pushed to the background for the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a sudden lifting of spirits, Joe joyously flicked the reins of the team and moved away from Virginia City. His father\u2019s sudden decision to send him into town to fetch the mail and the grain had taken him by surprise. He had finished his errands with time to spare and had enjoyed a pleasant hour at the Silver Dollar saloon. Feeling relaxed and refreshed, Joe lost himself in contemplation of the upcoming barn dance, parading a bevy of Virginia City girls before his mind\u2019s eye as he considered which one to ask to the festivities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The horses were familiar with the route home, and even in his abstraction, Joe kept a guiding hand on the reins. Mile after mile the horses trotted, until they reached a sudden downward turn in the path. Joe was anticipating the turn and he reached to gather in the reins to slow the horses\u2019 gait. As they swung into the turn, the reins parted with a sudden pop of leather, the ends dangling loosely in Joe\u2019s hands. Feeling no guidance, the horses continued their rapid descent around the turn, the wagon swaying precariously behind, the large load of grain making it hard to control.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe screamed for the horses to stop, but they were caught up in the joy of the run and they continued blindly onward. With a stricken gasp, Joe realized that the wagon was going to overturn and at the last second he hurled himself clear of the conveyance. With a sickening crash, the wagon toppled over onto its side, spilling its load of grain all over the roadway. The horses, panicked by the strange noises behind them, careened away into the distance, trailing their broken harness behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe found himself rolling uncontrollably down the slope, and reached out to snag a low hanging branch as he tumbled by.\u00a0\u00a0 His shoulder muscles screamed in protest, as he caught and held the branch, but he held on and panted in the sudden stillness. Joe dropped his head to hands and buried his face for a moment, overcome with the realization of how close he had come to being killed in the crash. Finally, pulling himself together, he painfully hauled himself to his feet and moved slowly to inspect the results of his accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa! I wasn\u2019t careless! I did inspect the leather before I hitched up the team.\u201d Joe\u2019s protests were shrill, and he paced restlessly before the fireplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen how do you explain what happened, Little Joe,\u201d Ben bellowed furiously. \u201cYou could have been killed today, do you realize that?\u201d The coffee colored eyes flashed angrily, and the big man towered over his slender son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When he saw Joe flinch before him, Ben visibly tried to settle himself down. He couldn\u2019t wipe the picture of the team of horses, lathered and sweating and trailing broken harnesses as they entered the yard. He had immediately given orders for horses to be saddled, and he and Adam had thundered down the trail to find Little Joe. They were about a mile from home when they discovered the youngest Cartwright limping painfully along the roadway. Ben had pulled his son into a fierce embrace and then swept him up onto Buck\u2019s broad back. They had ridden home, his anger mounting as he rode. Now Little Joe was taking the brunt of his father\u2019s relief-fueled temper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood next to the great stone fireplace, one booted foot propped up on the hearth. He watched the scene, speculation written on his face. His eyes flashed with pity as he studied Joe\u2019s forlorn look, and he noticed the trembling in his younger brother\u2019s hand. Deciding that it was time to intervene, he moved gracefully between the two men, and placed a hand on either shoulder. \u201cOkay, you two. Let\u2019s calm down and talk this over rationally,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cYelling at each other isn\u2019t going to help this situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled gratefully at the older man, and then turned back to face his father. \u201cPa, I swear I checked that harness before I hitched the team. I always do. You taught us to do that when we were kids. It\u2019s a habit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded in conciliation. \u201cI know, Joe, and I\u2019m sorry I lost my temper. It\u2019s just that I thought..\u201d the older man\u2019s voice trailed off, and he wiped a tired hand over his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and Adam exchanged a look; they both knew what Ben had thought. Joe reached to pat his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m okay, Pa. And I really don\u2019t know what happened to that harness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was interrupted by Hoss\u2019s deep voice joining in the conversation. \u201cI can help ya with that one, Short Shanks.\u201d He held up a frayed length of leather. \u201cThis harness was completely frayed through. Now you say you checked it this morning. That means it wore through awful quick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe snatched the harness and inspected the leather. He turned wide eyes on his family. \u201cSomeone scraped at this with a knife while I was in the saloon. It\u2019s the only explanation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head slowly. \u201cJoe, I know you want to believe that the harness was fine this morning, but who would want to tamper with your harness? Have you been in any fights recently? Made any enemies that we should know about?\u201d It was obvious that Ben was struggling to believe his son\u2019s story, but he couldn\u2019t quite bring himself to admit that the harness had been tampered with deliberately.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed and the flash of temper returned quickly. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t have any enemies that I know of, and I haven\u2019t been in any fights. But Pa, someone deliberately tried to hurt me today. I\u2019m sure of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam again stepped between his father and brother, anxious to avert another battle. \u201cWe\u2019ll look into it, Joe. If someone did this deliberately, we\u2019ll find out who it was.\u201d He reached for Joe\u2019s arm, only to be shaken off by the irate young man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf? Someone did do it deliberately, Adam!\u201d Joe stormed up the stairs. \u201cI thought my own family would trust me.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 They all caught the words as they drifted down the stairs, the hurt trembling in every syllable. Once again, the slam of a door echoed through the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat door sure is gettin\u2019 a workout lately,\u201d Hoss said, a glint of humor in his blue eyes, as he struggled to lighten the mood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed heavily. \u201cAdam, ask around town and see if anyone noticed someone hanging around the team while Joe was in the saloon. Hoss go with him and see if anyone has been making threats against Little Joe or any of the rest of us. I\u2019ll go talk to Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three men separated to their assigned tasks. None of them were convinced that they\u2019d have any success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben hesitated before Joe\u2019s door, but he finally tapped lightly and went in. As he had expected, Joe was lying on the bed, his hands laced behind his head, his legs stretched full length on the coverlet.\u00a0\u00a0 The older man chuckled softly as he moved to take a seat on the edge of the bed, playfully slapping at Joe\u2019s booted feet. \u201cTake your boots off if you\u2019re going to be lying in bed, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat up slowly and moved his feet to the floor. He stared moodily at the ground, not meeting his father\u2019s eyes. The silence grew between the two men, until Joe couldn\u2019t take it any longer. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I got upset, Pa,\u201d he ground out reluctantly. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to yell at you, but I just got angry when no one believed me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben placed a solid arm behind Joe\u2019s back. \u201cIt\u2019s not that I don\u2019t believe you, Joe. I simply think there may be some other explanation for that frayed harness. Maybe there was a flaw in the strap that you didn\u2019t see when you inspected it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe frowned, his brow wrinkled as he considered his father\u2019s words. \u201cI can see your point,\u201d he conceded hesitantly. \u201cBut I still think someone tampered with that rein deliberately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now it was Ben\u2019s turn to frown. \u201cWhy are you so sure that someone tampered with the rein, Joe?\u201d he asked. \u201cThat would mean there is a person out there who tried to kill you. Do you have any reason to believe that you have angered someone so much that they would deliberately try something like that?\u201d Ben stood and paced to the window as he talked. The thought of a continuing threat to his son worried him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood too, crossing the room to stand beside his father. \u201cI can\u2019t think of anyone who would want to hurt me, Pa,\u201d he confessed ruefully. \u201cBut I know what my instincts are telling me. And they\u2019re saying that someone deliberately shredded my gloves and just as deliberately tampered with the reins of the team. I don\u2019t have any proof, but I just know what I feel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben drew a deep breath. \u201cJoe, if you\u2019re right about this, then I want you to stick close to the ranch for a little while. I don\u2019t want to take any chances if someone is trying to hurt you. Here at the house they\u2019ll have to come through me or your brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scowled. \u201cI\u2019m not going to hide like some baby, Pa,\u201d he said fiercely. \u201cI don\u2019t hide from trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just for a few days while we get this straightened out. Please, son. For my sake, stick close to the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The pleading look on his father\u2019s face made Joe pause. With a wicked grin he grabbed his father by the arm and walked with him to the door. \u201cJust for a few days, Pa. And only because I\u2019m such a well-behaved boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s booming laugh echoed through the hallway, once again peace had been restored. But he had to wonder for how long.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The saloon was at its liveliest when Adam and Hoss met there that evening. Hoss was already leaning up against the bar when Adam strolled in and casually propped a booted foot on the rail. Standing shoulder to shoulder no one would have guessed they were related, let alone brothers, so dissimilar were their looks. But on this night, both men carried the same air of grim determination and it made most of the people in the bar steer clear of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss turned and surveyed his brother\u2019s dark, brooding features. \u201cNo luck, huh, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes were bleak. \u201cDoes it show?\u201d he responded quietly. \u201cNobody saw anything, heard anything or will admit to knowing anything. How about you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s shoulders sagged wearily. \u201cAbout the same. I found one guy who might have heard from someone else that someone he knew might have seen something . . . if I paid him ten dollars to talk to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam chuckled, little mirth present in the sound. \u201cI take it you didn\u2019t bite?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was indignant. \u201cWhaddya take me for? A fool?\u201d He placed his massive hands on his hips and stood squarely in front of his brother. \u201cI can smell a story like that a mile off, older brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a long, slow pull at his beer, Adam said thoughtfully. \u201cSo that means the kid was wrong. No one tampered with those reins. He\u2019s not going to like hearing that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss tipped his mug at Adam in mock salute. \u201cYou\u2019re right about that, Adam. Joe\u2019s sure convinced that someone was trying to kill him. He don\u2019t want to think he missed something when he hitched up that team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was about to respond when he felt a soft hand running up and down his arm. He turned to find a garishly dressed saloon girl hanging on him breathlessly. \u201cHi, Adam,\u201d she cooed softly. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since I\u2019ve seen you around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grinned engagingly. \u201cHello, Lindy. I\u2019ve been in town a couple of times, but I didn\u2019t see you in here. Where have you been hiding?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The red-haired girl batted long, artificially dark lashes at him. \u201cOh here, and there,\u201d she murmured seductively. \u201cWere you looking for me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s natural gallantry rose to the surface automatically. \u201cI always look for you, Lindy,\u201d he responded politely. \u201cBut if you\u2019ll excuse me this evening, I\u2019m not really in the mood for company right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The girl simpered at him, and again the eyelashes fluttered. \u201cI might have something to tell you, if you\u2019re interested.\u201d Seeing that the dark-haired man didn\u2019t look convinced, she added, \u201cIt\u2019s about your handsome little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss glanced at each other, both instantly alert. \u201cWhat about Little Joe, ma\u2019am?\u201d Hoss demanded eagerly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lindy laughed shrilly. \u201cUh-uh, it\u2019s gonna cost you a drink, big fella.\u201d She patted Hoss\u2019s massive forearm, and giggled again when he blushed a dark red. She waited eagerly as Adam signaled to the bartender, and then quickly downed her whiskey in a single gulp. The two men waited with ill-concealed impatience while she drank.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Drawing out her moment of glory, Lindy surveyed the Cartwrights over the rim of her glass. \u201cI hear you\u2019ve been asking about Little Joe\u2019s last visit to town,\u201d she said finally, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. \u201cI think I saw someone hanging around his team while he was in the saloon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was sharp, his gallantry forgotten. \u201cWhat exactly did you see, Lindy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She gestured at her glass, and Adam once again signaled the bartender, who filled it quickly. Lindy sipped it slowly this time, drawing out her answer as long as possible. \u201cWell, I was on my way to work, and I passed by Little Joe\u2019s team. I thought I saw someone standing by the lead rein, but when I got closer the person had moved on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face fell. \u201cSo you didn\u2019t see who it was, or what they was doing, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The girl hesitated, clearly wanting to make a different answer, but her basic honesty won out. \u201cNo, not really. By the time I got closer, whoever it was had moved away and into the shadows of the alley.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam tipped his hat to the girl. \u201cThank you, Lindy. I\u2019m grateful for your information. Come on, Hoss, Pa\u2019s going to be waiting for us.\u201d He moved toward the swinging doors, Hoss trailing behind him. Lindy watched them go, disappointment clearly written on her face. She always loved to be seen with handsome Adam Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once outside, Hoss grabbed Adam\u2019s arm and pulled him to a stop. \u201cSo what do you think, Adam. Did she really see anything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hesitated briefly. \u201cIt could have been anyone, brother. Lots of people probably passed by that team while Joe was in the saloon. It\u2019s really not much to go on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sighed. \u201cI guess you\u2019re right. I sure hate goin\u2019 home and tellin\u2019 Little Joe that he\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam squared his shoulders and began to mount his horse. \u201cWell, we\u2019d better go get it over with, brother. I don\u2019t look forward to it myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Virginia City was throbbing with excitement. The first big barn dance of the season was in full swing when then Cartwrights rode into town, resplendent in their Sunday best. All three of Ben\u2019s sons had taken extra care with their appearance, with Little Joe hovering in front of the mirror far too long for his brothers\u2019 tastes. He had chatted like a magpie during the long ride to town, keyed up with the excitement of the occasion. Joe loved any excuse to be seen with a pretty girl on his arm, and he knew that he looked his best tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As they reined in and dismounted in front of the livery stable, Joe was the first off his horse. He tossed the reins to a waiting stable hand and bounded off to join the throng swarming into the barn. Already the lively strains of the fiddle could be heard in the clear night and gaily dressed couples were swarming into the structure. Ben smiled to see Joe put aside the moodiness that had plagued him all week. His youngest son had chafed against his father\u2019s desire to keep him close to the ranch, and it had been a long week for everyone. Adam and Hoss had been correct when they assumed Joe wouldn\u2019t be happy with the results of their trip to town. He had taken his frustrations out on the two men until they were ready to strangle their youngest brother. The interminable week had passed without further incident, and Ben was inclined to dismiss Joe\u2019s speculation that someone had deliberately tried to harm him as just that, speculation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe felt his spirits rise even higher as he let the swirl of activity engulf him. He smiled and nodded at his friends and neighbors and waved at several attractive young ladies who were trying to attract his attention. He spotted pretty Laura Carson standing by the punch bowl and headed her way, never looking back at his family, who had entered the crowded hall in his wake, and were even now watching him make his entrance to the room with smiles on their faces. Laura smiled a greeting at Joe and the pair soon swung into a dance. Joe was at his most charming and the evening passed by swiftly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe escorted Laura to the punch bowl. They had just finished their third dance of the evening. Both young people were popular and both were in high demand for the dances. But Joe found himself admiring Laura\u2019s glossy dark hair and snapping brown eyes more and more and he made sure that he booked her for a fourth dance later that evening. But for now they were both tired and thirsty. Joe procured two cups of the punch and pulled Laura to a quiet corner, where he gallantly helped her into the chair that stood there. Laura sighed in relief and set her cup of punch on a small table that stood conveniently placed next to the chair. She raised a fan and lazily fluttered it back and forth in front of her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned as a sudden breeze brushed against his face, and he leaned closer to the beautiful young lady. \u201cAre you having fun tonight, Laura?\u201d he enquired, fairly certain of her answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura giggled a little and waved her fan at him again. \u201cI certainly am, Little Joe,\u201d she replied, her dimples appearing as she smiled. \u201cAnd I thank you for all the dances tonight. You just might turn my head with all this attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe set his cup down next to Laura\u2019s and leaned in even closer. \u201cWell, you do have the most beautiful face and head in the room, Laura. It makes it easy to give you a lot of attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura giggled again, and then closing the fan quickly, she rapped it against the palm of her other hand. \u201cI declare, Little Joe, I am being forgetful,\u201d she said in dismay. \u201cI promised that I would pass on a message from little Kitty Henderson, and I forgot all about it until just now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKitty Henderson?\u201d Joe frowned slightly. \u201cI wasn\u2019t aware that you kept in touch with her, Laura.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d the girl replied, her smile fading slightly as she remembered the trial from the preceding summer. \u201cSince Kitty went to live with her grandparents, she\u2019s written me several times. She likes to hear about the doings in Virginia City, and I was a friend of her sister.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s frown deepened. \u201cYou haven\u2019t heard from Mary Sue, have you? You know she\u2019s still wanted for her part in what happened last summer.\u201d His words came out a little harsher in tone than he realized, and Laura flinched back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I haven\u2019t heard from her, Little Joe. I\u2019d have told the sheriff if I had. You know that. Now do you want to know what Kitty has to say, or not?\u201d Laura\u2019s stiff back and the loss of the beguiling dimples clearly indicated her distress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hastily smiled at her, and he reached to pat her on the shoulder. \u201cOf course, I want to hear all about how Kitty\u2019s doing, and what she has to say. She always was my favorite Henderson girl.\u201d He leaned closer to Laura, his full attention on her as she quickly unfolded a little note that she pulled from her pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe says that everything is going well in St. Louis and that her grandparents are thinking of letting her come back for a visit fairly soon. She wanted to know if you would like to see her when she comes.\u201d Laura folded the note back up and tucked it away, aware that Joe\u2019s eyes were riveted to the little piece of paper. She was fully aware of Joe\u2019s connection to the Henderson family, indeed, she had been a friend of Mary Sue\u2019s until the girl had been driven into hiding after the unsettling trial of Little Joe Cartwright the past summer. Now struggling to reclaim the happy mood of the evening, she stood up quickly. \u201cNow where did I put that punch glass?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe found the two glasses and gallantly bowed to his lady as he handed over her glass. Laura sipped at hers while Joe polished off the contents of his cup. \u201cWould you like some more, Laura?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thank you, Little Joe, I think I\u2019d really rather have that last dance you promised me.\u201d Joe\u2019s green eyes sparkled and he hastily set down his now empty cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bowing from the waist, he held out his arm, his good mood restored with the return of Laura\u2019s dimples. The handsome couple returned to the dance floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The fiddles were singing a slow, sad tune, and Joe pulled Laura close for the dance. They were swaying gracefully through the set moves, when the first wave of dizziness hit him. Joe\u2019s steps faltered, but he recovered. Laura glanced at him in concern, but he smiled reassuringly. And then, just as quickly another surge engulfed him and Joe stumbled again, this time knocking into the couple who danced next to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The other couple glared angrily, and Joe rushed to apologize. \u201cI\u2019m . . . I\u2019m shorry . . . don\u2019 know whas come over me . . . \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura stopped dancing and stood with her hands on her hips. \u201cWhy, Joe Cartwright!\u201d she exclaimed indignantly. \u201cI believe you\u2019re intoxicated.\u201d She rushed from the dance floor with Joe stumbling in pursuit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He knocked into yet another couple and then staggered, clutching at his head. \u201cL…l…laura,\u201d he choked out. And then another surge of dizziness overwhelmed him. Joe fell to his knees, darkness spiraling up to meet him. With a low moan he allowed himself to be swept away by that swirling tide of oblivion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A shrill scream cut through the air, and the fiddles ceased abruptly. In the sudden silence, all eyes turned toward the crumpled figure on the floor. A rough laugh rang out as a gruff voice exclaimed, \u201cLooks like Joe Cartwright\u2019s been hittin\u2019 the punch bowl pretty hard tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright turned to see what the excitement was about, and noticed Hoss and Adam also circling the dance floor for a better view. Where there was trouble, Little Joe Cartwright was often to be found too. When he heard his son\u2019s name mentioned, Ben began pushing through the throng to reach Joe\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He saw the crumpled figure and reached out with gentle hands, turning Joe over onto his back. He felt another pair of hands join his, and he looked up gratefully to see Adam bending over his brother in concern. \u201cJoe,\u201d he murmured. \u201cJoe, wake up. Adam, find the doctor, will you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hurried off to do his father\u2019s bidding, and Hoss immediately moved in to take his place, crouching next to his brother, and using his bulk to shield him from the watching crowd. \u201cPa, he ain\u2019t had much to drink tonight,\u201d Hoss exclaimed worriedly. \u201cI\u2019ve been keepin\u2019 my eye on him all night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gently patted Joe\u2019s cheek. \u201cJoe,\u201d he called gently. \u201cCome on son, wake up.\u201d He bent to put his face close to Joe\u2019s, sniffing lightly. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Hoss. I don\u2019t smell alcohol on his breath. But what else could be wrong with him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Ben, why don\u2019t you move aside and let me take a look at him. Then maybe I\u2019ll be able to answer your question.\u201d Doc Martin\u2019s calm, professional voice intruded on the scene. He glanced around at the avid eyes that were soaking in every detail. \u201cHmm, maybe we\u2019d better move him over to my office, Ben. Can you and the boys lend a hand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded quickly and signaled for Hoss and Adam to move in and help. With gentle hands they lifted Joe and carried him from the dance floor. The crowd moved apart silently, until Adam turned angrily. \u201cOkay, folks, the show\u2019s over,\u201d he cried out. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go back to your party?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The people of Virginia City turned away sheepishly, a low buzz of conversation filling the room. The fiddlers began playing again, and reluctantly, unwilling to allow the drama to end, the gaily clad couples again began to fill the floor. Laura Carson sobbed quietly in a corner, allowing herself to be comforted for her part in the debacle by several willing young men. It was a barn dance that would be talked about for days.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben paced slowly around the small confines of Paul Martin\u2019s surgery. Adam and Hoss leaned against the wall, none of the men anxious to leave the young man who lay on the table. Paul raised the boy\u2019s eyelids and listened to his heartbeat. He finally straightened slowly and turned to face the waiting Cartwrights. Ben immediately moved closer, the agitated pacing stilled by the doctor\u2019s movements. \u201cHow is he Paul?\u201d he asked quickly. \u201cIs he just drunk, or is it something more?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul smiled ruefully and reached to pat his old friend\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHe\u2019s not drunk Ben. I think he\u2019s been drugged.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDrugged!\u201d Adam\u2019s face conveyed his shock and agitation. \u201cBut who would drug Joe? And with what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul shook his head. \u201cIt could be any number of things, actually. There are many substances that mimic the effect of alcohol. But as to whom and why, those questions I can\u2019t answer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss screwed up his face in thought. \u201cPa, do you think that all those other things that Joe told us about were true, then? Is someone really trying to hurt him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben considered the question thoughtfully. \u201cI\u2019m beginning to take this very seriously. I think Joe\u2019s been right all along. Someone has been trying to harass him, and now they\u2019ve stepped it up to actually trying to hurt him. And I want to know who.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face was grim. \u201cI\u2019ll find out, Pa. Don\u2019t you worry about that. And when I do, they\u2019ll wish they\u2019d never tangled with the Cartwrights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A low moan from the bed brought everyone\u2019s attention back to Little Joe. Ben immediately went to his son\u2019s side, stroking the pale cheek gently. \u201cIs he going to be all right, Paul?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be just fine, Ben. He just needs to sleep off the effects of the drug. At least he doesn\u2019t appear to have ingested an overdose of whatever was used. I\u2019d assume that whoever did this put the substance in whatever Joe was drinking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben pulled up a chair, silently declaring his intention of staying by his son\u2019s side. He glanced up at Adam and Hoss. \u201cBoys, I want you to go back to the dance.\u201d He held up a hand to forestall the protests that immediately sprang to both men\u2019s lips. \u201cI want you to talk to everyone who was there. See if anyone saw anything that would indicate who put the drug in Joe\u2019s drink.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam took one last look at the huddled form of his brother. He silently patted the top of Joe\u2019s head, and then he left the room. Hoss, too, stayed a moment to touch his brother before he exited from the room. Ben\u2019s heart constricted at this evidence of the depth of caring that existed between his three very dissimilar children. He reached to take Joe\u2019s flaccid hand and prepared for a long night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A searing shaft of pain spiked through Joe\u2019s head, and he reached to clutch it with both hands. He moaned softly as a bright beam of sunlight hit his eyes, and he squeezed them shut as tightly as he could. He sensed a movement and knew that he wasn\u2019t alone in the room. When a second pair of hands joined his and began to gently massage his shoulders, he sighed in relief. \u201cPa?\u201d he asked. \u201cIs that you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s mellow voice cut through the pain. \u201cI\u2019m here, Joe. You just take it easy.\u201d The strong fingers continued their gentle movement, and Joe moaned again in response.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He felt the headache ease and the surge of nausea receded slightly. Feeling brave enough to open one eye, he squinted up at the older man. \u201cWhat happened? Where am I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShh, lie still. You\u2019re in Paul Martin\u2019s surgery,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cYou\u2019ve slept the night away.\u201d His fingers finished their massage and moved to pat Joe gently on the top of his head. \u201cPaul left some medicine for you to take when you woke up. He said your head would hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben rose and busied himself pouring a mixture from a bottle that Paul had left on the bedside table. Joe watched in some trepidation as he eyed the dark-colored liquid. \u201cI feel fine, Pa. Really I do,\u201d he said hastily, scrunching himself up in the bed and trying to turn away from the proffered spoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By now, Ben was used to Joe\u2019s reaction to being ill, and he blandly ignored his son\u2019s feeble protests. He firmly inserted the spoon in Joe\u2019s mouth and watched in satisfaction as the boy swallowed reluctantly. That done, he resumed his seat next to the bed. \u201cDo you remember anything about last night, Joe?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe squinted in thought, his eyes clouding over as he struggled to find a memory from the previous evening. His head felt as if someone were shoeing a horse inside his skull and it made thinking difficult. \u201cI was dancing with Laura . . . and I gave her some punch. We talked . . . and then I don\u2019t remember anything after that. What happened, Pa?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes were wide with apprehension. \u201cWas I in a fight?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben patted the boy\u2019s shoulder soothingly. \u201cNo, son. You weren\u2019t in a fight. The doctor thinks someone drugged you to make it look like you were drunk. You collapsed on the dance floor and we brought you here last night.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam and Hoss checked around the dance hall, but no one saw anyone come near your drink. That\u2019s all we know so far.\u201d Ben finished his narrative, keeping a close eye on his son\u2019s face as he talked. He watched the emotions flickering across Joe\u2019s face with a lightening fast rapidity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you believe me now?\u201d Joe\u2019s question took Ben by surprise and he raised his eyebrows questioningly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve you about what, Joe?\u201d he asked, puzzled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat someone is out to get me. That all these things that have been happening are more than coincidence.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was emphatic and there was a touch of belligerence in his tone. He winced in pain, as his sudden movement jarred his sensitive head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEasy son,\u201d Ben\u2019s hands gently pressed Joe down on the bed. \u201cYes, I believe you. I certainly don\u2019t believe that you were drunk last night. The doc has said someone drugged you. That\u2019s more than a coincidence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do about it?\u201d Joe asked grimly. \u201cI don\u2019t like the idea that someone is following me around, hiding, and I don\u2019t know who or why.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe go back to the Ponderosa, and we keep a close eye on you.\u201d Ben replied slowly. He knew that his words were not what Joe wanted to hear. His youngest son was not fond of being hovered over, preferring to meet his challengers head on. \u201cWe\u2019ll find this person. They\u2019ll have to show themselves eventually if they want to get to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed and closed his eyes. \u201cWhen can we go back to the ranch, Pa?\u201d he asked plaintively. It was the cry of a small child seeking the security of his home. \u201cI\u2019ll feel better once we get home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cThe doctor says you can leave this afternoon. But he wants you to eat something first,\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cIf you can keep your lunch down and your head feels better, then we\u2019ll head back to the ranch. Hoss and Adam are bringing the buckboard out for you.\u201d He raised a hand to stifle Joe\u2019s protests. \u201cAnd no, you are not riding Cochise home. Doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed and lay back on the soft pillows. He knew there was no point in arguing. When the doctor ordered something, Ben Cartwright would stick to it to the letter. But at least they would be home, and then he would see about finding the person who was haunting his every move. Joe had no intention of sitting back quietly waiting for the unknown person to strike again. He closed his eyes and let sleep retake him. It was time to take action.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The days passed slowly on the Ponderosa. Tempers frayed rapidly as Little Joe railed against the confinement and restrictions imposed by his father. He paced around the house and barn like a caged animal. Every attempt he made to leave on his own had been thwarted by the vigilance of his brothers. With the realization that someone had actually been behind all the strange occurrences of the past few weeks, came a closing of the ranks. The three older Cartwrights were determined that whoever this unknown tormentor was, they would not get close to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was equally determined that he was going to go off and track down the culprit. He was tired of sitting back and waiting for something to happen. At last he found himself alone in the house. Hoss and Adam were out riding fence, and his father had been called into Virginia City unexpectedly. He could tell that Ben was nervous about leaving Joe to his own devices and the older man had delayed his trip as long as possible. He finally ran out of excuses and headed off on his big buckskin horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe waited all of ten minutes before he too headed for the barn. He hastily grabbed Cochise\u2019s saddle and tack and began the task of saddling his mount. He was totally engrossed in what he was doing, and didn\u2019t hear the footsteps that approached from the barn entrance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust what do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was cutting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe jumped and whirled around to face his brother. \u201cAdam, you startled me. I didn\u2019t hear you coming,\u201d he stammered out, his eyes wide with fright. He pulled himself together rapidly, narrowing his eyes at his older brother. \u201cWhat does it look like I\u2019m doing? I\u2019m going to go look for some evidence of who has been playing these stupid tricks on me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t think so, younger brother. Pa asked me to come back to the house and keep an eye on things. He left explicit instructions that he wanted you to stay home. So let\u2019s get that saddle off of Cochise and go back into the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s reasonable tone added fuel to Joe\u2019s growing fire. \u201cI don\u2019t have to listen to you, Adam,\u201d he ranted. \u201cI\u2019m a grown man and if I want to leave the house, I will. You can\u2019t stop me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The older man struggled to retain his temper. \u201cI\u2019m only doing what Pa wants, Joe. You know that. And I happen to agree with him. Someone out there wants to hurt you, and wants it pretty badly. You\u2019re safer staying home for the time being.\u201d He moved to Cochise and began to unsaddle the little pinto. \u201cNow, are you coming peacefully, or do I have to carry you into the house?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe bristled angrily. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t carry me even if you wanted to,\u201d he snapped. \u201cNow get your hands off my horse and get out of my way.\u201d As he spoke, he attempted to push past Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The older man simply grabbed Joe by the collar of his shirt and hauled him backwards toward the house. Joe struggled and tried to twist around to reach Adam, but the dark-haired man was skilled in controlling his younger brother. He continued to move relentlessly forward. They finally reached the front door, which Adam pushed open with his booted foot. With a final heave, he pushed Joe into the room and slammed the door shut behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was so angry that he charged into Adam full tilt, barreling into the older man with such force that Adam was knocked off his feet. He lay winded and gasping with Joe sitting astride his chest, green sparks flying from the angry eyes. \u201cHow dare you treat me like a ten-year-old, Adam. Don\u2019t you ever do that again,\u201d Joe cried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you continue to act like a ten-year-old, that\u2019s the way I\u2019ll treat you,\u201d Adam replied calmly when he finally regained his breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He pushed Joe off his chest and pulled himself to his feet. He leaned down and offered his younger brother a hand up. When Joe disdainfully batted the offered hand aside and got himself to his feet, Adam shrugged and turned away. \u201cPa said you were to stay near the house until this mystery is cleared up. Don\u2019t think you\u2019re going to leave until he gives you permission to do so,\u201d he said as he walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s temper surged again. \u201cYou\u2019re not my father, and you don\u2019t speak for him,\u201d he snapped. \u201cIf I want to leave, I will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam noticed that Joe made no effort to head outside again, as he watched with a feigned disinterest. In truth, he was as worried about the mysterious person who seemed to be targeting Joe as his father. Adam was prepared to hogtie Joe if it meant keeping him safe. He sighed in relief when Joe headed up the stairs. It was obvious that while Joe was willing to talk strongly about defying their father, he wasn\u2019t prepared to put his words to the test. When Adam heard the bedroom door slam yet again, he let loose with the chuckle he\u2019d been struggling to suppress. Shaking his head, he sat down and picked up a book. He hoped it would be a quiet afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Later that evening, Joe emerged from his room and headed down the stairs. The succulent odors of Hop Sing\u2019s cooking had been wafting through the house for quite a while and he knew the oriental housekeeper would be calling the family to dinner shortly. He was surprised to find Adam was gone from the great room, and there was still no sign of his father or Hoss. Glancing around distractedly, Joe wondered where everyone was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A sudden thought came to mind. If someone was really trying to harm him, they might be hiding outside the house. He decided to stroll casually around the yard in an effort to spot anything out of the ordinary. Moving to the credenza, he looked for his gunbelt. It was lying in its usual spot, but the pearl-handled pistol that usually filled the holster was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A silent curse on his lips, Joe glanced around the room. He had a suspicion who had removed the gun from its accustomed spot. \u201cAdam!\u201d he yelled loudly. \u201cAdam, where are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam came around the corner from the kitchen holding an apple in his hand and polishing it on his shirt. \u201cYou yelled, little brother?\u201d he asked mildly, one eyebrow raised in curiosity at the sight of his obviously seething younger sibling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, what\u2019dya do with it?\u201d Joe demanded roughly, moving to stand inches from Adam, glaring up into his brother\u2019s dark eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam remained placid, refusing to let Joe ruffle him. \u201cMaybe you should tell me what you\u2019re looking for, and then I can help you find it,\u201d he offered politely as he took a bite of the apple.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A touch of uncertainty danced across Joe\u2019s expressive countenance, but he maintained his belligerent stance. \u201cMy gun,\u201d he replied shortly. \u201cYou took my gun so that I wouldn\u2019t leave the house, and I want it back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s second eyebrow rose to join the first and he stared at Joe in surprise. \u201cI didn\u2019t take your gun, Joe,\u201d he said with such obvious honesty that the wind was taken from Joe\u2019s sails.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The younger man watched in confusion as Adam walked quickly to the credenza. A quick glance was all that was necessary to confirm the disappearance of Joe\u2019s gun. Adam\u2019s heart beat a little faster as he contemplated the meaning implied by the missing weapon. The gun was Joe\u2019s prized possession; a gift from his father when Ben had deemed him old enough to learn to shoot. It was a beautiful piece with Joe\u2019s initials engraved on it. He turned to Joe in consternation. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen your gun, little brother,\u201d he said again. \u201cSomeone\u2019s been in the house and taken it. We\u2019re the only ones here at the moment besides Hop Sing, and I know he wouldn\u2019t touch it. I\u2019ve been out in the barn, and he\u2019s been in the kitchen. I suppose anyone could have walked in here and picked up that pistol.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face fell. He reached to finger the tooled leather of the holster disconsolately. \u201cWhy would someone want to take my gun, Adam?\u201d he asked plaintively. \u201cAnd how could they get into the house without anyone seeing or hearing them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face reflected the anger and worry that he was feeling. \u201cI don\u2019t know the answer to either of those questions, Joe, but I aim to find out. I don\u2019t like the way this person is able to invade our home at will. And I\u2019m tired with them upsetting my brother.\u201d He reached to place a consoling arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders. \u201cLet\u2019s go outside and see if we can find any signs of the intruder, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded, some of his former spirit returning on the crest of a wave of anger. \u201cI\u2019ll find the guy, Adam, don\u2019t you worry. And I\u2019ll make him pay for touching my things.\u201d He pulled away abruptly and started for the door, Adam trailing in his wake. It was obvious that Joe\u2019s spirit was returning quickly. It took a lot to keep the irrepressible youngest Cartwright down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The two men quickly scouted around the yard and barn with no success. There were too many people who had a legitimate reason to be in and around the yard for any clear cut tracks to be spotted. Nothing appeared to be out of place and there was no sign of the missing weapon. Joe\u2019s face grew more and more despondent as the minutes passed, while Adam\u2019s showed clear evidence of his concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They entered the barn at last, on a futile mission to find the weapon hiding under some conveniently placed object. Adam was a few steps behind Joe, and he entered the barn slowly, his eyes still scanning the dusty yard for a clue. He bumped forcefully into his brother\u2019s back as he entered the darkened interior of the big barn. Joe was standing stock still, his eyes wide with fear. Adam grabbed his arm quickly, and turned to look in the same direction that his brother was facing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what is it?\u201d he demanded quickly. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s voice was a breathy whisper, the fear striking deep into Adam\u2019s soul as he listened. \u201cWh . . . where\u2019s Cochise, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart dropped to the soles of his booted feet as he surveyed the wide expanse of the barn. Sport stood placidly munching on his evening feedbag, just where Adam had left him earlier, but Cochise\u2019s stall was empty. As a matter of course, Adam had fed and watered both animals only fifteen minutes earlier. The feed bin was still full in the pinto\u2019s stall. But there was no sign of the black and white horse that was the center of Little Joe\u2019s heart. Adam was fully aware of how much Joe cherished his horse, and he walked forward slowly, hoping against hope that the pinto had just broken loose of his tether and meandered out of his stall. That hope was dashed when he examined the unflawed leather and realized that a human being had untied the beast and led it away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked back to find Joe still standing rooted to the same spot, his face white and his eyes wide. The misery was etched so deeply onto his expressive features that Adam felt an answering pang in his own body. He quickly returned to his brother\u2019s side. \u201cJoe, we\u2019ll find him, I promise!\u201d he said urgently. \u201cIf it\u2019s the last thing I do, I\u2019ll get that horse back for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned to look deeply into Adam\u2019s eyes, and the older man felt a chill as he watched the green eyes change. The look of fear disappeared to be replaced by a deep and consuming rage. \u201cYou won\u2019t have to find Cochise, Adam. I will,\u201d Joe said grimly. \u201cAnd when I do, I\u2019ll kill the bastard who dared to touch him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The clatter of hooves in the dusty yard yanked Joe\u2019s head up. He dashed out of the barn, hoping that his beloved horse was being returned to him. When he saw the familiar buckskin being ridden by his father, followed closely by Chubb and Hoss, his face fell. Scuffing the toe of his boot in the dirt, he levered himself down disconsolately to sit on the edge of the water trough.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben dismounted, gathering Buck\u2019s reins in one hand in preparation for leading the big horse into the barn. He took in Joe\u2019s dejected attitude and his heart sank. He didn\u2019t need another crisis with his youngest son. The events of the past few weeks were taking their toll on all of the Cartwrights, and Ben was heartily sick of it. Sighing, he placed a gentle hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, son?\u201d he asked quietly. \u201cYou don\u2019t look very happy at the moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone took my gun and Cochise,\u201d Joe blurted out, his anguish enshrouding him in a haze. \u201cWhat if they hurt him, Pa? You saw what that monster did to my gloves. If he kills Cochise . . . \u201d Joe\u2019s voice broke, and he found himself unable to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s quick intake of breath indicated his immediate understanding of the situation. If someone wanted to hit Joe where it hurt they had picked the right way to go about it. Cochise was the thing he held nearest and dearest to his heart. A threat to the pinto would be more than his youngest could bear. \u201cHow long ago?\u201d Ben asked quickly. \u201cHave you looked for tracks?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we looked for tracks!\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cThere\u2019s been too many people in and out of here all day for us to pick up anything unusual. The person who took Cochise had to have left here within the past hour, but I can\u2019t find a trace of them.\u201d He put his head in his hands, the tears starting to trickle down his cheeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben pulled Joe to his feet, and braced a strong arm around the slim shoulders. \u201cWe\u2019ll find your horse, son,\u201d he said gently. \u201cAnd then we\u2019ll see the person who\u2019s been behind all of this gets punished to the fullest extent of the law.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we need to worry about taking him in to the law, Pa,\u201d Joe growled angrily, but he leaned into the man\u2019s strength. \u201cI\u2019ll kill him first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gave Joe a gentle shake. \u201cNo, you won\u2019t Joe. You\u2019ve been taught better than that. I don\u2019t care who\u2019s behind these incidents. We\u2019re going to let Roy Coffee handle it. Do you understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed heavily. \u201cI understand, Pa,\u201d he ground out reluctantly. \u201cBut I don\u2019t have to like it.\u201d He stood up, pushing his father\u2019s arm off his shoulders. \u201cI think I\u2019m going up to my room. Don\u2019t feel hungry for dinner any more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned wise eyes on his youngest son. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to like it to know that it\u2019s right, Little Joe,\u201d he said gently. He watched the young man turn away sadly, the shoulders slumped with anxiety. He felt the sudden surge of anger in his own heart when he thought of the person who was willfully inflicting such distress on his child. The older man struggled to fight back that rage that threatened to consume him. He knew that if he couldn\u2019t conquer his hatred he would have a hard time following his own restrictions. With a heavy heart he, too, returned to the ranch house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bay gelding had a smooth gait and was a well-trained mount, after all Joe had worked with the animal since he had first broken him to a saddle. But the horse wasn\u2019t Cochise, and Joe fretted over his lost horse with a fierce intensity. The search for the missing horse had proved to be fruitless. There were no clues and no leads to be found. Joe mindlessly went about his chores on the ranch, but his smile had disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a long day of searching for strays, Joe headed for home, still puzzling over the mysterious events that had plagued his life for the last several weeks. He was convinced that they were all connected, and had been since the beginning. It had taken the loss of his gun and his horse to convince his family that Joe wasn\u2019t jumping at shadows. Lost in thought, Joe realized that he was near the grove where his mother lay buried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On impulse he rode to her tombstone and dismounted. Behind him the lake sparkled in the waning sunlight. Joe knelt next to his mother\u2019s grave, in a position that was familiar to him from long years of crouching in the same spot. He bent his head to say a prayer and halted suddenly. His breathing stilled and he reached slowly for a small package wrapped in oilskin paper that was lying next to Marie Cartwright\u2019s headstone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew without being told that the package was for him. The person who had been leaving messages and gifts had already demonstrated a great depth of knowledge about the youngest Cartwright. This was Joe\u2019s favorite spot. It was a foregone conclusion that anything left here would eventually find its way into Joe\u2019s hands. He fingered the paper, working at the leather string that held it closed. A thin finger of dread was working its way up his spine when the paper finally fell open revealing a folded slip of paper and a lock of black and white horse hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe blanched as he read the note. \u201cIf you care for your horse, be at the line shack on the Upper Rim at midnight Friday. Come alone and tell no one.\u201d He gently handled the little lock of horse hair. It was obvious that the hair had been snipped from the pinto\u2019s coat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mind raced frantically. His father had only reluctantly allowed him to do his ranch chores without an escort today. It had taken days of coaxing and convincing the older man that he should be allowed to leave the ranch house, and several days more than that to get to the point where he didn\u2019t have an appointed shadow. He knew for a fact that his father wasn\u2019t going to want him meeting his foe alone and in the middle of the night. Joe\u2019s face hardened. This was his fight, and he wasn\u2019t going to take a babysitter to the meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He straightened abruptly and moved to his horse. Once again, the pang of missing Cochise swept through him and his resolve hardened once again. Riding toward home, Joe began to plan how he could get out of the house without his family being aware of his movements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe feigned a huge yawn and allowed his eyes to droop sleepily. He propped his booted feet up on the square table in front of the fire and let his eyes close all the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked up from his book, a frown creasing his forehead. Joe had been quiet all evening, and his father was concerned that the events of the past few weeks were weighing heavily on his son\u2019s mind. He grimaced at the sight of the boots on the table, and cleared his throat loudly. \u201cJoe, if you\u2019re that tired, go on up to bed,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cOtherwise, I want those feet off the table.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat up sheepishly and moved his feet. \u201cI guess I am kinda tired, at that, Pa. I think I will go on up to bed,\u201d he replied quietly. Bidding his father and brothers good night, he meandered up the stairs slowly. With a sigh of relief he shut his bedroom door quietly, and flopped down on the bed. He hoped that his nervousness hadn\u2019t been apparent to the men downstairs. Now all he had to do was kill the time until the older members of the household went to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Down in the great room, the three remaining men exchanged glances. \u201cJoe seemed quiet tonight,\u201d Adam remarked to no one in particular. \u201cI think this thing is finally getting to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Adam, you know he misses that horse somethin\u2019 fierce,\u201d Hoss said in concern. \u201cIf anything has happened to him, Joe won\u2019t be fit to live with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded morosely. \u201cI\u2019ve had just about enough of this, as well. I don\u2019t like the idea of someone sneaking around this ranch with not one person able to spot a trace of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded, a trace of anger evident in his dark eyes. \u201cEspecially since this person appears to have quite a grudge against Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa,\u201d Hoss put in optimistically. \u201cAdam and I\u2019ll find \u2018im, and then we\u2019ll take him into Virginia City to talk to Roy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The older man nodded his head gratefully, but his eyes remained clouded with worry. Snapping his book shut suddenly, he stood and stretched. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go on up, too,\u201d he remarked. \u201cI think I need some shut-eye as much as Joe does.\u201d He headed up the stairs slowly, leaving behind two worried men.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Peering out into the dark night, Joe carefully eased up the wooden frame of the window in his bedroom. He held his breath as the wood squealed a little under the pressure, but then relaxed as it began to move silently. He had many years of practice at slipping out of this window into the darkness, but each time felt like the first, as he lifted his leg over the sill, his heart in his mouth, his breath exhaling in relief as he made it over without a sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Carefully following the path that he had created many years earlier, Joe tiptoed over the roof line, and then slipped nimbly over the edge at just the right spot. He landed softly, little puffs of dirt eddying up from the dusty yard as his boots connected with the earth. Moving swiftly, but still silently, he eased open the door to the barn and, in minutes, he was leading his temporary mount out into the night. He sorely missed Cochise at this time. The black and white horse had been his constant companion on almost all of his nighttime jaunts, and seemed to sense when to move silently, and when to pick up his speed. It was only when they were well out of ear shot of the ranch that Joe mounted the bay horse and touched his heels to its silky flanks. Moving as fast as he dared in the dark, moonless night, he headed in the direction of the line shack on the Upper Rim.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hours later, as the sky was at its darkest, just before the shifting hues would melt into the dawn, Joe approached the line shack. He swayed in the saddle, a wave of exhaustion overtaking him. He hadn\u2019t slept in the last twenty four hours, and the ride to the line shack had been grueling. He knew that he was hours late for the appointed meeting, but he hoped that his mysterious tormentor would still be waiting for him. At the very least, he hoped to find some clue as to the whereabouts of his beloved horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe pulled the horse to a stop several yards from the little shack, taking care to stay in the thickest part of the trees that surrounded the one room building. He tethered the horse to a tree and crept forward on foot. He could see no signs of life anywhere near the little shack, no trace of smoke, or signs that a human had been near the place in a while. Joe felt his spirits plummet again as he realized that he might have missed the person who summoned him, and Cochise might be lost to him forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He crept to the edge of the shack and peered around at the door. The snap of a twig made him whirl around, but a sharp blow to the back of his head halted the motion. Pain exploded in his head sending a shower of white stars dancing in front of his vision. With a soft moan, he crumpled to the ground and the world went dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dawn spread its light across the sky, and the Ponderosa stirred, stretched and came to life once more. Hop Sing hastened to his kitchen and soon tempting smells wafted through the house. Hoss sniffed appreciatively and hurried down the stairs, still buttoning his shirt, in his haste to reach the food. Adam followed at a more sedate pace, every button fastened neatly, his hair combed perfectly and a serene look on his face. Ben sat in his familiar place at the head of the table, a cup of coffee firmly planted in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The silver-haired man smiled a greeting at his sons, and offered the coffee pot to them. \u201cMorning, boys! Did you stop in to wake up Joe?\u201d he asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The big man groaned. \u201cI forgot, Pa,\u201d he said regretfully, his hand hovering over a steaming platter of hot cakes that Hop Sing had brought to the table. \u201cCan I get him in a few minutes, please? I\u2019m hungry enough to eat a horse this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cYou can wait a few minutes to eat, Hoss. Now go upstairs and wake that rascal up. Those hot cakes will still be here when you get back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He smiled in amusement as Hoss reluctantly got up from the table and headed back up the stairs. The smile faded abruptly when a shout echoed through the house. \u201cPa, Adam, he\u2019s gone!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Adam pushed back their chairs abruptly and quickly flew up the stairs. They collided in the hallway with Hoss, who was heading back down. Pushing past the others, Hoss left the house at a trot, opening the barn door and disappearing inside. By the time Ben had checked Joe\u2019s empty room, and started back down the stairs, Hoss was back, his face screwed up in a worried frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a horse missing, Pa. The one Joe\u2019s been using the past couple of days.\u201d Hoss turned worried eyes on his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face displayed a curious mixture of fury and anxiety. Under any other circumstances Hoss and Adam would have found it comical to see their father wrestling with the emotions created by their younger brother. All three of the older Cartwrights were more concerned about Joe\u2019s mysterious stalker than they had let on. It was just like Joe to be so foolish as to leave in the middle of the night when he knew that someone was trying to hurt him. Without a backward glance at the laden table, the Cartwrights grabbed their guns and hats and headed for the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a constant plopping sound that dragged Joe back from the blackness that had consumed him. Somewhere in the distance water was dripping. He struggled to open his eyes to find the source of the annoying noise. The fleeting hope that Hoss was playing a practical joke on him raised his spirits momentarily, but were quickly dashed when he tried to move. The splinters of pain that danced in his abused head were enough to convince him that his brother wasn\u2019t involved. A muffled groan escaped Joe\u2019s lips as he tried to pull himself upright. He realized quickly that his hands were secured tightly behind his back and no amount of tugging and wriggling loosened the bonds that held him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He blinked several times, trying to clear his vision, but suddenly realized that he was lying in a dark cavern. It was the lack of light that hampered his vision, not the lingering effects of his head injury. Hesitantly, his body protesting every movement, Joe pulled himself upright. He leaned back against the rough stone walls of the cave and took a deep breath in an attempt to still his racing heart. For the first time, Joe regretted the impulsive gesture that brought him to face his tormentor alone. He knew his father was going to be furious when he found out that Joe was missing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe.\u201d The voice was a whisper in the darkness, and Joe\u2019s eyes struggled desperately to pierce the darkness that kept the speaker hidden from his sight. \u201cI was afraid that you wouldn\u2019t come\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Joe was dismayed when his voice shook slightly. It wouldn\u2019t do to show fear before he knew who his enemy was. \u201cWhat do you want from me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRetribution.\u201d The single word hissed through the air like a whip crack, and Joe jerked as if he\u2019d been struck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRetribution for what? Do I even know you?\u201d The curly head turned from side to side. The echoes in the cavern kept him from being sure which direction the voice was coming from, and his eyes were still unable to see the person who spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The laugh was shrill, with a tinge of hysteria, as it echoed around Joe. \u201cKnow me? I think you know me, Joe. You haven\u2019t guessed, have you? I was sure you\u2019d know who I was by now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time, Joe was aware that the speaker was a woman, and he peered intently to his left as the voice drew nearer. He was able to make out the figure of a woman moving toward him, but he still couldn\u2019t distinguish her features or determine her age, or her hair color. He waited, wide eyed, the chill of the cavern combining with a thread of fear to produce a slight tremor in his aching muscles. Closer and closer, the woman moved, she seemed to glide through the darkness with an effortless grace, and to Joe\u2019s confused vision, it appeared as if she were floating through the air. The tremors in his muscles gave way to outright shaking, and he drew in his breath sharply. The woman did seem familiar. With a gasp, he recognized her, just as she spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s me, Joe. Mary Sue.\u201d And the woman leaned close and kissed Joe fully on the lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe huddled against the cold stone walls of the cavern. The air was damp and chill, and he shivered in his green jacket. The flickering light of the single lamp did little to dispel the darkness, and he struggled to keep an eye on Mary Sue\u2019s movements around the little chamber. She had a tiny fire blazing, but the warmth was minimal, and it was too far away to warm him. He could smell something cooking in the pot that hung over the blaze, but so far, his captor had offered him nothing to eat or drink. Soft footsteps alerted him to Mary Sue\u2019s return. She had stepped out of the little cave a few minutes earlier, and was now coming back along the passage that led to his place of imprisonment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe struggled to pierce the shadows that enshrouded the opening to the passageway and was rewarded by the sight of a slim figure looming in the darkness. He was amazed at the change in Mary Sue. A once-proud beauty, who would only wear the best clothing and accessories, the figure he was confronted with now was tattered and dirty. Her hair hung limply around her face, and her gown was ripped in places. Where once Mary Sue had been pleasingly curved, she was now gaunt and worn. Time had not treated her well. But the biggest change was in her eyes. Joe had dated Mary Sue casually, and they had maintained a friendship after the romance had died a natural death. At that time her eyes had been soft, sparkling with a flash of fun on occasion. She could be arrogant and a trifle haughty, but her eyes had been beautiful. Now they flashed a cold hatred, cloaked with the shadow of madness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe shivered as his tormentor drew near. \u201cWhat are you going to do now, Mary Sue?\u201d he asked softly. \u201cYou know you can\u2019t keep me here forever. My Pa and brothers will be out looking for me, and you\u2019re wanted by the Sheriff for what happened last year. Why don\u2019t you just let me go, and I\u2019ll forget I\u2019ve ever seen you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue threw back her head and a wild laugh filled the air. \u201cLet you go, Little Joe? I\u2019ve been working for a year to come up with the perfect way to make you pay for what you did to my family, and you think I\u2019m just going to let you walk away? You\u2019re stupider than I thought.\u201d The tattered woman crouched down next to Joe, her face inches away from his. \u201cYou and I are going to have a lot of time together, Joe. I\u2019m going to enjoy making you pay for what you\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe pulled away from the woman; the madness in her eyes was unnerving. He tugged futilely on the tight ropes at his wrists, but the rope was new and didn\u2019t budge as he twisted and pulled at it. \u201cI didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d he insisted. \u201cI was innocent and you knew it. You\u2019re the one who filed the false charges against me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue spat in Joe\u2019s face, her eyes glittering with hatred. \u201cYou killed my father!\u201d she screamed hysterically. \u201cYou destroyed my family. And now I\u2019m going to kill you and see your family torn apart the way mine was.\u201d She surged to her feet, moving away from the bound man at her feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe followed her with his eyes. He wanted to protest his innocence, but he knew she wouldn\u2019t listen. He could feel her saliva dripping down his cheek and the urge to wipe it away was overwhelming. He struggled to bring his cheek to his shoulder, allowing the rough fabric of his corduroy jacket to absorb most of the moisture. He knew he was in serious trouble, and once again he berated himself for heading out on his own. His father and brothers wouldn\u2019t even know where to start the search for him. He could be dead and buried by the time Mary Sue was caught. Closing his eyes, Joe leaned his head back against the stone wall of the cavern. He had to come up with some sort of plan, or he was a dead man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three saddle-weary men rode toward the Ponderosa ranch house and slid gratefully from their mounts. They handed off the reins to a waiting ranch hand, who took the horses into the barn for the night. Without a word, the Cartwrights turned and entered their home, their thoughts centered on the missing member of their family. The question of where Little Joe could have gone was first and foremost in each mind. They had been riding since daybreak, and hadn\u2019t turned up a trace of the boy. Ben slumped into his favorite chair and buried his head in his hands. He felt a consoling arm on his shoulder and looked up to see Adam and Hoss hovering over him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find him, Pa,\u201d Hoss\u2019s voice was comforting, but his eyes betrayed his lack of confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right, Pa. Joe\u2019s out there somewhere, we\u2019ll find him tomorrow,\u201d Adam chimed in. The dark eyes were shadowed with weariness and something else. He, too, felt uncertain about their chances of finding Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart lifted at his son\u2019s half-hearted attempts to cheer him up. He, too, doubted whether they would find a trace of Joe. The mysterious person who had been threatening his son had been clever enough to hide any trace of himself so far. It would take a miracle to track him down now. But with Joe\u2019s life hanging in the balance, Ben wouldn\u2019t rest until he traced every available lead. He pulled himself to his feet, his muscles screaming in protest. \u201cThanks, boys,\u201d he responded with fervor. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how much it means to me that you haven\u2019t given up hope. Let\u2019s get something to eat, and go to bed early. We\u2019ve got another long day ahead of us tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He clapped each son on the back, and left his hands resting on each broad shoulder. Together the three men moved toward Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe walked through a thick fog, his eyes straining to make out shapes in the distance. He tried to bat away the clinging mist, but it just swirled ever thicker before his eyes. With a soft moan, he began to run, his breath coming in harsh gasps. He ran on and on but never came to a place where the fog ended and the real world began. \u201cPa?\u201d he screamed. \u201cAdam, Hoss? Where are you?\u201d There was no answer to his cries, and he continued to run until the strength left his limps and he lay in a huddled heap on the ground. Sobs racked his body and he tried again to push away the mist. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered desolately. \u201cHelp me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a jerk, Joe awoke, the nightmare clinging to his mind, refusing to dislodge itself. He bit back the cry that threatened to escape from his lips as he searched the dimly lit cavern for a sight of his tormentor. He stilled as he saw the huddled form next to the fire. Mary Sue was sleeping, a ragged blanket thrown over her tattered dress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a desperate sense of hope, Joe staggered to his feet, pushing back against the wall of the cave for leverage. His hands were still bound behind his back, but a terrible sense of urgency drove him forward. He ghosted silently across the rough, rock-strewn floor of the cave, every noise he made caused him to stop and check to make sure the woman still slept. He was halfway across the cavern when a skittering sound echoed softly through the chamber. It was followed quickly by the pattering sound of tiny footsteps. He gasped as a large, furry shape dashed in front of his feet, only to disappear into the darkness on the other side of the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The noise wasn\u2019t loud, but the rat must have brushed by the sleeping woman, because she stirred and moaned softly, clutching at the blanket as it slipped from her shoulders. As she woke, Joe\u2019s heart sank and he turned to make a mad dash for the door. He had only gotten a couple of steps when the distinctive sound of a gun being cocked echoed through the chamber. It was quickly followed by the explosion of a bullet ripping from the gun, and Joe felt the bullet pass by his cheek, so close that the brush of air rippled across his face. He stopped and turned slowly, his face draining of color as he saw Mary Sue approaching, the hammer of his own gun drawn back, ready to fire a second time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeaving so soon, Little Joe?\u201d she queried softly, her face creasing in a wicked smile. \u201cI don\u2019t think so. You wouldn\u2019t want to be so rude to an old friend, would you?\u201d She gestured with the gun, making sure that Joe could see that her finger never left the trigger. Her face tightened into a snarl. \u201cNow, get back over there and sit down, and don\u2019t try leaving again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe complied with her orders, his heart sinking in his chest. \u201cWhat do you expect to gain from keeping me here?\u201d he asked abruptly as he sank back down on the floor. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just kill me and get it over with?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue crouched down in front of him, the gun aimed straight at his heart. \u201cYou want to die so soon, Little Joe? I thought it would take a few days with me before you got to that point. You\u2019re giving up too quickly.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She reached out with one grimy hand and traced the caricature of a caress down his cheek. She smiled at the shudder the gesture drew from him. \u201cWhat do I expect to gain from this? I expect to gain satisfaction. You ruined my life, Little Joe, and now I\u2019m going to ruin not only your life, but the life of your entire family. I\u2019m going to rip the Cartwrights apart, just as surely as you ripped apart the Hendersons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She stood abruptly and crossed the little chamber quickly. She stooped to pick up a bag that clanked as it moved. She hauled it back to Joe, dropping it in front of him with a thunk. \u201cI didn\u2019t think I\u2019d have to use these so soon,\u201d she murmured, almost to herself. \u201cBut you\u2019ve forced me into it. I\u2019ve got to be able to know that you\u2019ll still be here even if I fall asleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened as she rummaged in the bag, and his heart hammered in his chest at the distinctive clanking that accompanied her movements. He wasn\u2019t surprised when she drew a set of manacles from the bag, but he couldn\u2019t control the ripple of fear that spread down his spine and raised the hair at the back of his neck. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to chain me up!\u201d he exclaimed quickly. \u201cYou can\u2019t do this to me, Mary Sue, we were friends once.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue\u2019s laugh was wild, the hysterical edge striking straight into Joe\u2019s soul. \u201cFriends! We were never friends, Little Joe. I used you because it was to my benefit to be seen around town with a Cartwright. When I was tired of you, I dropped you. You were always just someone to help me get what I wanted. Friends! Never. And besides, any hope of friendship died right along with my father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As she continued her demented ranting, Mary Sue was busily fastening the heavy manacles to Joe\u2019s ankles. The chain linking the metal cuffs was only four or five links long, effectively hampering his movements.\u00a0\u00a0 With his hands still bound behind his back, Joe would have a difficult time escaping again. She smiled with satisfaction at her handiwork, giving the metal a gentle pat when she was done. Humming softly, she moved back to the fire and huddled up under her blanket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched in horrified fascination as his hopes of freedom were dashed so easily. He gazed at his tormentor uneasily when she sat unmoving, gazing unblinkingly into the flickering flames. The wild humming did little to settle his nerves, and he closed his eyes to shut out the sight. With a convulsive swallow, he prayed silently that his family would find some trace of him and put an end to his torment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The minutes ticked by slowly, inexorably turning into hours, and Joe\u2019s body ached with tension and fatigue. He kept a wary eye on his captor through slitted eye lids. Occasionally he would doze off, but found himself jerking awake every few minutes with every rustle or whisper of sound in the dark cavern. Mary Sue slept by the fire for hours and Joe welcomed the respite from her insane mumbling and eerie humming. He watched uneasily when she finally stirred again, stretching like a cat and rising with a sensuous grace.\u00a0\u00a0 The darkness disguised the tattered clothing and softened the gauntness of her frame. Under other circumstances Joe would have admired the beauty of the woman before him, but now he felt only revulsion for the creature Mary Sue had become.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Goosebumps rose on Joe\u2019s skin as Mary Sue turned and made her way toward him, a mocking smile on her lips. He kept still until she was once again crouching before him. \u201cHow did you manage to take my gun?\u201d he asked abruptly in an effort to deflect anything she might be planning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue smiled like a cat before a saucer of cream. \u201cIt was so easy!\u201d she exclaimed gloatingly. \u201cYou Cartwrights are such simpletons. You never found my hiding place, and I was able to get in your house any time I wanted to. Even that foolish cook of yours never suspected anything.\u201d She laughed mockingly, her eyes gleaming with madness. \u201cI followed you around Virginia City for weeks and you never saw me. I\u2019ve become invisible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe licked his dry lips. It had been more hours than he could count since he\u2019d had anything to eat or drink, and his head swam with dizziness. \u201cIs it worth it?\u201d he choked out finally. \u201cIs revenge worth all of this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue\u2019s eyes grew hard. \u201cIt\u2019s worth more than you will ever know,\u201d she replied bitterly. \u201cYou took everything away from me, Little Joe. You\u2019re going to die for that.\u201d She stood up abruptly and moved away again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe followed her every movement. He hadn\u2019t been the one who pulled the trigger of the gun that had killed her father, but he felt responsible for what had happened, nonetheless. Despair threatened to overwhelm him, and he fought it off. He berated himself mentally for being unable to come up with a plan for his escape. The exhaustion and lack of nourishment were taking their toll on his mental state. His vision wavered and blurred and he blinked in an effort to clear his sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He watched as his captor knelt before the fire. She threw another log on the fire, and then paused, staring intently into the flames. Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed as he wondered what she was thinking. Her eyes reflected the light of the fire, giving off an eerie glow, and once again, Joe felt his skin crawl.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue stood abruptly, a burning branch from the fire in her hands. Stalking toward Joe triumphantly, she laughed softly. \u201cI\u2019ve brought you a present, Joe,\u201d she whispered, holding up the flaming branch. Her eyes grew speculative. \u201cHow do you think it would feel to burn to death?\u201d she mused softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe blanched as the flaming branch was thrust nearer to him. He tried to escape the heat of the flame by backing away, but was quickly stopped by the wall at his back. \u201cMary Sue, don\u2019t!\u201d he pleaded desperately. \u201cYou can\u2019t do this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again Mary Sue laughed her eerie cackle. \u201cI can if I want to Little Joe. Burning would be a fitting punishment for the murder of my father, don\u2019t you think?\u201d She thrust the branch closer, a look of sheer delight on her face as she read the terror in Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beads of sweat stood out on Joe\u2019s forehead, his breathing was ragged and harsh. Again he tried to back away from his tormentor, but failed. Wrenching uselessly at the bonds on his wrists, a moan of fear escaped his lips. He felt his face redden from the flames and the smell of scorched hair assaulted his senses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As quickly as she had moved toward him, Mary Sue turned away, the burning torch in her hand forgotten as she trailed back toward her ragged bed in front of the fire. Absently, she tossed the branch into the flames, forgetting its existence before it could be consumed. Without a backwards glance at the shaken young man behind her, she curled up on her blanket and closed her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe fought to quiet his breathing, but the panic that remained from Mary Sue\u2019s attack was hard to dispel. His singed lashes were wet with tears as he struggled to regain a measure of calm. *Pa will come soon<\/em>* he repeated to himself, over and over again. At last exhaustion won out and he slipped into a troubled sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe scraped his bound arms up and down against the rough stone. He felt the strands parting, the bonds loosening with each motion. A shaft of pure joy surged through him when he felt the last thread part with a pop, his hands separating involuntarily. He flexed his numb and bleeding hands in an effort to get the blood circulating through the stiff fingers. Knowing that he had to escape before his tormentor returned, he stood slowly, fighting back the dizziness and nausea that accompanied the movement. Swaying against the wall momentarily, he breathed deeply, trying to will himself to stay calm. Taking first one step and then another, he crossed the small cavern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as it seemed freedom was at hand, an ominous rattling sound echoed through the cave. Joe stopped his movements instinctively. He\u2019d grown up knowing what to do in the presence of a rattle snake. Looking down he saw a large distinctively marked snake coiled just before the entrance of the cave. His heart in his throat, Joe froze in fear. He watched in horrified fascination as the snake uncoiled, his feet feeling as if they were encased in lead. The snake struck quickly, sinking its fangs into Joe\u2019s leg, just above the soft leather of his boot. With a scream of agony, he fell, watching helplessly as the snake slithered out of sight. Another movement caught his eye, and Mary Sue loomed over him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see you\u2019ve met my little friend. Did you have a nice talk?\u201d she asked simply, a grin of pure pleasure on her face. \u201cI left him there just for you, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe felt the burning pain in his leg spreading throughout his body, and another scream left his throat. Mary Sue\u2019s laugh echoed in the cave, and his last conscious thought was of his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe woke with a scream. The dream had been so real, he ached to clutch his leg to make sure that he hadn\u2019t really been bitten by a snake, but his hands were still tied tightly behind his back. His searching eyes brought him the realization that he was in total darkness. The little fire had burned out and Mary Sue was either gone or asleep. In the total darkness, it was impossible to tell which. Joe guessed that she was gone, his scream would surely have awakened her if she were here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He wondered how long he\u2019d been imprisoned in the cave. It seemed like months, but had probably only been days. He battled against increasing weakness, brought about by the conditions in the cave and the lack of nourishment. Mary Sue had given him only tiny amounts of water and little food. His dreams were becoming increasingly vivid and confused, and Joe prayed desperately for help. He didn\u2019t know how much more of this he could take. He bitterly wished that he had taken his father into his confidence, and not gone off without telling anyone. It had seemed like the best idea at the time, but he now knew how wrong he\u2019d been. He hoped he lived to offer his apologies to his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, Joe felt the lure of unconsciousness beckoning him. With nothing to keep him anchored to reality, he allowed himself to disappear into its depths. Time passed inexorably onwards, but Joe had ceased to care.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben rode toward the abandoned mineshaft, a sense of foreboding overriding all other emotions. He had been searching for his youngest son for over a week now, and there hadn\u2019t been a trace of Joe anywhere. Adam and Hoss were completely worn out from searching, spending every waking moment in the saddle. Ben felt older than his years, his joints aching and every muscle stiff from the hours in the saddle and too little rest. His heart was heavy with worry and fear for his son. And now he had one more spot to search. This mineshaft appeared to be like all the others that he had seen so far. The Ponderosa was dotted with these gaping dark holes, the remnants of a prospector\u2019s faded dream. Ben\u2019s search for Joe had taken him into far more of these nooks and crannies than he cared to remember now, but he doggedly continued to search every conceivable place where a person, or a body, could be hidden.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The opening loomed large and dark before him, the timbers half-rotted and creaking ominously as he passed beneath them. He could hear the creaks and sighs of the wood as it shifted with the rhythms of the earth. Ben held his breath as a trickle of dirt fell from the ceiling spraying him with minute particles of rock and dust. Going ever deeper into the mine, he called Joe\u2019s name over and over, hoping against hope that he would at last find his son. Something spurred him onward, and he couldn\u2019t put a name to the emotion that drove him. Holding aloft the makeshift torch that he had scrabbled together at the entrance to this gloomy hole, Ben peered into every corner. As he rounded a bend in the mine, his heart leapt to his throat. Ahead of him he spied a splash of color against the somber darkness of the mine. A touch of green trailing into the whiteness of a human hand. Rushing forward, his heart hammering madly, Ben knelt next to the fallen body of his son. With a cry of anguish he felt for a pulse and found none. Joe lay waxen and lifeless, his eyes closed, his features slack. It was obvious he\u2019d been dead for some time. Cradling his son\u2019s body in his shaking arms, Ben loosed an agonized cry that seemed to tear from the depths of his soul.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He felt rough hands shaking him, and heard his name being called over and over. Waking abruptly from his dream, he found himself looking into the worried eyes of his oldest son. Shivering slightly in reaction, Ben sat up slowly and found himself on the settee in front of the fire. It was late, and he must have dozed off before he could make his way up to bed. Rubbing his eyes with a rough hand, he blinked, trying to shake off the dream.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Pa?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was concerned, his eyes shadowed with fatigue and worry. \u201cYou screamed and I was worried about you. That must have been some dream.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled shakily and patted Adam\u2019s hand. \u201cI\u2019m fine, son.\u201d His words lacked conviction and he buried his face in hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam felt a flash of fear as he watched his strong father crumple before his eyes. Feeling helpless, he moved to sit down beside the older man, and wrapped a gentle arm around his shoulders. \u201cWould it help to talk about it?\u201d he asked quietly, knowing from long experience with Joe that sometimes talking helped to dispel the nighttime terrors.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben lifted his eyes to survey his son, and managed a weak smile. He took a deep breath and murmured, \u201cI found him. I found Joe, but he was already dead. I held his body in my arms.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shuddered at the thought, and tightened his grip on his father\u2019s shoulders. \u201cIt sounds horrible, but it was just a dream, Pa. That\u2019s all it was, a dream. We\u2019ll find him, I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been over a week with no word, no trace, nothing, Adam. I don\u2019t think we can be certain that we\u2019ll find him alive.\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes were bleak, and his voice betrayed his fading hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam closed his eyes against the sight of the pain in his father\u2019s face. \u201cWe\u2019ll find him,\u201d he repeated doggedly. \u201cAnd he\u2019ll be alive. You can\u2019t give up now, Pa. You just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled grimly. \u201cI won\u2019t give up until I find him. Someone has him and they\u2019ll pay for what they\u2019ve done.\u201d The sights and sounds of his dream surged up again, and he shivered. \u201cI dreamed I found him in an abandoned mine shaft. Have we looked at all of them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stopped to consider. \u201cWe\u2019ve checked most of them, Pa. But there\u2019s always the chance that we\u2019ve missed something. And there are a lot of caves in the upper reaches that could be used to hide someone. That is if he\u2019s on the Ponderosa at all.\u201d He stopped suddenly, not wanting to broach the thought that Joe might have been spirited away where they would never find him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stood up suddenly. \u201cThat settles it. In the morning we\u2019ll start searching all the mine shafts and cave systems again. Put every available man on it, Adam. We must have missed something.\u201d He moved toward the stairs, pulling Adam along with him. \u201cGet some sleep, son. We\u2019ll have another long day ahead of us tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the men ascended the stairs, they were both lost in thought. Hope flared anew in Ben\u2019s heart. At least he had a focus again. He stopped in front of Adam\u2019s bedroom door and faced the dark-haired man. \u201cThank you, Adam. I appreciate all you\u2019ve done.\u201d He pulled Adam into a brief embrace, more than his reserved oldest son would usually tolerate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam returned the embrace, letting his guard drop for once, as he sensed his father\u2019s desperate need for reassurance. \u201cI haven\u2019t done anything you wouldn\u2019t do for me, Pa,\u201d he replied quietly. \u201cWe\u2019ll find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking comfort in his son\u2019s strength, Ben smiled and turned toward his own room. Adam was right. They would find him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe woke again, his knowledge of the passing of time growing blurred. He had no idea how long he\u2019d been held a prisoner. The days and nights had gotten all mixed up in his head. Mary Sue was deliberately keeping him with very little food and water, and Joe\u2019s body felt limp and lethargic. His thoughts moved sluggishly and he had trouble focusing on anything for long. He didn\u2019t realize that what he felt was a combination of despair and malnourishment, and he berated himself for being unable to defeat this woman who held him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue\u2019s year in hiding had obviously warped her mind, and Joe could see the signs of madness every time she looked at him. Her touch made him shudder in revulsion and he found himself flinching away from her when she came near him. Of course this made the bedraggled woman chuckle in insane amusement at her power over this once proud man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even now, Joe heard her stirring around in some far corner of the dark cavern, and he wondered vaguely what she was doing. He heard her footsteps drawing near him, and something inside him snapped. He felt a sudden surge of hatred well up within him and it consumed his entire being. His body shook with the effort, but he levered himself to his feet and stood waiting for his tormentor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue\u2019s eyes widened when she saw Joe on his feet, she had begun to believe that all the fight had drained out of her former friend. Her jaw tightened in anger and she clutched a jagged piece of wood firmly in her hand. Her intent had been to build up the fire, but she wasn\u2019t above using it as a weapon if she had to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood silently, watching her come toward him, his face impassive. He could feel the fine tremors that racked his entire body, but he ignored them, concentrating instead on how much he hated the creature that Mary Sue had become. When she stood before him, he glared at her, hoping to intimidate her with his anger. \u201cLet me go, Mary Sue,\u201d he ordered loudly. \u201cThis has gone on long enough. You\u2019ve had your revenge, you\u2019ve kept me here, made my family crazy with worry. It should be enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue laughed eerily and spit in Joe\u2019s face. \u201cIt won\u2019t be enough until I see you dead, Little Joe!\u201d she rasped. \u201cAnd from the way you look right now, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s going to be long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She waved the rough wood threateningly. \u201cNow sit down like a good boy, Joe. You don\u2019t want to get hurt, do you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The exaggerated leer on her once-pretty face made Joe\u2019s stomach lurch. He felt his anger being replaced by panic, and he squelched that emotion quickly. He couldn\u2019t afford to fall apart now. Drawing himself up to his full height, ignoring the screams of protest from his abused muscles, he glared back at Mary Sue. \u201cI want you to get these chains off my legs, Mary Sue. And I want you to do it now,\u201d he said commandingly. \u201cI\u2019m tired of your games and I want to take my horse and go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue cackled again. \u201cYour horse! That black and white thing! I killed that miserable beast the first night I stole it from your barn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s heart contracted and his vision disappeared in a rush of scarlet. \u201cCochise!\u201d The anger and pain in his voice were terrible to hear, and Mary Sue stepped back a pace involuntarily. \u201cYou can\u2019t have killed Cochise!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe moved forward, his rage overriding his common sense. The manacles at his ankles hampered his steps and he stumbled, but pulled himself upright again. He headed toward the woman who had dared to touch his horse, murder in his eye. The fact that his hands were still tied tightly behind his back had been lost beneath the depths of his fury.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue raised her weapon, panic in her eyes. She had never thought Joe capable of such anger, and she was afraid of what he would do, in spite of his bonds. As he reached her, she raised the wood and brought it down on his head with all her strength. Joe blinked at her in surprise, but his anger kept him standing. He advanced another step, and Mary Sue hit him again. This time he crumpled to his knees, unable to take the second blow on his already abused body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked up, blood streaming from a deep wound in his scalp, the scarlet stream leaching onto the dirty green of his jacket. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d he whispered shakily. \u201cStop it, Mary Sue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But the sight of Joe\u2019s blood appeared to have completely removed the last vestige of Mary Sue\u2019s sanity. With a shout of triumph, she raised her hands again and again, until Joe sprawled at her feet, blood puddling from a horrific collection of wounds, his eyes closed and his breathing shallow. Coming to her senses, Mary Sue surveyed her handiwork with satisfaction. Joe Cartwright was dead, or close to it. Her work was done. Humming, her breath coming in deep gasps, she turned away without another look, and began to gather her few, ragged belongings. Now all that remained was to leave and begin her new life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright rode doggedly, his face set in a determined mask. He was going to find his son at all costs, and the sense that time was running out had been growing steadily throughout the last several days. Joe\u2019s life force was flickering, and his father knew it. He urged Buck forward toward yet another dark hole in the hills of the Ponderosa. He had lost count of the number of such places he had visited, but this one looked vaguely familiar. Ben passed a weary hand over his eyes. Of course it looked familiar, didn\u2019t they all look alike? Hoss, Adam, and every available hand on the Ponderosa were conducting similar searches all around the area. They were all stretched to the limits of their endurance, and Ben knew that it would soon be time to call off the search.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dismounting by the yawning opening of the cavern, Ben threw Buck\u2019s reins over a bush that nestled next to the entrance. With a fond pat for the buckskin, he made his way into the interior of the cave, stopping only long enough to fashion a rough torch out of some debris by the cave entrance. Again a nagging sense of familiarity nagged at Ben\u2019s mind, but he dismissed the thoughts out of hand. Moving deeper into the dark, narrow passageway, Ben listened to the creaks and moans of the cave, the natural sounds a counterpoint to the absolute darkness that encroached on the flickering edges of the torchlight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving slowly forward, Ben held the torch aloft, intermittently calling his youngest son\u2019s name. Receiving no response, he moved further into the bowels of the earth. Abruptly the narrow passageway widened into a small cavern, the torch light lost in the open space. With a weary sigh, Ben decided to make a circuit of the cavern and then return to his horse. Yet another dead end, he decided. It was as he came to this decision, that his foot struck the remains of a campfire, metal utensils still strewn about next to the cold ashes. Crouching hastily to examine his find, Ben sifted the ashes speculatively. They were cold, but not as old as he would have imagined. He lifted the torch a little higher, and saw a few ragged pieces of cloth in a heap next to a pallet of branches and leaves. Obviously a drifter had been using the cave as a place of residence. Another bundle of cloth caught his attention and he straightened, striding across the open space quickly. With a strangled cry, he recognized the vision from his dream, a white hand encased in a dirty green sleeve. Dropping to his knees, he groped for the wrist, cold dread freezing his blood in his veins. \u201cJoe?\u201d His voice was tremulous, and his hand shook and he listened for a pulse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was there, faint, thready, but present. Joe was still alive, at least momentarily. His skin was cool and clammy, and his hand lay limply in his father\u2019s grasp. \u201cJoe!\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was jubilant. Gathering the bundle of rags that was his son into his arms, a sob burst from his throat. \u201cOh, son, what have they done to you?\u201d Ben stood, the torch dropping to the ground as he rose. In the sudden darkness, Ben hesitated. His need to get Joe into the sunlight overrode everything else and he moved forward cautiously, feeling his way along the rough-hewn walls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The journey seemed to take forever, and Ben paused more than once to rest, propping himself and his precious burden up against the stone. After many heart-pounding minutes, he emerged, blinking, into the sunlight. Moving to a clearing near the entrance to the cave, Ben stooped and deposited the body of his son gently onto the ground. Crouching next to the limp form, Ben got his first glimpse of the extent of Joe\u2019s injuries. At first sight, his youngest son appeared to be bleeding from every point on his body. As the older man frantically tried to wipe away the worst of the stains from Joe\u2019s face, he realized that the bleeding appeared to be concentrated around Joe\u2019s head and shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A frisson of fear lanced through him as he took in the damage done to his son. Rising hastily, he grabbed a canteen off of Buck\u2019s saddle, and moved back to Joe. Propping a strong arm under the thin shoulders of Joe\u2019s emaciated frame, he held the canteen to the boy\u2019s lips. \u201cCome on, Joe, try and drink,\u201d he murmured quietly. \u201cDon\u2019t give up on me now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At first the water trickled back out of Joe\u2019s mouth, but then with a weak cough, Joe swallowed reflexively, and then again, with a little more intensity. Ben smiled in relief, and patted Joe\u2019s shoulder as he pulled away the canteen. \u201cNot too much all at once, son. We\u2019ve got to take it slow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He laid Joe down again, and then moved as far away from the battered body as he felt comfortable. Raising his gun high in the sky, he fired twice, waited a few seconds and then fired twice again. Hoping that at least one of the ranch hands was within hearing distance, Ben hurried back to his son. Patting Joe\u2019s cheek gently, he crooned, over and over. \u201cJoe! Joe, wake up. Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At last, the worried father had the response he had been waiting for. Joe stirred and moaned, his eyes clenching tightly in pain. \u201cPa?\u201d The words were a thready whisper of sound that Ben had to strain to hear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, Ben gathered Joe\u2019s battered body into his strong arms, sitting behind his son and holding him close against his chest. \u201cHold on to me, Joe,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cPa\u2019s here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sighed, his breath hitching in his chest, as he nestled closer to his father\u2019s broad chest. He didn\u2019t speak, but within minutes his breathing eased slightly, and the lines of pains lightened on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instinctively, Ben tightened his hold, cradling his son as if he were still a child. They sat that way for a long time, until the distant clatter of hooves indicated that someone had heard his signal. He waited impatiently until the rider came into view. With a shout of joy, he recognized Adam\u2019s black-clad figure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam almost threw himself from Sport\u2019s back in his haste to reach the pair sitting in front of the cave. \u201cPa! Is Joe . . . ?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice trailed off as he knelt before Joe\u2019s tattered figure. Reaching out with a trembling hand, he brushed a knuckle gently down Joe\u2019s battered cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alive, but barely.\u201d Ben\u2019s response was quick, in an effort to reassure Adam. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get him home and get Doc Martin to him quickly. He can\u2019t hold on much longer, he\u2019s lost so much blood, and I can feel his fever right through his jacket.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s jaw tightened as he fought for control of his emotions. \u201cI\u2019ll help you get him up on Buck, Pa, and then I\u2019ll go for the Doc. We\u2019ll meet you back at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He waited until Adam had gathered the frail form in his arms, and then he rose stiffly, stretching to ease the tension from his body. Quickly mounting Buck, he reached to pull Joe from Adam\u2019s waiting arms. Ben noticed that Joe never showed any signs of awareness of the movement, and it both worried him and pleased him that his son was spared further pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once Joe was safely stowed in his father\u2019s arms, Adam allowed himself one final pat of the booted foot. Then he turned and gracefully vaulted into Sport\u2019s saddle. With a final tip of his hat, he urged the horse to a gallop, leaving his father to move forward at a more sedate pace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The trip home was grueling. Ben felt every jolt and bump in the trail vicariously as Joe twisted and moaned in his arms. Joe never completely regained consciousness and seemed to be caught in a haze of nightmares. At times he sat passively in his father\u2019s arms, while at other times he fought against an unseen tormentor. It was at those times that Ben had to use all his strength to hold Joe in the saddle. He rode steadfastly forward, exhaustion threatening to overcome him. To keep himself awake and Joe calm, Ben kept up a constant soft crooning, without really hearing what he said. Joe would clench and moan, and Ben would tighten his grip, whispering endearments. \u201cEasy, son. We\u2019re almost home,\u201d he said over and over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Only once did Joe open his eyes fully, his wide green gaze bewildered and blinking in the bright sunlight. \u201cPa?\u201d he asked softly, his voice thready and weak. \u201cAre you really here? Am I dreaming again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart cramped in his chest at the pitiful words. He pulled Joe back against him tightly and freed a hand to gently stroke Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cIt\u2019s not a dream, Joe. I\u2019m here, and we\u2019re almost home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t answer, but he sighed contentedly and closed his eyes once again. Ben noted with relief that they were finally within sight of the ranch house, and he was greeted by the welcoming sight of Adam, astride Sport, racing into the yard alongside of Doc Martin\u2019s buggy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With many questions left unanswered, but with a profound gratitude that he had found his son, Ben rode slowly toward the hitching post in front of the house. He allowed Adam to pull Joe from his arms and dismounted quickly to join the waiting men. Together they moved into the house, the doctor leading the way toward Joe\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam made his way carefully along the hallway, still breathless from his trip up the stairs with his precious burden. He watched as Ben moved ahead of him to fling open the door for the doctor. Paul went immediately to the dresser to set up his instruments, while Adam deposited his brother\u2019s limp form on the bed. Working silently, Adam began to strip off Joe\u2019s boots while Ben bent to try and pull the torn and bloody jacket from Joe\u2019s shoulders. Noticing that his father was having trouble with the jacket, Adam finished quickly and moved to help with the task. The vicious attack had left Joe bleeding copiously from a myriad of wounds. Whatever weapon had been used, it had apparently had a protruding nail of some kind. The wounds were deep and cloth fibers had been driven into Joe\u2019s flesh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the two men had finally managed to remove the jacket, Ben struggled to pull the remains of the tattered shirt from Joe\u2019s body. Adam turned to get a basin of water, seeing that the shirt was stuck to the wounds with a crust of dried blood. It seemed to take forever, as the two men labored over their work. The only signs of consciousness from Joe were an occasional soft moan, or the twitch of a finger. When the shirt was at last removed, the three men got their first look at the extent of Joe\u2019s injuries. Ben\u2019s face paled, and he clutched Adam\u2019s arm convulsively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sucked in a deep breath, and struggled to school his face into a bland mask, but the rage that burned in his eyes was a frightening sight. Joe\u2019s body was a mass of bruises and abrasions. It was apparent that he\u2019d been beaten with a blunt object, and that object had been decorated with a sharp object. His skin was punctured in many places, blood oozing slowly from a welter of small puncture marks. Some of the wounds were shallow, others so deep that the doctor knew many hours of stitching were going to be required.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul took a long look at the two men who hovered over Joe\u2019s bedside. Ben\u2019s stricken face and Adam\u2019s angry eyes were enough to convince him that his next words were necessary. \u201cI want you two out of the room, please. This is going to take a while and I don\u2019t want you in my way.\u201d He held up a hand to forestall the protests that he knew were coming. \u201cSend Hop Sing up to me please, Ben. I\u2019ll need his help. You go get some coffee and rest. You can come back up in a little while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam made a noise. Obviously he was about to protest the expulsion from the room. Paul spoke quickly to forestall him. \u201cAdam, you\u2019re done in. I want you out of here. You won\u2019t help Joe any if you collapse on the bed while I\u2019m working on him. Now go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stooped over Joe\u2019s inert body. He reached to caress the still face, looking in vain for an unmarked spot to touch. He contented himself with a gentle touch to Joe\u2019s head. \u201cAll right, Paul. I\u2019ll get Hop Sing and I\u2019ll leave for a while, but I\u2019ll be back shortly.\u201d His face was determined and Paul knew that Ben would only obey orders for a short time. The other man\u2019s need to be with his son was a palpable thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The doctor nodded quietly. \u201cSo be it. Now both of you get out of here and let me do my work.\u201d He placed a firm hand on Ben\u2019s arm and escorted him to the door. \u201cGo on, don\u2019t come back until you\u2019ve had a cup of coffee.\u201d He turned and saw Adam still hovering by Joe\u2019s bed. \u201cYou too, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes were bleak as he surveyed the huddled form of his youngest brother. \u201cYou\u2019re going to save him, Doc?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s own eyes softened, and he rejoined Adam at Joe\u2019s side. \u201cI\u2019m going to do my best, Adam. He\u2019s been to hell and back, but I\u2019ll save him if I can. You know that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded, accepting the promise for what it was, the sense that Joe was in good hands easing his fears a bit. \u201cAll right, Paul. I\u2019ll leave. But I\u2019ll be just downstairs if you need me.\u201d He traced the line of Joe\u2019s jaw with a gentle finger. \u201cHang in there, little buddy,\u201d he whispered before turning to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul waited until the door shut softly behind the grim man in black, then he turned to his patient. Joe\u2019s condition was grave, and the doctor was fully aware that his promise was going to be difficult to keep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A firm hand dropped to Adam\u2019s shoulder, squeezing lightly. He looked up blearily to see his father standing over him, his face haggard and drawn. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam moved as if to rise, but Ben pressed him down firmly, and then rounded the settee to settle himself next to his oldest son. \u201cHe\u2019s sleeping. The Doc gave him some pretty strong medication for the pain, and he said that Joe should sleep for quite a while.\u201d He buried his face in his hands, exhaustion washing through every fiber in his body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was Adam\u2019s turn to put a comforting hand on his father\u2019s shoulder, and he waited patiently for Ben to pull himself together. \u201cWhat else does the Doc say, Pa? Is Joe . . . ?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head jerked up quickly. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d The vehemence startled both men, and Ben quickly modulated his tone. \u201cWho would do such a thing? Who hated Joe enough to beat him almost to death?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam closed his eyes briefly in a futile effort to shut out the sight of his father\u2019s pain. He felt a hot tide of rage course through his body, and he let it happen, drawing strength from his fury. \u201cI\u2019m going to find out.\u201d The words were simple and spoken quietly, but they radiated such cold ferocity that they fairly hissed in the quiet room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head jerked up, and he peered at Adam intently. \u201cYou\u2019ll stay within the law, Adam. I don\u2019t want you to hang over this. If we find the person, I want you to promise me that you won\u2019t do anything to put yourself in jeopardy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes glinted frostily in the light of the fire. \u201cIt won\u2019t be *if<\/em>* we find the person who did this. It\u2019ll be *when<\/em>*. And *when<\/em>* I find that person, I\u2019ll try to control myself. But I swear, Pa, when I remember how Joe looked when you found him, I find it hard to keep myself in check.\u201d He stood and paced the room, his wrath prevented him from sitting still any longer. \u201cIf Joe dies, then all bets are off,\u201d he concluded. \u201cI\u2019ll go after the animal who did this to him, and I won\u2019t hold back. That\u2019s a promise, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of footsteps descending the stairs interrupted the two men from their conversation. Doc Martin\u2019s voice preceded him into the room. \u201cHe\u2019s not going to die if I have anything to say about it, Adam. He\u2019s in bad shape, fighting infection and fever, but Joe\u2019s a tough kid. I\u2019ve never seen anyone fight harder to stay alive than your little brother. The next twenty four hours will be critical, but if he can hang on that long you can be certain he\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath. \u201cWhat can we do to help, Paul? What do you need for Joe?\u201d He rose to his full height, sloughing off his own exhaustion in his concern for his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s face softened as he looked at his old friend. \u201cYou can go to bed. You\u2019re not helping Joe by wearing yourself out. I\u2019ll sit with him for a while, and you can spell me after you\u2019ve gotten some rest.\u201d The doctor scowled fiercely. \u201cBut don\u2019t you show your face in Joe\u2019s room until you\u2019ve slept, my friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam cleared his throat, but before he could utter a word, the doctor hastened to cut him off. \u201cAnd as for you, Adam. I\u2019m telling you the same thing that I just told your father. I won\u2019t let you near Joe until you\u2019ve had some rest. The two of you are exhausted. You\u2019ve been driving yourself into the ground searching for Joe, and now you\u2019ve got nothing left. Both of you, go to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Adam exchanged sheepish looks. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like we\u2019ve got any choice, Pa.\u201d Adam\u2019s words were rueful. \u201cHe\u2019s pretty fierce when he\u2019s got a patient.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben chuckled softly, but a smile lit up his tired face. \u201cThanks, Paul. We\u2019ll go to bed, but I\u2019ll see you in two hours. Your authority only carries so far in this house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul clapped the silver-haired man\u2019s shoulder affectionately. \u201cI didn\u2019t figure I\u2019d get that long out of you, Ben.\u201d He shooed the two up the stairs in front of him, looking for all the world like a sheepdog with its flock. \u201cGo on! Get!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was only when two bedroom doors had closed behind the two weary men that Paul allowed his concern to show through. He headed back to Little Joe\u2019s room to find Hop Sing sitting beside the bed, crooning in Chinese. The two exchanged knowing looks, and then both settled in for a long vigil. Neither was willing to relinquish his post.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The early morning sun peeked through the windows of Joe\u2019s bedroom. A shaft of light tiptoed across the windowsill and meandered slowly through the room. It touched briefly on the form of a man clothed in black sleeping in a chair. His booted feet propped onto a small night stand. Stretching across the room it lingered on the form of the large man snoring, his back propped against the wall, resting on the floor because the only other chair in the room was filled by the bulk of an older man with silver hair. Dancing giddily across the room, the light glanced across the face of the young man in the bed, causing him to twitch, a sigh escaping his lips as he sleepily brushed the back of one hand across his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The movement sent shards of pain lancing through Joe\u2019s battered shoulders, and he cried out involuntarily. Three men woke instantly, rising to their feet almost as one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben beat his sons to the bed easily, and he leaned over Joe in concern. \u201cJoe? Are you all right, son?\u201d His voice was husky with exhaustion, but his face broke into a triumphant smile when Joe\u2019s eyes opened. \u201cHe\u2019s awake,\u201d he cried jubilantly. \u201cAnd I think his fever\u2019s lower. Hoss get the doctor, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked around in confusion, the sunlight dazzling his eyes, so that he squinted at the shapes hovering over him. \u201cPa?\u201d The eyes blinked again, and he covered them with his hand. \u201cSo bright,\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, close the shade,\u201d Ben ordered quickly. \u201cThe light\u2019s too much for him.\u201d He moved his bulk so that it blocked the light until Adam drew the drapes shut, dimming the room considerably. \u201cIs that better Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe lowered his hand, his gaze unfocused and uncertain. \u201cAnother dream,\u201d he murmured. \u201cI\u2019m just dreaming again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben felt a small stab of alarm, and he exchanged worried glances with Adam. \u201cWhere is that doctor?\u201d he murmured to himself. He gently took Joe\u2019s hand in his, his fingers searching to find a place that wasn\u2019t marked with a bruise. \u201cYou\u2019re home, Joe. It\u2019s not a dream.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam moved in close, his eyes sharp with worry. \u201cJoe, who did this to you?\u201d he asked abruptly. \u201cWho beat you like this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gave Adam a hostile glance. \u201cNot now, Adam, he\u2019s not fully awake yet, and he\u2019s still feverish. Don\u2019t worry him about it yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stirred, his gaze focusing for the first time. \u201cPa? Am I really home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben swallowed, overwhelmed with a sudden flash of anger at the person who had damaged his son both physically and mentally. He struggled to keep his voice warm, hiding the anger as best he could. \u201cYou\u2019re home, Joe. We\u2019re all here with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The door opened, the sound loud in the stillness of the room. Joe flinched in fear, his hands rising to defend himself from attack. \u201cDon\u2019t let her in here. Don\u2019t let her get me, Pa!\u201d His voice was shrill, and his eyes showed nothing but panic. \u201cShe\u2019s crazy, Pa. She\u2019s going to kill me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was bewildered. \u201cAre you saying it was a woman who did this to you? What woman?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul Martin strode across the room briskly. \u201cI\u2019m sure Joe\u2019s not up to answering any questions right now, Adam. I want you all to leave me alone with my patient right now. I want to examine the stitches in his back and check his fever. Go have some breakfast and I\u2019ll call you when I\u2019ve got Joe settled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Doc,\u201d Hoss sputtered indignantly. \u201cI ain\u2019t even got a chance to talk to Joe yet. Let me stay with him while you work on him. He needs someone in here with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, boys!\u201d Ben spoke firmly. \u201cThe doc\u2019s right. You two go on downstairs and have some breakfast. We\u2019re upsetting Joe with all these questions. I\u2019ll call you when Paul is finished up here.\u201d Ben\u2019s tone brooked no argument. It was clear to both the doctor and to his sons that they were going downstairs and he was staying in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss reluctantly headed for the door, both moving slowly. When they had finally cleared out of the room, Ben stepped back and allowed Paul to start his examination of Joe, although he hovered protectively close. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed again, and he seemed unaware of the examination. Paul took his time, checking every stitch, bruise and battered spot on Joe\u2019s body. Finally satisfied, he drew the sheet up to Joe\u2019s shoulders and patted the boy lovingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a tired sigh, he straightened and stretched, trying to work some kinks from his back. He turned to find Ben watching him expectantly. Taking pity on the worried father, Paul drew the man to the door. \u201cLet\u2019s go down and talk to the boys, Ben. Joe\u2019s going to sleep for a while. I gave him another dose of laudanum and it should keep him out most of the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They descended the stairs to find Hoss and Adam at the breakfast table. In spite of their worry, both had plates piled high with breakfast food set in front of them. Ben chuckled when he saw their expressions. \u201cI see that Hop Sing has been hovering over you again,\u201d he commented, taking his customary seat at the head of the table. He gestured for Paul to sit opposite him, and as if on cue, Hop Sing appeared with the coffee pot and two fresh plates.<\/span><\/p>\n

They waited while breakfast was urged on them, and soon they were staring at their own loaded plates in amazement. Hop Sing hovered by the kitchen door, and it was clear that he wasn\u2019t budging until he heard what the doctor had to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul heaved a sigh of contentment as the first wave of hot coffee and Hop Sing\u2019s pancakes hit his stomach. Between mouthfuls he updated the waiting family about Joe. \u201cHis fever has broken, and the wounds don\u2019t look too bad. A little infection but that\u2019s to be expected. He\u2019ll be in considerable pain for a while. Those bruises are quite extensive. I\u2019ll need to check on those stitches in his back daily, and I\u2019ll take them out in about two weeks if all goes well. On the whole, I\u2019d say that Joe is doing amazingly well considering that he is malnourished and dehydrated on top of his wounds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The doctor paused to take a breath and gazed back at the four pairs of watching eyes. \u201cI hope you find out who did this and get that animal put in jail. What\u2019s been done to Joe is sick and inhuman. I don\u2019t ever want to see anyone in this condition again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When he finally finished his impassioned speech, the doctor tucked into his breakfast. Hop Sing\u2019s cooking was too good to let go to waste. He appeared not to notice the bemused expressions on the faces that watched him. Ben wracked his brains but couldn\u2019t remember a time when he\u2019d ever heard Paul sound so vehement about anything. A sudden vision of Joe\u2019s bruised and bloody body flashed through his mind. He nodded his agreement with what the doctor had said. They needed to find the animal who had attacked Joe. Ben knew that he wouldn\u2019t rest until they had, and he was aware that Hoss and Adam felt the same way. It was time to turn the tables on Joe\u2019s stalker.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The late afternoon sun was riding the sky toward the horizon when the sound of hoof beats was heard in the ranch yard. It was a commonplace sound, but still, Ben stood quickly and crossed to the window. He was seated in Joe\u2019s room, waiting for his son to wake from the doctor\u2019s second dose of laudanum. His eyes widened in amazement when he saw a young girl riding astride a bay mare leading the reins of a distinctive black and white pinto. He heard Adam yelling for him, and saw his two older sons hurrying from the house. Quickly he left the room and headed down the stairs. Arriving in the yard, he found Hoss helping Laura Carson down from her horse and Adam holding Cochise\u2019s lead rein.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLaura,\u201d Ben said pleasantly, a bemused expression on his face. \u201cWhere did you get Joe\u2019s horse?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura shifted nervously and wiped her palms on her skirt. Her eyes downcast, she said in a soft voice. \u201cI have a confession to make Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights listened silently, waiting for the girl to gather her courage and speak. When she saw that they weren\u2019t going to ask questions, she continued haltingly. \u201cI\u2019ve done a very bad thing. I thought I was helping a friend in a harmless prank, but it turned out to be more than that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t hold still any longer. \u201cWhat friend? And what prank? You\u2019re going to have to be a little more specific than that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura blanched, her pale skin losing what little color it had. \u201cI bought a pair of spurs at the mercantile. And a neckerchief that Joe had been admiring. A friend asked me to follow Joe around town without him noticing, and to buy anything that he appeared to admire. I thought it was a joke, Mr. Cartwright! I really did. I even slipped something into Joe\u2019s drink at the dance. I didn\u2019t know what it would do to him. You have to believe me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face was stern, his eyes unreadable. \u201cWho asked you to do such a thing, Laura? And what now makes you think it\u2019s not a joke?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause that person came to me last night. She was riding Little Joe\u2019s horse and she was . . . was…\u201d Laura\u2019s voice trailed off, and she lifted eyes that reflected her fear. Her voice became a whisper, as she continued. \u201cShe was so odd. She was laughing to herself, and humming, and she was so filthy and wild looking. I asked her where she\u2019d gotten Joe\u2019s horse. Everyone knew that Hoss had been looking all over for Cochise, and she just laughed. I was frightened, so I waited until she went to sleep, and then I snuck Cochise out of our barn and hid him. She was furious when she woke up and he was gone. I told her he must have gotten loose and run away, but I don\u2019t know if she believed me or not. She stormed out of my house and I haven\u2019t seen her since this morning.\u00a0\u00a0 Then I brought Cochise here.\u201d Laura\u2019s eyes brimmed over with tears, the drops falling down her cheeks unheeded. She paused to wipe them away, bringing her flow of words to an abrupt halt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam leapt into the silence with barely concealed impatience, his voice sharp with anger. \u201cWho? You keep saying *she<\/em>*. Who are you talking about, Laura!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura looked at him uncertainly, trying to gauge his temper. \u201cIt was Mary Sue Henderson,\u201d she said finally. \u201cShe was a friend of mine, so when she asked me to follow Joe I did it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three pairs of eyes looked at her in horror. \u201cMary Sue Henderson!\u201d Hoss\u2019s usually mild mannered face was set in stone. \u201cHow could you do anything that Mary Sue asked you to, ma\u2019am, after what she did last year?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura looked at him in confusion. \u201cWell, I know she acted badly, but I was out of town for most of the summer. I just assumed that the rumors that I heard were untrue. You know how people exaggerate. She was my friend, and she looked like she needed help. I felt sorry for her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019ve returned Cochise to us, Laura. Joseph will be so pleased to have his horse back. I just wish you\u2019d come to us sooner. It might have saved us all a lot of heartache.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura bit back a sob. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I really am. Please tell Little Joe that I never meant to hurt him. If I\u2019d known what Mary Sue was like now, I\u2019d never have done it.\u201d She turned to go, silently accepting Adam\u2019s assistance as she mounted her horse. With a final sorrowful look, she rode out of the yard, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally Hoss let out a long, low whistle. \u201cMary Sue Henderson. What do we do now, Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam interrupted before Ben could speak. \u201cWe find her and we make sure she suffers as much as Joe.\u201d He saw Ben\u2019s look and hurried to continue. \u201cI know she\u2019s a woman, Pa, but think of Joe. Think of what she put him through. She doesn\u2019t deserve to be treated like a woman anymore. She\u2019s a crazed animal that needs to be put down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s find her first, Adam.\u201d Ben replied slowly. \u201cAt least we know whom we\u2019re looking for now.\u201d He reached for Cochise\u2019s reins and headed for the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss watched him go. The older man\u2019s need to care for Joe\u2019s horse personally was evident to both of them. Standing shoulder to shoulder, they each made a silent vow to bring Joe\u2019s tormentor to justice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Darkness had descended on the Ponderosa, and most of the residents of the sprawling ranch house had retired to bed. Ben sat in the chair by Joe’s bed watching each breath his son took. Joe hadn’t wakened from the doctor’s dose of laudanum, but it was only a matter of time. The sight of the dark bruises standing out in vivid contrast to the pale hue of Joe’s skin made Ben clench his fist in anger. He struggled with the idea that a woman had caused such extensive damage to his son. He remembered Mary Sue Henderson, had watched her grow up in fact. The last time he’d seen her she’d been incoherent with anger over the death of her father and the loss of her reputation in the town. The fact that she held Joe Cartwright directly responsible for both of these occurrences leant credence to the idea that she hated Joe enough to attempt murder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His thoughts turned to Adam and Hoss. Both men had turned in early, in preparation for an early morning departure. They intended to leave in the morning to scour the cave where Joe had been held a prisoner and the surrounding countryside for signs of the missing woman. He was afraid of what Adam might do if he caught the woman. Hoss would never harm a woman, regardless of what she had done, but Adam was another matter. In the heat of the moment, he was very capable of wreaking vengeance on anyone who threatened his family, Little Joe in particular. Ben feared the long-term consequences to his oldest son if he succumbed to those murderous impulses. He knew Adam well enough to know that when he returned to his senses, he would never forgive himself for hurting or killing a woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The heavy intake of breath from the slight form in the bed alerted Ben to the first stirring as Joe awakened.\u00a0\u00a0 He sat up quickly, and reached for the limp hand, cradling it within both of his own. He sat without speaking as Joe twitched and moaned, his eyelids fluttering as he struggled to fight off the effects of the medication. He was rewarded for his patience by the sight of Joe’s eyes gazing at him sleepily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Hi, Pa.” Joe spoke softly, his voice husky with pain and the aftereffects of the laudanum.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled, warmth spreading throughout his body as he spoke. “Hi, yourself, son. How are you feeling?” He smoothed the coverlet a little and then grasped Joe’s hand again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grimaced, “I’ve felt better. You look tired.” He glanced around the room searchingly, taking in the darkness. “Where are Adam and Hoss?”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stood briefly, fetching a pitcher of water and a glass. He busied himself with propping up Joe’s shoulders and holding a glass to his lips. He watched contentedly as Joe swallowed thirstily, waiting until he was done before speaking. “I’m feeling fine now that you’re awake. Adam and Hoss are sleeping, they’ll stop in and see you in the morning.” He grimaced when he saw the spasm of pain that flashed over Joe’s face as he was eased back onto the pillows. “Will you tell me about it?”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes briefly, willing the pain to go away. “It was Mary Sue, Pa. She’s lost her mind. I stupidly thought that I could go get Cochise back from her, and she\u2026” His voice broke, and he stopped, swallowing convulsively. “She killed Cochise .” A hint of moisture shimmered in his eyes and he reached to swipe it away with the back of his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, Cochise is fine, son.” Ben hastened to assure him. “He’s in the barn eating his fool head off. Laura Carson brought him back today.” He smiled when he saw the sheer joy flood over Joe’s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Cochise! She told me she killed him, just before she\u2026” Again words failed him and he couldn’t go on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben waited him out, soothingly stroking the few unmarked spots he could find on Joe’s body. “Easy, Joe,” he murmured. “It’s all right now. You\u2019re home.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It took a few moments for Joe to bring his emotions under control. When he was finally able to speak, he looked up at his father miserably. “I was so stupid, Pa. I thought that I could handle this all by myself, and I rode out of here without saying a word to you. The whole time she had me in that cave. I kept thinking about how I hadn’t even left you a note. I’m sorry, Pa!”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben’s smile was grim but his words were calm and measured. “We all made mistakes, Joe. I’m not saying that we won’t discuss what you did later, but for right now, I’m just happy that we have you back safe and sound. Now all you have to do is lie here and do what the doctor tells you to do and get well again.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe’s eyes were drooping with weariness, the pain gnawed at him relentlessly. “I’ll try. But I’ve got something to do pretty soon.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The question in his father’s eyes was plain to see, and so Joe continued. “I’ve got to find Mary Sue. She shouldn’t be out there on her own. She’s dangerous.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben laughed grimly, the sound chilling in the dimly lit room. “Your brothers are going to find her, don’t worry. You won’t be going anywhere for a while, and you can believe that I’m going to be right here to make sure that you don’t.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He realized that Joe’s eyes were closed again, and could tell by the soft breathing that his son had slipped off to sleep once again. Pulling the covers close around the slender shoulders, Ben settled back into his chair. He fully intended to sit by Joe’s side until he was well again. He knew his son too well. The minute his father’s back was turned he’d be out the door on a foolhardy mission to find Mary Sue. That Ben was determined to prevent. Mary Sue would be dealt with, just not by Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The clatter of boots on the porch signaled the arrival of visitors and Ben left his desk to see who was approaching. He kept his gun at the ready, prepared for anything. He wasn\u2019t going to let anyone near his injured son while Mary Sue was still at large. The door opened as he approached and he relaxed at the sight of Adam and Hoss entering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The two men were obviously trail-weary, caked with dirt and dust and a couple of day\u2019s growth of beard. Adam was brushing futilely at the dirt on his pants when they entered, but he stopped when he saw his father waiting for him. \u201cHi, Pa. How\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked quickly. \u201cI hope he looks better than he did when we left three days ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben put a finger to his lips and gestured toward the settee. \u201cLook for yourself, son. But go quietly, he\u2019s sleeping.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s broad face lit up with a beaming smile. \u201cHe\u2019s out of bed? He must be better then. The doc wouldn\u2019a let \u2018im up otherwise.\u201d He hastened to peer over the edge of the settee and the smile softened. \u201cHe looks a lot better, don\u2019t he, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam moved to join his brother and clasped a hand on his shoulder as he too bent to look at Joe carefully. The bruises were now an interesting assortment of yellows and greens and blotchy dark shades, making Joe look like a battered prize fighter, but it was a definite sign of improvement. What little undamaged skin that could be seen underneath the bruises was a much healthier color, and his breathing was soft and even. Adam took a deep breath and felt the weight of some unnamed worry fall from his shoulders. \u201cI\u2019d say he looks much improved, brother.\u201d He gestured to Ben and tugged on Hoss\u2019s arm. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s see if we can wangle a hot meal out of Hop Sing and we\u2019ll fill Pa in while we eat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An hour later, feeling much more human, the Cartwrights huddled together over coffee. \u201cNo sign of Mary Sue?\u201d Ben asked. He\u2019d restrained himself from asking questions while his sons had eaten an obviously much needed meal. Now he couldn\u2019t help but ask for the information he desperately wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head in disgust. \u201cWe\u2019ve got every available ranch hand scouring the surrounding area and there\u2019s no trace of her, Pa. It\u2019s almost like she\u2019s invisible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben flinched. \u201cDon\u2019t even joke about that!\u201d he said vehemently, causing both of his sons to look at him in amazement. Seeing that he needed to explain himself further, he added. \u201cMary Sue taunted Joe by telling him that she was invisible. I don\u2019t want Joe to hear you say those words. He\u2019s been through enough without letting thoughts like that worry him.\u201d\u201cThoughts like what?\u201d Joe\u2019s sleepy voice rose from the depths of the settee. His head slowly followed, as he pulled himself up painfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As he started to rise, Ben hastily left his seat at the table and crossed the room. He reached Joe in time to place a gentle hand on the bruised shoulder and firmly held his son down. \u201cStay right where you are, Joe, and I\u2019ll have Hop Sing bring you a tray. You know the only reason you\u2019re down here is that you promised Paul you\u2019d stay put.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded, in truth his body felt weighted down and sluggish, the bruises and battered muscles still causing him excruciating pain. \u201cThat sound good to me, Pa,\u201d he replied. \u201cBut only if Adam and Hoss fill me in on what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His brothers joined the family group in front of the fire with alacrity, and Hoss gamely launched into a description of the futile search the two had been on for the last three days. When he finished his recital, he smiled at Joe. \u201cSo maybe she\u2019s left the territory, right, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe snorted in disgust. \u201cI don\u2019t think so, brother. She\u2019s lost her mind and she wants to kill me. I really don\u2019t think she\u2019d just ride out of town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stared into the fire speculatively. \u201cShe might think you\u2019re dead, you know. When she left you, you were certainly well on your way to death\u2019s door.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head sorrowfully. \u201cIt\u2019s all over town, what happened, Adam. Everybody knows Joe ain\u2019t dead. If Mary Sue heard anyone talking she\u2019d know he\u2019s here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded his agreement. \u201cI\u2019d say it\u2019s a safe bet that she knows right where Joe is. She was able to move around undetected before, and it\u2019s possible she\u2019s doing it again. Adam, I want you to increase the number of men patrolling around the house, and Hoss, take another look around town.\u201d He pounded his leg in frustration. \u201cSomeone\u2019s got to know something, seen something. She has to make a mistake sometime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The older Cartwright sons nodded in agreement with the orders, while Joe rolled his eyes in disgust. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine, Pa. I\u2019m expecting her this time. She won\u2019t take me by surprise again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben glared at Joe, his brows drawn together fiercely. \u201cYou aren\u2019t leaving this house, Joe. Not until Mary Sue is caught. The woman is capable of murder, and who knows where she is right now.\u201d He tried to soften his tone, and he reached to pat Joe\u2019s leg gently. \u201cWe\u2019ll catch her, son, and then life will go back to normal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded sullenly, suddenly too tired to argue. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go on up to bed, Pa,\u201d he murmured, painfully levering himself off the settee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss moved instinctively to help him, smiling a good night at his father as he placed a firm arm around Joe\u2019s waist. \u201cI\u2019ll go on up with ya, Joe. I\u2019m done in myself, and it\u2019ll be another long day tomorrow.\u201d His eyes sent a message of reassurance to his father and the two made their way slowly up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben waited until the door of Joe\u2019s room shut, and he felt that it was safe to talk. \u201cWhat do you think, Adam? Where is Mary Sue?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed and steepled his fingers together in front of his face. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa. She\u2019s capable of anything, and has shown that she can move around at will. I\u2019m worried.\u201d The simple statement hung in the air, bringing with it the air of unease that Adam was feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stood and stretched tiredly, his face drawn with worry. \u201cThen we\u2019ll keep watch until she\u2019s found. I don\u2019t want her to have another shot at Joe.\u201d He patted Adam\u2019s shoulder and headed for the stairs. \u201cI\u2019m turning in too, and I\u2019d suggest you do the same. Hoss\u2019s right. It\u2019ll be a long day tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled gently. \u201cI\u2019m not ready to go up yet, Pa. I\u2019ve got some things to think over. I\u2019ll head up in a little while.\u201d He watched as his father moved up the stairs, and couldn\u2019t help noticing how old his father appeared. The whole situation was draining the life out of the man. Adam stared morosely into the fire. There had to be a solution. He\u2019d be damned if he let someone get away with hurting his brother the way Mary Sue had hurt Joe. Adam would follow her to the ends of the earth if necessary. He leaned back against the back of the chair, and allowed his mind to roam freely. It would be a long night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A week later, Joe was chafing at the bit to get out of the ranch house and away from his family. His bruises were now fading, and his muscles had quit protesting at the slightest movement. He was still stiff and sore, but felt more like his old self. He had only been allowed to the barn and back, and he spent much of his time out there, crooning endearments to his horse. Cochise responded in kind, both man and horse overjoyed with their reunion. Adam and Hoss had scoured the countryside for most of the week to no avail. Mary Sue had vanished as completely as if she were truly invisible. Forced by missed deadlines, and overdue ranch chores, they had reluctantly called off the search and returned to work. Ben made good on his promise to keep Joe in eyesight, however, until his youngest son was ready to scream.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s need for freedom remained unfulfilled, however, the day finally came when Ben agreed to leave him unsupervised at the ranch. Hoss and Adam had been called out to the timber camps to discuss some problems with filling an order, and Ben urgently needed to consult with his lawyer about some business matters. It galled Ben that he had to leave Joe alone after he had taken his stand against this very thing, but at last he gave into necessity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He swung into Buck\u2019s saddle, his face set in a scowl. \u201cNow, Joe. You stay near the house, that means you don\u2019t get on Cochise\u2019s back for any reason, you hear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded wearily. \u201cI\u2019ve already promised to be a good boy, Pa. I\u2019ll be fine, I\u2019m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben took in the fading bruises, and noted that Joe still stood uncomfortably. His face softened and he bit back the obvious reply.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know son, I\u2019m sure you can. But if you\u2019d like to make your father happy, please do as I say, just this once.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded reluctantly. \u201cI\u2019m going to be in the barn for a while, Pa. I hope that\u2019s okay with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben ignored the obvious sarcasm, and patted Joe\u2019s shoulder gently. \u201cThanks, Joe. I\u2019ll be home soon. Take it easy today, you\u2019re not as well as you think you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe rolled his eyes, but he smiled back at the worried man. \u201cGo on, Pa. Get out of here, I\u2019ll be a good boy, I promise.\u201d He shooed Ben and Buck away with his hands. \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a final measuring look and a tip of his hat, Ben rode out of the yard at a gentle trot. Joe sighed with relief and felt at peace with the world. It was the first time he\u2019d felt truly alone since he\u2019d returned to the Ponderosa. He loved his family, but the constant hovering had been grating on his restless spirit. Wishing he could saddle up and go for a long ride, he headed for the barn. He knew that he would honor his promise to his father, but he fully intended to spend a while with his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A few pleasant hours had passed, and Joe flexed his shoulders gingerly. He was still sore, even though he\u2019d never admit that to his father, and the long hours of grooming had made him ache. He turned to put away the brushes and stopped abruptly. Standing before him, eyeing him malevolently was a familiar tattered figure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Little Joe.\u201d Mary\u2019s Sue\u2019s voice was bitter and filled with suppressed rage. \u201cI see you survived your little beating. I\u2019m sorry to see that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood still and eyed her warily. She was dressed in a pair of britches hitched up with suspenders, and her hair tucked into a boy\u2019s hat. He would have known her anywhere because of the crazed eyes, but to a casual observer, she would appear to be just another hand on one of the local ranches. Joe understood now how she seemed to appear and vanish at will. It had never occurred to anyone that she was masquerading as a boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want, Mary Sue?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was even and toneless, as he struggled to control the frisson of fear that shot up his spine. \u201cIf you value your life, you\u2019d better ride out of here, half the territory is looking for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue laughed, and Joe\u2019s flesh crawled at the sound. \u201cYou know that\u2019s not true, Joe. They stopped looking for me a few days ago. You forget I have ways of knowing what\u2019s happening in Virginia City. I know all about you almost dying and about the search being called off. So don\u2019t even try to lie to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She moved forward a step and Joe instinctively moved backwards into Cochise\u2019s stall. The pinto moved restlessly as he sensed the tension emanating from his master\u2019s body. Joe put out a hand to steady himself and to calm the horse at the same time. \u201cI asked what you wanted, Mary Sue,\u201d he said again. \u201cYou\u2019ve had your revenge, now get out of here and leave me alone.\u201d He moved back another step and realized that he was pressed against the wall of the barn, with nowhere to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Sue moved forward again, drawing a knife from behind her back as she did so. \u201cOh, I won\u2019t leave just yet, Little Joe,\u201d she crooned lovingly. \u201cI\u2019ve got some unfinished business with you. You aren\u2019t dead yet, after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe glanced frantically around the stall for a weapon, but there was nothing at hand. He cursed inwardly and braced himself for Mary\u2019s Sue\u2019s attack. She moved inexorably forward, an insane gleam in her eye and a feral grin on her lips. Joe followed her every movement warily, and he was ready when she made her first lunge. As she swung the knife at him, Joe dodged to the side, only to run into Cochise\u2019s broad side. The pinto danced and whinnied nervously, the movement pushing Joe back toward Mary Sue. It had been enough to have the swing go wide, and instead of burying itself in Joe\u2019s chest, the knife glanced off his arm, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hissed in pain, but he moved to the offensive, lunging out at Mary Sue in an attempt to grab her arm. She was expecting the move and sidestepped his outstretched arm. Joe was boxed into the corner of the stall, with Cochise shuffling nervously to his left and the solid wall to his right. He backed as far into the stall as he could and braced himself for the woman\u2019s next attempt. Cochise let out a shrill scream of fear as he caught the waves of tension that emanated from the human being that he knew best.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned his eyes toward the horse instinctively, and he reached to stroke the beast\u2019s nose. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, boy,\u201d he said, as calmly as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But the division of his attention proved to be his undoing. Mary Sue darted forward, knife raised high. She slashed it down toward him, and he could only twist futilely in an effort to get out of the path of the blade. He screamed as he felt the blade plunge into his back, sinking to his knees in agony.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cochise, the scent of blood strong in his nostrils, screamed again, the sound splitting the air. Mary Sue moved in for a killing stroke just as the horse launched himself upwards, the leather that tied him to the stall loosening with the violence of his movements. The horse\u2019s hooves crashed down indiscriminately, and Joe screamed again as he felt one glance off his thigh. He was lost in a world of pain and chaos, the sounds of the shrieking horse intermingling with another high-pitched sound. The world went dark as he lost his fight to stay in control of the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam rode up to the hitching post in front of the ranch house. He dismounted quickly, tied Sport\u2019s reins to the post and headed for the house. \u201cJoe!\u201d he called as he entered. He stopped as silence greeted him. \u201cJoe!\u201d He tried again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing bustled around the corner from the kitchen. \u201cWhat you yelling for?\u201d he asked briskly. \u201cMister Joe not in here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam frowned. \u201cNot in here? Where is he then? He knows that Pa wanted him to stay around the house. That\u2019s why I came back, I knew he wouldn\u2019t listen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing headed back toward the kitchen, a string of Chinese words following in his wake. He stopped just before he disappeared around the corner, cocking his head back at Adam. \u201cMister Joe go see horse hours ago. All a time, he\u2019s with horse. Probably still in barn.\u201d He faded out of sight, still muttering as he went.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam grinned briefly at the little man, and then he turned to head for the barn. He had a strong sense of foreboding pressing on him. Joe wasn\u2019t known for obeying instructions and this was his first opportunity to leave the house without someone holding him back. Adam wouldn\u2019t be at all surprised to find Cochise gone when he got to the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The barn\u2019s interior was dim, shafts of light filtering in through cracks in the walls and ceiling, creating a pleasing view, as small motes of dust swirled gently in the air. Adam entered the structure, waiting momentarily for his eyes to adjust to the change in light. He heard Cochise shuffling, uttering nervous snorts and snuffling at something in the stall. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam moved forward quickly, and then stopped, his blood freezing in his veins. He saw Cochise first, as the animal danced nervously around the stall. The walls and floor were liberally daubed with splotches of red, and Adam caught the acrid tang of blood. Two crumpled figures lay at the horse\u2019s feet, in constant danger of being stepped on by the prancing hooves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam\u2019s voice rang out stridently, and Cochise\u2019s head jerked up as the horse gave a shrill cry of fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam forced himself to walk calmly, holding his hand out to the animal, crooning in a soft voice as he walked. Cochise finally allowed him to grab the halter, and Adam spent a few precious seconds calming the animal down. He quickly untied the remaining thongs of leather that held the horse in the stall, leading him quickly to a clean one across the barn. That taken care of, he dashed across the barn to the carnage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At first Adam\u2019s eyes were only for Joe, who lay in a crumpled heap in the corner of the stall. A bleeding gash on his arm, and deeper, pulsing wounds on his back and thigh gave silent evidence of what had transpired. Adam knelt and felt for a pulse, heaving a sigh of relief when he found one. \u201cOh, Joe. What have you done now?\u201d he whispered to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was only after ascertaining that Joe still breathed that Adam turned his attention to the other still form. His eyes widened when he rolled the boy over, only to find Mary Sue\u2019s sightless eyes staring back at him. He felt for a pulse with shaking fingers, finding none. The deep depression on the back of her skull gave evidence of what had killed her. In his panic, Cochise had brought his hooves down on anything in his path. Mary Sue had borne the brunt of his unwitting attack.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam quickly closed the staring eyes, and turned his attention back to his brother. He would deal with Mary Sue later, but Joe took precedence in his thoughts. Scooping up the slender body, he headed for the house, bellowing for Hop Sing as he went.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, three men paced before the great stone fireplace, their faces set in grim masks. This time joined by Sheriff Coffee. The doctor had arrived at the same time as Ben and the sheriff, all summoned by the ranch hand that Adam had dispatched. Ben had only glanced at the grisly scene in the barn before racing for the house. He left Roy Coffee making an examination of the scene. Hoss had ridden in on a lathered horse moments later, the urgent summons he\u2019d received leaving him no doubt that his presence was needed back at the house. Roy had finished his study of the scene and dispatched a couple of men to town, bearing a grisly burden wrapped in a blanket and draped over the saddle of a pack horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now all four men looked up as the doctor appeared at the head of the stairs. When Paul reached the bottom, he almost turned and fled back up, as the men moved forward in a mass.\u00a0\u00a0 Holding his hands up in mocking self-defense, Paul smiled wearily. \u201cWell, you\u2019ve got a lucky boy, there Ben.\u201d He settled himself into a chair and gratefully accepted the cup of coffee that Hoss silently handed him. \u201cHis arm is badly bruised, but not broken. The wound on his thigh was very bad and I\u2019ve stitched it up, but I want him to stay off that leg for a while. His back will be sore, and he\u2019s got a couple of cracked ribs, but not much more than that. I think once I examine the other body we\u2019ll see that Mary Sue took the brunt of the horse\u2019s hooves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled in relief. \u201cIs he awake? Can I see him now?\u201d He was already heading for the stairs and it was clear that he was going to be with his son regardless of the answer he received.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Hoss and Adam moved as if to join him, Paul intervened. \u201cLet your father go up first, boys. Joe is pretty upset and I think he needs some time alone with his father.\u201d He saw Roy make a move and shook his head at the sheriff. \u201cYou too, Roy. You can question him later. Let Ben talk to him first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Grudgingly the three men sat back down, but their eyes and their attention were focused on the stairs. Given the word they would all have left their seats and rushed for the bedroom, but the doctor held them back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben opened the door softly and moved into the room, an expectant smile on his face. He was greeted by a pale face, and the sight of Joe lying swathed in bandages. Seeing his father enter, Joe turned his face to the wall. \u201cI don\u2019t feel much like talking right now, Pa,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI think I need to rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed. He couldn\u2019t refrain from gently touching the exposed shoulder that peeked over the tops of the bedclothes.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt might help to talk about it, son,\u201d he said gently. \u201cBut in either case, I think I\u2019ll just stay here for a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned and tried to smile at his determined father. He was fully aware that Ben wouldn\u2019t leave his side when he was sick or injured. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa. The Doc says I\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes were calm, his face carefully dispassionate. \u201cI really thought you might like to talk about Mary Sue. You haven\u2019t asked about her at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grimaced. \u201cI feel so stupid, Pa,\u201d he said finally. \u201cI really thought I could handle her on my own. She came after me with a knife and there wasn\u2019t anything I could do to stop her. And then Cochise got upset and started rearing . . . \u201d his voice trailed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben reached for Joe, taking his hand in an instinctive gesture of comfort and support. \u201cShe\u2019s dead Joe, and now you can finally put all this behind you. She won\u2019t hurt you anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes were haunted, his face drawn into grim lines that made him look older than his years. \u201cShe hated me so much. She blamed me for all her troubles.\u201d He turned to look deep into his father\u2019s eyes. \u201cCould I have done anything different? Would it have made a difference to Mary Sue if I hadn\u2019t found out what she was doing to Renny?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stroked Joe\u2019s hand within his, his thumb smoothing away the tenseness of the fingers. \u201cWe can\u2019t go back and undo the past, Joe,\u201d he replied quietly. \u201cYou made your choices, just as Mary Sue made hers. She wasn\u2019t completely sane when she came back here. You know that. You know in your heart that you wouldn\u2019t do anything differently, would you? You can\u2019t help being who you are, son. And if it makes you feel any better, I wouldn\u2019t want you any other way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned softly. \u201cI appreciate that, Pa. You always know just what to say, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cMy job as a father is to make you *think<\/em>* I always know what to say, Joe. The truth is I\u2019m often at a loss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes were closing in spite of themselves. He winced a little as he shifted restlessly on the bed. \u201cYou coulda fooled me,\u201d he murmured. His breathing became soft and even and he succumbed to the oblivion that sleep could bring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s smile faded and he gazed at his son, reflecting on how close he had come, yet again, to losing this child. He settled more comfortably into his chair, all the while keeping his hold on Joe\u2019s hand. It would be some time before anyone would be able to persuade him to leave Joe\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~**~*~**~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe rode Cochise slowly toward the edge of town. He had only been allowed on the horse for the past two days and he\u2019d finally escaped from his father\u2019s watchful eyes. He rode with silent determination, his mind focused on his destination. Absently he patted his pocket, thinking of the letter that resided there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He pulled out the letter and read it again as he rode, although he\u2019d memorized the words already.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dear Joe,<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m sorry I haven\u2019t written to you before, but Grandma and Grandpa didn\u2019t think I should write to a grown man. They said it wasn\u2019t proper! Who wants to be proper, anyway? When Grandma and Grandpa told me about Mary Sue and what she did to you, I begged them to let me send you this letter. I was so sad to think of my sister dying, but she wasn\u2019t the same girl that I remember. She never did get over Pa\u2019s death, and I don\u2019t think she was herself anymore. She never wrote to me after I left town with my grandparents. I\u2019m sorry if she hurt you, but please remember, that I love you, Joe! Not all of the Hendersons are bad people. Will you do me a favor, and take Mary Sue some flowers from me? I cry when I think of her all alone with no one to care for her anymore.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Love, <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Kitty<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled softly as he thought of the little blond-haired dynamo, who\u2019d always held the key to his heart. He could remember the exuberant hug she\u2019d given him, before she\u2019d been whisked off to St. Louis by her grandparents. He felt he owed it to her to honor her wishes. And now he rode toward Mary Sue\u2019s final resting place, the graveyard at the edge of town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights had quietly paid for the burial of the woman who had kidnaped and tortured the youngest son of the family. Joe had been too ill to attend the simple service that had been held over the grave, but Ben Cartwright had lent his presence to the ceremony. He had reported that besides the preacher and the grave digger, he\u2019d been the only person in attendance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A pang of regret struck Joe to the quick as he thought of Mary Sue\u2019s promising life gone so viciously wrong. He still wrestled with the nightmares of his imprisonment at her hands, and would perhaps do so for months to come. But in some corner of his heart, he still held himself to blame for her descent into madness. After all, he had caused the death of her father and destroyed her reputation in Virginia City. Adam might have been the one who pulled the trigger, but it was Joe who had shredded Mary Sue\u2019s character in court and enraged her father to the point where he\u2019d lost control and drawn his gun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He dismounted at the gate, hitching Cochise to the fence post before crossing quickly to the fresh grave at the corner of the small cemetery. A simple tombstone, paid for with Cartwright money, stated the name and dates of the occupant of the plot, but that was all. Joe knelt next to the grave and let all his memories of Mary Sue wash over him, starting with the last glimpse he had of her insane eyes and snarling grin. He covered his eyes and let himself move back in time. Seeing her crouching before the fire in the cave, sitting on the witness stand at his trial, smirking up at him during the fateful dance when she\u2019d accused him of trying to attack her. But then he let older memories surface, scenes of them enjoying other dances, playing in the schoolyard and chasing each other around town as children flickered through his mind at a rapid pace. He smiled slightly as the visions of the mad-woman\u2019s face was replaced by one of the small girl who\u2019d been his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He picked up a handful of dirt from the mound heaped over the grave site and let it trickle back through his fingers. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust . . .\u00a0\u00a0 With a last look at the headstone, he laid a small bouquet of flowers under Mary Sue\u2019s name. For Kitty, he thought. But for himself too. He felt more at peace than he had in a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising to go, his eyes caught sight of something that fluttered gently in the slight breeze, just past Mary Sue\u2019s tombstone. He bent to pick it up, and felt the small hairs on the back of his arms stand up. It was a beautiful blue satin ribbon, very like one Mary Sue had worn in their schooldays. Joe glanced around quickly. No one else was in sight. No other graves were close to this one. He let the ribbon drop to the ground and turned to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe almost ran for Cochise, glad he\u2019d left the flowers and allowed some healing to begin, but unsettled by the ribbon. As he turned for home, he caught sight of two horses moving toward him. He smiled happily, and moved to meet them. His brothers had come to make sure he was all right and escort him home. Under normal circumstances he would have chafed under their watchful protection, today he welcomed it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the three Cartwrights rode for home, the breeze picked up briskly, rippling through the trees with a rustling sound. Joe cocked his head and listened, for a moment it had sounded like the ripple of a young girl\u2019s laughter as she had chased a curly-haired boy through the school yard. Putting his heel to Cochise\u2019s side, he urged the horse forward. \u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d he called and the men rode quickly away from the graveyard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The wind stilled, finally dying. The ripple of laughter continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The End<\/span><\/p>\n

July 2001<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tags:<\/strong> Family<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Strange happenings on the Ponderosa. –<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0T (30,095 words)<\/p>\n

The Vicious Circle Series, links to all stories of this series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":379,"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":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2208,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/bonanza.jpg?fit=295%2C295&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":577,"position":0},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":56550,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=56550","url_meta":{"origin":577,"position":1},"title":"Among The Ponderosa Pines (by Heather-Chrysalis)","author":"Heather-Chrysalis","date":"March 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A poem about the Ponderosa Pines and the Cartwright family and how similar they are. Rated G\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Wordcount: 135","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\/2024\/04\/Pinecone-Challenges.png?fit=505%2C459&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12738,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12738","url_meta":{"origin":577,"position":2},"title":"The Noose (by GinnyF)","author":"Ginny F","date":"March 23, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A deserted town and strange happenings.\u00a0 Will the boys survive the night? Rating:\u00a0 T (1,820 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\/2015\/02\/brothers.jpg?fit=296%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":58121,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=58121","url_meta":{"origin":577,"position":3},"title":"The Horse Auction (by LillianMontane)","author":"LillianMontane","date":"September 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Adam and Joe go to a horse auction. Rated:\u00a0 K+ Word count: 1239","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Bonanza-slide.jpg?fit=1086%2C815&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Bonanza-slide.jpg?fit=1086%2C815&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Bonanza-slide.jpg?fit=1086%2C815&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Bonanza-slide.jpg?fit=1086%2C815&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Bonanza-slide.jpg?fit=1086%2C815&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48300,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48300","url_meta":{"origin":577,"position":4},"title":"I Like Dreamin’ (by Heather-Chrysalis)","author":"Heather-Chrysalis","date":"February 29, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A special and personal poem about what Bonanza means to me. Rated G\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Wordcount: 478","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\/2023\/04\/The-Bride.jpg?fit=600%2C452&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/The-Bride.jpg?fit=600%2C452&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/The-Bride.jpg?fit=600%2C452&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5392,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5392","url_meta":{"origin":577,"position":5},"title":"The Ballad of Ben Cartwright (by ansinico)","author":"ansinico","date":"May 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0l have put my own words to the\u00a0air of an Irish drinking song, \u00a0'The Wild Rover' also called 'No Nay Never' \u00a0l hope you like it. Rated: K \u00a0(500)","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ben-1.jpg?fit=234%2C234&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/577","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\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=577"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/577\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}