{"id":5784,"date":"2005-05-25T23:45:36","date_gmt":"2005-05-26T03:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5784"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:46","slug":"breed-of-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5784","title":{"rendered":"Breed of Violence (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>A What happened in between for the episode.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0WC 4400<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Breed of Violence\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As Dolly Kincaid rushed back in the door and knelt beside her father, Joe Cartwright wearily lowered his gun. It was over; he and his brother Hoss were safe. For a moment, Joe closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

Opening them again, Joe knew that they would have to get help. Sheriff Kincaid was hurt \u2013 badly for all Joe knew. Poke was gut-shot and bleeding heavily, Clegg had been hit in the shoulder and Robe was unconscious, thanks to Hoss. Vince Dagen, the leader of the gang, also lay bleeding on the floor, courtesy of Joe. There was no way Hoss, Dolly and Joe could get the five injured men to safety by themselves.<\/p>\n

Forcing his sore, weary body to rise, Joe holstered the gun. \u201cI\u2019ll go and see if I can find the rest of the posse,\u201d he told Hoss. \u201cLet\u2019s get them tied up first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree about the tiein\u2019 up,\u201d Hoss grunted, \u201cbut ya ain\u2019t goin\u2019 nowheres, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we can\u2019t do this by ourselves,\u201d Joe objected. \u201cWe need help!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know we do, lil brother,\u201d Hoss replied, softening his tone. \u201cBut I ain\u2019t gonna allow ya ta do it. Joe,\u201d he explained earnestly, as he saw the confusion on his younger brother\u2019s face, \u201cya\u2019ve been hurt, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Startled, Joe brushed off Hoss concern. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he claimed dismissively.<\/p>\n

\u201cYer bleedin\u2019, Joe,\u201d Hoss declared flatly. He lifted Joe\u2019s right hand, the knuckles raw and swollen, and pointed to it. \u201cThis ain\u2019t the worst o\u2019 it,\u201d Hoss went on. \u201cYer other hand an\u2019 yer eye an\u2019 yer ear. No, Joe, I ain\u2019t allowin\u2019 ya ta go anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right,\u201d Dolly agreed softly. \u201cI\u2019ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n

At once, both the Cartwrights started to object, but they were silenced by the sound of horses outside. \u201cThe posse!\u201d Hoss exclaimed in glad tones. \u201cI\u2019ll go out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you don\u2019t!\u201d Joe cried. \u201cLet them come in! They don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on in here! They could shoot you by accident easily enough!\u201d<\/p>\n

To confirm Joe\u2019s words a shout was heard from outside. \u201cYou in the cabin! Throw out your guns!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll throw them out,\u201d Hoss called back. \u201cThe bank robbers are all in here an\u2019 they ain\u2019t gonna cause no trouble.\u201d He slowly threw the guns out of the door.<\/p>\n

There was a hiatus for a few moments before the deputy slowly entered the cabin, his gun cocked and ready. It only took seconds for him to assess the situation and then he was calling out orders. \u201cGet in here! Someone check and see if there\u2019s a wagon in the barn.\u201d He looked at the Cartwrights. \u201cYou two all right? Dolly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re fine,\u201d Joe replied, although he was suddenly feeling anything but fine. His knuckles were throbbing and so was his head. The room was spinning and Joe wanted nothing more than to sit down, close his eyes and sleep for a week. Light-headed, he staggered and Hoss caught him, practically carrying him over to the rough bunk where they had spent a good part of the last 16 hours or so.<\/p>\n

\u201cSiddown,\u201d he ordered Joe gruffly. \u201cYa jist stay there an\u2019 let us do the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe protested, but he didn\u2019t make any effort to rise. His eyes closed for a moment before he forced them open again. \u201cDolly, I\u2019m sorry about the things I said to you,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Dolly replied. She looked anxiously down at her father again. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I was such a fool, Joe! I thought Vince\u2026\u201d Dolly didn\u2019t finish the thought. Joe knew what she thought Vince would do for her and he was sorry that Dolly had had her eyes opened to reality so forcefully. However, it was better that she had her heart broken before she found herself pregnant, unmarried and alone somewhere down the road, with no place left to go.<\/p>\n

Time drifted away from Joe as the deputy and the rest of the posse organised their return to Virginia City. Kincaid and Poke were going in the wagon. Clay, Robe and Dagen were going down on horseback. Dolly was distraught that she couldn\u2019t ride with her father, but there simply wasn\u2019t room in the wagon. Hoss helped her mount her horse and then went back to waken Joe.<\/p>\n

Leading the exhausted young man outside, Hoss overheard the argument that had blown up. \u201cLook,\u201d he interrupted, his usual quiet manner subdued by his overwhelming tiredness. \u201cWhy don\u2019t ya take Sheriff Kincaid an\u2019 Poke ta the Ponderosa? It\u2019s closer than Mormon Flats an\u2019 they both need the doctor. Dolly c\u2019n come with us and ya c\u2019n take them others back ta the jail in Mormon Flats.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see what you\u2019re saying\u2026\u201d the deputy began, looking uneasy. \u201cBut Poke is a criminal\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA criminal who\u2019s been gut-shot,\u201d Joe replied, bluntly, \u201cand who might not survive.\u201d He walked to Cochise\u2019s side and put one hand on the saddle. His whole body ached fiercely and Joe was not sure that he would be able to mount. \u201cHe\u2019s at least got a chance of standing trial if he comes to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t gonna escape,\u201d Hoss added earnestly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d Dolly begged. \u201cPa might not have long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d the deputy agreed. \u201cI\u2019ll be over as soon as we have these three locked up.\u201d He nodded to the others. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

From his position on his horse, Vince Dagen looked over at Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll be back, Cartwright,\u201d he promised. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll get you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d the deputy ordered, and nudged Dagen\u2019s horse to make it move.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t comin\u2019 back, Joe,\u201d Hoss promised, moving to his younger brother\u2019s side. He looked at Joe\u2019s pale face and a pang of worry lanced through his gut. \u201cLet\u2019s get ya home,\u201d he suggested and boosted Joe into the saddle, making sure his brother was securely seated before going and wearily mounting his own horse.<\/p>\n

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

It was a long journey back down, and part of the way there, they met Adam, who was coming to join with them in their hunt for the timber wolves. He was shocked when he saw his brothers and heard the story and immediately took charge, relieving the weary Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ll get someone to go for the doctor and alert Pa,\u201d he said, giving them all searching looks. Their ordeal had left Hoss, Joe and Dolly pale and tired. \u201cThen I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d He put his heel to his horse and rode off. He had left some men less than a mile behind him.<\/p>\n

It was only when Adam returned that Hoss was able to admit that he felt less than well himself. Hoss had been knocked out for a few moments the previous afternoon and had refused to give in to the pounding headache that had plagued him ever since. Worry over Joe\u2019s constant goading of Dagen, being forced to watch from the sidelines as Joe fought with Dagen, plus the exertion of digging up the barn floor to bury poor Traeger had all taken their toll on Hoss\u2019 strength. He was about ready to fall off his horse and sleep wherever he landed.<\/p>\n

That fact wasn\u2019t lost on Adam, who was unsure which of the three required most support. Dolly rode beside the wagon, peering anxiously down every few seconds. Her father was still and pale, the makeshift bandage on his chest just beginning to show spots of blood. Adam hadn\u2019t seen Dolly Kincaid in years \u2013 not since she was a young girl running after Joe. She had grown up to be very pretty, but he didn\u2019t know her well enough to guess how she would cope with this crisis. He resolved to keep a close eye on her.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Adam knew Joe very well. He had seen his youngest brother in various states of distress and although he had seen Joe look worse, he hadn\u2019t often seen him look like this. Joe was pale, apart from the dried blood on his face. Blood had curved down from a nasty, deep cut above his right eyebrow and down from his left ear. There was a dark bruise and gash on Joe\u2019s left cheekbone and the growing imprint of a hand on his right cheek. Joe\u2019s hands were swollen, bruised and bloodied \u2013 a sure indication of a fist-fight if Adam had ever seen one. Joe looked exhausted and dazed and Adam realised that he was functioning solely on instinct, unaware, by and large, of where he was. Adam made sure he rode close to Joe, ready in case his brother toppled from the saddle.<\/p>\n

It was difficult to tell with Hoss, as the middle brother seldom showed when he wasn\u2019t feeling well. But today, Adam was left in no doubt that his other brother was not firing on all cylinders. It could just be exhaustion or it could be something more. Adam didn\u2019t know and he certainly didn\u2019t want to question them in Dolly\u2019s hearing. In fact, Adam had no idea how Dolly came to be with Joe and Hoss, or what had happened to them and Sheriff Kincaid. Last he had seen of his brothers, they were going to Traeger\u2019s place to hunt for wolves. Had Kincaid deputised them?<\/p>\n

It was a silent party that finally trailed into the yard to find Ben waiting with Hop Sing and a couple of the ranch hands. Kincaid was dispatched at once to the downstairs bedroom, where Doc Martin was waiting for him. Poke was sent to the bunkhouse to await his turn with the good doctor and Joe was eased from his horse and supported up to his bedroom, where Ben helped him change from his grimy, bloodstained clothes and put him to bed. Adam followed Hoss upstairs, but Hoss refused any help. He lay down on his bed and was asleep in seconds.<\/p>\n

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

It was an anxious few hours for Ben. He checked Joe and Hoss regularly while he waited for word on Kincaid. It was a couple of hours before Paul Martin emerged from the downstairs bedroom and announced that it had been close, but he expected Kincaid to make a full recovery. He then headed out to the bunkhouse to look at Poke. By some miracle, the wound to Poke\u2019s stomach was not as bad as it had first seemed and he was soon resting comfortably. Later, he would be transferred to the jail.<\/p>\n

Exhausted now, Paul slowly mounted the stairs and wished \u2013 not for the first time \u2013 that he had an assistant. He went into Joe\u2019s room first and found the youngest Cartwright in a restless sleep. He woke Joe and proceeded to check him over. Apart from the gash above his eye, Joe had mostly escaped with bruises. Paul took stitches in the eyebrow and bandaged Joe\u2019s bruised, swollen knuckles. Then he gave him some laudanum to help him rest and went to see Hoss.<\/p>\n

The middle Cartwright son was difficult to rouse, worrying Paul, although he strove to hide his anxiety from Ben, who was anxious enough for the both of them. However, after a thorough examination, Paul concluded that Hoss was simply exhausted and he was allowed to go back to sleep. The bump on the head had not given Hoss a concussion, but Paul advised Ben to keep a close eye on him for the next couple of days. That done, he went wearily downstairs with Ben and accepted a much-needed cup of coffee and a sandwich.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to them, Ben?\u201d he asked. \u201cI didn\u2019t get much information from the man Adam sent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really know,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cJoe said that they had met up with Vince Dagen again and that Dagen had robbed the bank in Mormon Flats. But that was all he said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss fell asleep at once,\u201d Adam amplified. \u201cSo he wasn\u2019t much help. Dolly was too distracted and I didn\u2019t like to push her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, whatever it was, it clearly wasn\u2019t good,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cJoe took quite a beating.\u201d He sighed and felt the tug of sleep. \u201cI\u2019d better get going,\u201d he declared and rose to his feet.<\/p>\n

There was a knock at the door. Adam rose and answered it, finding Kincaid\u2019s deputy on the other side. The man looked done in and soon found himself sitting on the sofa with coffee and some food. He tucked in with the demeanour of a man who had not seen food in far too long. Paul sat down to wait for him to finish so he could find out what had been going on.<\/p>\n

The tale came out in dribs and drabs. Some of it had been pieced together from what the prisoners had said, some from the deputy\u2019s own knowledge. But it was enough to keep the men enthralled and horrified as they listened.<\/p>\n

Finishing his meal, the deputy rose. He looked completely exhausted. \u201cI\u2019d better take the prisoner back to Mormon Flats,\u201d he declared. \u201cThank you for your hospitality, Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoke isn\u2019t fit to travel tonight,\u201d Paul stated bluntly, \u201cand neither are you! I suggest you both rest here overnight and then tomorrow, I\u2019ll see if he\u2019s up to the journey.\u201d He glanced at Ben. \u201cI hope I haven\u2019t just over-stepped myself, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waving his hand, Ben denied it with a shake of his head. \u201cOf course not, Paul. You\u2019re quite right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, then,\u201d the deputy replied. \u201cI\u2019m very grateful.\u201d He looked, if it was possible, even more exhausted than before. Adam rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show you to the bunkhouse,\u201d he offered and led the man outside.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Paul rose, too. \u201cI\u2019d better be off before you have another guest for the night,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re more than welcome,\u201d Ben reminded him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Ben and thanks,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cBut I do need to get home and pick up a few things before I come back here in the morning.\u201d He smiled and headed for the door. \u201cGet some sleep!\u201d he ordered. \u201cAnd see that Dolly Kincaid gets some sleep, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Ben promised.<\/p>\n

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

How successful Ben was at keeping his promise was something Paul Martin never found out. When he arrived at the ranch the next morning, Dolly was once again by her father\u2019s side and Ben was sitting at the table with Joe and Hoss, who were having a late breakfast. Hoss looked much better and although Joe\u2019s bruises were colourful and he moved carefully, he appeared to be on the mend, too. A short time later, Paul had equally good news about Kincaid, who was now managing to stay conscious for more than a few minutes at a time.<\/p>\n

As Paul left, Ben went in to speak to Kincaid, telling the sheriff what had happened and reminding him that Dolly needed him. Ushering Dolly in to talk to her father for the first time since he had wakened properly, Ben thought that it wouldn\u2019t be long before Dolly and her father were heading for home. Dagen and his gang would be on the way to prison for a long time for the things they had done. Ben was not sorry.<\/p>\n

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

Several days later, Dolly and Kincaid left to return home. Kincaid was looking better and his demeanour had softened considerably. He even apologised to Joe for running him off with a shotgun before the robbery. He and Ben had had a number of chats about raising children alone and Ben hoped that things would be happier for the Kincaid family in the times to come.<\/p>\n

After the Kincaids had gone, Ben, Adam and Hoss all mounted up and headed off to get some chores done. Joe was left behind to cool his heels, since he was still rather stiff and sore from the beating he had received from Dagen. The bulky bandage that Paul had stitched into the skin to protect the vulnerable stitches in Joe\u2019s eyebrow cut down his peripheral vision quite drastically and the eye was still quite swollen, further reducing his vision on that side. Ben had decreed, much to Joe\u2019s disgust, that Joe was to stay close to home until his eye had healed a bit more.<\/p>\n

Joe was restless that day. He didn\u2019t want to read; he wanted to do something constructive. He wouldn\u2019t have admitted it for any money, but he had dreaded the thought of riding that day, as his eye tended to ache when he simply walked about. He had no idea what it would feel like when on the back of a horse, but he was in no real hurry to find out.<\/p>\n

A spell in the barn grooming Cochise calmed Joe somewhat, but he was still restless when he emerged into the autumn-scented air an hour or so later. Leaning against the corral rails, Joe thought briefly about Dolly Kincaid, but he knew that he would not ask her out. They had grown apart from when they were children at school and Dolly\u2019s neediness wasn\u2019t something Joe found attractive. And despite the truce he had made with Kincaid, Joe had no desire to spend time in the older man\u2019s company.<\/p>\n

Hearing hoof beats hurrying into the yard, Joe turned, alarm flaring through his gut. Someone riding fast into the yard was not always a good thing. He saw the figure \u2013 indistinctly \u2013 as the person launched themselves from the horse and tackled Joe.<\/p>\n

Instinctively, Joe fought back, still having no idea who it was that he was fighting, nor why. But when he pushed his assailant away, he saw that it was Vince Dagen.<\/p>\n

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

How Dagen had managed to escape from the Mormon Flats jail was anyone\u2019s guess. Joe didn\u2019t have time to worry about it. He barely managed to dodge another murderous lunge from Dagen before he turned and headed for the house. Hop Sing was there, and although Joe had no idea how he was going to draw the Chinese housekeeper\u2019s attention to his plight without getting him killed, too, he had to try.<\/p>\n

With a growl, Dagen tackled Joe from behind and the air\u00a0whooshed<\/em>\u00a0out of Joe\u2019s lungs as he contacted the ground. \u201cI said I\u2019d get you, Cartwright,\u201d Dagen cried, pummelling Joe with unbecoming verve. \u201cHere I am!\u201d<\/p>\n

Blocking the next blow aimed at his face, Joe drove both his fists into the pit of Dagen\u2019s stomach. It was enough to make the other man drop his guard for a moment and another couple of punches allowed Joe to knock Dagen to the ground. He scrambled to his feet, trying to ignore the blood that dripped from his nose and the pain where the stitches had torn and allowed the bandage to fall loose to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you think it\u2019s my fault you got caught?\u201d Joe panted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is your fault!\u201d Dagen sneered. \u201cIf it hadn\u2019t been for you and your sniping, Dolly would never have given you that gun! We\u2019d have been home free and you\u2019d be dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Joe replied. He knew he was wasting his breath arguing with Dagen, but he couldn\u2019t just let it lie.<\/p>\n

Sneering again, Dagen lunged for Joe. Joe sidestepped, but he wasn\u2019t quite in time and Dagen knocked him to the ground, pinning the more slightly-built Joe beneath his weight. \u201cI\u2019ve got you now, Cartwright,\u201d he gloated and drew a thin blade from his boot. Joe struggled to no avail. His hands were pinned and he could barely breathe with Dagen sitting on his chest.<\/p>\n

It was the first time that Dagen had got the better of Joe in a fight and he was revelling in the feeling. He laid the blade against Joe\u2019s throat. \u201cI\u2019m gonna enjoy this, Cartwright,\u201d he exulted. He slowly drew the point of the knife up Joe\u2019s throat until it rested just on the underside of his chin. Joe didn\u2019t move. There was no pain, but after a few moments, he became aware of something warm and sticky running down the side of his throat; blood. \u201cHow\u2019d you like that?\u201d Dagen asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow you like this?\u201d asked a voice from behind Dagen, bare seconds before something solid hit him on the side of the head.<\/p>\n

But those seconds, scant though they were, allowed Dagen enough time to stab at Joe. The angle of the blow was wrong, he had not had time to raise the knife very far, but it was still enough to slice across Joe\u2019s earlobe and score along the side of his neck, leaving a line of pulsing red blood in its wake.<\/p>\n

For a horrible moment, Hop Sing thought he had killed Joe. He pushed the unconscious Dagen off the youngest Cartwright with some difficulty. The Chinese man was diminutive and Dagen was tall and strong, but Hop Sing was determined and he succeeded. \u201cLil Joe!\u201d he cried, dropping to his knees by Joe.<\/p>\n

Forcing his way past the pain in his head, Joe opened his eyes. \u201cThanks,\u201d he breathed before he once more closed his eyes to deal with the pain.<\/p>\n

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

Sounding the dinner triangle had brought a perplexed hand in from a nearby field, wondering why Hop Sing was calling the family to dinner so urgently when they had ridden away less than an hour ago. That man quickly found himself a messenger, charged with fetching the doctor and sending someone else to get the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

By that time, Dagen was trussed to the corral rails with almost every coil of rope Hop Sing could get his hands on. Joe still lay in the blood-soaked dirt of the yard, too light-headed to attempt to stand, even with Hop Sing\u2019s stalwart help. The bleeding was being staunched by a selection of old towels. There hadn\u2019t been a tremendous amount of blood; it was the pain that made Joe feel so ill. Nevertheless, he had only just graduated to sitting up when his family arrived back.<\/p>\n

There after, there was a flurry of activity that exhausted Joe, as he was helped up to his bed. Adam rode off to get Sheriff Coffee, Hoss summoned one of the hands to stand guard over the furious Vince Dagen and Hop Sing took himself off back to the kitchen where he allowed himself a minute to indulge in a fit of the vapours before returning to preparing for the evening meal. Ben sat with Joe, trying desperately hard to conceal the shaking of his hands.<\/p>\n

Joe, able to relax now that he was safe, slid into sleep.<\/p>\n

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

Later, after Joe\u2019s ear was delicately stitched up, he learned that Dagen had escaped when an inexperienced deputy had carelessly allowed himself to be grabbed while giving Dagen a meal. The deputy was nursing a bad head injury and had doubtless learned a lesson, but too late to be of any comfort to Joe.<\/p>\n

However, there were no more mistakes and by the time the stitches came out of Joe\u2019s ear, Dagen and his gang had been tried and sentenced.<\/p>\n

Joe had been lucky \u2013 the knife wound had left no scar; just a few red lines that soon faded. He resumed his usual activities, seemingly without sparing the incident another thought.<\/p>\n

But one night, a few months later, Ben went up to bed and saw a light under Joe\u2019s door. His youngest son had gone off to bed early that night, pleading exhaustion. Ben had quite believed him; Joe had had dark circles under his eyes for a few days. But seeing the light, Ben was worried and knocked gently on the door before opening it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked, going in as Joe smiled tentatively at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI was thinking.\u201d He made a moue. \u201cI guess thinking late at night isn\u2019t good for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat depends what you\u2019re thinking about,\u201d Ben answered cautiously. \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was thinking about Dagen,\u201d Joe replied after a moment. \u201cAbout that night we spent at Traeger\u2019s place. I wasn\u2019t that scared at the time, Pa, but it sure gives me the shakes now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting down on the edge of Joe\u2019s bed, Ben chose his words with care. \u201cAt the time, you were concerned with one thing and one thing only,\u201d he told Joe. \u201cYour survival and that of your brother. You had to keep alert and aware; keep your wits about you. You didn\u2019t really have time to feel afraid, because your mind was busy watching for any advantage you could get.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that doesn\u2019t explain why I\u2019m feeling it now,\u201d Joe objected. \u201cIt\u2019s been months, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot going on,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cDagen\u2019s escape wasn\u2019t in our plans, now was it? We didn\u2019t expect you to get hurt, either. The mind\u2019s a funny thing, Joe. It only deals with things when it\u2019s ready to. I don\u2019t think you were ready to deal with this until now; until you were totally convinced that Dagen was not going to break out of prison the same way he broke out of the Mormon Flats jail. So now, you have time to look back and shiver when you remember the outrageous things you said.\u201d He smiled, for Hoss had told Ben about Joe\u2019s bravado and the way he had taunted Dagen. He patted Joe on the shoulder. \u201cIt\u2019s all right to be afraid, remembering that. But, now that you\u2019ve acknowledged your fear, put it in a compartment and move on. It\u2019s done, over and past. If you dwell on it now, you\u2019ll never be able to live your life. The fear will cripple you.\u201d Ben looked at Joe, who met his eyes, drinking in every word. \u201cYou\u2019re one of the bravest people I\u2019ve ever known,\u201d Ben added. \u201cI\u2019m proud of you, son. I think you\u2019ll come to terms with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

For once, Joe was speechless, unsure of what to say. Ben was never stingy with his compliments, praising his sons when they deserved the praise, chastising them when the need arose and loving them fiercely throughout everything that life threw at them. But somehow, this bit of praise was of more importance than anything else Ben had said to him.<\/p>\n

Unable to find the words, Joe simply threw his arms around his father, his eyes shining. Ben gladly returned the embrace, blinking back tears. He knew that Joe would be all right.<\/p>\n

They all would be all right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0A What happened in between for the episode.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0WC 4400<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":383,"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":[23,41,27],"tags":[15,16],"class_list":["post-5784","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-whi","tag-ben","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-27-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3096,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-9.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":5784,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 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\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4481,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4481","url_meta":{"origin":5784,"position":1},"title":"Legacy of Honor (by Wrangler)","author":"Wrangler","date":"April 28, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A frightened young woman's lie has devastating consequences for Joe when her father refuses to believe his legacy of honor.\u00a0 \u00a0Rating T, WC 35,000","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"Joe Pa","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2001\/04\/Screenshot_20250528_230728_YouTube.jpg?fit=823%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2001\/04\/Screenshot_20250528_230728_YouTube.jpg?fit=823%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2001\/04\/Screenshot_20250528_230728_YouTube.jpg?fit=823%2C588&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2001\/04\/Screenshot_20250528_230728_YouTube.jpg?fit=823%2C588&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6742,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6742","url_meta":{"origin":5784,"position":2},"title":"Grazed (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0When Adam finds a slightly injured Joe, they share a strangely special moment. \u00a0A Young Cartwright short story. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0767","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\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7631,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7631","url_meta":{"origin":5784,"position":3},"title":"Tarnished Armor (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Hoss's deceit tarnishes his armor in Emily's eyes. Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a02843 Emily's Sir Eric Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Hoss"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Hoss","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1017"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Cherry-Tree.jpg?fit=500%2C375&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4875,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4875","url_meta":{"origin":5784,"position":4},"title":"Reflections on Killing His Friend (by pjb)","author":"pjb","date":"April 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for \u201cA Far, Far Better Thing.\u201d\u00a0 In the quiet of a moonlit night, two brothers reflect on loyalty, loss, and the love that binds some people together. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ WC 1700","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\/2014\/04\/Calamity-on-the-Comstock-2.jpg?fit=500%2C379&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6617,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6617","url_meta":{"origin":5784,"position":5},"title":"August Moon (by Rider)","author":"Rider","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Little Joe Cartwright celebrates his 21st birthday with his family on the Ponderosa Ranch. Rated:\u00a0K+ (830 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\/2014\/04\/B_TLCSJoe1-1-1.jpg?fit=395%2C300&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\/5784","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5784"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5784\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5784"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5784"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5784"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}