{"id":5793,"date":"2004-11-17T23:55:32","date_gmt":"2004-11-18T04:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5793"},"modified":"2026-07-29T13:51:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T17:51:04","slug":"the-timber-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5793","title":{"rendered":"The Timber Contract (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>An everyday business venture takes an unexpected turn for Ben Cartwright<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,600 words)<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The Timber Contract<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook who\u2019s here,\u201d Adam Cartwright whispered to his father as the inner office door opened.<\/p>\n

Glancing up from his preoccupied thoughts, Ben wasn\u2019t entirely surprised to see Wilson Jones, one of his biggest competitors in the timber business. The two men were opposites in their business dealings. Jones was ruthless and wanted to win at all costs; Ben Cartwright was as honest as the day was long and was a convinced conservationist. \u201cI suspected he might be here,\u201d Ben whispered back.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Newton, the manager will see you now,\u201d the pretty young secretary announced to the other man who was in the outer office.<\/p>\n

Smirking, Newton rose, throwing a superior glance in Ben\u2019s direction. Ben ignored him. He had no time for Newton, who was a sneaky man, apt to try and sweeten any contracts he was bidding for with a bribe or two. Ben and Newton were old adversaries.<\/p>\n

As Jones exited into the street, another man came into the office and Adam only just resisted rolling his eyes. All the players were present, he thought, or had been. All the major timber producers for the area were bidding for this contract to provide some timber for a small local mine that had just struck a bonanza of silver. The only person Adam had not seen until then was the third competitor, who had just walked into the office \u2013 David Renton. Renton, Jones, Newton and Ben were the biggest timber producers in Nevada. Ben got on with none of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright.\u201d Renton nodded as he took his seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cRenton.\u201d Ben\u2019s reply was equally curt. As the only conservationist out of the four, Ben was quite used to exchanging heated words with his opponents, although they could be cuttingly polite when the need arose.<\/p>\n

The inner office door opened again and Newton came out, throwing smirks at both Ben and Renton. Neither man paid any heed though \u2013 smirking was Newton\u2019s habitual expression. The secretary smiled at Ben. \u201cMr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising, Ben kept his eyes straight ahead as he walked into the office. Adam followed on his heels and they found themselves in the office of the Number Seven Mine Company.<\/p>\n

The company was owned and run by a consortium of business men. The mine manager was responsible for the distribution of contracts and this was the person that Ben and Adam were meeting now. Emmet Johansson was a newcomer to Virginia City and his mixed parentage of Scandinavian father and Irish mother had left him tall and thin, with black hair and pale blue eyes. He appeared to be very diffident, although Ben had seen him in action a few times and knew that his appearance was deceiving. Johansson was a very shrewd judge of character and as decisive as they came. Ben respected him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright, I appreciate you and your son coming in today.\u201d Johansson smiled. \u201cDo you have your bid? Ah, thank you.\u201d He reached across the desk and took the envelope Ben proffered. He opened it and looked at the paper inside. \u201cYes, thank you. I\u2019ll be in touch, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre there no questions that you would like to ask?\u201d Adam queried. It was unusual for a bid to just be accepted like that.<\/p>\n

Smiling again, Johansson turned his gaze to Adam. \u201cI know you and your father by reputation, Mr Cartwright,\u201d he replied. \u201cI don\u2019t need to ask questions to verify what I already know \u2013 that there are no hidden clauses or penalties and I know that you will honour the contract. Your reputation speaks very highly of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cWe\u2019ll look forward to hearing from you.\u201d He rose, thinking that was probably the shortest interview of that kind that he had ever had.<\/p>\n

As they left the office, Ben saw Renton rise to go inside.<\/p>\n

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

In the street, father and son parted company. Ben had some business to take care of at the bank and Adam wanted to see if some books he had ordered had arrived at the store. They agreed to meet in the Silver Dollar before heading off for home together.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for Ben to conclude his business at the bank and he crossed to the Silver Dollar feeling relaxed. He hoped that they would win the timber contract, but it wasn\u2019t vital for the ranch\u2019s well-being if they didn\u2019t. Ben had had too many years where he was living from hand to mouth to make the mistake of relying on one single bid to secure his family\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

There was no sign of Adam, so Ben took his beer and sat down in a corner. He had bought a copy of that day\u2019s\u00a0Territorial Enterprise<\/em>\u00a0and glanced over the front page while he waited. Aware vaguely of someone sitting opposite him, Ben lowered the paper to ask if Adam had got his books and was surprised to see Renton seated at the other side of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d Ben asked, putting aside his paper. All his instincts were shouting that this was trouble.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve come to warn you to withdraw your bid for the mine contract, Ben,\u201d Renton replied.<\/p>\n

Blinking in surprise, Ben kept his face schooled to neutrality. \u201cWhat makes you think I would do that?\u201d he asked, evenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get one thing straight, Cartwright,\u201d Renton hissed, leaning over the table. \u201cYou\u2019re in my way. If you don\u2019t withdraw that bid, you\u2019re going to be very sorry indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising, Ben glared at the man. \u201cI don\u2019t appreciate threats,\u201d he replied, his voice tight and low with anger. \u201cI don\u2019t care for the way you conduct your business, and I don\u2019t appreciate you trying to intimidate me. Get out of here, before I do something you\u2019ll regret!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ll regret it, if you don\u2019t do as I say,\u201d Renton snapped back. \u201cOne way or another, I\u2019m going to get this contract.\u201d He didn\u2019t look in the least perturbed by Ben\u2019s anger, but he left quietly all the same.<\/p>\n

Fuming, Ben resumed his seat. The cheek of the man! Did he really think Ben was going to cave in just like that over a single threat? If so, Renton didn\u2019t know him very well, Ben mused. He took a sip of his beer and forced himself to relax.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d asked a familiar voice in his ear and Ben raised his eyes to meet Adam\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cRenton,\u201d Ben snorted as Adam seated himself. \u201cHe was threatening me \u2013 or trying to.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cStupid man!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he meant what he said?\u201d Adam asked, after Ben had related the details.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I wouldn\u2019t want to underestimate him, but I don\u2019t think he can be serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t underestimate him,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cFar better to take him at his own inflated opinion.\u201d They both smiled at that. \u201cBut seriously, Pa, do you think he would try anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeriously?\u201d Ben frowned. \u201cYes, Adam. I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

They rode home without seeing either hide or hair of Renton or Ben\u2019s other competitors. In fact, Ben reflected, he rarely saw them on a day-to-day basis unless they were bidding for contracts. Somehow, their paths never seemed to cross. That suited Ben just fine.<\/p>\n

Over supper, Ben told Joe and Hoss about Renton and warned them to just be on their guard if they saw him around. Both of his sons promised they would and Ben couldn\u2019t ask for more than that.<\/p>\n

In preparation for the contract, Ben decided the next morning that the three boys should go out and start marking suitable trees. If they didn\u2019t get the contract, it would be no loss \u2013 there would be other contracts on the horizon and if the trees were already marked, that would save them time.\u00a0 Adam was going to Wild Horse Ridge, because Joe didn\u2019t like heights. Hoss was going to Willow Crest, because Joe didn\u2019t like heights. Joe was going to take the largest area of pines on the flatlands. It suited all three of them perfectly.<\/p>\n

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

Until the morning, that was. It dawned dark and rainy and all three Cartwright sons looked out on the downpour with a jaundiced eye. It wasn\u2019t that they would have had the day off if they hadn\u2019t been going to mark the timber. No, it wasn\u2019t that at all. It was just that somehow or other, they always seemed to be wetter while working under the so-called shelter of the trees. Breakfast was a gloomy meal.<\/p>\n

By the time they left the house, the rain had gone off for the time being. The skies were still dark, however, and the brothers tied their rain slickers to the backs of their saddles, just in case. The weather was unseasonably chilly and Joe turned his jacket collar against the wind as they rode out of the yard.<\/p>\n

They rode together for the first part of the trip, then Adam turned off to go to Wild Horse Ridge, bidding his brothers a casual farewell, as was their habit. Next to turn off was Hoss, who also bid Joe a casual goodbye. Joe rode on alone, his mind already on the job ahead and the shape, height and maturity of the trees he was looking for.<\/p>\n

It was mid-morning when Joe arrived at the trees. The sun had poked its head briefly through the clouds and vanished again and the wind had picked up quite a bit. Joe sighed, for it looked like the sky would dump its load of moisture at any minute. He debated taking his slicker with him as he went into the woods, then decided against it. He could always come back if he needed it.<\/p>\n

Tethering Cochise so that his horse could graze, Joe began his job.<\/p>\n

Marking trees wasn\u2019t a difficult job; it was just time consuming and not terribly interesting. Joe had been working steadily for about an hour when a voice spoke from behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Flinching violently, Joe whirled around, his left hand hovering near his holster. The man standing across the small clearing from him was tall and muscular, dressed in the type of clothing that Joe associated with an experienced logger. However, he wasn\u2019t one of the Ponderosa crew \u2013 or if he was, Joe didn\u2019t recognise him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Joe demanded. \u201cWhat are you doing on Ponderosa land?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPonderosa land?\u201d the man replied. \u201cI don\u2019t think so, sonny. You\u2019re on my land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Ponderosa land,\u201d Joe repeated firmly, \u201cand you\u2019re trespassing, mister.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man looked singularly unimpressed. \u201cI think you\u2019ll have trouble making that charge stick, sonny,\u201d the man scoffed and Joe saw red.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d he shot back, coldly. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll have any trouble at all. Now clear out of here.\u201d His hand was now resting on his pistol, but since the other man wasn\u2019t armed, Joe didn\u2019t want to have to draw. He hoped the threat would be enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to show you the error of your ways, boy,\u201d the man smiled.<\/p>\n

Tensing, Joe waited for the other man to make his move. However, the logger continued to stand there and smile at Joe, who began to feel intensely uneasy. \u201cJust go on your way before someone gets hurt,\u201d Joe suggested.<\/p>\n

At that, the man\u2019s smile broadened. Joe\u2019s unease shot up another level. He closed his hand around his gun, but before he could decide if he was going to draw or not, there was a sound from behind him. Joe started to turn his head and saw something moving in the periphery of his vision. He half-turned to meet it, and something crashed down on his head. Joe tumbled to the forest floor, unconscious.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow is it that Joe is always last home?\u201d Adam asked. He made sure there was enough hay in his horse\u2019s manger and patted the silky chestnut neck before exiting the stall. In the next door stall, Hoss was completing similar manoeuvres.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cMaybe \u2018cos he works harder than us?\u201d<\/p>\n

The look Adam gave Hoss spoke volumes and the middle brother laughed. \u201cYa asked fer that one, Adam,\u201d he chortled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I did,\u201d Adam agreed as they left the barn together. \u201cYou don\u2019t suppose Joe has gone into town, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot from where he was workin\u2019,\u201d Hoss responded seriously. \u201cIt ain\u2019t exactly on the way, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s never stopped Joe before,\u201d Adam remarked. \u201cBut no, I suppose you\u2019re right; it is rather a round-about route into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be along,\u201d Hoss concluded complacently.<\/p>\n

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

The evening wore on, but there was no sign of Joe. Darkness fell and still he didn\u2019t appear. About midnight, Adam and Hoss went up to bed and at 2 am, Ben gave up his vigil and went to bed, too, but he didn\u2019t sleep much.<\/p>\n

Come morning, the first place Ben went was Joe\u2019s room, but the bed was still neatly made and had clearly not been slept in. Anxiety gnawing at his gut, Ben went down to breakfast, detouring past the barn on the unlikely chance that Joe had been so tired that he had bedded down out there. But Cochise\u2019s stall was empty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to look for Joe as soon as I\u2019ve finished breakfast,\u201d Ben announced. \u201cSomething\u2019s happened to him \u2013 maybe a fall or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re coming with you,\u201d Adam replied. It didn\u2019t really need saying, but he felt that Ben needed to hear it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d Ben forced himself to choke down a few mouthfuls and noticed as they left the table that even Hoss hadn\u2019t had much of an appetite that morning. Joe\u2019s absence weighed heavily on them all.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou really think this is gonna work?\u201d asked the logger as he finished binding Joe\u2019s ankles together. Gathering up the loose end of the rope, he tied it tightly to the metal ring set into the wall, meant to keep horses tethered to.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it is.\u201d Ben\u2019s arch rival, Newton, smirked, as was his habit, as he looked down on Joe Cartwright, lying helpless in his barn. That Joe\u2019s green eyes were open and blazing with anger over the gag stuffed tightly into his mouth didn\u2019t bother Newton one bit. \u201cBen Cartwright won\u2019t risk his sons for anything \u2013 everyone knows that. So, when I tell him I\u2019ve got his son and he\u2019d better withdraw his bid for the Number Seven Mine contract, that\u2019s exactly what he\u2019ll do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then?\u201d asked the big man, rising to his feet.<\/p>\n

Newton smirked again. Joe writhed against his bonds to no effect. \u201cWhy, I\u2019ll kill him, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Together, the two men left the barn, leaving Joe wrestling with the ropes that kept him prisoner, determined that somehow, he would manage to escape and prevent Ben from doing exactly what Newton predicted he would.<\/p>\n

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

There was no sign of Joe anywhere. The knot in Ben\u2019s stomach grew steadily as the day wore on and his youngest son remained missing. They hunted high and low, but there was nothing to see, no tracks to indicate where Joe might have gone.<\/p>\n

It was after noon before Adam persuaded Ben to go home with Hoss and rest. He was extremely worried by his father\u2019s pallor and the dark circles forming under his eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll go into town and tell Roy that Joe is missing,\u201d he promised, noting his father wince as he said the word \u2018missing\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019 be too long,\u201d Hoss warned him in an undertone as Ben silently mounted Buck. \u201cElse Pa\u2019ll be worryin\u2019 about ya, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d Adam promised. He turned and rode into town, wondering vaguely if Joe had made this journey the day before and somehow neglected to come home. It seemed highly unlikely, but Adam allowed himself to cling slightly to this false hope. Joe could be thoughtless, though not to this extent, but Adam didn\u2019t want to admit, even to himself, that his youngest brother was in trouble once more.<\/p>\n

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

There really was nothing the sheriff could do, but Roy Coffee assured Adam that he would keep an eye out for Joe and ask around the town to see if anyone had seen him. It was only as he was about to leave the office that it occurred to Adam to mention the threat Renton had made to Ben. Roy frowned in sudden concentration and Adam suddenly felt a flutter of excitement. Perhaps they might find Joe and he could bring him home that very evening!<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta git a search warrant,\u201d Roy mumbled to himself and left Adam in the office while he went to get one.<\/p>\n

Although Adam thought he ought to accompany Roy and Clem, his deputy, to Renton\u2019s house and help them search, Roy would have none of it. \u201cYa ain\u2019t a deputy,\u201d he argued, \u201can\u2019 I ain\u2019t makin\u2019 ya one, Adam. Yer too close ta this. Ya c\u2019n come along an\u2019 wait outside, but ya ain\u2019t comin\u2019 along official like.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was too easy to look at Roy Coffee and see a man past his prime, small and slightly plump and think him ineffectual. But Roy knew what he was doing, which was why he was still sheriff and Adam was forced to give in and agree to Roy\u2019s terms or be left behind completely. Adam knew that if he pestered the sheriff enough, he might find himself waiting locked inside one of the cells!<\/p>\n

Renton was indignant that Sheriff Coffee should suspect him of such a low-down crime and willingly opened his home to a thorough search. He scorned the search warrant as unnecessary and as Adam waited uneasily by the gate, Roy and Clem gave the place a good going over, finding many places where Renton\u2019s cleaning lady had skimped on the polishing, but finding not a single trace of Joe. At length, they had to admit he wasn\u2019t there and took their leave.<\/p>\n

Sighing, and feeling utterly weary, Adam mounted Sport and turned towards home. He had allowed himself to picture riding home with Joe and seeing his father’s face light up with relief and now he felt incredibly deflated.<\/p>\n

Twilight was laying soft shadows over a purpling landscape as Adam left town. He didn\u2019t notice the beauty of the dying day, or the way the setting sun left gold streaks on the glittering surface of the lake, or the gloriously hued clouds hovering over the mountains. Adam\u2019s head was down, his gaze alternating between his hands and the road and his thoughts firmly on his missing brother.<\/p>\n

The attack came without warning and although Adam tried to put up a fight, he didn\u2019t manage to get in more than a few blows before the world went dark around him.<\/p>\n

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

The grandfather clock chimed out the hour and Ben stood looking up at it, his face expressionless. Midnight had come once more. Joe had been missing for over 24 hours and now Ben was forced to face the stark truth \u2013 Adam was missing also.<\/p>\n

Unbidden, his mind drifted back to the conversation with Renton in the saloon. Had the man followed up on his threat and was using Ben\u2019s sons as hostages to ensure that he won the contract? Swallowing down the sudden panic that started his heart pounding, Ben tried to think rationally. He didn\u2019t care about the contract \u2013 all that mattered were his sons. If he had to withdraw from the race, then he would. That still wouldn\u2019t guarantee Renton won the contract, but would eliminate one of his competitors.<\/p>\n

But the harsh question remained. When Ben withdrew, would Renton free his sons and allow them to come home?<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath and looking across the room to where Hoss gazed deeply into the flames in the fireplace, Ben blinked back tears. He knew the answer.<\/p>\n

It was no.<\/p>\n

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

Jerking awake from a restless doze, Joe tried to find a comfortable position to lie in. He failed. His shoulders were cramping violently from having his hands bound behind him for such a long period of time. His head still throbbed where he had been struck and his jaw ached from the gag. His mouth was as dry as a desert and his legs had that numb \u2018asleep\u2019 feeling. Altogether, Joe was utterly miserable.<\/p>\n

The barn door opened and the logger came in. Joe had had visits from him twice before and each time had had been given water and a modicum of freedom to take care of his personal needs. But there had been no opportunity to make a break for freedom. This man was clearly all too familiar at dealing with prisoners.<\/p>\n

Watching his captor approaching, Joe couldn\u2019t understand why he was being given water and why his bonds were checked to make sure that his circulation was all right. Newton had already said that he was going to die when this was over, so why were they keeping him alive in the meantime?<\/p>\n

The logger crouched by Joe, untied the gag and pulled out the bandanna that had been shoved in his mouth. Joe drew in a deep breath and surreptitiously licked his lips. It made no difference. Joe\u2019s tongue was as dry as his lips and the skin felt harsh and cracked.<\/p>\n

Still silent, the logger helped Joe to drink, then, when he was finished, roughly turned Joe over so he could check the tightness of the ropes around Joe\u2019s wrists. He grunted with satisfaction as he realised they were still secure. The knots were tied where Joe\u2019s questing fingers could not reach them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy haven\u2019t you killed me?\u201d Joe blurted.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t meant to ask the question, but he was weary from lack of movement and his brain was whirling.<\/p>\n

Grinning, the logger sat back and regarded Joe. \u201cAre you that keen to die?\u201d he countered. He was genuinely amused by Joe\u2019s bravado, but he didn\u2019t know the answer to Joe\u2019s question and that bugged him. He didn\u2019t know what Renton had in mind for this young man. Killing wasn\u2019t something that worried the logger, but he was less keen on playing games with a person\u2019s mind. \u201cDo you want more water before I gag you again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe drank as much as he could for the temporary feeling of fullness it gave him. He hadn\u2019t had any food since he was kidnapped. Then his hands were untied for a few moments to allow him to relieve himself. Joe knew that the time had come for him to take advantage of this kindness. Yes, his feet were still bound, but if he waited any longer, the lack of food would take its toll on his strength and escape would be out of the question.<\/p>\n

He waited until the logger had a grip on his left wrist and used the man\u2019s weight as leverage, swinging his body around to drive a ferocious right hook into the man\u2019s face. Joe yanked his left arm free as the logger staggered, and launched himself, as best he could, at the other man.<\/p>\n

There was no way Joe could win. His feet were still tightly tied and that hampered him more than he could believe. But he fought furiously and when at last he was vanquished, he lay pinned in the straw, panting, bleeding from his mouth and with his left eye going black.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood try, Cartwright,\u201d panted the logger as he wrenched Joe\u2019s arms viciously behind his back. \u201cBut you\u2019re not going to get away that easily!\u201d The big man quickly looped the rope around Joe\u2019s wrists and tied it so that Joe was in a much more uncomfortable position. After a bit of a struggle, which resulted in Joe receiving a hard backhand slap, the gag was put back into place.<\/p>\n

Rising, the logger looked down on his furious prisoner. Joe\u2019s eye was rapidly starting to swell shut. He smiled. \u201cBetter luck next time.\u201d With that, he left Joe alone again.<\/p>\n

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

The note was clear and to the point.<\/p>\n

I have your son. Withdraw your bid for the mine contract if you want to see him alive again. Once I know you have done this, I will contact you again.<\/p>\n

Naturally, it was unsigned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go inta town an\u2019 tell Roy,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going anywhere alone!\u201d Ben thundered.<\/p>\n

Knowing the fear that Ben felt, Hoss didn\u2019t snap back, as was his first inclination. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna go alone,\u201d he reassured his distraught father. \u201cI\u2019m gonna take Fred with me.\u201d Fred was a long-time hand, utterly reliable. \u201cI\u2019d better take that note in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d Ben decided. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Johansson and tell him why I\u2019m withdrawing. He can let the others know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n that\u2019s what ya think is best,\u201d Hoss agreed. He was keeping a close eye on Ben, afraid that the strain might become too much for him.<\/p>\n

Together, they walked to the door, collected their gun belts and hats and headed outside. Ben stopped so suddenly in the doorway that Hoss almost bumped into him. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u201d Ben pointed with a trembling hand. There, lying on the porch, weighted down with a rock, was a second note.<\/p>\n

Warily, Ben bent over to pick up the note, his hands trembling so much he could barely read the words.<\/p>\n

Your son is my prisoner until you agree to withdraw your contract. Once I have confirmation that you have done this, you will get your son back, unharmed. If you do not do as I say, your son will pay the penalty.<\/p>\n

It was also unsigned. Silently, Ben handed it to Hoss. \u201cDoes he think I didn\u2019t get the first note?\u201d he wondered aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis ain\u2019t the same handwritin\u2019!\u201d Hoss exclaimed. \u201cLook, Pa. An\u2019 it\u2019s worded different, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben practically snatched the notes from Hoss\u2019 hands and compared them. \u201cYou\u2019re right!\u201d he cried and Hoss nobly refrained from telling Ben that he knew he was right. \u201cBut what does this mean?\u201d Ben wondered aloud, his head reeling.<\/p>\n

Grimly, Hoss told him what Ben didn\u2019t want to hear. \u201cIt means someone else has Adam. That\u2019s what it means.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIt would be better for you if you let me go now,\u201d Adam said, in his most reasonable tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust shut up,\u201d his captor replied. He checked Adam\u2019s bonds once more before leaving the room. Adam sighed heavily. He was tied to a straight-backed chair, his wrists bound to the armrests and his ankles to the legs of the chair. He was blindfolded, but that didn\u2019t mean that he didn\u2019t know who his captor was. He had heard Renton\u2019s voice recently enough for it to stick in his memory. He hadn\u2019t mentioned this pertinent fact just in case Renton decided that Adam was a danger to him. And since Adam couldn\u2019t rub his blindfold off on anything, Renton was able to maintain the fiction that Adam was unaware of the identity of the kidnapper.<\/p>\n

Sighing again, Adam wriggled helplessly against the ropes. He wondered how Ben was coping with this additional stress and wondered \u2013 not for the first time \u2013 if they had found Joe and how long it would take them to find him. \u201cDamn this timber contract anyway!\u201d Adam grouched to himself as he faced a long, lonely and uncomfortable night as a prisoner.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAdam, too?\u201d Roy looked in disbelief at Ben and thought that his friend looked suddenly older. He took the notes from Hoss and read them both. \u201cNo, these weren\u2019t written by the same fella, that\u2019s fer sure,\u201d he agreed. \u201cBut it weren\u2019t Renton what took Joe,\u201d he added, sounding perplexed. \u201cBut ya know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo I don\u2019t!\u201d Ben objected. \u201cHow would I know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam an\u2019 I went ta see Renton an\u2019 me an\u2019 Clem searched his place,\u201d Roy told Ben in a tone of great, strained patience. It was only as he finished speaking that he realised that Adam hadn\u2019t made it home and so wouldn\u2019t have had the chance to tell Ben what they had found out. \u201cI\u2019m real sorry, Ben,\u201d he apologised. \u201cYa couldn\u2019 know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable to speak, Ben just shook his head in forgiveness. His mind was reeling. If Renton didn\u2019t have Joe, who did? It had to be one of the other two, but which one?<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, go down ta the livery an\u2019 git Clem fer me would ya?\u201d Roy was asking. \u201cThen me an\u2019 him will go git a couple search warrants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Roy,\u201d Hoss agreed. He gave Ben a worried look before he left, knowing how Ben was feeling. It was hard for them both.<\/p>\n

Hurrying down the street, Hoss was oblivious to the passers-by. He didn\u2019t hear anyone who spoke his name, but one look at the worried frown on his genial face told everyone that the Cartwrights had found some kind of trouble \u2013 again.<\/p>\n

Stopping in the alley by the livery to catch his breath, Hoss was astounded to suddenly feel a gun being poke into his ribs. He froze, still more annoyed than actively worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make any sudden moves,\u201d warned a thin, nervous-sounding voice and Hoss\u2019 usually placid temperament deserted him and he whirled on the hapless gunman like an enraged grizzly.<\/p>\n

Grabbing his assailant by the collar, Hoss snatched the gun and glared at the would-be kidnapper. \u201cWilson Jones!\u201d Hoss growled. \u201cIt don\u2019t surprise me none!\u201d Shaking the petrified man, Hoss hauled him bodily into the livery, where Clem looked up in shock.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? What\u2019s going on?\u201d Clem moved quickly towards them. He didn\u2019t think he had ever seen Hoss so angry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis little weasel tried ta kidnap me!\u201d Hoss complained. He shook Jones again and the man\u2019s teeth practically rattled. \u201cI were comin\u2019 here ta git ya, Clem. Adam disappeared last night on his way home, an\u2019 Roy wants ta git search warrants.\u201d He shook Jones for a third time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get him down to the jail then,\u201d Clem replied, grimly. \u201cAnd when we get there, he can answer a few questions.\u201d He nodded to Henry, who owned the livery and who had been caring for Clem\u2019s lame horse. \u201cSee you later, Henry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d Henry replied, his eyes round with the news he had just overheard.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd don\u2019t mention this to anyone,\u201d Clem warned, suddenly remembering Henry\u2019s propensity for gossip.\u00a0 The livery owner looked disappointed, but nodded his agreement.<\/p>\n

Pulling Wilson Jones between them, Clem and Hoss returned to the jail, where Ben and Roy looked up in astonishment. \u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on?\u201d Roy demanded.<\/p>\n

Between them, Clem and Hoss told the story and Roy\u2019s glower grew darker. \u201cSo what did ya think?\u201d Roy asked. \u201cThat havin\u2019\u00a0two<\/em>\u00a0sons would make Ben do as ya wanted?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo?\u201d twittered Jones. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u00a0 I was only trying to take Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think ya\u2019d better tell me the whole sorry tale,\u201d Roy instructed.<\/p>\n

Wretchedly, Jones tried to squirm his way out of it, but with Clem and Roy on one side and Ben and the furious Hoss on the other, he was well and truly stuck. \u201cI\u2019m getting married and I wanted some extra money,\u201d he admitted. \u201cAnd when I saw Hoss, I knew Ben would pay to get him back.\u201d He looked despondent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are Adam and Joe?\u201d Ben demanded angrily. He loomed threateningly over Jones.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t seen them!\u201d Jones protested. He was starting to look really panicky. \u201cHonest, Roy, I haven\u2019t seen them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLock him up!\u201d Roy ordered. He looked disgusted. \u201cThen we\u2019ll go find yer other boys, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It had taken quite some time, but the ropes were finally slackening. Joe was grunting with the effort of continually twisting his bound hands against the ropes, his shoulders were aching and his wrists were raw. Yet at last, Joe could feel the ropes starting to give and he didn\u2019t pause for a much-needed breather, he just kept on going. It had been hours since the logger had last checked on him and Joe suspected that there might not be another visit that night \u2013 not after he had tried to escape during the last one.<\/p>\n

Finally, the first of the loops fell off and Joe knew that he would be free soon. He redoubled his efforts, now worried that the logger would arrive in the barn before he was in a position to defend himself properly. He didn\u2019t allow himself to think of the size difference between him and the logger.<\/p>\n

Another half hour passed before the last strands fell away from Joe\u2019s hands. With relief, he drew his hands forward, wincing at the pins and needles that shot through his arms, and massaged his wrists gently. They were rubbed raw and bleeding in places, but his hands were a normal colour and after a few minutes, his fingers felt like they belonged to him again.<\/p>\n

Reaching up, Joe dragged the gag out of his mouth and heaved a huge sigh of relief. His mouth was desperately dry, but he knew he could remedy that as soon as he got his ankles free. Leaning forward, he began to fumble with the knots.<\/p>\n

Joe had just started rubbing the feeling back into his legs when the barn door opened. Cursing, Joe tried to scramble to his feet, but his legs were stiff from inactivity and he slipped on the straw.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, you\u2026!\u201d the logger cried and dove for Joe.<\/p>\n

Knowing that he couldn\u2019t outrun this guy \u2013 and not wanting to \u2013 Joe rolled out of the way and came up into a crouch, braced and ready. The two men crashed into one another, grappling for position. Joe tried to use his weight to throw the other man off balance, but it was like trying to knock over a tree. The logger moved slightly, but used the momentum to come back at Joe. He was barely able to avoid a knockout blow.<\/p>\n

Gasping for breath and horrified at how weak he felt, Joe backed off, his legs shaky beneath him. He was trapped, he knew, the wooden walls of the stall closing in on either side of him and he was in no condition to vault over them. He glanced around frantically, wincing at the pain in his black eye. His opponent grinned tightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nowhere to run, Cartwright,\u201d he remarked. \u201cGive up now and I\u2019ll take it easy on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no point in replying, Joe thought. He wasn\u2019t going to give up, but his mouth was too dry to say so. Joe let his actions speak for themselves. Following the old adage \u2018if in doubt, attack\u2019, he did just that, hurling himself at the logger who gracefully side-stepped and smashed the edge of his hand down on Joe\u2019s neck.\u00a0 Joe crashed to the ground and the logger was on him in a second.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a fight. Joe put up what resistance he could, but the blow to his neck had dazed him. The few punches he threw were weak and uncoordinated, and most of them landed off target. In return, the beating the logger gave Joe was brutal in its efficiency. When it finished, Joe was drifting on a sea of pain, barely conscious.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should\u2019ve listened to me, Cartwright,\u201d the logger commented as he carelessly flipped Joe over onto his stomach. He ignored the grunt of pain this elicited from the injured man.<\/p>\n

Moving quickly, he bound Joe\u2019s crossed wrists between his shoulder blades, securing the rope around Joe\u2019s shoulders and upper arms. He tied it off to the ring in the wall that had previously secured Joe\u2019s feet. Another rope was bound round Joe\u2019s knees and ankles, then again tied off to the ring. He savagely tightened the knots. This time, Joe wouldn\u2019t be going anywhere!<\/p>\n

Rising, he looked down on the helpless young man. It had been mildly unfortunate that Joe had managed to get free of his bonds, he thought, but the beating wasn\u2019t a total disaster. Joe\u2019s father didn\u2019t appear to have made any moves towards withdrawing his bid for the timber contract and he was to get a further warning note the next day. The logger expected that Joe would be dead by the following evening. And if he died during the night, it would be no loss. He shrugged and turned away.<\/p>\n

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

Wincing, Adam continued to struggle against the ropes. His body ached from the position he had been forced to maintain and he was utterly weary, but he couldn\u2019t do more than doze for a few minutes at a time. He wasn\u2019t even sure how long he had been a prisoner, since he was still blindfolded and had no way to gauge the passage of time, but he guessed it must be at least 12 hours.<\/p>\n

Boredom was his biggest problem. Despite his efforts, his bonds hadn\u2019t loosened at all and Adam reluctantly admitted that it was unlikely that they would loosen now. The adrenaline that had been in his system was gone and he had nothing with which to keep his mind occupied. Adam wondered if it was possible for a person to die of boredom.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, he heard a sound in the depths of the house. He perked his ears up and strained to hear the noise more clearly. It was almost the first sound he had heard from outside the room that he was in. It sounded like raised voices. In fact\u2026 Adam swallowed.\u00a0Stop it!<\/em>\u00a0he chided himself.\u00a0You just think its Pa because you\u2019re so desperate to get out of here!<\/em><\/p>\n

Moments later, he heard the key turning in the door and he turned his head, not sure what to expect, braced for both rescue and disaster, wishing fervently that he could see what was going on. The sudden tension in his body started his head aching again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d The voice, throbbing with a mixture of anguish and relief, was the one Adam had been praying to hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d To his own ears, Adam sounded desperate and very young. He sagged in his bonds as he felt warm, familiar hands fumble with the knot on the blindfold.<\/p>\n

Blinking away his blurry vision as Ben and Hoss started to cut him free, Adam looked around him. The room he was in was an unused bedroom, the furniture covered with dustsheets and the dusty velvet curtains pulled across the window. The only light came from the open door and showed Adam that it was early afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked, gently rubbing Adam\u2019s wrists. Hoss was massaging Adam\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust hungry,\u201d Adam replied. He raised one hand to probe the swelling on the back of his head, but it only twinge slightly. \u201cAnd stiff!\u201d he added, as he tried to get to his feet. He clung onto Hoss for a few minutes as his muscles got used to activity again. \u201cI\u2019m glad you found me,\u201d he continued. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

A shadow darkened Ben\u2019s face. \u201cWe haven\u2019t found Joe yet,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you think he is?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think Newton\u2019s got him,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cAdam, I think you should go with Clem back to the jail and he\u2019ll get Doc Martin to have a look at you\u2026\u201d Ben\u2019s voice trailed off, for Adam was shaking his head, wearing that stubborn expression that made him look so much like Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo way, Pa!\u201d he declared. \u201cI\u2019m coming with you. You might need help.\u201d<\/p>\n

With mixed emotions, Ben agreed. He didn\u2019t want anything else happening to Adam, but he didn\u2019t want to let his son out of his sight any time soon. They went out to the street and headed for Newton\u2019s large house on the outskirts of town.<\/p>\n

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

The knock on the door caught Newton completely unawares. He had just composed the last two notes he intended to send to Ben Cartwright, one reminding him that the clock was ticking and if he didn\u2019t withdraw his bid, his son would be killed and the other telling him that Joe had died because of Ben\u2019s tardiness. Not expecting to find the law on his doorstep, he opened the door without trying to hide the evidence.<\/p>\n

The look on Newton\u2019s face was all the answer they needed. Even as Newton tried to slam the door in their faces, Hoss was bulling his way in, grabbing Newton by the arm and reeling him in like a fish.<\/p>\n

From beyond Newton, Ben saw a man glancing through an open door and a look of panic flash over his face. Ben didn\u2019t hesitate or wait for Roy, he just took off after the other man, convinced that this man knew where Joe was and Ben didn\u2019t think his intentions were good where Joe was concerned.<\/p>\n

For an instant, Adam and Roy hesitated, then, seeing that Hoss had Newton under control, they hurried after Ben, through the kitchen and out of the back door which stood ajar. They were in time to see the first man, closely followed by Ben, disappearing into the barn. \u201cCome on!\u201d Adam cried, unnecessarily.<\/p>\n

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

Through the haze of pain, Joe heard the barn door open. He lifted his head with extreme difficulty and peered through the tiny slit that was all his eyes would open. He squinted, but couldn\u2019t quite see who had come in. Dropping down his head, he decided tiredly that he didn\u2019t care; they had undoubtedly come to kill him. Joe didn\u2019t want to die, but he had exhausted all his strength trying to get free and all he could do for himself now was pray. And pray he did.<\/p>\n

Just as the logger reached for Joe, the door opened again. Joe tried to move away, even knowing that he could move barely more than an inch in any direction. He didn\u2019t know who the second person was, but he couldn\u2019t think that it was someone who would help him.<\/p>\n

The logger grabbed the rope harness around Joe\u2019s shoulders and yanked him upwards. Joe couldn\u2019t hold back a cry of pain, for the rope bit into his body, increasing the pain in his abused muscles. He didn\u2019t seem able to catch his breath as the tightness increased more and more.<\/p>\n

And then suddenly, he was falling and the small amount of breath he had left in his lungs was driven out with an explosive grunt. Joe panicked, unable to breathe, not sure what was going on. He tried to move, but his body, still fighting to get the oxygen it needed, failed him. The world was going grey and dots speckled his vision when his lungs decided to work again.<\/p>\n

Panting, Joe realised that there was quite a fight raging in the stall beside him. He wasn\u2019t sure exactly who the protagonists were, since his vision was blurry from the two horrendous, swollen black eyes he had. But whoever they were, they were close to him and he had no means of getting out of their way. And even as Joe thought that, a foot landed hard in the middle of his back for a moment.<\/p>\n

Then, confusingly, there seemed to be more people in on the fight. Joe\u2019s throbbing head couldn\u2019t cope with sorting this out and he closed his eyes, hoping against hope that nobody would stand on him again. He could hear grunts and the thuds of fist hitting flesh, the shuffling of feet in the straw as the fighters sought some extra purchase or leverage. Then there was a loud thud and the other noises ceased, apart from some heavy breathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d The voice was soft, familiar and the one Joe had wanted to hear above all others.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe forced his eyes to open and squinted at the blurry figure kneeling by him. His swollen, cracked, lips moved, but no sound came out. But there was no mistaking the word he was trying to say \u2013 \u201cPa.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the work of moments for Ben to cut through the ropes binding Joe. Together, he and Adam helped the younger man sit up, Ben lending his strong shoulder for Joe to lean against when he saw that his youngest son was too weak, for the moment, to support his own weight. Ben didn\u2019t feel his own hurts from the fight he had just had. He was only subliminally aware of the throbbing gash on his forearm where the logger had caught him with the knife he had intended to plunge into Joe\u2019s heart. His eyes were fixed on his son\u2019s battered and bruised face, his big warm hands gently massaging Joe\u2019s lacerated wrists. Adam looked round for some water, but couldn\u2019t see anything useful.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to take you into the house, Joe,\u201d Ben told him, gently. \u201cWe\u2019ll try not to hurt you. All right?\u201d Ben was horrified by Joe\u2019s battered face and dazed appearance. He was partially reassured when Joe nodded slightly and braced himself.<\/p>\n

As gently as they could, Ben and Adam lifted Joe to his feet, each one supporting him under his arms. Ben slid an arm around Joe\u2019s slender waist to give extra support and slowly, the three walked out of the barn, heading for the house. Joe\u2019s head was down as he shuffled along and he was unaware of Hoss standing at the back door, drinking in the sight of his younger brother. It was probably lucky for Newton that Clem had arrived from the jail to help out, as Hoss wasn\u2019t sure he would have been able to control his temper.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet some water, Hoss,\u201d Ben ordered as they entered the house. \u201cSome for him to drink and to clean him up a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d Hoss nodded, casting an anxious look at his sibling. Joe was now so exhausted that he was beyond lifting his head to look in Hoss\u2019 direction.<\/p>\n

While Hoss got the water, Ben and Adam practically carried Joe through the house to the living room, where they laid him on the sofa. Joe murmured a wordless thanks and sighed heavily, his body relaxing into the soft cushions. Ben eyed him worriedly.<\/p>\n

Hoss arrived in with the water and Ben slid an arm under Joe\u2019s shoulders to help him drink. Joe sipped slowly, wanting to gulp down the liquid, but not having the strength. Ben, suspecting how thirsty Joe was, kept control of the cup, although Joe doubted if his numb hands would have held the china anyway. He was content to rest for a minute while Ben washed the blood and dirt off his face and he found it very comforting.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, when at length he put down the empty cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter,\u201d Joe breathed. \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d He wasn’t sure of the veracity of his statement, but he did feel better than he had a short while before. Joe didn\u2019t know if it was the drink or the wash or a combination of both that had done the trick. He opened his eyes again and was slightly surprised to see Ben, Adam and Hoss leaning over him, anxiety on every face. \u201cHi, brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, since Joe was improving, Ben said, \u201cLet\u2019s get Joe to the doctor. You, too, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa!\u201d Adam protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe squinted at his brother. \u201cYou hurt?\u201d Speaking was difficult, due to his badly split lip and a lump on his jaw. His mouth didn\u2019t seem to open properly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, I\u2019m all right, honest,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cI just had a bump on the head yesterday and you know what Pa\u2019s like.\u201d He shot a look of entreaty to Ben not to say any more right then. Joe might be improving, but he was still a long way from well and Adam didn\u2019t want him worrying. Besides, Ben could do to have some treatment for the knife wound on his arm. Their father didn\u2019t appear to be feeling it for the moment, but Adam knew that the discomfort would hit as soon he knew that Joe was going to recover.<\/p>\n

\u201cOk.\u201d Joe subsided, too tired to think any more. He heard Ben saying something about the doctor again, but Joe\u2019s eyes were closing and he couldn\u2019t stay awake. He had a vague impression of being lifted then remembered no more.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAs far as I can see, only Joe\u2019s ribs are broken,\u201d Paul assured Ben as he bandaged the older man\u2019s forearm. \u201cJoe has been very badly beaten and he\u2019s going to be sore for quite some time. His eyes would appear to be all right, but they are badly swollen and I\u2019m concerned by the amount of broken blood vessels that are showing up. I\u2019ve put soothing compresses on his eyes and before you ask, yes, I did bandage them down. With any luck, Joe can take them off tomorrow, but apart from changing the dressing regularly for the next 24 hours, I don\u2019t want Joe\u2019s eyes uncovered.\u201d Tying off the ends of the bandage, he went on, \u201cApart from that, Joe is exhausted. His wrists are sore from the ropes and he obviously hadn\u2019t been given anything to eat. Other than the lack of water, Joe\u2019s biggest problem right now is that he needs a bath! However, I\u2019d take him home, first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben replied, meaning both for his own treatment and the news that he could take Joe home. \u201cWhat about Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTired, shaken up and hungry,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cHe\u2019s got a couple of rope burns but the bump on his head is superficial, Ben. He\u2019s fine.\u201d Paul patted his friend on the shoulder. \u201cHoss has organised a wagon and Roy tells me Clem found Sport and Cochise, so you\u2019re all set to go.\u201d He smiled as Ben rose eagerly. \u201cAnd keep those boys of yours out of my surgery for a week or so, please!\u201d They laughed. \u201cI\u2019ll be out tomorrow to look at Joe\u2019s eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben repeated and went to find his sons.<\/p>\n

They were all outside, Hoss settling a protesting Joe into the back of a hay-filled wagon and tucking a blanket securely around him. Adam was stiffly mounting Sport and yawning widely into the bargain. Cochise and Buck were hitched to the back of the wagon, since Hoss had rightly assumed that Ben would rather ride in the back with Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could ride,\u201d Joe grumbled, but he was asleep before they reached the outskirts of town.<\/p>\n

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

It wasn\u2019t until next day, after Joe had got the bandages off his eyes, that the family gathered downstairs to hear Roy\u2019s report. Joe lay on the sofa, cushions behind his back and a blanket covering his legs. He still looked pale and tired and the black eyes he had were quite spectacular. Adam sat quietly in his favourite blue velvet chair and a book rested across his legs. Hoss perched on the stone hearth, Roy sat in Ben\u2019s chair and Ben sat on the arm of the sofa by Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cRenton\u2019s business is in financial trouble,\u201d Roy started. \u201cHe needs this contract ta keep things goin\u2019. So that\u2019s why he decided ta warn ya off, Ben. He had intended ta grab Joe, \u2018cos he reckoned Joe would be less trouble than either o\u2019 the other two, but got Adam instead.\u201d Everyone looked at Joe when Roy said \u2018less trouble\u2019 and there were knowing smiles all round. If only Renton knew!<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems Newton had the same idea, simply \u2018cos he wanted the contract,\u201d Roy continued. \u201cSo he took Joe an\u2019 planned ta kill him once he\u2019d got ya ta pull out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t figure out why he kept me alive,\u201d Joe admitted quietly. \u201cHe said right from the start that he was going to kill me and his logger friend seemed quite happy to oblige.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked the same question,\u201d Roy agreed. \u201cNewton said he was holdin\u2019 on ta ya so\u2019s he could git yer pa ta come out ta the house, if\u2019n he refused ta pull out o\u2019 the biddin.\u201d Roy didn\u2019t add that Newton had practically admitted that he was prepared to murder Joe inch by inch to persuade Ben to cooperate. He didn\u2019t think it would do any good to tell the Cartwrights that.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you\u2019re going to tell us that Jones needed the contract to keep his business afloat,\u201d Adam remarked sourly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Roy denied and smiled at the surprised expressions that crossed the faces of his listeners. \u201cHis business is secure an\u2019 he\u2019s well off. But he\u2019s thinkin\u2019 o\u2019 gittin; married an\u2019 wanted extra money ta impress his bride-to-be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss gasped. \u201cHe really was gonna kidnap me \u2018cos o\u2019 that?\u201d Hoss shook his head. \u201cThat don\u2019t make sense, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never said it did,\u201d Roy answered. He twinkled at the family. \u201cIt were plain ol\u2019 greed. He were gonna kidnap Hoss fer ransom.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he had rather expected, the Cartwrights didn\u2019t know whether to laugh or be outraged. In the end, they were outraged and then laughed. It was such a ludicrous situation and now that all his sons were safe, Ben could see the funny side of things.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll that, for a timber contract,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen to them all, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrison,\u201d Roy replied, prosaically. \u201cI reckon Newton an\u2019 his henchman will hang. But it\u2019s up to the judge.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

After Roy left, the family were quiet. Joe fell asleep, Adam resumed reading and Hoss went out to do some chores in the barn. Ben sat and gazed aimlessly at his books, but his mind was elsewhere. They gathered again for lunch and the atmosphere was more like normal. They had all come to terms, as best they could, with what they had learned. None of them could understand how anyone could stoop so low.<\/p>\n

The knock on the door early in the afternoon came as a surprise to them all. Ben rose to answer it and was surprised to see Emmet Johansson on the doorstep. \u201cCome in!\u201d he exclaimed, hoping that he didn\u2019t look as surprised as he felt. \u201cWould you like some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, that would be pleasant,\u201d Johansson replied. He accepted the seat he was offered and Ben ordered coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came to tell you that your bid for the contract for shoring for our mine has been accepted. None of the other bids could match yours.\u201d Johansson smiled. \u201cYour reputation precedes you, sir.\u201d He held out an envelope.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Ben reached for it and sat holding it in his hands, making no move to open it. This contract, that he hadn\u2019t had to bid for, had caused so much grief. Could he take it on now? Ben glanced at Adam, who gazed back non-committally. Joe\u2019s face was averted from Ben\u2019s, his eyes riveted on the envelope. Ben couldn\u2019t tell what Joe was thinking. He looked at Hoss, who was frowning thoughtfully, but he got no help from that side, either.<\/p>\n

The decision then was his. Should he accept the contract, knowing what it had almost cost him? And yet, if he didn\u2019t, who would they find to provide the shoring? This was vital safety work and since it was a friend of Adam\u2019s who had invented the square set timbering for mines, Ben felt strongly about encouraging its use.<\/p>\n

Looking at Adam again, Ben received a nod and a faint smile. Joe was now waiting with seeming impatience for Ben to open the envelope and Hoss\u2019 frown had relaxed. He was watching Ben, too. \u201cGo on, Pa, open it,\u201d he urged. Adam and Joe echoed Hoss.<\/p>\n

As he slit the envelope, Ben asked, \u201cHave you heard what happened, Mr Johansson?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHappened?\u201d Johansson echoed. \u201cNo \u2013 although I can see Joseph has been in a fight of some kind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, a fight,\u201d Ben agreed. He told Johansson the whole story and could see from the manager\u2019s face that he had not heard it before and the acceptance of his bid was in fact genuine. Ben was saddened that his faith in his fellow man had been shaken, even if it turned out to just be temporary. \u201cThank you, Mr Johansson; I have great pleasure in supplying the timber for your mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising, Johansson shook his head. \u201cBelieve me, Mr Cartwright, the pleasure is all mine. I\u2019m especially glad, now that I know what was going on, that yours is the bid we liked best.\u201d He jammed his hat onto his head. \u201cIt pays to have a good reputation, you know.\u201d With those words, he left.<\/p>\n

Sitting down, Ben looked at his sons. \u201cWell?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re quite happy for you do provide the timber,\u201d Adam replied, although Ben wondered when \u2013 or even if \u2013 he had spoken to his brothers about it. \u201cWe\u2019re all fine, Pa. And you won this fair and square. Johansson just told you that. It wouldn\u2019t be right to turn it down or back away now. And not just financially. Morally, too. Show the Newtons, Rentons and Joneses of the world that you do business honestly.\u201d Adam gave Ben a lop-sided smile. \u201cAfter all, if you weren\u2019t an honest man, they wouldn\u2019t have been able to hold us for ransom, would they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben replied. He was always proud of his boys, but especially so at times like these.<\/p>\n

They were silent for a time, respecting the emotions that had been flying around. But as the atmosphere eased, it was Joe who spoke first.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Adam!\u201d he protested. \u201cWhat do you mean we\u2019re all fine? I was hurt, even if you got a cushy kidnapper\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 An everyday business venture takes an unexpected turn for Ben Cartwright<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,600 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":3758,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1008,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosapine.jpg?fit=270%2C404&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5793","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=5793"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5793\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}