{"id":5809,"date":"2004-12-29T00:08:20","date_gmt":"2004-12-29T05:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5809"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:13","slug":"tears-of-sorrow-tears-of-joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5809","title":{"rendered":"Tears of Sorrow, Tears of Joy (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Tragedy is compounded by heartbreak for the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,020 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

Tears of Sorrow, Tears of Joy<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright wondered if they had ever had a cattle drive where everything had gone smoothly. If so, he couldn\u2019t remember it. but he didn\u2019t think there had ever been one as bad as this one was proving to be and to make things worse, they hadn\u2019t even started the round up yet!<\/p>\n

The first problem was the weather. It had been raining solidly for a week. It was cold and none of the men they had hired had wanted to sleep on the ground while the round up was in progress. It wasn\u2019t a prospect that filled Ben with joy either, but the cattle had to be watched to stop them from straying.<\/p>\n

The second problem was actually hiring men. With the mines going full blast day and night, there were precious few men willing to sign on to work the round up. The wages offered by the mines were much bigger than Ben could pay his hands. It was a continual problem, but one that was exacerbated by the extra men needed at this time of year.<\/p>\n

The third problem was\u2026 Well, Ben wasn\u2019t sure there was a third problem as yet, but he was sure there would be one cropping up any minute, given the way things had gone so far. He needed to have the herd moving towards Sacramento by this time next week if he was to get there before the best deals were gone. Ben\u2019s thoughts drifted slightly as he pondered once more Joe\u2019s idea. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we negotiate a contract before we drive the cattle down?\u201d he had asked. \u201cThen we\u2019d have a definite contract and wouldn\u2019t have to push so hard.\u201d It was something Ben had never thought of doing, but now that it had been suggested, he couldn\u2019t imagine why he hadn\u2019t thought of it before.<\/p>\n

There was also the thorny problem of who to leave behind. Hop Sing had grudgingly agreed to go along as cook and Ben knew that old Charlie, the foreman, wouldn\u2019t be up to a long journey, but he needed to leave behind at least a couple of younger men, too. Ideally, one of them should be Joe or Hoss, but Ben needed them both with him. He shook his head. He had another few days to work things out; perhaps the answer would come to him while he was doing something else. Ben sure hoped so.<\/p>\n

The front door opened and Ben looked up from his musings to see his sons come into the house. They were both wet, despite the slickers they shed, and looked exhausted. Ben felt a pang of guilt. He knew that both his sons would work themselves into the ground to make sure that this round up went well. He had brought them up to be hard workers, although neither of them would ever object to a day off in which they could do nothing if that was what they wanted. But today, they had been out in the wind and the rain working with the men and they were beat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are things going?\u201d Ben asked, rising to walk over to join them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe north section is cleared out,\u201d Joe replied, his voice weary. \u201cWe went through there twice and we\u2019ve definitely got them all. We drove them down to join the main herd at the South Forty. Tomorrow, we\u2019ll go to the East Meadow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thinking,\u201d Ben praised. It was a long way from the north section to the South Forty and more than Ben had expected his sons to do. If they had got the cattle down to the east section, it would have been good work; this was above and beyond the call of duty.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt were Joe that done it,\u201d Hoss told Ben, giving the credit where it was due. \u201cI helped the boys comb the brush while Joe pushed them cows down alone.\u201d He dropped his hat on the credenza and sighed heavily. \u201cThen the boys an\u2019 I brung down the strays we found. Weren\u2019t many.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for doing that, son,\u201d Ben praised Joe, touching his arm. \u201cThat\u2019s saved us a lot of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought, too,\u201d Joe replied and Ben saw how white his youngest son\u2019s face was. Pushing cattle alone was no one\u2019s idea of fun and Joe had done miraculously well to have moved that number of cows in such a short space of time. No wonder he looked exhausted. Joe summoned a smile. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa, we\u2019ll be ready to go by next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure we will,\u201d Ben agreed, cheered by Joe\u2019s optimism. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you boys go and put on dry clothes and by then, supper will be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good ta me!\u201d Hoss exclaimed. He hurried across the room to the stairs and Joe and Ben exchanged a fond smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me, too,\u201d Joe admitted and followed in his brother\u2019s footsteps, but more slowly.<\/p>\n

Watching Joe go, Ben smiled ruefully when he realised he was getting ready to cluck over his youngest chick. It was a hard habit to break, but Joe was constantly proving that he was a man to be proud of. Since Adam had left the previous cold season, Joe had stepped into his oldest brother\u2019s shoes without being aware of it and he had more than filled them. Although Adam was sorely missed, Joe had taken on many of the jobs that had been Adam\u2019s and had tackled them successfully. Joe had matured into a man of great depth. Doting father though Ben was, he had to admit that the maturation process had been more marked since Adam had left. With Adam no longer there, Joe had come into his own and it hurt Ben to think that, however unintentionally, Adam had stunted Joe\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n

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

Supper was a quiet meal that night. Both Joe and Hoss were too tired to make casual conversation and shortly after supper was over, Joe went to bed. Hoss stayed for a while, but the warmth of the fire soon had him dozing on the sofa and Ben finally shook him and told him to go to bed, too. He followed shortly after, but it was some time before he fell asleep, still mulling over the problem of who to leave behind.<\/p>\n

Morning saw a slight lightening of the leaden skies and there wasn\u2019t actually any rain falling just for a change. In response, the Cartwright\u2019s spirits rose and they were smiling when they rode out to begin rounding up the portion of the herd in the East Meadow.<\/p>\n

The better weather seemed to be a good omen. The strays were few and easily found and the whole herd was moved down to the South Forty in a remarkably short time. Ben began to think their luck had changed. He continued to think so when two men who had worked for them previously turned up looking for jobs. Ben knew they wouldn\u2019t stay for one minute longer than it took them to get their money, but he understood their need to keep moving. He was even more relieved when the day after that, another two men came from the town looking for jobs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, this is what I think we should do,\u201d Ben declared. He was sitting behind his desk, with Joe perched on one corner and Hoss sitting in a chair beside him. \u201cCharlie will stay here, along with Hank and Walt.\u201d Both Hank and Walt were older men. \u201cThat means this place is kept up and we have the younger men on the cattle drive with us. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cThose two drifters coming back have made a lot of difference. They\u2019re experienced enough to know what needs done without having to be told all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cAn\u2019 them two new fellars from town is workin\u2019 out real well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cThen that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do. Tomorrow, we\u2019ll gather the last of the supplies that we need and then we move out the next morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

The relief was palpable in the air as the three rose. Joe and Hoss started teasing each other about the forth coming trip, but Ben wasn\u2019t listening. He was just relieved that everything seemed to be under control and going his way. It didn\u2019t occur to him to touch wood or do any other superstitious thing to keep the good luck.<\/p>\n

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

It was raining again as they rose in the pre-dawn darkness to leave on the cattle drive. They were silent, yawning widely, none of them fully awake. They ate in the same silence and prepared their mounts. By the time dawn broke, the Cartwrights were down at the South Forty, looking at the four hundred head of cattle that they were going to push all the way to Sacramento.<\/p>\n

The beasts were as reluctant to get going that dreary morning as the men were. There were curses \u2013 although not many, the men knowing that Ben didn\u2019t approve of swearing \u2013 and grumbling, but within an hour, the herd was on its feet and moving slowly.<\/p>\n

In that hour, the weather had deteriorated. The skies had darkened and the wind picked up. The cattle were unsettled, the horses spooking at nothing. Hoss looked anxiously at the sky. There was definitely a storm on the way.<\/p>\n

The thought had barely crossed his mind when there was a tremendous flash of lightning. It split the dark sky and struck the ground nearby. A stink of ozone was left behind. The rumble of thunder was directly overhead.<\/p>\n

The effect on the herd was immediate. The cattle panicked and ran. The cowboys set their horses into a run, trying desperately to stop the herd, to turn it, anything to contain the panic. But the cow ponies were spooked, too and it seemed that this drive was doomed before it ever got begun.<\/p>\n

Regaining control of his horse before almost anyone else, Joe sent Cochise towards the front of the herd. If he could just get the herd to turn, they would slow automatically and disaster would be averted. Cochise was an experienced mount, and after his initial shy at the lightning, he was once more responding to Joe\u2019s commands. The air was filled with mournful bellows, whistles and cries. The storm almost seemed quiet in contrast.<\/p>\n

Cochise\u2019s speed was an advantage. Joe reached the front of the herd and set about trying to turn the cattle. He knew what he was doing was dangerous, but he didn\u2019t have a choice. If the stampede wasn\u2019t brought under control, it could mean financial disaster for the ranch. He knew one bad year wouldn\u2019t break them, but bad luck seemed to run in streaks and Joe was in no mood to see the Ponderosa hit a run of bad luck.<\/p>\n

It seemed as though the cattle would never turn. Joe rode himself and his horse ragged, twisting and turning, snapping his quirt in the faces of the lead beasts, shouting and whistling, seemingly to no avail. And then, slowly, they began to turn. Joe knew that this was the most important moment. He couldn\u2019t afford to flag now, although he felt exhausted.<\/p>\n

And then they were all turning and Joe knew his job was done. He pulled Cochise down to a walk and patted the sweating neck in front of him. His eyes, however, were still on the cattle and he saw one steer that was not turning. Time seemed to stand still. \u00a0He couldn\u2019t get out of the way. Then disaster struck.<\/p>\n

The steer hit Cochise full on, one horn skewering the pinto in the shoulder and the other sinking into the flank. The pinto had no chance, its foreleg broken instantly, and it went over onto its side, trapping Joe as it writhed in pain.<\/p>\n

Joe screamed as they hit the ground, but there was nothing he could do. The pain went on and on until darkness claimed him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe!\u201d The cry was ripped from Ben\u2019s lips as he saw his son go down. All other thoughts were driven from his head as he spurred his horse to a gallop, ignoring the milling cattle. Others could worry about the herd.<\/p>\n

From the other side, Hoss had also watched with a sickening sense of inevitability as Joe and Cochise went down. He had Chubb moving at once, but he knew that it was useless. He was too far away to get there before disaster struck.<\/p>\n

Hauling Buck to a stand still, Ben froze in horror for several seconds before feeling returned to his limbs. His eyes were riveted to the sight before him. The steer still had its horns stuck in Cochise\u2019s side, shaking its head frantically, shaking the horse, too, and the horse was bleeding profusely, writhing in agony. Ben knew that there was only one thing he could do and his heart sank. Hauling his gun from its holster, Ben put a bullet into the steer\u2019s brain and then put Cochise out of its misery.<\/p>\n

By then, Hoss was there and Ben glanced up at him as he raced around Cochise to kneel by Joe\u2019s side. \u201cHoss, get that animal butchered!\u201d he ordered. With the dead weight of both animals pinning Joe to the ground, there was no way Ben could pull him free. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was blood on Joe\u2019s head where he had stuck it off a stone in the mud. The gash was not deep and the bleeding had almost stopped, but it still set Ben\u2019s heart fluttering with panic. The rain had washed the blood down Joe\u2019s face, making the wound appear more deadly than it actually was. Ben frantically felt down Joe\u2019s arms, concluding that they weren\u2019t broken, which was a relief. Joe\u2019s left leg, which still lay astride Cochise, the foot still in the stirrup, was also all right. Ben looked fearfully at Joe\u2019s right leg. He had no way to tell if it was injured or not until they got the carcasses removed.<\/p>\n

Returning his gaze to Joe\u2019s pale, dirt-streaked face, Ben saw his son\u2019s eyelids flutter and a moment later, Joe groaned. \u201cJoe? Can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

With what seemed to be a great deal of effort, Joe forced his eyes to open and squinted into the pouring rain. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered. \u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d \u00a0Although Ben had made an effort to hide his worry from Joe, he wasn\u2019t entirely successful and Joe turned his head before Ben could stop him. The last thing he wanted was for Joe to see the mess.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben was too late. Joe grabbed his father\u2019s arm and tried to drag himself up, but he was firmly trapped and there was no way he was going anywhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, no! Please, no!\u201d Joe looked up at Ben\u2019s face, but saw that the thing he feared was true. His beloved horse was dead. Joe had known from the second that he saw those horns in the black and white flesh, but he couldn\u2019t admit it to himself straight away. \u201cCochise!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d There was nothing Ben could say. He simply gathered his son into his arms and held him, offering the comfort of his presence. Joe clung to Ben in dry-eyed despair.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Joe slumped down in Ben\u2019s grasp and Ben moved slightly to see Joe\u2019s face. His son was still as white as a sheet and his skin was clammy. \u201cJoe, are you in pain?\u201d he asked, dreading the reply.<\/p>\n

Until then, Joe hadn\u2019t been aware of any pain, apart from the pain in his heart. But with Ben\u2019s words, his leg began to throb to the beat of his heart and Joe winced. \u201cMy leg,\u201d he muttered and reached to grasp the top of his thigh, as though that would do any good. He tried to move to ease things slightly and the bolt of white-hot pain that lanced from his leg into his body brought sweat to his brow and tore a cry from his throat. \u201cOh, Pa, the pain!\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking away from Joe, Ben saw that Hoss had got the axe from the chuck wagon and was roughly butchering the steer. Blood spurted everywhere, but the big man didn\u2019t seem to notice. His face was shuttered and grim as he worked as hard as he could to free his younger brother.<\/p>\n

Beyond Hoss, Ben could see the other men. The herd was under control again and the men were coming over to offer their help. It would be more than welcome, Ben knew. \u201cOne of you men get me a blanket,\u201d Ben ordered, for Joe was now shivering and Ben knew he was going into shock. \u201cSomeone go into town and get the doctor!\u201d<\/p>\n

A blanket was thrust into Ben\u2019s hands a moment later and he tucked it carefully around Joe without letting go of his son\u2019s head and shoulders, which he still cradled in his arms. Cold from the ground was seeping steadily into his pants, but Ben barely noticed, so focused was he on keeping Joe as comfortable as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa.\u201d Joe\u2019s teeth were chattering, despite the blanket. He couldn\u2019t remember feeling so wretched in a long time. \u201cPa, Cooch didn\u2019t\u2026 suffer much\u2026 did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son, he didn\u2019t suffer much,\u201d Ben soothed, knowing it wasn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2026 was he\u2026 bad hurt?\u201d Joe stuttered. It wasn\u2019t the first time Joe had seen a horse put down. He had done it himself when required \u2013 and for an instant, Joe was back in the Arizona desert, cradled in Ben\u2019s arms, apologising for having to shoot the horse that he and his brothers had bought for Ben\u2019s birthday \u2013 but it was the first time he had lost one of his own mounts. Sure he had outgrown ponies when he was a boy, but that had been different, since the ponies had gone on to other homes. But this was the first time Joe had lost his personal mount and it hurt. Cochise had been with Joe through thick and thin for years and they had a partnership that was the envy of many. Joe longed to touch that silky coat one last time, to say goodbye, but he knew that by the time he was free and could reach Cooch to touch him, the warmth would be gone. A sob broke free.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m afraid he was,\u201d Ben replied, sadly. The boy and the horse had grown together, for Cochise had barely been full grown when Ben got him for Joe. Ben had often feared for Joe when he saw his son doing something risky on a horse, but he knew that Cochise was as reliable a mount as it was possible to get and Joe would miss him sorely.<\/p>\n

Looking across at his brother, Hoss hurried his movements even more. It was bad enough that Joe was trapped, without him being trapped beneath his own dead horse. Things would get worse before they got better, Hoss knew, for he was pretty sure that they would have to dismember Cochise to get Joe free, for rigor mortis was setting in fast.<\/p>\n

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

All in all, it was one of the longest mornings that anyone could remember. Hoss had worked as quickly as he could, but it was still almost two hours before Joe could be moved. They commandeered the chuck wagon to take him back to the ranch and by then, Joe was unconscious, chilled to the bone, despite the number of blankets that had been tucked around him. Ben was very nearly as cold, since he had sat in the mud with Joe the entire time, holding his son in his arms, soothing him.<\/p>\n

The journey to the ranch was of necessity slow, to avoid jolting the injured man too much. Joe was pale to the point of transparency, a faint blue tinge around his lips. Ben knew that they were returning to a house without a fire, a house that would be chill on a day like this and that worried him. Joe needed to be warm, but Ben could not ask Hoss to ride quickly to the house to light fires. His older son had done so much already that day. It was a grim task that Ben did not envy and he was sorry he had had to ask Hoss to do that. The memories would stay with them for a very long time.<\/p>\n

Riding at the back of the wagon, Hoss could smell the blood that stained his clothes and knew that the first thing he needed was a bath. But would there be time for a bath? Joe came first and Hoss was determined to do whatever was needed to help his brother.<\/p>\n

So it was a very pleasant surprise to arrive in the yard and find Paul Martin waiting for them, with the fire blazing in the hearth. Paul had been quite near by when he heard about the accident and had arrived at the house before anyone else. With the familiarity of a long-time friend, he had let himself in and taken it upon himself to make the house more welcoming. A stone hot water bottle was warming Joe\u2019s bed, although Paul planned to keep to himself the length of time it had taken him to find the hot water bottles! Water was boiling on the stove and a lamp was lit in Joe\u2019s room to banish the gloom.<\/p>\n

Together, Ben and Hoss carried Joe into the house. Joe had been essentially silent throughout the journey, but whether sleeping or unconscious, Ben wasn\u2019t sure. He knew that Joe\u2019s right leg was badly broken and worry stalked his heart in case the head wound was more serious than it appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, go and have a bath!\u201d Paul ordered. He patted the big man on the back of the shoulder. \u201cHave something to eat, sit down and catch your breath,\u201d he advised. \u201cDoctor\u2019s orders!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Joe\u2026\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll look after Joe,\u201d Paul assured him. \u201cWhy else do you think I\u2019m here? I don\u2019t get the chance to do any social visiting with you people!\u201d He laughed and Hoss smiled slightly. \u201cGo on, Hoss. Your father will be following you to the table in short order.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m staying,\u201d Ben stated flatly, his eyes riveted to Joe\u2019s pale face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to put on dry clothes,\u201d Paul replied, with a hint of steel in his voice. It wasn\u2019t often he stood up to Ben like that, but when he did, the soft spoken, jovial doctor could rival the patriarch of the Ponderosa in determination. \u201cWhat good would it do Joe if you got sick, too?\u201d He held Ben\u2019s gaze, unblinking. \u201cGo and change, Ben, or I\u2019ll sedate you and that\u2019ll be the end of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing that Paul would indeed carry out this threat, Ben did as he was told, looking back over his shoulder before leaving the bedroom. Hoss clapped Ben awkwardly on the shoulder. \u201cJoe\u2019ll be fine, Pa, I jist know he will,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course he will,\u201d Ben smiled, but his heart wasn\u2019t in it. Fear filled Ben\u2019s heart for no reason that he could fathom. He hurried to get changed.<\/p>\n

It was a relief to be in clean, dry clothes. Ben hastily ate the sandwich Hoss had made for him and hurried back upstairs. Paul was feeling gently down Joe\u2019s leg with a distracted frown on his face. Joe\u2019s clothing lay in a muddy heap on the floor and the warm water in the basin was distinctly murky. Ben took the basin downstairs, emptied, rinsed and refilled it. Carrying it back upstairs, he came into the room as Paul straightened up and sighed heavily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked, the anxiety clear in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bad break,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cAt least two places, maybe three. I\u2019m not sure. As you can see, Joe\u2019s shin is broken and out of alignment. The skin is broken, too and that means I can\u2019t put the leg in plaster until we\u2019re sure there\u2019s no infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

It hurt Paul to look into Ben\u2019s dark, worried eyes, seeing the other\u2019s heart lying there, ready to be torn open by the words he had to say. But there was no point in lying. Joe was gravely injured and a broken leg could prove fatal. It was something Paul didn\u2019t even want to contemplate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else?\u201d Ben asked, and there was barely a hint of a quiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been lucky,\u201d Paul replied, knowing that the term \u2018lucky\u2019 was relative. \u201cThe head wound is nothing, and apart from some bruises, he\u2019s unmarked.\u201d Paul glanced at Joe, who still had his eyes shut. \u201cI\u2019ll give him something and then set the leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is he still unconscious?\u201d Ben asked, despair flooding his voice. Joe hadn\u2019t reacted to anything that had been said in the room at all.<\/p>\n

At those words, Joe\u2019s eyes opened and the misery in those emerald depths caused Ben a new wave of grief. \u201cJoe?\u201d he whispered and went to sit by his son, taking his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2026hurts, Pa,\u201d Joe breathed. \u201cIt\u2026 hurts\u2026 so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do what I can to make you more comfortable, Joe,\u201d Paul promised. He quickly administered the chloroform and set about redeeming his promise.<\/p>\n

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

When Joe initially came round from the anaesthetic, he felt a bit better. The worst of the grinding pain in his leg was gone, but as he drifted sleepily, he realised that he had had quite a lot of some painkiller. He made an effort to speak to his family, but he could barely form words and soon drifted off to sleep.<\/p>\n

Ben, although exhausted from the emotional strain, insisted on sitting up with Joe all night, despite the fact that Paul was staying on. Paul was quite concerned about Joe, for he had been very cold when he was brought in and it had taken a while to bring his temperature back up to normal and the breaks in his leg were serious.<\/p>\n

During the night, Joe started to run a temperature and by morning, a fever was raging out of control. As Paul had feared, infection had set into the leg and they began to fight a battle that was to last several days and sap the strength of everyone concerned. Paul did everything he could, leaving only to go home, change clothes and tend to the most urgent of his other patients. Ben and Hoss barely left Joe\u2019s side, bathing him in cold water, administering the quinine that Paul left behind and praying hard.<\/p>\n

For Joe, caught in a world where delirium held sway, things were confusing. He had to be kept still, for his leg was supported only by splints, which would not keep the bone straight should he thrash around too much. Many times he wrenched awake to find himself pinned to the bed and to his fevered mind, it was all too reminiscent of the accident. His grief over the death of his horse came out time and again as he screamed out, \u201cCochise! No!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe, easy,\u201d Hoss soothed, distressed by Joe\u2019s distress. Hoss was half-convinced that he should have worked faster, freed Joe sooner, although he wasn\u2019t sure how. He had wept when he had allowed himself to think of what it was he had had to do to free his younger brother. What he had done had needed to be done, but now that he had the time to think, Hoss was very upset. Cochise had been like a member of the family, in an odd way, as all the family mounts were. His death had been bad enough, but what had happened thereafter was just\u2026 Hoss couldn\u2019t think of a word bad enough. Even \u2018dreadful\u2019 didn\u2019t sound bad enough.<\/p>\n

And however bad it had been for Hoss, he was sure it had been that much worse for Joe, trapped and in pain, knowing his horse was dead and then\u2026 Hoss refused to allow his thoughts to go down that road. It was bad enough that he was having nightmares about it without thinking about it while he was awake.<\/p>\n

Desperate to distract himself, Hoss wondered what was happening with the herd. He had not seen any of the hands since bringing Joe home. His world had contracted to the interior of the house and more often than not to the interior of Joe\u2019s bedroom. Hop Sing had not gone with the drive, assuming it had somehow gone ahead, although Hoss didn\u2019t know if it had or not. What difference did it make in the long run, if Joe was to die?<\/p>\n

The thought \u2013 one he had not allowed himself to think \u2013 scared Hoss. Joe was so vital, so alive. How could he possibly die? Hoss knew, of course, that any mishap could cause death. Living to an old age was not a given. Three score years and ten was a biblical age, but not one that was common in every day life. Life was fragile and Hoss knew that. Yet, until that moment, he couldn\u2019t conceive of Joe dying.<\/p>\n

The door opened and Ben entered the room. He looked old and haggard, robbed of sleep by worry. Hoss barely recognised him. But then, he didn\u2019t recognise himself when he looked in the mirror. That unshaven man with the wildly tousled hair was not him\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Ben asked and the weariness in his voice made Hoss wince.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout the same,\u201d he answered, reluctantly. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d Hoss hesitated. \u201cHave ya thought o\u2019 wirin\u2019 Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve thought of it,\u201d Ben admitted and Hoss was startled. Wiring Adam was tantamount to admitting that Joe might die. \u201cBut what good would it do? Adam wouldn\u2019t get here before \u2026\u201d Ben allowed his voice to trail off. He had always known that death dealt its hand indiscriminately, whether the person was needed or not, but he had always hoped that he would not out-live his children. That seemed unutterably cruel to him. But to lose Joe at barely 25 years of age was a thought Ben could not entertain at all. And saying it aloud… Ben couldn\u2019t do that. \u201cJoe will be all right,\u201d he went on. \u201cHe must be, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s bin like this fer two days, Pa,\u201d Hoss muttered. Joe was, at that moment, lying still, sweat beading his face and chest, glittering like diamonds in the late afternoon sunshine. The weather had taken a turn for the better after the accident. It seemed grossly unfair to Hoss. When bad things happened, the weather should be dismal and when happy things came along, the weather should be fair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben muttered. \u201cBut we can\u2019t give up on him, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t givin\u2019 up!\u201d Hoss protested. \u201cI jist thought\u2026\u201d What was it he had thought? Hoss wondered. He wasn\u2019t sure. \u201cI jist thought Adam should know,\u201d he concluded lamely.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo and have something to eat, son,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cYou\u2019re tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Hoss agreed, although his appetite was gone.<\/p>\n

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

Left alone with Joe, Ben prayed, kneeling by his son\u2019s bedside and clutching Joe\u2019s hot, dry hand in his older, gnarled ones. Joe was still very, very hot to the touch and Ben didn\u2019t want to admit that he was frightened. Joe was, literally, sick unto death. Summoning Adam would be admitting that, in Ben\u2019s mind. And he wasn\u2019t altogether sure exactly where Adam was.<\/p>\n

Glancing up, Ben saw that Joe\u2019s eyes were open. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lucid for the moment, Joe looked at Ben. His leg hurt really badly and he was so thirsty. \u201cWater,\u201d he whispered, his voice barely audible. He drank deeply when offered the glass, wondering why he was too weak to hold it himself. When he finished, he lay back, feeling slightly better.<\/p>\n

Joe knew he was ill; knew that things were bad. \u201cPa.\u201d He snagged Ben\u2019s sleeve. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whatever else Ben had expected Joe to say, that was not it. \u201cSorry?\u201d he echoed. \u201cSorry for what, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHolding up\u2026 cattle drive.\u201d Joe swallowed with difficulty. He was so tired and it was so hard to keep his thoughts focused. His eyes dipped shut and he relentlessly dragged his lids open again. \u201cJust go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door to the room silently opened as Hoss brought Ben a cup of coffee. Ben didn\u2019t even glance at Hoss as he concentrated on Joe. \u201cGo?\u201d He shook his head. \u201cJoe, I couldn\u2019t go away and leave you. Anyway, don\u2019t worry, Dave is in charge of the drive and I don\u2019t have to go anywhere. Everything is settled, don\u2019t worry.\u201d Dave was the assistant foreman. He had been at the ranch for several years and Ben knew he was utterly trustworthy. Yes, it would be hard work for the men, but none of them grudged it, after seeing what had happened to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 feel bad,\u201d Joe admitted. It was a sweeping understatement, but it was the most Joe could say. He had no words to describe his misery. \u201cSo\u2026 hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a fever,\u201d Ben replied, as though Joe didn\u2019t know that. \u201cHave some more water, Joe.\u201d He helped Joe drink again. \u201cDoes your leg hurt much?\u201d<\/p>\n

Silently Joe nodded. The ache in his leg seemed to be the only constant in his world. \u201cAm I\u2026? \u201c Joe faltered and then forced himself to ask. \u201cAm I\u2026 gonna lose it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t pretend to misunderstand. It was a thought that had been in his head for the last 48 hours. If Paul couldn\u2019t get the infection under control, Joe might well lose his leg and if that happened, he would probably lose his life too, since the infection would have weakened him. \u201cNo, Joe!\u201d he cried. \u201cNo, it won\u2019t happen, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rolling his head on the pillow, vainly seeking a cool spot, Joe knew that Ben was afraid and that frightened him, too. He didn\u2019t want to lose a leg \u2013 his life would never be the same after that. But Joe didn\u2019t want to die, either. \u201cPa.\u201d He was panting now, with the effort of staying awake and talking. His strength was draining away fast. \u201cI want\u2026 to live\u2026 Take the leg\u2026 if I can\u2026 live.\u201d Joe clutched Ben\u2019s arm and squeezed with the little strength he had. \u201cPromise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Ben couldn\u2019t say anything. How could he make that promise?<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise!\u201d The whisper was fierce and Joe\u2019s determination burned as brightly as the fever in his eyes. \u201cPromise!\u201d The desperation was clear in his voice. \u201cPromise!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise!\u201d Ben cried, unable to watch Joe becoming agitated. \u201cBut it won\u2019t come to that, Joe. It won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drained, Joe slumped down, his hand slipping from Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cSure,\u201d he murmured, but he sounded anything but convinced. His eyes closed of their own volition and within moments, he was sleeping once more.<\/p>\n

Looking up at Hoss, Ben saw that his son was crying. \u201cI had to promise him,\u201d he whispered. \u201cBut it\u2019s a promise I don\u2019t know if I can keep,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Hoss reached out and wiped a tear from Ben\u2019s cheek. \u201cI know,\u201d he replied. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It seemed to Ben that Joe\u2019s brief spell of wakefulness had drained too much of his strength, for he began to go downhill after that. His temperature climbed relentlessly and he muttered and thrashed around in his delirium. Paul Martin, returning from a short trip home, was horrified.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis temperature is dangerously high,\u201d he warned Ben. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get it down right now. I need some ice. Hoss, get me a couple of wet sheets, please.\u201d He began to strip the covers off Joe, throwing aside the blankets and sponging down the young man\u2019s naked body, which glistened with sweat.<\/p>\n

Packing someone with ice was a drastic measure. When a person was that ill, the sudden shock of the ice could stop their heart, but Paul felt he no longer had a choice. Joe\u2019s temperature was so high that he was in danger of having convulsions.<\/p>\n

Hoss was back with the wet sheets before Ben returned with the ice from the spring house. Paul had draped one sheet over Joe, but now he pulled it aside again and packed the ice in Joe\u2019s armpits, at his groin and behind his neck. The rest he dumped all over and wrapped the wet sheets around Joe. Joe groaned aloud as the first bit of ice touched his red-hot skin, but it was only as the cold penetrated his burning flesh that he let out a huge shout, his back arching off the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold him still!\u201d Paul cried, catching Joe\u2019s shoulders to pin him to the bed.<\/p>\n

At once, Ben grabbed Joe\u2019s ankles, being careful of his injured leg, and Hoss leant across Joe\u2019s abdomen. Joe fought with a demonic strength, flailing his arms before they could be caught and pinned down. Still Joe struggled until suddenly, without warning, he went completely limp.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben let go of Joe\u2019s legs and looked frantically at the doctor. \u201cPaul?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calmly, Paul felt for Joe\u2019s pulse in his throat, although he could see it throbbing away. He kept his fingers in place for several long moments, but as he did so, he could feel Joe\u2019s heart rate dropping back to a more normal level. \u201cHe\u2019s all right, Ben,\u201d he reported. \u201cHis heart is slowing. That\u2019s good,\u201d he added quickly, before Ben could draw a more sinister conclusion from his words.<\/p>\n

Slowly, the hectic flush died out of Joe\u2019s cheeks and left him simply pale. Ben watched Joe\u2019s face anxiously all the time until Paul said they could remove the ice. The last thing they wanted was for Joe to get chilled.<\/p>\n

When Joe was eventually secure in a clean, dry bed, Paul checked his leg again. The site of the infection was still slightly pink, but the bright red colours that had marked it for the last couple of days had gone. Paul felt a spark of hope. Perhaps Joe had beaten this after all. However, he didn\u2019t say anything, just in case his optimism was unfounded. Just because Joe\u2019s fever was down to manageable levels didn\u2019t mean that he had won the war.<\/p>\n

Later, Joe woke briefly, long enough to drink some water and smile weakly at Ben before he slipped back into sleep. Ben couldn\u2019t help but wonder if Joe would have enough strength to keep on fighting. He seemed so weak.<\/p>\n

Rising, Ben stretched and walked over to the window to join Paul. Hoss had gone to lie down and sleep. \u201cPaul? Is Joe going to be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cHis leg has improved, but if the infection doesn\u2019t get eradicated soon, then things look pretty bleak, Ben. Joe isn\u2019t strong enough to survive an operation, even if I thought it was worth going into the leg. I\u2019m sorry, but right now, we just have to wait. At least we have his temperature under control for the moment. I wish there was more I could do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable to say anything, Ben went over and sat down beside Joe once more. Paul remained where he was, gazing out of the window at the autumn sunshine. It was another beautiful day. Outside, Hop Sing was hanging up sheets to dry. Paul wondered how they would have managed without the Chinese man\u2019s stalwart help. He never seemed to sleep, although he didn\u2019t appear in the least tired, and he always had coffee ready for them and meals were produced regularly. Paul knew that there was broth waiting for Joe to be strong enough to eat it. And now Hop Sing was doing the washing. Paul didn\u2019t know how he did it, but assumed that this was his way of coping. They were all grateful for everything he did.<\/p>\n

At length, Paul moved silently across the room to check on Joe. He glanced at Ben and saw that exhaustion had finally caught up with him and he was sound asleep in the chair. Paul didn\u2019t disturb him, for he knew that Ben needed sleep as much as Joe did. Ben would do himself no good by staying awake.<\/p>\n

Leaning over the bed, Paul took Joe\u2019s wrist between his fingers, feeling the pulse there. It was steady and strong and Paul nodded, pleased. But it was only when he had put Joe\u2019s wrist down that he realised there was something different. He put his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead and it was definitely cooler. Deciding not to trust to just touch \u2013 which was rather subjective anyway \u2013 Paul got out his thermometer and popped it in Joe\u2019s mouth. He found himself waiting with an unusual lack of patience for the minute to be up, but as soon as it was, he quickly looked at the mercury.<\/p>\n

At last! It was all Paul could do not do indulge in a victory dance around the bedroom. Joe\u2019s temperature was back to normal! Moving quietly still to avoid disturbing the sleepers, Paul checked on Joe\u2019s leg again and found that all signs of infection had gone. The wound still looked pink, but it was now a normal, healthy pink colour of new scar tissue.<\/p>\n

Tucking Joe back in, Paul quietly left the room. He went through to the guest room where he had been snatching some sleep and sat down on the bed. His sense of victory was ebbing away to simple thankfulness and he was surprised to find himself crying. By the time his tears were spent, he was asleep.<\/p>\n

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

As it had with Paul, Ben and Hoss\u2019 jubilation gave way to tears. However, they shared their tears of joy and relief with each other and Paul kept his to himself. Joe continued to sleep deeply, but the improved colour in his face kept Ben from worrying too deeply. As Paul told him, \u201cJoe has been fighting off this infection, Ben. His body is drained and the only way he can get better is for him to sleep. Don\u2019t worry, the next thing you know, he\u2019ll be eating every time he wakes up. Broth to begin with, then onto soft foods tomorrow and then anything he fancies the day after. I\u2019m going home now, to get a proper sleep and tomorrow, I\u2019ll come and put a plaster onto that leg. I\u2019m afraid he\u2019s going to be bed bound for a while, until he gets back enough strength to get about, and even then it won\u2019t be easy, for his plaster will be from toes to hip. But in time, he\u2019ll be as good as new.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how to thank you,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how much good I did,\u201d Paul responded honestly. \u201cYou need to thank Joe\u2019s constitution and the good Lord more than me.\u201d He yawned suddenly. \u201cOh, sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you don\u2019t want to stay the night here?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cYou\u2019re more than welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Ben and I am tempted, but I do need to go home to get one or two things.\u201d Paul smiled. \u201cBut I\u2019ll be back here tomorrow morning, so you won\u2019t have time to miss me that much!\u201d The two friends laughed together and Paul took his leave.<\/p>\n

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

By morning, Joe had been awake a couple of times. Ben had insisted that he eat the broth waiting for him and both times he had managed a few mouthfuls before dropping off again. But by dawn, Joe was awake and hungry. He was shocked to find himself so weak and had to accept Ben\u2019s help to sit up.<\/p>\n

As Ben came back into the room with the broth, he found Joe peering under the covers. \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d he asked. \u201cIs your leg hurting?\u201d Panic flared in Ben\u2019s heart again, for Joe had come too close to the valley of the shadow of death for Ben to be complacent.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot too much,\u201d Joe replied, but the deep ache had died down a good deal. It still hurt, but no worse than any other broken leg Joe had had. Well, he amended silently, perhaps a bit worse but the pain was less than it had been for the last few days. He dropped the cover with obvious relief and looked at Ben. \u201cI was looking to see if my leg was still there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s simple statement almost had Ben dropping the tray. Why hadn\u2019t he thought to tell his son that his leg was going to be all right? Joe had been so out of it, no wonder he didn\u2019t know that the infection was gone! \u201cOh, Joe, I\u2019m sorry!\u201d Ben cried, putting the tray down on the table by the bed. \u201cI should have said! I didn\u2019t think\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts okay, Pa, honest,\u201d Joe replied. He smiled. \u201cI knew it still hurt a bit, and I thought everything must be\u2026 all right, but I\u2019ve heard\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice faltered as the fear he was trying to deny crept up and overwhelmed him. \u201cI\u2019ve heard that amputees can have phantom pain \u2013 that the missing leg still hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should have said something,\u201d Ben insisted, overcome with remorse. \u201cJoe, as you can see, your leg is still there. Paul is coming out to put a plaster on it later.\u201d He drew Joe close to him and Joe rested his curly head on Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be, Pa,\u201d Joe replied. He sounded tired again. \u201cI didn\u2019t think to ask while you were still here.\u201d He drew in a deep breath and sat up. He sniffed. \u201cThat broth smells good. I\u2019m starving!\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking back tears, Ben smiled. \u201cWell, eat it while its hot, then.\u201d He handed the tray to Joe and watched as his son slowly ate the soup.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next few days, Joe slowly regained his strength. He found the plaster \u2013 from toes to hip as Paul had promised \u2013 very cumbersome, awkward and uncomfortable, but his leg hurt less than it had in the splints. It took about a week before Joe was able to get up and hobble about on crutches and he had to rely on Ben and Hoss to help him negotiate the stairs, but by the third week after the accident, he was spending most of every day downstairs.<\/p>\n

At the end of the fourth week, the hands arrived home from the cattle drive. It had been a success and there were bonuses for all the men. Joe was relieved that his accident hadn\u2019t prevented the drive.<\/p>\n

But it was also about then that grief for Cochise kicked in. Joe had several nightmares where he relived those dreadful hours trapped beneath his dead horse and he pondered what had happened, wondering if there was any way he could have prevented it. His appetite dropped off and Ben grew worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben had spotted that his youngest son was gazing into space one afternoon. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking, Joe came back to the present. \u201cI guess,\u201d he agreed, but his tone was less than convincing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t sound it,\u201d Ben replied. He sat down and touched the plastered leg which rested on the coffee table. \u201cIs it your leg that\u2019s bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, its fine,\u201d Joe replied. He frowned slightly. His memory of the accident was admittedly blurry and Joe had been debating with himself whether he should ask his family about it or not. That day, Joe had reached the point where he could no longer keep it to himself. \u201cPa, was there something I could have done to save Cochise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, there was nothing you could have done differently,\u201d Ben replied immediately. \u201cThe situation was on you so quickly that there was no chance for any of us to react. Cochise\u2019s death was tragic, but it wasn\u2019t your fault, Joe. Bad things do happen and this was awful. But the main thing is you\u2019re going to be all right. Grieve for your horse, son \u2013 you\u2019d be hard hearted if you didn\u2019t. You had Cochise a long time. Grieve and then move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy has it taken me so long to get to this stage?\u201d Joe whispered as his paroxysm of grief abated. \u201cIt\u2019s been weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUp until now, you were still dealing with basic day to day survival,\u201d Ben reminded him. \u201cYou were still weak, but now you\u2019re really getting better and your mind is able to cope with other thoughts. It\u2019s quite normal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel better now,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut I\u2019ll miss him, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben comforted. He could have told Joe that there would be other horses in his life, but there was no need. Joe knew that and now was not the time. Joe wasn\u2019t ready to hear that yet. He still had a long recovery in front of him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSo when can I ride again?\u201d Joe demanded. The plaster had been off for three weeks now and Joe had been working hard on rebuilding the muscles in his leg. His limp was almost gone and if it ached slightly at night, that was something Joe was going to keep to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNext week,\u201d Paul temporised. \u201cAfter I\u2019ve seen you again.\u201d He wagged a finger at Joe. \u201cAnd not before I give you the all clear, is that understood, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed grudgingly. He reported this to Ben, who simply nodded.<\/p>\n

During the next week, Joe worked harder than ever at his exercises and he could really feel the difference. It wasn\u2019t often that Joe was keen to see the doctor, but the following week didn\u2019t come quickly enough for Joe and he was so eager to get into town that he didn\u2019t question the fact that Ben was riding in on Buck, while he took the buggy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, doc?\u201d Joe asked, eagerly, as Paul straightened. \u201cCan I ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Paul nodded. \u201cYou can ride, but take it easy. You haven\u2019t ridden for almost four months and your muscles are all going to be stiff!\u201d He patted Joe on the back. \u201cTake it slowly, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing!\u201d Joe agreed with a blinding smile and he bounced out of the office. \u201cPa, guess what? I can ride again!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s just fine, son,\u201d Ben approved, but his enthusiasm sounded muted. Joe felt deflated. \u201cI\u2019ve got an errand to run, Joe, so don\u2019t wait for me. Go on back to the ranch, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed, puzzled and a bit hurt. He couldn\u2019t understand why Ben didn\u2019t sound more pleased. Slowly, he left the office and headed for home.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, that was cruel,\u201d Paul chided his friend, but he couldn\u2019t keep the grin from his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben replied, blandly. He exchanged a grin with his friend before leaving the surgery.<\/p>\n

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

There was no one home when Joe got there and he felt even more deflated. However, he wasn\u2019t going to be thwarted in his desire to ride again, even if the only horse in the corral was Sport, Adam\u2019s mount. Joe had ridden Sport as second horse regularly since Adam\u2019s departure, but the bad tempered chestnut gelding was not his idea of a good mount. However, the need to ride was paramount and it wasn\u2019t long before Joe had Sport saddled. He swung carefully into the saddle and trotted round the yard.<\/p>\n

There had been a time while he was recovering that Joe wondered if he was going to be afraid to ride again. He knew people it had happened to after a bad accident. But as soon as he was settled, it felt like coming home. Sport hadn\u2019t been ridden for a while and was fractious, fighting the bit, but Joe was more than able to deal with his foibles and soon had the gelding responding well.<\/p>\n

As he put Sport away, Joe debated about which horse he would ride regularly now. If he put in some time working with Sport, perhaps the gelding would make a decent mount, although he was more high-strung that Joe really liked. But the biggest obstacle to Joe riding Sport all the time was the fact that the horse was Adam\u2019s. Joe had been hurt by Adam\u2019s decision to leave and he was convinced that his older brother would never return. Riding his horse day in and day out would be a very hard thing to do. Deep in thought, Joe left the barn.<\/p>\n

He had been so involved that he hadn\u2019t heard the hoof beats in the yard. But as Joe emerged, he saw one thing only \u2013 a pinto, black and white and looking so like Cochise that Joe\u2019s heart skipped a beat. Puzzled, he glanced at Ben, who had the horse on a lead rope.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you like him, son,\u201d Ben said, softly. \u201cBecause he\u2019s yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable to say anything, Joe took the lead rope from Ben and reached out to allow the pinto to smell him before he fondled the mole-soft muzzle. The horse, reassured by the smell of other horses on Joe\u2019s clothes, nuzzled him and snorted softly. \u201cHi, fella,\u201d Joe crooned. He felt tears in his eyes as he looked at the horse. If asked, he would have said that he didn\u2019t want another pinto, that he didn\u2019t want a horse of his own again so soon. Now, he knew he was wrong on both counts.<\/p>\n

Joe never knew how long he stood there, stroking the horse over and over again. He knew that he would name this horse after Cochise and in those few minutes, they began to forge a partnership that would rival the one Joe had had with the original Cochise.<\/p>\n

At length, he looked up at Ben with shining eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End.<\/p>\n

Thanks as ever to Claire, for help with the title. Honest, sis, I do occasionally think up one for myself!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Tragedy is compounded by heartbreak for the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,020 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":14547,"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],"tags":[15,16],"class_list":["post-5809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-ben","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2757,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/cattle-drive.jpg?fit=357%2C267&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12251,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12251","url_meta":{"origin":5809,"position":0},"title":"Love… Always Love (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"September 1, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Love knows no barriers, that's what my grandmother once told me.\u00a0 I must have been feeling her presence on the day I wrote this short, short story. 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