Summary: Adam Cartwright faces danger on the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n
Rating: PG<\/p>\n
Word Count: 2,229<\/p>\n
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Adam Cartwright, the oldest of Ben Cartwright\u2019s three sons, waltzed onto the main deck of the River Rose<\/em> as it floated slowly down the Mississippi River. It was a beautiful autumn evening, and the band played a jaunty tune for its patrons. Placing his hands on the smooth wood, Adam leaned on the side railing and breathed in the cool night air.<\/p>\n Suddenly his arm was jostled by an older well-dressed man trying unsuccessfully to steady himself.<\/p>\n \u201cLord, love a duck!\u201d the man exclaimed in a gin-soaked southern accent. \u201cAah\u2019m so sorry, stranger,\u201d he said to Adam, nearly falling as he stumbled away.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all,\u201d Adam replied helping the man regain his footing. After making sure the gentleman had a firm grasp of the railing, Adam took a minute to assess the stranger. The man was wearing a very expensive suit and hat and had a gold pocket watch attached to his waistcoat.<\/p>\n \u201cName\u2019s Silas Greevestone,\u201d the man slurred as he introduced himself, his breath smelling of spirits.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright. Is there someone here with you that can help you to your cabin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMah daughter is he-yah somewhere abouts. Her name\u2019s Clara,\u201d he said pronouncing the name in his southern drawl \u201cClayre-uh\u201d.<\/p>\n Just then a beautiful blonde woman in a frilly lavender dress ran up to Adam and Mr. Greevestone. She was the picture of a true Southern belle.<\/p>\n \u201cPa! Are ya a\u2019right?\u201d she exclaimed in a smooth accent like her father.<\/p>\n \u201cAah\u2019m alright, mah dear,\u201d Silas answered. \u201cClara, this he-yah’s Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPleased to meet you, ma\u2019am,\u201d Adam responded tipping his hat to the lady.<\/p>\n \u201cLikewise, Aah\u2019m sure,\u201d Clara returned politely. Turning to her father, she said in a lowered tone, \u201cNow, Pa, ya know it\u2019s dangerous bein\u2019 out \u2018n about when you\u2019re this tipsy. No doubt they-yur’s bad men ohn this he-yah riv-ah,\u201d she said as she cast a worried glance in Adam\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n The oldest Cartwright smiled warmly, pretending he hadn\u2019t heard her remarks.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, nonsense. Aah\u2019m fine,\u201d Silas insisted loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cYa need to go to bay-ehd, Pa,\u201d Clara emphasized.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me help you get him to his cabin,\u201d Adam offered holding out a helping hand to the gentleman.<\/p>\n \u201cThank ya kindly,\u201d Clara replied gratefully after a slight hesitation. Together Adam and Clara guided Silas Greevestone to his cabin where he flopped down on the bed and began snoring almost immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks ever so much, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Clara said as soon as the cabin door was shut. \u201cI must apologize fo-wah mah father. He\u2019s not normally quite that inebriated.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s no problem,\u201d Adam returned with an understanding smile.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes mah father is unaware of his surroundings when he\u2019s drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLiquid courage can do that to a man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he\u2019s braver than a dawg that ain\u2019t met a porcupine yet.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYa got family, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a father and two younger brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey he-yah with ya?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, they\u2019re at home. I have some business in New Orleans and thought I\u2019d take a boat trip down river for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s home then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNevada.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a powerful long ways from he-yah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it is. Where\u2019s home for you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSt. Louis. We\u2019re just goin’ down to New Orleans to catch a boat fo-wah Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust the two of you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFo-wah sho-wah. Mah ma died several years ago, \u2018n mah father wanted to do some travelin\u2019. So, I decided to go \u2018long with him to keep him out of trouble,\u201d she replied with a wry smile.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like quite a chore,\u201d he smirked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I don\u2019t mind it. I love mah father dearly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can tell,\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s getting late. Would you like me to escort you back to your cabin?\u201d<\/p>\n Clara looked at him closely for a moment before answering, \u201cThank ya, Aah\u2019d appreciate it.\u201d Her room was right around the corner and after saying their goodnights Adam returned to the railing where he\u2019d met the two Greevestones.<\/p>\n As he stood there, he noticed three men talking amongst themselves and making small gestures toward the cabins. One of them had red hair as wild as a mustang while the other two had curly brown hair that they\u2019d tried to slick back. But all of them gave Adam the distinct feeling that they were predators eyeing their chosen prey\u2026 rich folks. No doubt they\u2019d already witnessed Silas\u2019 drunken display and marked him as their \u201cnext meal\u201d. If Adam could tell just by looking at him that Silas was a wealthy man, what else could these three scoundrels deduce?<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n The next day Adam saw Clara and her father in the dining room of the riverboat. Silas was at least sober now and was enjoying a lively conversation with his daughter\u2026 and the red headed man that Adam had seen the night before. Instantly Silas saw Adam and beckoned him over.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam! How nice to see ya ah-gain!\u201d Mr. Greevestone exclaimed. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to join we\u2019uns fo-wah breakfast if you\u2019d lak.\u201d The red headed man looked askance at Adam as if he were as welcome as a rattle snake at a square dance.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be happy to,\u201d Adam replied smoothly as he sat down between Silas and the red headed man.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright, this he-yah is Mr. Simon Caldwell,\u201d Silas said introducing the two men.<\/p>\n \u201cMy friends call me \u201cSlick\u201d, Mr. Greevestone, and you<\/u> are one of my friends,\u201d Simon Cadwell corrected with a laugh turning his attention back to Clara. Clara blushed slightly as she looked to her father.<\/p>\n \u201cSlick, it is then,\u201d Silas agreed good naturedly.<\/p>\n \u201cAppropriate nickname<\/em>,\u201d Adam thought. \u201cHe\u2019s already got them in his pocket.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The four of them ate breakfast conversing on many topics, but the rest of the morning passed without incident, although Adam did keep a sharp eye on Mr. Simon \u201cSlick<\/em>\u201d Caldwell until he left the dining room. His two confederates, though, didn\u2019t show their faces until mid-afternoon.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Later that day, Adam sat on the deck of the River Rose<\/em> reading a book he\u2019d brought to keep himself company. His chair was in a secluded area on the port side of the boat where it was shady and quiet and peaceful.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re ripe for the pickin\u2019,\u201d a voice spoke in a gruff whisper. Adam\u2019s attention was immediately alert.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you get a load of how Slick handled them?\u201d another voice snickered shrilly.<\/p>\n \u201cHe certainly lived up to his name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was so slick he could hardly keep his clothes on!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed! Well, tonight\u2019s the night. The ship\u2019s gonna put in at Memphis for the night where Tom\u2019ll be waiting with the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds good,\u201d the voice concluded and almost immediately after that Adam saw the two brunette men from the night before walk down the stairs from the upper deck and enter the saloon.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll be waiting for you,\u201d Adam smirked as he turned his attention back to his book for a little while longer.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n It took some doing to convince Silas and Clara of the impending danger from Slick Caldwell and his friends. But in the end, they believed Adam and agreed to his plan.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe I fell fo-wah that man\u2019s kindness after admonishin\u2019 father about the dangers of travelin\u2019 own the riv-ah,\u201d Clara regretted.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes it\u2019s hard to recognize danger even when you\u2019re expecting it,\u201d Adam assured her.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we certainly \u2018preciate this, Adam. Who knows what might have happened without ya,\u201d Silas added.<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as everything goes according to plan, we\u2019ll give those men a taste of their own medicine,\u201d Adam grinned.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Evening came and faded into night, and the plan was set in motion.<\/p>\n Silas and Clara Greevestone entered the lounge and sat down at an empty table. A waiter promptly came over to the two of them.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything I can get for you?\u201d he asked pleasantly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026\u201d Silas mused, furrowing his brow.<\/p>\n \u201cOh father, I forgot mah book en mah cabin. I\u2019ll be right back,\u201d Clara suddenly said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll wait fo-wah ya,\u201d he responded as she left the room.<\/p>\n \u201cShall I wait for her to return?\u201d the waiter inquired.<\/p>\n \u201cQuick! I\u2019ll have a Whiskey Soda,\u201d Silas immediately requested. \u201cWait – make that two. But once she gets back, just bring me coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand, sir,\u201d the waiter replied with a wink and immediately brought Silas\u2019 drinks.<\/p>\n He\u2019d downed the first glass quick enough but the second was interrupted by the presence of Slick Caldwell.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, howdy, Mr. Greevestone!\u201d he said thumping him on the back good naturedly.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, to ya too, Slick,\u201d Silas answered in kind.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatcha got there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, let me buy you another.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank ya. This is all I can really have without Clara findin\u2019 out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust one more. And I\u2019ll even join you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s mighty kind of ya,\u201d Silas agreed as he drank his second whiskey before the waiter brought over two more drinks. Slick took one and clinked it against Silas\u2019. They both drank and set the cups back on the tray.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother?\u201d Slick asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank ya. I should go find Clara. I reckon she\u2019s bin\u2019 gone too long,\u201d Silas said as he excused himself from the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go with you. Just in case something\u2019s happened to her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa don\u2019t have to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe safety of a dear lady is at stake. I insist.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. Suit yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Together they left the lounge in search of Clara. Silas leaned on Slick\u2019s arm for support as his feet were unsteady.<\/p>\n \u201cYou ok there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine. Just a bit taard I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll find your daughter and get you into bed then,\u201d Slick said with a dangerous glint in his eye. They turned down a brightly lit hallway and Silas looked around confused.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we goin\u2019?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cTo see your daughter,\u201d Slick answered darkly just as they stopped at a cabin door. He opened it and shoved Silas inside the dark room.<\/p>\n \u201cSlick? What\u2019s goin\u2019 own? Where\u2019s mah daughter?\u201d Silas yelled in feigned alarm.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, she\u2019ll be along soon. But in the meantime, I want the money, old man, before my friends get here. Come on now\u2026where is it?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMon-ey? What mon-ey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, come on, I know you\u2019re loaded with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talkin\u2019 about, Sir!\u201d Silas insisted straightening up.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe I\u2019ll just make you remember,\u201d Slick threatened as he stepped over the threshold. He barely got two steps inside when a fist came flying out of the darkness and connected with his jaw, knocking him out cold.<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent hit, Adam!\u201d Silas praised as a match lit up the darkness to reveal the young Cartwright\u2019s face. Adam shut the cabin door and grabbed some rope off the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cOne down, two to go,\u201d he said as the match extinguished itself. \u201cCan you tie him up in the dark? The others should be coming with Clara soon.\u201d And as if on cue, Clara did quickly appear on the other side of the louvered door. With the kerosene lamp behind her, Adam could see that her hands were tied behind her back, and she was being escorted by Slick\u2019s two pals.<\/p>\n \u201cBoss? We got her,\u201d one of them whispered loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on in,\u201d Adam replied trying to sound as much like Slick as possible. The two men didn\u2019t even hesitate as they opened the door and pushed Clara inside. Adam took the opportunity to jump out at the unsuspecting men. One of them went down fairly easily and Clara and her father tied him up as well. With a final blow, Adam sent the last man flying over the railing and into the dark, murky Mississippi river below with a very loud splash.<\/p>\n \u201cMan overboard!\u201d a sailor cried out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you haul him aboard, detain him!\u201d Adam called to the crew as they prepared to bring the criminal back on deck.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Adam! Ya were incredibly brave \u2018n clever!\u201d Clara gushed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn\u2019t hurt you, did they?\u201d Adam asked concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good. We\u2019ll hand them over to the police in Memphis, and then we can be on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope the boat trip to Europe won\u2019t be as eventful as this li\u2019l journey was,\u201d Silas joked.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s hope so,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cAny chance we\u2019ll see ya en Europe?\u201d Clara inquired looking up at him with hopeful eyes.<\/p>\n Adam thought about it for a minute. It’d be nice to travel through Europe… to see the old country and the ancient architecture that he\u2019d studied in college. But he knew that he needed to get back home. His family would be waiting for him.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe one day I\u2019ll make the trip, but for now my place is on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds excellent, mah boy! Your father should be proud of ya,\u201d Silas said patting his shoulder just as the River Rose\u2019<\/em>s bell rang out for the approaching port of Memphis.<\/p>\n ***The End***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Written for the 2025 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament. This year we played 7-card stud where we were dealt seven cards and had to use a least five cards, each of which was assigned a word or phrase. The words\/phrases I kept were:<\/p>\n He\u2019s braver than a dog that ain\u2019t met a porcupine yet.<\/p>\n He was so slick he could hardly keep his clothes on.<\/p>\n As welcome as a rattlesnake at a square dance.<\/p>\n As wild as a mustang.<\/p>\n Lord, love a duck!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n