{"id":5825,"date":"2005-01-03T00:20:41","date_gmt":"2005-01-03T05:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5825"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:11","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:11","slug":"no-way-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5825","title":{"rendered":"No Way Out (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>What starts out as an ordinary day in town soon takes an unexpected turn.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(5,505 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

No Way Out<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd bear in mind that I don\u2019t want to spend all day in town,\u201d Ben Cartwright reminded his sons as they dismounted in front of the hotel. \u201cI want to get some work done on the ranch today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d they muttered. When Ben was in a tearing bad temper, as he had been all morning and a good bit of the previous day, it wasn\u2019t wise to cross him.<\/p>\n

Without another word, Ben crossed the road towards the bank, the scowl on his face deterring any casual contact with the residents of Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right glad it ain\u2019t none o\u2019 us that\u2019s got Pa so riled,\u201d Hoss commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d suggested Adam, the oldest son. \u201cLet\u2019s get everything done so we\u2019re back here when Pa arrives. No point in giving him something else to get angry about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why we had to come into town anyway,\u201d Joe grumbled. \u201cPa ain\u2019t gonna allow us to talk to the bank. It\u2019s got nothing to do with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cI know,\u201d he agreed. \u201cbut there are a couple of other things Pa wants done while he\u2019s talking to the bank manager about getting payment from the mine and well you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but I\u2019m not doing any of those \u2018other things\u2019 you talked about,\u201d Joe complained. He had wakened that morning with a thumping headache and stiff neck following a bad fall from a mustang the day before and his temper was suffering in consequence.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if your hair gets any longer, Pa might be tempted to take the shears to it himself,\u201d Adam warned him. \u201cAnd I can\u2019t guarantee that you\u2019ll like the results.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe muttered, although he preferred his hair longer and with the way his head was throbbing, he didn\u2019t fancy a haircut that day.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo hop to it, boy and then you\u2019ll be back here before Pa is.\u201d Joe threw Adam a dark look, for he really hated it when his oldest brother called him \u2018boy\u2019.\u00a0 Adam was completely oblivious to his youngest brother\u2019s ire and headed off to the hardware store to do his errand. Hoss gave Joe a smile before going down the street to the mail office.<\/p>\n

Scuffing his feet, Joe headed for the barber\u2019s shop. Any hopes that he had that Frank, the barber, might not be there were dashed immediately and his next hope \u2013 that there would be a long queue \u2013 was also dashed. The barber\u2019s shop was empty. With a sigh, Joe took off his jacket and sat down in the seat.<\/p>\n

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

Haircut accomplished, Joe walked slowly back up the street. His head felt no better, in fact \u2013 Joe winced as he reached up to gently probe a sore spot he had discovered while getting his hair cut. He couldn\u2019t stop a grin quirking his mouth as he remembered Frank asking, \u201cJoe, d\u2019ya know ya\u2019ve got a lump on yer head here?\u201d He had poked the offending lump quite hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do now, Frank,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

But walking back up the street, Joe\u2019s amusement faded rapidly. He still didn\u2019t feel all that well. He wished he could just go home to bed. He stepped onto the board walk in front of the Silver Dollar saloon and was startled to hear shots fired inside.<\/p>\n

Pausing, looking at the saloon doors, Joe wondered what on earth was happening in there. Next moment, the doors opened and four men dashed out and ran headlong into Joe, knocking him off his feet into the dust of the street. One of the men landed hard on Joe, stunning him. Immediately behind them came Roy Coffee, the sheriff and Clem Foster, his deputy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it!\u201d Roy cried and aimed his gun at the tangle of men on the ground.<\/p>\n

His sore head throbbing harder than ever, Joe was struggling to make sense of what was going on. He was even more confused a moment later when a hand snaked around his neck and a gun barrel nestled against his temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake a move an\u2019 this guy dies!\u201d a voice growled in Joe\u2019s ear. He almost gagged from the foulness of the man\u2019s breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be foolish!\u201d Roy replied sharply.<\/p>\n

With a disgusted sound, the man took the gun from Joe\u2019s head and calmly shot Roy. As the lawman went down, apparently gut shot, the gun barrel, still hot, returned to Joe\u2019s head. Joe instinctively started to struggle and the arm around his throat tightened. \u201cNow back off, or this guy gets it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Arms grabbed Joe and dragged him to his feet. The pressure on his throat didn\u2019t lessen and he continued to struggle until he was punched in the stomach. The wind was driven from his body and for several minutes, Joe was unaware of what was going on around him. He came to his senses as he was thrown to the floor but before he could do anything, Joe felt his hands pulled roughly behind him and bound with what felt like a leather thong. Moments later, his feet were lashed together.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what do we do?\u201d asked a thin voice nervously.<\/p>\n

Turning his head, Joe looked at the four men. He didn\u2019t recognise any of them. They were all wearing dirty, threadbare clothes and side arms. The one who had just spoken was tall and thin, with a drooping lower lip. The man just finishing off the knots on Joe\u2019s ankles was smaller and broader. He was definitely as strong as he looked, Joe mused. A third man, peering out into the street, was fat, with several double chins filling the open neck of his dirty shirt. The fourth was of average build, with mean dark eyes. He glanced at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe tied tight?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is, Ted.\u201d The man who had tied Joe up rose to his feet and looked down on their captive. \u201cHe ain\u2019t goin\u2019 anywheres.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was depressingly accurate, Joe realised as he struggled against the thongs. They were on to stay. Defeated for the moment, Joe looked around him and recognised his surroundings with a jolt of surprise. They had travelled very little distance, for they were in the brick-build abandoned store right across the street from the Silver Dollar. Joe could barely suppress a groan. The men had holed up in the only building in town that had no back entrance of any description! He dreaded to think what their reaction would be when they discovered that.<\/p>\n

As three of the men started to explore the building, Joe allowed himself a moment to wonder how Roy Coffee was. He had known the older man for most of his life. A man who was gut shot had a slim chance of survival, Joe knew. He cut off that bleak thought. They were in town! Roy could get medical attention promptly. Paul Martin was a good doctor. He would be able to save Roy.<\/p>\n

A cry brought Joe from his reverie. \u201cThere ain\u2019t no doors or windows back here!\u201d It was the thin man talking and Joe winced. What would they do now? He had only a second to wonder before Ted had yanked him up by the front of his jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s the back door, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

With scant disregard for the wound, Clem dragged Roy back into the saloon. \u201cSomeone get Doc Martin!\u201d he shouted, kneeling by Roy and ripping the older man\u2019s shirt aside. The wound, though deep and bleeding, wasn\u2019t as deep as Clem had expected. He didn\u2019t know what to make of it, but he was relieved that Roy was groaning loudly. At least if Roy was groaning, he was alive!<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d asked a voice and Clem winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen.\u201d Clem rose to allow Doc Martin access to the wounded man, and he put a hand on Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cI think you should sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Ben asked, resisting the suggestion. He glanced down at Roy. \u201cTell me, Clem!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were tipped off that the Jamieson brothers had arrived in town,\u201d Clem explained. \u201cThey\u2019re wanted all across the territory, in Arizona and California, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben nodded, for the Jamieson brothers were notorious outlaws. Their exploits frequently filled the pages of the\u00a0Territorial Enterprise<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Clem was coming to the difficult bit and he wasn\u2019t quite sure how to explain to Ben. From the corner of his eye, he saw Adam and Hoss come into the saloon through the hotel, as Ben had done and beckoned to them to come over. Better that the family hear it all at the same time, Clem thought. \u201cRoy and I came in here, but they must have seen us coming, for they dived out of the door. We followed, and saw that they had somehow bumped into Joe, and they were all lying in the street. Ben, I\u2019m sorry, but they took Joe hostage and are holed up in the empty store across the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

The colour drained from Ben\u2019s face and he sank into the seat he had scorned a minute earlier. \u201cIs Joe all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seemed a bit dazed,\u201d Clem replied cautiously. \u201cBut he didn\u2019t appear to be injured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened ta Roy?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey shot him,\u201d Clem replied, wishing that Hoss hadn\u2019t asked. He hadn\u2019t been going to volunteer that information. The Cartwrights would already know about the Jamiesons\u2019 vicious habits and he hadn\u2019t wanted to bring them to mind if he could avoid it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what are you going to do to get Joe back?\u201d Adam asked. His voice was edged in anger and Clem thought, not for the first time, that Adam was a dangerous man.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, I haven\u2019t had the chance to do anything,\u201d Clem replied. He wasn\u2019t going to allow Adam to bully him into a rash course of action. \u201cBut obviously, I have to talk to them. But first, I\u2019m going to find out how Roy is.\u201d He turned away and took a deep breath. \u201cDoc?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been lucky,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cIts bad enough, but he\u2019ll pull through. If he hadn\u2019t had on his watch, he would have died. Look.\u201d Paul held up Roy\u2019s thick gold watch chain. Embedded in it was the bullet. Clem gaped. Now that he thought about it, he had had to pull the chain away from the wound when he opened Roy\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, doc.\u201d Clem now had something to work with. Roy\u2019s death would not only have affected Clem personally, but would have made negotiating with the Jamiesons more difficult.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Clem looked at the Cartwrights and the other men gathered in the saloon. \u201cEveryone stay here,\u201d he ordered. \u201cI\u2019m going to talk to them.\u201d He met Ben\u2019s eyes and nodded slowly.<\/p>\n

Before he could think better of it, Clem walked out into the street.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThere isn\u2019t a back door,\u201d Joe muttered. He hadn\u2019t wanted to say anything at all, but his first attempt at silence had earned him a vicious backhand slap and Joe could still fell the blood tricking down his chin from his split lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s got to be somethin\u2019!\u201d Ted insisted. He was glaring at Joe as though this whole situation was his fault. \u201cWindows \u2013 somethin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

Swallowing, Joe said, \u201cThe man who built this place didn\u2019t want to pay for too much glass. So he only put windows at the front. The others are false windows, painted onto the brick work. And since he didn\u2019t want anyone stealing his stuff, he didn\u2019t put a back door in the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2018s the only way out of here?\u201d Ted eyed Joe suspiciously. He shook his hapless captive to remind him who was boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only way,\u201d Joe agreed wearily. He braced himself for the inevitable drop back to the floor, but not in time. He still hit hard and grunted in pain. What would happen now? he wondered. Somehow, he had the impression that these men, whoever they were, weren\u2019t just going to let him go free.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019re we gonna git out a here?\u201d asked the fat man.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake a run for it,\u201d announced the one who had tied Joe up.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo late,\u201d declare the fourth man laconically. \u201cThe sheriff is in the street, comin\u2019 this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

At that, Joe lifted his head. Roy was all right? But he had seen him shot! He watched as Ted hurried to the window and looked out, his gun in his hand. Fear shot through Joe. Ted wouldn\u2019t hesitate to shoot, he was sure. What could he do?<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s far enough!\u201d Ted shouted, and his voice echoed eerily in the deserted building. \u201cWhat d\u2019ya want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust to talk,\u201d replied Clem\u2019s measured tones, slightly muffled through the thin glass of the windows.<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk!\u201d Ted scoffed. \u201cTalk about what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk about what you\u2019re going to do,\u201d Clem replied. \u201cTalk about releasing your hostage. Let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instantly, all four pairs of eyes swivelled round to look at Joe. Ted gestured. \u201cBring him over, Tim,\u201d he ordered and the fat man waddled over to drag Joe across the floor to Ted. Ted yanked Joe to his feet. \u201cThis who you mean, lawman?\u201d<\/p>\n

Out in the street, feeling eyes on him from all around, Clem stiffened. Joe looked all right, as far as he could tell, but the windows of the old store were grimy and it was impossible to make out anything clearly. He swallowed. \u201cYes, that\u2019s who I mean,\u201d he replied. \u201cLet him go before someone gets hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d came the mocking reply. \u201cNow listen here, lawman. We want ta git out a here, jist as much as ya want us out. So ya bring us our horses an\u2019 we\u2019ll leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Joe?\u201d Clem asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s quite safe here with us,\u201d Ted retorted. \u201cBut he won\u2019t be if\u2019n ya don\u2019t bring us our horses. Unnerstand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Clem agreed and backed away. He didn\u2019t like it any, but he understood clearly enough. They were not willing to let Joe go under any circumstances until they were clear of the town.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSo what\u2018re we gonna do, Ted?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a question Joe wanted the answer to, as well. He had no choice but to remain where he was, balanced uneasily on his bound feet, held up by Ted\u2019s filthy hand on his shoulder. He resisted the urge to look round at his captor, concentrating on projecting an image of someone unafraid, although that wasn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n

\u201cJist what I said, Tom,\u201d Ted snapped at the thin man. He casually dropped Joe to the floor and Joe bit his lip and winced. He knew he would be covered in bruises. \u201cThe lawman\u2019s gonna bring us our horses an\u2019 we\u2019re gonna use Joe here ta git us out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instantly, Joe was the focus of all eyes. Ted, Tim, Tom and the fourth man, who\u2019s name Joe didn\u2019t know, all looked at him. Then Tim looked up at Ted. \u201cHe ain\u2019t big enough ta shield us all,\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t all as fat as you, Tim,\u201d sneered the unknown man.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Tate!\u201d the fat man snapped and the next moment, they were brawling with each other, stepping uncaringly all over Joe as they threw blows at each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, that\u2019s enough, knock it off!\u201d Ted ordered. He and Tom separated them, and they glared at each other. \u201cI\u2019ll take Joe out with me. They won\u2019t try anything when he\u2019s with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that ain\u2019t fair!\u201d Tom objected. \u201cHow come ya git him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Cos I\u2019m the oldest brother!\u201d Ted snarled and aimed a blow at Tom that he ducked adroitly.<\/p>\n

Recovering from being stepped on, and deciding that he really wasn\u2019t hurt much, Joe perked up his ears at this bit of information. Something was niggling at the back of his mind and he couldn\u2019t quite remember what it was. But the names sounded somehow familiar\u2026 Joe frowned as he tried to remember.<\/p>\n

He was startled, therefore, when Tom and Tim grabbed him, one by each arm and started to pull. He struggled, but to no avail, having no leverage. He was jerked from side to side as the brothers fought over him and the leather thongs bit painfully into Joe\u2019s wrists. \u201cLet go!\u201d he cried, suddenly scared. The vicious grips on his upper arms tightened and a particularly strong jerk tugged him clean off his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u201d Ted snapped, but neither brother heard him. They were too intent on getting hold of Joe to use him as a shield.<\/p>\n

Furious, Ted smacked Tim over the back of the head, which definitely got his attention. Ignoring Tom, Ted too grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and pulled. Tom determinedly hung on. There was an audible snap and pop and Joe let out a scream of agony. The startled men dropped him, and Joe let out another ragged cry as he hit the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell?\u201d Ted frowned as he looked down at his hostage. \u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDunno,\u201d Tom replied, slowly. \u201cDid we hurt him, ya reckon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Through the agony consuming Joe\u2019s left arm and shoulder, he barely heard the callous comment. Joe wanted desperately to pass out, for he wouldn\u2019t feel the pain when he was unconscious. But merciful obliviousness didn\u2019t come and Joe bit his lip to contain the groans of pain. He wasn\u2019t entirely successful.<\/p>\n

Above his head, the argument went on.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSo what are you going to do now?\u201d Adam asked, his question the very epitome of self-control, but Adam didn\u2019t feel in the least controlled. He wanted to throw something, hit something, scream and shout and rail against the fates. But none of these things was productive, however satisfying they might be and Adam definitely wanted to do something that would get his youngest brother out of the sticky situation he was in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to get them their horses,\u201d Clem replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss snapped. He rounded on Clem, looming over the slighter man.<\/p>\n

Clem refused to be intimidated, although an angry Hoss could scare a grizzly bear. \u201cLet me finish,\u201d he soothed. Hoss backed away, aided by a frown from his father, who was no less angry and concerned. \u201cWhile I bring their horses to the front of the building, I want you to find yourself somewhere where you have a good view of that door. There are four of them and only one of Joe. What I\u2019m proposing is risky, but no riskier than allowing them to ride off with Joe.\u201d Clem looked at his three listeners. \u201cI suggest that what we do is take out the gang members who don\u2019t have Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s to stop the remaining man from blowing Joe\u2019s head off?\u201d Adam asked, seeing only the risks.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Clem agreed soberly. \u201cBut I wouldn\u2019t give Joe a snowball\u2019s chance in hell if we let them ride away with him. You know their record, Adam. They\u2019ll kill Joe without thinking twice.\u201d He glanced at Ben. \u201cI know it\u2019s not a good plan, but what other choice do we have? We can\u2019t rush the building \u2013 there\u2019s only one way in and out.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a pause while the Cartwrights thought around and around the idea. It was risky \u2013 very risky. But as Clem said, there really wasn\u2019t much of an alternative. \u201cWhat about waiting them out?\u201d Adam suggested. \u201cNo food, no water. They wouldn\u2019t last long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wincing mentally, Clem wished Adam hadn\u2019t suggested that. He could see the sudden hope on Ben\u2019s face and decided that he would have to tell them the unpalatable truth. \u201cThe Jamiesons will take Joe apart a piece at a time to get what they want,\u201d he explained. \u201cThey\u2019ve done it before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t tell us that!\u201d Ben cried, his eyes wide in his suddenly pale face. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to know,\u201d Clem told him, but Ben was not to be diverted.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me!\u201d he demanded. He had to know what Joe was facing if he was to agree to this decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey took a girl hostage in a bank raid that went wrong,\u201d Clem explained, his voice low so that the other patrons of the saloon wouldn\u2019t hear. \u201cWhen they didn\u2019t get the horses they wanted, they attacked the girl.\u201d He swallowed and looked away, unwilling to tell the rest. \u201cTrust me, Ben; you don\u2019t want to hear what they did to her. Suffice it to say, she was in a bad way when they left and died shortly afterwards, which was a relief for all concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

If Ben had been pale before, he was decidedly ashen now. He sank down into a seat. He could well understand what Clem was implying. After a time, he gained control of his emotions and looked up at his sons. Both of them were pale, but they nodded at Ben. Clem was right; there was no other choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said, at last, his voice hollow. \u201cWe\u2019ll do it your way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It no longer mattered to Joe what the men did. He no longer cared who they were. He just wanted the pain to end. Joe had had a dislocated shoulder before, but recognising the pain didn\u2019t make it any easier to bear. If he lay absolutely still and didn\u2019t breathe, it was fine. But of course, he had to breathe and so the pain remained a constant. The leather thong cut into his swollen wrist. Joe was quite glad he couldn\u2019t see it, for it felt bad enough. Sometimes, the pain from his wrist dominated the pain from his shoulder, but generally, his shoulder had dibs on being the worst.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt last!\u201d Ted had been keeping watch out of the windows, while his brothers continued to bicker amongst themselves about who was taking Joe. \u201cHere are the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning, Ted grinned at his brothers, who exchanged glances. While they had been arguing, Ted had made sure that he was standing right beside Joe. The others had no chance of reaching him. \u201cToo late, boys!\u201d Ted laughed, enjoying their disquiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019re we gonna git out if\u2019n ya got him?\u201d Tim demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not my problem,\u201d Ted responded indifferently. \u201cYou figure it out for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you!\u201d Tim cried and reached clumsily for his gun. Ted swiftly and smoothly drew his and shot Tim down. Joe gasped in horror.<\/p>\n

For a moment, the other two brothers stood frozen, but as the reality of what they had just witnessed sank in, they looked at each other before starting to back away. But it was too late. Ted, seeing that his brothers might turn on him to have the benefit of the hostage, decided to take matters into his own hands. He shot them both, too.<\/p>\n

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

Out in the street, Clem and the Cartwrights stood frozen, unsure as to what was happening. There was no way out of the store except through the front door, so no one could have gone in without being seen. Were the outlaws shooting at each other? If so, why? And, more importantly, where was Joe?<\/p>\n

Before any of them could make a move, the door to the store opened and Joe stumbled through, Ted holding a gun to his head. Joe was as white as a sheet and seemed to be barely conscious. Ben took a step forward, forgetting why he was there, his entire attention focused on his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be needin\u2019 those other horses, lawman,\u201d Ted called from the boardwalk. \u201cMy brothers have decided not ta come along fer the ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust take your horse and get out of here,\u201d Clem responded. \u201cAnd leave Joe behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d Ted responded. He shoved Joe forward so that they were standing on the dusty street. \u201cI\u2019ve grown real fond o\u2019 Joe here. I reckon he\u2019ll come with me.\u201d He gave Joe a shake and the injured man groaned. \u201cHe ain\u2019t much at conversation, but that makes a change from my brothers\u2019 whinin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth, Clem snapped, \u201cThe deal was you got your horses and let Joe go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWrong, lawman. The deal was I got the horses and didn\u2019t kill Joe.\u201d Ted smiled evilly. \u201cI ain\u2019t killed him yet. An\u2019 I aim ta keep him alive until I get out a this town. So back off!\u201d When Clem didn\u2019t move, Ted cocked the gun at Joe\u2019s head and shook him again, once more eliciting a groan. Slowly, Clem dropped the horse\u2019s rein and started to back away.<\/p>\n

Their plan was in tatters. Ben cast around frantically for an idea, but nothing came to him. He couldn\u2019t try and jump the outlaw, for he was in the man\u2019s direct line of sight. A move like that would sign Joe\u2019s death warrant.<\/p>\n

Then, from behind Ted, out of his direct sightline, there came movement. In an instant of paralysing terror, Ben knew that it was Adam. Adam was going to try and rescue Joe and he would lose both of his sons in one cruel blow. He took a step forward and Ted\u2019s gun swung round to him.<\/p>\n

In that very moment, Adam hit Ted side on, knocking both he and Joe to the ground, where he started to wrestle with Ted for control of the gun.<\/p>\n

It was a desperate move, but Adam couldn\u2019t bear standing around waiting any longer. It was apparent that their plan was obsolete and Adam could see that they had no choice but to take direct action. His brother\u2019s life was at stake.<\/p>\n

Equally desperate, Ted fought back like a demon, digging the fingers of his free hand into Adam\u2019s face, drawing blood. Adam didn\u2019t appear to notice. He concentrated on getting control of the gun, or knocking it from the outlaw\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

In a sudden movement, Ted wrenched his wrist free from Adam\u2019s grasp and crashed the gun off Adam\u2019s head. Instantly, Adam crumpled, slumping down unconscious on top of Ted. The outlaw, panting heavily from the struggle, started to push Adam off him.<\/p>\n

If Adam had been alone, it was quite likely that both he and Joe would have died. As it was, Hoss was there. Ben was there. Clem was there. All three had moved in as the fight started. Ben had grabbed the semi-conscious Joe and dragged him out of the way. Hoss moved to help Adam and even as Ted started to push Adam away, he found his wrist in an unbreakable grip. Looking up, he saw Hoss\u2019 angry face glaring down at him. Seconds later, he was helpless, as Clem pinioned his arm to the ground.<\/p>\n

Contemptuously, Hoss plucked the gun from the outlaw\u2019s fingers. \u201cI don\u2019t think ya\u2019ll need this no longer,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

That was when Ted knew it was really over.<\/p>\n

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

From the doorway of the saloon where he had been watching and waiting, Doc Martin hurried out to join Ben. Kneeling, he cast a professional eye over Joe. \u201cGet him to my office immediately, Ben. I\u2019ll need to put back that shoulder at once. I\u2019ll check on Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2026 walk,\u201d Joe insisted, weakly. He winced and cried out as Ben finished freeing his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou probably could,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut it\u2019s not going to happen.\u201d He looked up at Hoss, who was hovering over Adam, who was groaning as he regained consciousness. \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Coming over, Hoss smiled at Joe, who lay limply in Ben\u2019s embrace. \u201cLooks like Adam\u2019s gonna be all right,\u201d he reported. \u201cGood thing he\u2019s got the Cartwright thick head, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d Ben replied, relief colouring his tones. \u201cGive me a hand with Joe, son, and then you can come back and help Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d Hoss responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Ben, I\u2019ll bring Adam,\u201d Paul called and Ben took reassurance from that. Adam couldn\u2019t be too badly hurt.<\/p>\n

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

Joe was already lying on the examination table when Paul helped Adam in. The oldest Cartwright son was pale, but there was no blood to be seen, just the beginnings of a bruise along his cheek. Joe turned his head and smiled wanly at his brother. \u201cAdam. You\u2026 all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be just fine, Joe,\u201d Adam responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe muttered. It didn\u2019t seem like enough to Joe, but he couldn\u2019t muster the strength to say anything else. The pain in his shoulder and arm was pretty near unbearable and only the death grip that Ben had on his other hand was keeping Joe anchored to the world. He opened his mouth to try and say more, but nothing came out. Defeated, he closed his mouth again.<\/p>\n

But Adam understood. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Adam and I\u2019ll get to you shortly,\u201d Paul suggested. He leant over Joe, smiling reassuringly as he assessed his patient visually once more. \u201cCan you tell me what happened, Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe told them the whole story. Ben kept his grip on Joe\u2019s hand, lending his son strength and support in the only way he could. Clem joined them just before Joe related the part about Ted shooting his brothers. He exchanged grim glances with everyone. It was a horrid tale.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo,\u201d Paul said, when Joe had finished, \u201cno head injury for you this time. That makes a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 Adam\u2019s turn,\u201d Joe joked back and they all took heart from that. Joe was so pale and fragile looking that they had all feared the worst.<\/p>\n

In a short time, Paul had Joe slumbering deeply while he set the dislocated shoulder and splinted the broken wrist. Once the swelling was down, he would put a cast on it. He checked for other injuries, but apart from a multitude of bruises, Joe was fine.<\/p>\n

With that done, Paul checked Adam out, but he appeared to be fine, with just a nasty bruise on his cheek. \u201cBut if he displays signs of concussion, let me know, Ben,\u201d Paul concluded. \u201cYou\u2019re certainly going to have a sore head for a while though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about it,\u201d Adam mumbled. It was throbbing away merrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll keep them both overnight, Ben, just to be on the safe side,\u201d Paul suggested. \u201cBut I think you can take them both home tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul,\u201d Ben responded. He watched Adam lie down on the big couch in the room, with Hoss tenderly tucking a blanket around him and then his eyes were drawn back to Joe. That morning, just a few short hours ago, he had been worried about a company that hadn\u2019t paid him for the timber he had delivered. He had been short tempered with all his sons. Now, his worries appeared inconsequential. What did it matter, as long as he had his sons, alive and well?<\/p>\n

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

By next morning, Adam was feeling better, but Joe was still sore. However, the pain in his shoulder and wrist had diminished to manageable levels and the swelling had reduced enough that the uncomfortable splints could be replaced with an uncomfortable cast.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Roy?\u201d Joe asked, as Paul smoothed the last of the plaster over his arm. The previous day he had been too groggy to remember to ask about the older man. Now, though, he was worried, for he hadn\u2019t seen Roy at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s doing just fine,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cHe went home last night.\u201d He grinned at Joe. \u201cThe bullet got caught in his watch chain and didn\u2019t penetrate far at all.\u201d He sobered. \u201cHe was lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery lucky,\u201d Joe agreed. He glanced up as Ben came in with Clem. \u201cHi, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi\u00a0 yourself,\u201d Ben smiled. He was relieved to see Joe looking so well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow ya doin\u2019, Joe?\u201d Clem asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just came to tell you that there\u2019s not going to be a trial, Joe,\u201d Clem explained. \u201cTed Jamieson confessed to murdering his brothers and taking you hostage. But anyway, he\u2019s wanted in so many places that he was going to hang whatever happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a weight off my mind,\u201d Joe confessed. He hadn\u2019t wanted to relive the experience for others to hear. It had been bad enough telling the story the previous night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he\u2019s all yours, Ben,\u201d Paul concluded a few minutes later as he settled Joe\u2019s cast in a sling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Paul,\u201d Ben replied and helped Joe to his feet. \u201cAdam and Hoss are already waiting in the buggy outside. Hoss brought it in this morning.\u201d He led Joe towards the door, feeling Joe\u2019s weakness. \u201cDid I tell you that the mine paid us this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great, Pa,\u201d Joe replied. He grinned slightly. \u201cDid Doc Martin tell you Roy\u2019s gonna be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he did.\u201d Ben looked at Joe suspiciously. \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know how I always said that Roy\u2019s watch chain was too long?\u201d Joe\u2019s grin grew. \u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 What starts out as an ordinary day in town soon takes an unexpected turn.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0(5,505 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":4766,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[15,16],"class_list":["post-5825","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":2995,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/War-Comes-to-Washoe11.jpg?fit=568%2C379&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":5825,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5392,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5392","url_meta":{"origin":5825,"position":1},"title":"The Ballad of Ben Cartwright (by ansinico)","author":"ansinico","date":"May 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0l have put my own words to the\u00a0air of an Irish drinking song, \u00a0'The Wild Rover' also called 'No Nay Never' \u00a0l hope you like it. 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