{"id":584,"date":"2001-02-17T23:09:51","date_gmt":"2001-02-18T04:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=584"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:04:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:04:36","slug":"vanished","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=584","title":{"rendered":"Vanished (by Karen)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span><\/em>Joe disappears while looking for strays<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0T (16,615 words)
\n<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vanished<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

by Karen<\/span><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Four weary men huddled around the little campfire watching it\u2019s fitful light as it flickered in the darkness.\u00a0 Cups of coffee were clutched in three sets of tired hands and the conversation was sporadic.\u00a0 With a gusty sigh, Hoss Cartwright leaned back against a log, his legs stretched out toward the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow much longer do you think we\u2019ll need to stay out here, Pa?\u201d he questioned tiredly.\u00a0 \u201cThere cain\u2019t be too many more strays up at this end of the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think another day oughta do it, son.\u201d Ben Cartwright replied, his mellow voice husky with tiredness.\u00a0 \u201cI think we\u2019ve looked in just about every nook and cranny we\u2019ve got on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright looked over at his father and brother.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad you sent Charlie and the others back to the ranch with those few strays we rounded up, Pa.\u00a0 I, for one, am glad that we don\u2019t have to watch those critters all night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss shot a glance at the youngest Cartwright, a smile crossing his large face.\u00a0 \u201cIt looks like Little Joe is glad he doesn\u2019t have to watch those little critters also.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe Cartwright was propped against a fallen log, his boots stretching toward the crackling fire.\u00a0 He had pulled his hat up over his face and was already deeply asleep.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t even taken the time to unroll his bedroll before exhaustion had claimed him.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s smile broadened a moment.\u00a0 Little Joe had been working from sunup to sundown without any of his usual complaints on this trip with his father and brothers.\u00a0 He seemed almost determined to outdo any of the other men in how much he could accomplish in a single day.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s heart gave a little lurch as he thought about this complex brother of his.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t think he would ever figure out what made Little Joe tick.\u00a0 He stood quietly and moved to Joe\u2019s saddle which was propped near his brother\u2019s sleeping form.\u00a0 Grabbing the bedroll from where Joe had left it, he tucked the blankets around the younger man\u2019s body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded his thanks to his oldest son. He could always rely on Adam to keep an eye on his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cI think we\u2019d all better follow Joe\u2019s example.\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get some shuteye.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got a lot of work to do in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me, Pa!\u201d Hoss agreed with a wide yawn, his blue eyes drooping with exhaustion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI second that motion!\u201d\u00a0 Adam chimed in.\u00a0 The men busied themselves with preparing their camp for the night, and within minutes there was no sound around the flickering fire except for the snores of Hoss Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

The morning dawned too early as far as the weary men were concerned.\u00a0 They rolled themselves out of their bedrolls and hastily built up the fire.\u00a0 A pot of coffee soon revived their flagging spirits, and they made ready for the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe stretched and yawned as he downed his second cup of coffee.\u00a0 He turned up his nose at the remains of his plate of beans.\u00a0 \u201cI sure can\u2019t wait to get back home,\u201d he said with a heartfelt sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled at his youngest son, and clapped him on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou sure have worked hard this trip, Little Joe.\u00a0 I\u2019m proud of you, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe giggled.\u00a0 \u201cAre you saying that I don\u2019t normally work hard, Pa?\u201d he asked, but his pleased smile told his father that Joe appreciated the words of praise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow don\u2019t go gettin\u2019 all bigheaded, Little Brother!\u201d Hoss chuckled.\u00a0 He ducked behind his father and lightly punched Little Joe\u2019s back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe whirled and made a pretense of jabbing back, causing Ben to hastily duck out of the path of his two grown sons, he laughed to see them acting like children.\u00a0 Sometimes Ben thought they would never really grow up.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, boys, let\u2019s get a move on,\u201d he chided them, as Joe got in one last punch at Hoss, only to slip and have it land on Adam instead.\u00a0 Ben wanted to avert a full-scale war, once Adam got lured into his brothers\u2019 shenanigans they tended to turn pretty wild.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam eyed his father in an effort to gauge his mood.\u00a0 He decided not to respond to Joe\u2019s punch.\u00a0 Adam correctly judged that his father really wanted to get started on the day\u2019s work. He satisfied himself by ruffling Joe\u2019s curls, as he was fully aware how much that irritated his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Little Buddy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cQuit fooling around and let\u2019s ride.\u00a0 The sooner we get on our horses, the sooner we get home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe glared at Adam as he finger combed his hair back in place.\u00a0 Then his expression cleared and he hastily began packing up his gear and stowing it on Cochise\u2019s back.\u00a0 He really did want to get home. The fact that Amy Young was expecting Joe to take her to the big dance on Saturday night was real incentive to ignore Adam\u2019s teasing and get moving.\u00a0 In no time at all, the traces of their night\u2019s encampment had been erased and the four men were in the saddle once more scouring the Ponderosa for strays.<\/span><\/p>\n

After several hours in the saddle, Hoss held up a hand for a halt.\u00a0 He pointed to some specks scattered in the distance.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like we\u2019ve got a bunch up ahead.\u00a0 They may scatter when we ride up on \u2018em, so it might be a good idea to pick a good spot for meetin\u2019 back up, after we catch \u2018em of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow about that flat stretch, the one just past the Rim Trail?\u201d\u00a0 Adam suggested.\u00a0 The others nodded their agreement, and the four riders took off after their quarry.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cluster of beeves scattered as predicted and the Cartwrights soon found themselves pursuing the bovines far away from each other.\u00a0 Little Joe headed after a particularly lively pair of calves who darted back and forth in front of Cochise\u2019s hooves.\u00a0 Cursing softly under his breath, as the calves refused to be directed, roped, or cooperate in any way, Little Joe gamely followed after them.\u00a0 After several missed throws, he finally got a rope around one of the little fellows while the other skipped merrily ahead.\u00a0 Towing the first calf behind him, Joe continued to pursue the second.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe pulled Cochise up sharply, and passed a disbelieving hand over his eyes.\u00a0 The calf had vanished into the face of a cliff of solid rock.\u00a0 Joe thought he knew every nook and cranny of the Ponderosa, he had certainly been over this stretch before, and he knew it was impossible for the calf to just disappear.\u00a0 Where could it have gone? He moved Cochise forward, his eyes trained on the spot where the calf had vanished.\u00a0 Even as they got closer the cliff face appeared solid.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t discern anything that looked like a cave, or even a small depression.\u00a0 It was only when he was almost on top of the cliff that Joe discovered a well-concealed, small opening in the cliff front.\u00a0 He let out a low whistle and pushed his hat back up onto his head.\u00a0 That dadburned little creature had managed to stumble into some sort of small cave.\u00a0 The opening was well-hidden behind some brush, and Joe knew he would never have spotted it if he hadn\u2019t kept the site of the calf\u2019s disappearance well-marked in his mind as he rode.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe dismounted, and tying the rope holding the calf alongside of Cochise\u2019s reins, he pushed aside the brush and knelt to survey the opening.\u00a0 It was somehow bigger than he first thought, but by some trick of the light and the rocks, the cave entrance was completely invisible unless you were right on top of it.\u00a0 Taking a deep breath, Joe resolutely pushed back his fear of the dark and bent to enter the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

At first Joe had to bend low but after just a few steps the opening widened out to amazing proportions.\u00a0 Joe let out a low whistle as he got an impression of the size of the hollow in the cliffs.\u00a0 \u201cHere, doggie.\u201d\u00a0 He called out.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are you, you dadburned little critter.\u201d\u00a0 He struck a match so that he could see better, the light from the entrance was now a long way back.\u00a0 Turning a corner, Joe whistled in surprise.\u00a0 His little match was no longer needed.\u00a0 The interior of this part of the cave system was well-lighted.\u00a0 Oil lamps hung from both ceiling hooks, while others hung from hooks on the walls.\u00a0 Just as Joe spotted the calf, struggling in the arms of a burly man in a red-checked flannel shirt, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head and the world went dark.\u00a0 He slid to the ground, lost in a deep well of darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe didn\u2019t know how much later it was when he finally opened his eyes again.\u00a0 He could feel a dull throbbing at the base of his skull and he tried to lift a hand to the spot.\u00a0 His thoughts moved sluggishly through the muzzy cobwebs in his brain, and he slowly realized that his hands weren\u2019t responding to his mental commands.\u00a0 He tugged experimentally and discovered that his hands were now tightly bound behind his back.\u00a0 As his eyes focused slowly he was able to determine that he was lying on the floor of the cave, his back to the wall.\u00a0 Three men crouched in front of him.\u00a0 The man in the red flannel shirt looked back at Joe with angry eyes.\u00a0 His two partners echoed his murderous ferocity, their clothes lending Joe the impression that they were miners.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you, and what are you doing here?\u201d The question shot out of the red-checked man\u2019s lips echoing the same question from Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he bit back the exclamation of pain that tried to escape him, Joe glared back at the three men.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 You\u2019re on Ponderosa land.\u00a0 My land.\u00a0 Now, who are you, and what do you think you\u2019re doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The men exchanged speculative glances as they moved away from Joe out of his ear shot.\u00a0 \u201cHey,\u201d Joe called.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s this all about?\u201d\u00a0 The men ignored him, they had deliberately positioned themselves so that Joe couldn\u2019t see their lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we gonna do now, Slim?\u201d asked the man in the red flannel shirt.\u00a0 He directed his question to another of the men, this one a large man dressed in typical miner clothing, a flannel shirt tucked into sturdy work-pants held up with suspenders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim leaned back against the cave wall, a low whistle of dismay on his lips.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Red,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cI thought we\u2019d stay pretty well hidden up here long enough to get what we needed out of this mine.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t expect anyone to stumble on us, let alone a Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim turned to the third man, another stocky miner.\u00a0 \u201cShorty.\u00a0 Take that calf outta here and turn it loose.\u00a0 This fella must have a horse out there somewhere.\u00a0 Take it a couple miles from here and turn it loose, too.\u00a0 If that kid is a Cartwright, someone\u2019s gonna come looking for him.\u00a0 We don\u2019t want them looking anywhere near here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dragging the resisting calf along with him,\u00a0 Shorty moved away toward the area of the cave system that the miners had set aside as their corral.\u00a0 Shortly afterwards, the remaining two men heard the clatter of hooves on the stone floor and knew that Shorty was on his way out of the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red looked at Slim with a speculative look on his burly face.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what are we gonna do with the kid?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cI can deal with a little stealing.\u00a0 This here gold was just waiting for someone to haul it outta the ground.\u00a0 But I won\u2019t hold with murder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim stared back at the other man calmly.\u00a0 His eyes reflected the churning thoughts that careened through his mind.\u00a0 He held up a placating hand.\u00a0 \u201cNow, who said anything about murder?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cI say we just keep the kid here until we\u2019re done.\u00a0 Hey, maybe we can even get some work out of him to make things go faster.\u00a0 Then we turn him loose and we vanish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Red\u2019s big head nodded his agreement.\u00a0 \u201cGood plan, we can use the help.\u00a0 But the kid ain\u2019t gonna agree to dig without a fight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim\u2019s laugh was cold.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t intend on asking him, Red.\u00a0 I\u2019m just gonna tell him.\u00a0 He can either dig or die!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Red was worried, and his face clearly showed it.\u00a0 \u201cYou said no killin\u2019, Slim.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim\u2019s response was a little too quick for Red\u2019s peace of mind.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t say I\u00a0would\u00a0<\/em>kill him.\u00a0 I\u2019m just gonna let him think I\u2019d kill him.\u00a0 He\u2019ll work if he thinks he\u2019ll die otherwise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Again Red\u2019s response conveyed the depth of his worry.\u00a0 \u201cThe kid\u2019s one of the Cartwrights.\u00a0 His family is gonna be looking all over for him.\u00a0 What if they find us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim just laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNo one can find this place.\u00a0 If I hadn\u2019t run into that Injun, we would never have found it.\u00a0 Just go out and make sure the entrance is covered with that brush.\u00a0 Them Cartwrights will ride right by here and never know it.\u00a0 Especially if they find the kid\u2019s horse miles from here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Red nodded, his worries put to rest.\u00a0 A speculative gleam entered his eyes as he looked at the young man who was now struggling to sit up.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be good to have someone else to do some digging for a change,\u201d he chuckled.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two men headed back toward their prisoner.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cDadburnit, Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss exploded angrily.\u00a0 \u201cWhy are we always waiting on that little brother of mine?\u00a0 I want to get home.\u201d\u00a0 He looked around as if expecting to see Little Joe ride up beside him, a smile on his lips and excuses for his lateness ready for all listeners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, a worried frown crossing his face.\u00a0 \u201cJoe knew this was where we were going to meet, and there sure isn\u2019t anything out here to keep him interested.\u00a0 I think something\u2019s happened to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s coffee colored eyes were clouded with worry.\u00a0 He turned in his saddle and scanned the horizon, anxiously searching for any sign of his wayward son.\u00a0 A nagging prickle of fear worked itself down his back, and he struggled to suppress it quickly.\u00a0 Turning to his older sons, he asked quietly. \u201cWhich way was Joe heading when we split up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think he was heading North toward the hard-rock country.\u201d Hoss said quickly, doubts beginning to erase his anger.\u00a0 He turned his horse and was already moving off.\u00a0 He knew without being told that they were going to go look for Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked at the rapidly waning light of late afternoon, the knowledge that it would soon be too dark to pick up any tracks at the forefront of his mind.\u00a0 He put his spurs to Sport\u2019s side to increase his pace.\u00a0 The three men thundered back along the trail they had ridden that afternoon.\u00a0 Scanning the ground for any signs of his brother\u2019s passage, Hoss took the lead. He never lifted his eyes from the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

They reached the spot where they had originally split up, and Hoss pointed in the direction that he had seen his brother heading.\u00a0 Now all three men were on the alert and looking carefully along the rocky ground desperately trying to find some trace of Little Joe\u2019s whereabouts.\u00a0 Their efforts were hampered by the stony soil under their feet.\u00a0 It was next to impossible to track someone under those conditions.\u00a0 After an hour of careful searching the three men pulled up their horses and eyed one another.\u00a0 The light had faded to the purples of twilight, the darkness already creeping across the sky.\u00a0 They needed to establish a camp, and quickly, but the sense that Joe needed them pulled at all of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face was a study in misery.\u00a0 \u201cWhadda we do now, Pa?\u201d he asked dejectedly.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s not a trace of that little devil.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s set up camp right here, boys.\u00a0 We can start searching again at first light, if Little Joe hasn\u2019t turned up in the meantime.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied grimly.\u00a0 A vision of Joe lying wounded, helpless and unattended flashed through his mind, and he winced.\u00a0 Brutally forcing his mind off the grisly picture, he set to work unsaddling his horse and bedding it down for the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss followed suit and within a relatively short time a little fire blazed, a pot of beans simmering on top of it.\u00a0 Three subdued men crouched beside the blaze, their thoughts on the boy who was missing.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s thoughts kept returning to the scene that morning, with Joe and Hoss joking and carrying on in their typical style.\u00a0 A stab of pain knifed through him at the realization of how quickly things could change.\u00a0 What could have happened to Little Joe?\u00a0 Adam rubbed a weary hand over his face. People just didn\u2019t vanish into thin air.\u00a0 Joe was out here somewhere and in the morning Adam would find him.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t let himself believe otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of a horse\u2019s hooves jerked Adam from his reverie.\u00a0 He sprang to his feet, along with Hoss and Ben, all of them peering into the darkness for a glimpse of the rider approaching.\u00a0 Hoss had a welcoming grin on his face as he anticipated his little brother\u2019s entry to the camp.\u00a0 A black and white horse appeared with a soft whinny to his stablemates.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 face fell as he saw that the horse was riderless, spent and blowing, lather on his haunches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben reached to grab the reins of the pinto, his face carefully blank.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no blood on the saddle,\u201d he said after a careful inspection of the horse.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s hard to tell how long Cochise has been wandering.\u00a0 He\u2019s obviously winded and tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut where\u2019s Joe, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss knew his question didn\u2019t have an answer, but he couldn\u2019t stop himself from asking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s mask slipped and a grim look took its place.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I knew, Hoss.\u00a0 Joe wouldn\u2019t have been thrown from Cochise and he\u2019d never abandon his horse.\u00a0 He\u2019s in serious trouble somewhere.\u00a0 Tomorrow we\u2019re going to backtrack this horse and find out where.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam exchanged a worried look with his brother.\u00a0 They both knew that backtracking Cochise\u2019s trail\u00a0 in the morning wasn\u2019t going to be easy.\u00a0 Adam was concerned that they might find nothing at all to go on.\u00a0 He reached out and firmly clasped his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWe\u2019ll find him, Pa.\u00a0 He\u2019s probably out there next to some rocks for the night, cursing his stupidity in getting thrown.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss tried a chuckle and failed miserably.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, he\u2019s gonna be real embarrassed when we tease him about this one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled at his sons\u2019 efforts to cheer him up and warmly returned Adam\u2019s grip.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get something to eat and turn in early, boys.\u00a0 We want to get moving as soon as we can in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silence descended as the three men turned in, but not much sleeping was done.\u00a0 They all tossed and turned, dozing periodically, but not really sleeping.\u00a0 In his heart, each of them was listening for the sound of footsteps, somehow believing that Joe would walk into their camp under his own power.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the pale streaks of dawn were even showing on the horizon, they were up and eating a hasty meal of cold beans, washed down with water.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t want to take the time to heat up a pot of coffee.\u00a0 As the true dawn broke in all its glory they were on the trail, none of them even noticing the splendor in the sky.<\/span><\/p>\n

For most of the morning they moved at a snail\u2019s pace, straining to discern Cochise\u2019s tracks in the stony ground.\u00a0 Hoss rode in the lead, as his skill at tracking was the best among them.\u00a0 He knew Cochise\u2019s hoofprint as well as he knew the back of his own hand.\u00a0 If it was there to be found, he\u2019d see it.\u00a0 By mid morning they called a halt.\u00a0 Hoss hadn\u2019t seen a trace of a print in well over an hour.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, this ain\u2019t working,\u201d he said in a rush as if expecting an argument.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just not able to pick up Cochise\u2019s trail.\u00a0 We\u2019re gonna have to split up and see if we can cover more territory.\u00a0 If Joe\u2019s been hurt, maybe he\u2019s been able to put up some sort of signal for us.\u00a0 We can meet back here later this afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was nodding his agreement, ready to do anything as long as he could keep searching for his brother.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face was a study in contrasts.\u00a0 He was terrified for Joe, but he didn\u2019t want to let his two remaining sons disappear from him as well.\u00a0 Knowing he had no other choice, he nodded.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam were off in two different directions before Ben\u2019s head even stopped moving.\u00a0 Choosing a different direction from each of them, he spurred Buck onward.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe spent an uncomfortable night, trussed up and lying against the cold stone floor.\u00a0 He could feel the cold radiating through his jacket and he shivered violently.\u00a0 The miner\u2019s fire burned brightly but he wasn\u2019t near enough to get the benefit of its heat.\u00a0 The men had taken the precaution of tying Joe\u2019s feet as well as his hands, preventing an attempt at escape in the night.\u00a0 Joe knew that his father and brothers would be searching for him, but he also realized that the opening to the cave was so well hidden that they would never find it.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he tossed fitfully in the night, Joe considered his situation. It was very bleak.\u00a0 He was helpless to free himself from the ropes that bound him and the place where he was hidden was not going to be found.\u00a0 He knew that given even a moment unguarded he\u2019d attempt to escape, but he didn\u2019t like his chances against three armed, desperate men.\u00a0 The miners were obviously squatters in the process of stealing gold from an unknown mine on the Ponderosa property.\u00a0 Joe had ridden this part of the ranch hundreds of time and never suspected the cave existed. He wondered how the men had discovered their hidden cache.<\/span><\/p>\n

The darkness of the cave prevented him from knowing the time, but Joe judged it was just after dawn when the men began stirring.\u00a0 He watched them warily as they built up their small fire and cooked breakfast.\u00a0 Joe waited while the men ate their fill, his stomach rumbling noisily.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t eaten since the previous day\u2019s breakfast and he was starving.\u00a0 When Slim stood up and moved toward him, a plate in hand, Joe eyed him hopefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crouching before his prisoner, Slim motioned toward the plate of beans.\u00a0 \u201cWant some breakfast, boy?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cAll we got is beans, but they\u2019re better\u2019n nothin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gazed at the man through narrowed eyes, intent on gauging his sincerity.\u00a0 When he saw no immediate threat, Joe nodded gratefully.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019m pretty hungry,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cUntie me so I can eat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim laughed loudly.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t say nothin\u2019 about untying you, boy.\u00a0 I\u2019ll feed you if you\u2019re hungry.\u201d\u00a0 He dipped a spoon into the plate and held it out toward Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s pride surged, and he considered refusing the spoon, but a loud rumble from his stomach convinced him of the stupidity of that notion.\u00a0 He knew he needed to stay healthy if he was going to escape from these men and refusing food was pointless.\u00a0 With a sigh and a feeling of deep humiliation, Joe opened his mouth for the spoon.\u00a0 He tried to look anywhere but Slim\u2019s eyes as he ate, not wanting the man to know how much the feeding galled him.\u00a0 At last the meal was finished, and Joe drank thirstily from the proffered cup of coffee that Slim held out to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

His hunger and thirst satisfied, Joe glared up at his captor.\u00a0 Trying to keep the quaver of uncertainty from his voice, Joe asked, \u201cWhat are you going to do with me? My Pa and brothers are out searching for me, right now.\u00a0 If they find you holding me like this, they\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim laughed again.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t worried, boy.\u00a0 You know no one is going to find this cave.\u00a0 It\u2019ll take a miracle for your family to get in here after you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew the man spoke the truth, and he felt the sudden wash of fear rippling through him.\u00a0 He forced it away and again spoke truculently.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you want from me, anyway?\u00a0 Is it money you\u2019re after?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou found us, boy, remember?\u201d Slim said with some hostility.\u00a0 \u201cAnd since you did, we\u2019re gonna make use of you.\u00a0 We need help gettin\u2019 the gold outta this mine.\u00a0 When we\u2019ve gotten all we need, we\u2019ll let you go.\u00a0 It\u2019s that simple.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe snorted in derision. \u201cI\u2019m not helping you steal gold from my Pa.\u00a0 This cave is on his land and you\u2019re squatting.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got no right to mine this land.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim spoke furiously.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s kinda high and mighty sounding from a kid who\u2019s tied hand and foot.\u201d\u00a0 He glared at his captive.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll dig or you\u2019ll die.\u00a0 It\u2019s your choice.\u201d\u00a0 Leaving Little Joe to consider his options, he turned and stalked back to the fire<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe leaned back against the wall.\u00a0 He knew that he had little hope of escape trussed up the way he was now.\u00a0 If he agreed to help the miners dig, they\u2019d have to untie him.\u00a0 His chances of getting away were much greater untied.\u00a0 He knew that as much as he didn\u2019t want to help these thieves, he had to acquiesce.\u00a0 He closed his eyes wearily and inclined his head against the cave wall.\u00a0 All he wanted to do was go home with his father and brothers.\u00a0 How did he ever get himself into these messes, he asked himself grimly?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes to see the men around the fire conversing intently.\u00a0 As the discussion became more animated, he could see that the men were debating over something, although he couldn\u2019t hear what they said.\u00a0 The result of the discussion appeared to be one of the men getting up and leaving the fireside.\u00a0 Joe could hear him taking a horse from the corral, and he watched as the miner disappeared from view.\u00a0 The other two men glanced back at Joe and then settled back around the fire.\u00a0 Apparently Joe wasn\u2019t expected to begin work just yet, and neither of the men appeared to be going to work today either.\u00a0 Joe was confused by the men\u2019s inconsistencies and he couldn\u2019t stop worrying about what was going to happen.\u00a0 \u201cPa, please find me!\u201d he prayed silently, again closing his eyes and trying to rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The sun was once again sinking to the horizon, a glorious blaze of color staining the sky, framing the mountains in fire.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright didn\u2019t spare a glance at the vision from nature, instead he hunkered over a small fire waiting for the arrival of his sons.\u00a0 He had worn himself out searching for any sign of Joe, to no avail.\u00a0 Uttering a silent prayer that one of them had found their brother, he waited hopefully for Adam and Hoss.\u00a0 He saw a distant speck appear, and as it drew closer he could see the rider was Adam.\u00a0 He stood eagerly, struggling to make out details in the gathering darkness as Adam drew nearer.\u00a0 His heart plummeted when he saw that Adam rode alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam drew Sport up and tiredly climbed from the saddle.\u00a0 He gratefully accepted the cup of coffee that his father pressed into his hands. Sitting back on his heels before the fire, he sipped from the cup as he studiously avoided his father\u2019s gaze.\u00a0 When he finally looked up at his father, he saw that the older man\u2019s face was constricted in anguish, the glimmer of an unshed tear in his eye.\u00a0 Adam rose swiftly and moved to put his arm on his father\u2019s shoulder, squeezing gently.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe Hoss found him, Pa.\u00a0 There\u2019s still hope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled gratefully at his son.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right, son.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Hoss will be bringing him in.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s voice showed his lack of conviction, and pulling away from Adam\u2019s touch, he hastily averted his eyes and moved to once again scan the horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Hoss is on his way in,\u201d he said, nervous anticipation crowding out every other emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam moved to stand next to his father and together they waited for Hoss to arrive.\u00a0 It was soon obvious that he too was riding in alone, dejection showing in every line of his big frame.\u00a0 He gratefully gulped a cup of coffee before sliding wearily to the ground.\u00a0 \u201cNot a dadblasted sign of him anywhere Pa,\u201d he moaned.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t even get a trace of Cochise\u2019s tracks. And we know he passed through here yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three bone-tired dispirited men sat staring disconsolately at the fire, each consumed with thoughts of the missing member of their family.\u00a0 Finally Ben spoke, his deep voice commanding the instant attention of the other men.\u00a0 \u201cTomorrow, Adam, I want you to head back to the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked up, a heated protest on his lips.\u00a0 He was quickly silenced by his father\u2019s raised hand.\u00a0 \u201cI want you to gather as many of the hands together as you can.\u00a0 We need more manpower for the search.\u00a0 With just the three of us looking, it\u2019s like searching for a needle in a haystack.\u00a0 Send word to Roy Coffee too.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping he\u2019ll put together a posse in Virginia City and come out to help us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, can\u2019t you send Hoss.\u201d Adam said as soon as he could get a word in edgewise.\u00a0 \u201cI really want to stay here and look for Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Adam pointedly ignored Hoss\u2019 angry glare at his words.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Hoss could get into a fight with his older brother, Ben again held up a warning hand.\u00a0 \u201cI asked you to go, Adam.\u00a0 I know that you want to be here, as we all do.\u00a0 But someone needs to go get help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam swallowed his anger.\u00a0 His father\u2019s words made sense.\u00a0 Someone did have to go round up some help.\u00a0 He just wanted it to be Hoss, not him.\u00a0 But Adam knew this was one of those times when his position as the oldest son called for him to do something he didn\u2019t particularly want to do.\u00a0 He grudgingly nodded his acquiescence, and was appeased at the sight of his father\u2019s grateful smile.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t waste much time on their meal and soon retired to their bedrolls for the night. Ben didn\u2019t want to waste a minute of daylight in order to continue the search for Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Little Joe awoke again. The previous day had crawled by interminably.\u00a0 Slim and Red had remained sprawled by the fire, alternately sleeping, giving Joe no chance to work his bonds loose and escape.\u00a0 They had fed their captive dinner and settled in for the night, but Joe noticed that one of them was awake at all times.\u00a0 He cursed their attentiveness, he\u2019d been hoping that they would both sleep and let him work at the bonds on his arms and legs.\u00a0 Finally, abandoning all hope of escape for the night, Joe had allowed himself to sleep, exhaustion catching up with him and sending him into oblivion.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Red was spoon-feeding Joe his breakfast, yet another plate of beans, the sound of hoof beats echoed in the cavern.\u00a0 Pulling out their guns in nervous anticipation, the two miners leapt to their feet.\u00a0 Joe watched eagerly, a frantic hope that his family had located the cave blossoming in his heart.\u00a0 His hopes were dashed as Shorty came into view, leading his horse through the cavern.\u00a0 His two companions offered him sociable hellos and Red left Joe\u2019s side to confer with his colleagues.\u00a0 Joe could tell by their smiles that whatever Shorty had been sent to do, he\u2019d accomplished successfully.\u00a0 He watched warily as the three men strolled across the cave to stand grinning down at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Joe asked quietly.\u00a0 He braced himself for whatever would come next.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim\u2019s smile was wolfish, exposing yellowed and missing teeth.\u00a0 \u201cWe figgered you were a might uncomfortable with those hands tied behind your back, and it sure makes it tough for us to guard you.\u00a0 Shorty\u2019s brought us back something to help us all feel a little easier.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched in horror as Shorty pulled out a bag weighted down with something heavy.\u00a0 Slim dipped his hands into the bag and Joe heard the clink of metal.\u00a0 He watched in rising fear as Slim withdrew two sets of manacles, chains stretched between metal cuffs.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not going to put those things on me!\u201d Joe managed to gasp.\u00a0 He struggled to rise in an attempt to fight the men off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red anticipated his move, and he easily held back the struggling boy.\u00a0 Joe felt the ropes binding his legs part as Shorty sliced his knife through them.\u00a0 While Red held his arms, Shorty grasped his legs, and Slim began the process of attaching the metal cuffs.\u00a0 With each slam of the hammer against metal, Joe felt his chances for freedom slipping away from him.\u00a0 When Slim finished with his legs, the men repeated the process with Joe\u2019s arms.\u00a0 The returning circulation into his numbed hands caused Joe to gasp in pain, and it was good to have his hands in front of him again, but the sight of his bonds crushed his spirit.\u00a0 He watched numbly, all hope gone, as the men drove a metal ring into the wall, another length of chain attached to that.\u00a0 It was an easy guess to know that when he wasn\u2019t working Joe would be chained to the wall like a dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stood slumped against the wall, his mind numbly trying to accept the fact that if his father and brothers didn\u2019t find him, his chances for escape were gone.\u00a0 He knew that it was next to impossible for his family to stumble on the cave\u2019s location.\u00a0 A sob caught in his throat and he struggled to fight back his tears.\u00a0 Joe realized he wasn\u2019t going home anytime soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim chuckled in glee as he looked at their prisoner.\u00a0 \u201cThere!\u00a0 That\u2019ll take care of you for a while.\u00a0 Well boy, it\u2019s time to get to work.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been loafing around here long enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He pulled Joe along by the arm, chuckling a little as the boy tripped over the unaccustomed weight of the chains.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll get used to walking soon enough.\u00a0 But right now, I want you to start digging.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got lots of rock to look through and it ain\u2019t gonna get done by itself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He dragged Joe to the section of the mine that the men had been working and thrust a pickax into his hands.\u00a0 Pointing to a section, he motioned for Joe to get started.\u00a0 Joe hesitated wondering what would happen if he refused. The glee disappeared from Slim\u2019s face to be replaced by a look of menace.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think you can try anything, boy. You won\u2019t get far, now that you\u2019re wearing them irons.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled out a whip as he spoke and gestured threateningly. \u201cNow get to work, or you\u2019ll get a taste of this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe weighed his options and chose survival.\u00a0 He turned, despair etched across his features, and began driving the pickax into the rock.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The search for the missing Cartwright continued.\u00a0 All the available ranch hands on the Ponderosa had been called in to help and Roy Coffee brought out a large contingent of Virginia City men.\u00a0 So far no trace of Little Joe had been discovered.\u00a0 As the long days slipped by, Ben\u2019s face grew steadily more haggard and drawn.\u00a0 Hoss wandered around in a fog, rousing only when out searching for his beloved younger brother.\u00a0 Once again, Adam found himself struggling to hold the pieces of his family together when all he wanted to do was crumble himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

After two weeks with no success Roy sought out Ben and pulled him aside.\u00a0 \u201cBen, I hate to say it, but I can\u2019t keep these men out here any longer.\u00a0 Little Joe just ain\u2019t no where to be found.\u201d\u00a0 He put a consoling hand on his old friend\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve just got to admit that we might never find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A flare of anger crossed Ben\u2019s face and he pulled roughly away from the Sheriff.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll never admit that, Roy!\u00a0 Never!\u00a0 Little Joe is out here somewhere and I\u2019m going to find him!\u201d\u00a0 He stalked away from the other man only to have Roy follow behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMebbe so, Ben.\u00a0 Anything\u2019s possible. But I just can\u2019t keep these men away from their own families on a wild goose chase.\u201d\u00a0 Roy\u2019s face was grim. \u201cYou know how I feel about Little Joe, he\u2019s like my own son.\u00a0 I hate to be saying this to you, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben glared at the other man.\u00a0 \u201cFine, Roy.\u00a0 You tell those men they can pack up and go back to Virginia City.\u00a0 My boys and I will never give up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had been listening to the conversation between his father and the Sheriff, and his heart lurched as he realized that the Sheriff might be right.\u00a0 Two weeks of searching and finding no trace of his missing brother had made him realize just how vast the Ponderosa really was.\u00a0 Anything could have happened to Little Joe.\u00a0 It was possible that they might never know what had caused his disappearance. As the Sheriff hesitated by Ben Cartwright\u2019s side and then finally turned and walked away, head down, Adam replaced him at his father\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe may be right.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice was soft with misery.\u00a0 \u201cWe have to face reality, Pa.\u00a0 We may not find Little Joe, ever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned angry eyes on his oldest son.\u00a0 \u201cYou want to give up, Adam?\u00a0 You want to abandon your little brother and walk away?\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face was red with his rage, and he towered over his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa, I don\u2019t want to abandon, Little Joe!\u201d Adam said calmly.\u00a0 \u201cI love my brother!\u00a0 But we have to be realistic.\u00a0 We haven\u2019t even found a trace of him.\u00a0 Anything could have happened.\u00a0 He could have been taken a prisoner by some Indians, killed by an animal or bushwhacked by anyone drifting through.\u201d\u00a0 Adam grabbed his father\u2019s arm as if it were a lifeline, his misery clearly stamped on his face.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s probably dead, Pa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben went white at Adam\u2019s word, and he spun on his heel and stumbled away from his tormentor.\u00a0 He sank to the ground and buried his head in his hands.\u00a0 When he felt Adam\u2019s hand on his shoulder, he lifted his head slowly, anguish etched in the deep lines of his face.\u00a0 \u201cHe can\u2019t be dead.\u201d\u00a0 The words were whispered brokenly, and Adam\u2019s eyes filled with tears in response.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Pa, I hope he isn\u2019t, but let\u2019s face the facts.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was miserable, his grief threatening to overwhelm him.\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t seen a trace of him, and we\u2019ve had men searching for two whole weeks.\u00a0 Not one trace!\u00a0 If Joe was alive, he\u2019d have left a track, or a sign or something!\u00a0 People don\u2019t just vanish, Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you say that, Adam!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 voice interrupted him. He had just ridden in on Chubb and overheard what Adam was saying.\u00a0 The big man moved forward like a cat, anger written plainly on his big face.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you ever say that about Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s alive and I\u2019m not going to give up on him.\u201d\u00a0 He reached out his massive fist and closed it around Adam\u2019s shirt, easily hauling him upward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam let his brother manhandle him, his hands slightly raised to show Hoss that he wasn\u2019t going to fight.\u00a0 Slowly the anger drained out of the big man\u2019s face and he let Adam\u2019s shirt go, his face a mask of contradictions.\u00a0 Shame warred with\u00a0 deep anger, with a massive dose of sorrow interlaced through it all.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s alive, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss whispered.\u00a0 \u201cHe has to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want him to be alive as much as you do, brother.\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cBut wishing doesn\u2019t make it so.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got a ranch to run and ranch hands who have lives to lead.\u00a0 We can\u2019t stay out here forever searching for something that we might never find.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t giving up, Brother.\u201d Hoss replied fiercely.\u00a0 \u201cYou can go on back to the house, and go on with your life, but I won\u2019t.\u00a0 Little Joe is my brother, and I won\u2019t leave him out here alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam lifted his dark eyes to Hoss\u2019 blue ones.\u00a0 Hoss was startled to see the shimmer of tears in those dark orbs.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s misery and pain were palpably reflected as he whispered brokenly. \u201cHe\u2019s my brother too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss reached for Adam blindly and the two brothers clutched each other fiercely, their grief intermingling.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright watched his sons, the tears cascading down his own cheeks, and he made himself face the harsh reality that Adam was showing him.\u00a0 The chances that they would find Little Joe alive were dwindling with each passing day.\u00a0 If he had fallen and injured himself, he was surely dead by now.\u00a0 If he had been imprisoned by a passing tribe of Indians, there was no trace of them to be found, and no clues to follow him.\u00a0 If he had been bushwhacked by outlaws, they would have left his body behind, and it would have been found.\u00a0 Adam was right, people shouldn\u2019t just vanish, but Joe had.\u00a0 If his youngest son was dead, he wouldn\u2019t want his father and brothers to spend the rest of their lives in useless searching, of that Ben was sure.\u00a0 He bowed his head under the weight of his grief and anger.\u00a0 Adam had made his point.\u00a0 Ben would call off the massive search and instruct his people to resume their lives.\u00a0 It remained to be seen what the Cartwright family would make of theirs without the boy who was the heart of the family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Little Joe slumped against the wall of the cavern that had become a torture chamber for him.\u00a0 He gazed dispiritedly at the plate of beans that he held in his hands, seeing nothing but the chains that bound him.\u00a0 His wrists and ankles burned from the constant chafing of the metal against his skin, and he looked with hatred at the chain that bound him to the wall.\u00a0 In the unchanging light of the cave, he only knew the difference between day and night because in the daytime he dug with a pickax for hours on end, and at night he was chained to the wall like a beast.<\/span><\/p>\n

His captors fed him an unchanging diet, a plate of beans for breakfast and another for dinner.\u00a0 Nothing was served to the prisoner in between, and Joe could feel himself growing thinner as the days passed in the inexorable march of time.\u00a0 Although he had no way of judging how many days had passed, Joe guessed he\u2019d been in the mine for at least a month.\u00a0 He could tell that the ore he was bringing to the surface was next to useless.\u00a0 The squatters weren\u2019t realizing much in the way of profit from their plundering of the Cartwright land.\u00a0 The lack of riches seemed to be infuriating the men who held Joe hostage.\u00a0 Each day that passed saw them grow steadily angrier, and more violent.\u00a0 Joe noticed that while at first they had helped him dig, now they just stood and watched him do the work, arguing among themselves over imagined slights and misunderstandings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim developed the nervous habit of flicking his whip, never quite striking Little Joe with it, but coming a little closer each time.\u00a0 Red, who at first had been a laborer at Joe\u2019s side, was steadily becoming more and more morose.\u00a0 He had started to stare at Little Joe all the time, a practice that Joe found very irritating.\u00a0 Shorty seemed to hate the cavern, and was swiftly becoming disenchanted with the whole venture.\u00a0 He paced and cursed, and made continual trips to the entrance of the cave, for \u201ca breath of fresh air.\u201d\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t have agreed with him more.\u00a0 He had never liked confined spaces and the cave was closing in on him as well.\u00a0 He longed for a sight of the sky.\u00a0 The sun was becoming a distant memory to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes after abandoning his attempt to eat the cold beans.\u00a0 Vivid memories of his family displayed themselves in his mind, and he almost smiled at the mental picture of Hoss, up to his neck in one of his get-rich-quick schemes, and Adam mounting a horse, ready to break the animal to the saddle.\u00a0 The smile faded before it started, as an image of his father, seated in his favorite chair and smoking a pipe inserted itself before his eyes.\u00a0 Joe felt the tears prickle at the back of his eyelids, and he rubbed a hand across them quickly, the clanking of the chain sending a surge of anger through him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t hear the footsteps of the man approaching him; he was so deep in his thoughts.\u00a0 He felt the rough hands on him and his eyes flew open in alarm.\u00a0 Shorty stood before him, his hands patting at the pockets of Little Joe\u2019s green jacket.\u00a0 Joe instinctively raised his arms before him, in an effort to push Shorty away.\u00a0 One of Joe\u2019s arms caught the man just underneath his chin and he stumbled backwards with a curse on his lips.\u00a0 He charged forward again, plowing into Joe, his shoulder catching Joe in the ribs, sending the breath out of his lungs with a whoosh.\u00a0 As Joe lay gasping, Shorty again scrabbled at the pockets of the jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d\u00a0 Joe gasped out, as he gazed at the man in bewilderment.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t have anything hidden, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re wondering.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shorty tossed a sly glance back at his companions who were sleeping by the fire, paying no attention to his movements. \u201cI\u2019m sick of this cave, and I\u2019m sick of Slim and Red,\u201d he spat out.\u00a0 \u201cI aim to get out of here, and go look for some fun, but I need some cash.\u00a0 You\u2019re a rich kid.\u00a0 What have you got hidden in your pockets that we didn\u2019t think to look for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A look of triumph crossed his piggish features as he discovered the money clip that Joe had in his inner pocket.\u00a0 It was a silver clip engraved with the initials JFC, a gift from Adam on Joe\u2019s last birthday.\u00a0 The clip contained only about ten dollars in cash, but Shorty looked at it with glee.\u00a0 He hastily stuffed the money and the clip in his pocket, glancing quickly back at his partners again as he did so.\u00a0 He pushed his face close to Little Joe\u2019s, his stale breath causing Joe to gag slightly.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you say a word about this, kid, or I\u2019ll get that whip and beat you with it, you understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked at the man searchingly.\u00a0 He could tell that Shorty was serious.\u00a0 The close quarters of the cave had driven the man to desperation.\u00a0 \u201cJust get away from me,\u201d he replied angrily.\u00a0 \u201cTake anything you want, but leave me alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ll get away from you, kid.\u201d Shorty replied.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get far away from you. You keep your mouth shut, or when I get back I\u2019ll kill you.\u201d\u00a0 He backed away from Joe, keeping his eyes glued to the captive as he moved.\u00a0 When he was sure that Joe wasn\u2019t going to call out or give him away, he turned and dashed for the horses, untying one quickly and leading it out of the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched him go with longing.\u00a0 He cursed angrily and yanked at the chain that bound him, rage coursing him through him.\u00a0 He wanted to go home, to see his family.\u00a0 Why didn\u2019t his father come for him?\u00a0 Joe finally fell into an exhausted sleep, the despair and rage fading into a numb acceptance, and then into a depression so deep that Joe felt like he had fallen into a pit.\u00a0 Sleep was better than thinking, and so Joe gave in to the darkness that beckoned him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cPlease, Pa.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you change your mind and come to town with us?\u201d Adam\u2019s deep voice was pleading.\u00a0 \u201cYou really should get out for a change.\u201d\u00a0 Adam exchanged a worried glance with his younger brother, and the both turned expectantly to their father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, boys.\u00a0 You go on in without me.\u201d\u00a0 Ben responded disinterestedly.\u00a0 \u201cI really don\u2019t feel up to a visit to town right now.\u201d\u00a0 He resumed his study of the fire as it roared in the massive fireplace, his eyes blank and unseeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed, \u201cWell, we\u2019ll be back soon, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He nudged Hoss\u2019 massive arm.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Hoss.\u00a0 I\u2019ll buy you a beer when we get to town.\u201d\u00a0 The two men turned and headed for their horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as they were outside, Hoss gazed at his brother, the concern written across his normally placid face.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are we gonna do, Adam?\u00a0 He won\u2019t eat.\u00a0 He won\u2019t sleep.\u00a0 All he does is sit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers mounted their horses and headed for Virginia City at a gentle trot. Adam sighed heavily, and finally responded to Hoss\u2019 question.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what to do, Hoss. Pa just hasn\u2019t been the same since Joe disappeared, and there\u2019s nothing I can do about it.\u00a0 I\u2019ve tried.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 blue eyes clouded with concern.\u00a0 \u201cHe goes up there every day, searching.\u00a0 I keep finding him just riding around that spot where we last saw Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds like you\u2019ve been spending quite a lot of time up there yourself, Younger Brother.\u201d Adam chided gently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss gave Adam a scathing look.\u00a0 \u201cAre you trying to tell me that you haven\u2019t been riding up that way yourself, Older Brother?\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen you coming back down that trail quite a few times this past month.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam smiled sheepishly.\u00a0 \u201cI just can\u2019t give up hope, Hoss.\u00a0 I feel like Joe\u2019s out there somewhere, calling me.\u00a0 I keep trying to find him, but he isn\u2019t there.\u00a0 It\u2019s just like a bad dream that I can\u2019t wake up from.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss nodded knowingly.\u00a0 \u201cYou and me both, Adam.\u00a0 I would know it if Joe were dead, I just would.\u00a0 But he\u2019s not dead.\u00a0 He\u2019s alive and he\u2019s counting on us to find him.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never give up looking for some sign of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers exchanged rueful glances, then both dropped their eyes.\u00a0 In the month that Joe had been missing life had changed dramatically at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Ben spent his days riding around the farther parts of the range, hunting for some sign of Little Joe.\u00a0 He had virtually turned the running of the ranch over to his two remaining sons, who were still in shock themselves.\u00a0 Adam was trying to hold things together, but he and Hoss were both sleeping poorly.\u00a0 Even now, as Adam looked at his younger brother, he could see the signs of strain.\u00a0 Hoss was visibly thinner, his face etched with fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\n

It had been Adam\u2019s idea to go into town for an evening\u2019s entertainment.\u00a0 None of the Cartwrights had visited Virginia City since Joe\u2019s disappearance.\u00a0 They just hadn\u2019t felt like having a good time.\u00a0 But when Adam had come upon Hoss in the barn, his shoulder\u2019s shaking with massive sobs, he knew that it was time to pull his brother out of the depression he had fallen into. Joe had taken the laughter out of the Ponderosa when he hadn\u2019t come back from chasing those strays.\u00a0 Adam wanted to put some of it back.<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers rode in silence the rest of the way into Virginia City.\u00a0 They entered the Silver Dollar Saloon shoulder to shoulder and Hoss procured two seats at a table, while Adam went to order their beer.\u00a0 They sat and sipped companionably, idling chatting with friends and neighbors who came up to greet them. Adam was pleased to see some of the fatigue lift from Hoss\u2019 face as he relaxed and started to enjoy himself for the first time in a month.\u00a0 If he could have looked in a mirror, he would have seen much the same on his own face.<\/span><\/p>\n

After several pleasant hours, Adam reluctantly rose and reached for his hat.\u00a0 \u201cI think we\u2019d better be heading back, Hoss,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cWe promised Pa we wouldn\u2019t be late, and I don\u2019t want him to worry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, and rose, his huge bulk filling the aisle between two tables.\u00a0 As he reached for his hat he accidentally bumped into a smaller man, dressed in miners\u2019 clothing.\u00a0 The force of the collision caused the smaller man to spill the beer he was carrying.\u00a0 He whirled on Hoss, a curse on his lips.\u00a0 \u201cWatch where you\u2019re going ya big ox!\u201d he roared, and launched himself at the surprised man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss let the smaller man throw a few punches until he tired of the man.\u00a0 He drew back his massive fist and let it fly into the miner\u2019s face, flattening the man against a table, which broke under his weight, beer spilling and poker chips flying around the room.\u00a0 Adam stood watching the altercation with a small smile on his lips.\u00a0 He had no intention of interfering.\u00a0 Hoss was more than capable of taking care of himself.\u00a0 Hoss had turned and was about to offer the miner a hand up when the big man froze.\u00a0 He turned suddenly, the blood draining from his face so quickly that Adam reached for him, thinking the bigger man was going to pass out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, what is it?\u201d he asked urgently, his hand clasping Hoss hard on the forearm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, look there.\u201d Hoss said in a whisper, pointing with a shaking finger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam turned and scrutinized the fallen miner.\u00a0 At first he saw nothing but a man sprawled in unconsciousness on the floor, but then he too gasped, and scrambled quickly to his knees, scrabbling on the floor with shaking fingers.\u00a0 He turned to Hoss, his face white as paper, in his hands he held a silver money clip.\u00a0 Hoss knew without asking that the clip was engraved with the initials, JFC.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face turned murderous and he turned on the fallen man with such ferocity that Adam hastily interposed his body between Hoss and the miner.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Hoss,\u201d he ordered firmly.\u00a0 \u201cGrab his arm.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got to get him over to the Sheriff.\u00a0 This man\u2019s seen Joe, and we need to find out what he knows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He watched as Hoss visibly tried to settle himself down.\u00a0 Finally feeling like his brother was under control, Adam moved aside and let Hoss help him lift the fallen man. Together they staggered out the door of the saloon and headed down the street to the Sheriff\u2019s office, a limp body slung between them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Roy Coffee completed his rounds around Virginia City and returned to his office, opening the door and hanging his hat on a hook.\u00a0 He startled violently when he realized that he had company.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Hoss, how are you boys?\u201d he asked cheerfully.\u00a0 His smile faded when he saw the limp body propped in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d he asked quickly, moving to feel for the man\u2019s pulse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss started to speak, his face taut with anger, but Adam\u2019s calm hand on his arm stopped him.\u00a0 \u201cWe found this on him.\u00a0 It fell out of his pocket during a fight at the saloon.\u201d Adam said quietly, handing a small silver object to the Sheriff.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the Sheriff hadn\u2019t known Adam Cartwright so well, he would have thought the man was calm, and unmoved by what he had just handed over.\u00a0 But he had known Adam for many years, and he could tell by the tightness of Adam\u2019s lips, and the deadly coldness of his voice that he was just as angry as his brother Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy hastily examined the object in his hand. He turned the silver clip so that the initials engraved on its surface caught the light, and gasped at what he saw.\u00a0 \u201cWas Joe carrying this when he disappeared?\u201d he asked urgently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe always kept it in his pocket.\u201d Adam replied soberly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think he ever went anywhere without it, not since the day I gave it to him.\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned away abruptly and walked to the far side of the Sheriff\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss glared with murderous fury at the unconscious man in the Sheriff\u2019s chair, and then moved to Adam\u2019s side.\u00a0 He reached out a gentle hand, and squeezed Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Adam closed his eyes, and leaned into his brother\u2019s strong hand for a moment.\u00a0 Then with a visible shake, he pulled away, drew a quick hand across his eyes, and walked back to Roy.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you going to do about this, Roy?\u201d he asked roughly.\u00a0 \u201cWe need to get some answers from this…this man, and quickly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you and Hoss need to calm down.\u201d Roy stated, in his best judicial manner.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t have you going outside the law on this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s anger became more apparent, and Hoss looked downright dangerous.\u00a0 \u201cWe brought him here, didn\u2019t we Sheriff Coffee?\u201d Hoss asked combatively.\u00a0 \u201cWe coulda dragged him into some alley and worked him over to get the answers we wanted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee was a brave man, and he had watched Adam and Hoss Cartwright grow from boys into men, and even so he was more than a little afraid of the murderous fury that was emanating from the two men.\u00a0 He cleared his throat and said in his sternest voice, \u201cIf you two can\u2019t control yourselves, then I\u2019m going to have to ask you to leave while I question the prisoner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s sudden surge of rage was readily visible to everyone in the small office.\u00a0 The Sheriff flinched as he saw the bleak look in the dark eyes.\u00a0 \u201cThis man has information about my brother, Sheriff Coffee.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be leaving this office until I have heard every word that he has to say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 words came out almost a growl.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t going nowhere either,\u00a0 Roy.\u201d\u00a0 It was just as well that the miner was unconscious, because Hoss\u2019 glare would have terrified the man.\u00a0 \u201cHe just better tell us where to find Little Joe, or I\u2019ll kill him with my bare hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy glared back at the large man. \u201cYou\u2019ll stay away from this man, Hoss Cartwright!\u201d he shouted angrily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll do any questioning of him that needs to be done.\u00a0 And if you so much as touch him, I\u2019ll put you in a jail cell right alongside him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A muffled groan from the miner cut off any words that Hoss meant to say.\u00a0 Three men rushed to the man\u2019s side, and Adam reached out to snag the man\u2019s shirt front.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s my brother?\u201d he said urgently.\u00a0 \u201cWhat have you done with Little Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, get back!\u201d Roy bellowed, shoving Adam away from the miner.\u00a0 \u201cI warned you what would happen if you didn\u2019t keep your mouth shut.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white.\u00a0 \u201cThen start questioning him, Roy, because I\u2019m losing my patience,\u201d he hissed, although he stepped back a couple of paces.<\/span><\/p>\n

The little miner groaned again, leaning over he clutched at his head.\u00a0 Finally, he looked up with bleary eyes to see the tense faces of three men hovering over him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on here, Sheriff?\u201d he asked, recognizing the badge if not the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sir.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to ask you a few questions, if I may?\u201d said Roy firmly.\u00a0 He waited until the other man sat up a little straighter, watching as his eyes focused a little better.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s start with your name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The miner\u2019s eyes shifted frantically from man to man, trying to gauge who they were and what they wanted from him.\u00a0 \u201cThey call me Shorty,\u201d he said finally. \u201cWhat do you want with me, Sheriff?\u00a0 Last thing I know I was having a drink in the saloon. I ain\u2019t done nothin\u2019 wrong!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sheriff held a small silver object up so that it caught the light.\u00a0 \u201cMind telling me where you got this?\u201d Roy asked, his voice deceptively mild.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shorty appeared to be mesmerized by the little silver clip, he was unable to take his eyes off of it. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about, Sheriff,\u201d\u00a0 he gasped out, his eyes darting from Roy to the menacing forms of the men standing behind the Sheriff.\u00a0 \u201cThat isn\u2019t mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know it ain\u2019t yours, mister.\u201d Hoss growled angrily.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019d you get it?\u201d He stepped forward, his hands clenched, his eyes bleak.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam, too, stepped a pace nearer, radiating such a cold ferocity that Shorty gulped audibly.\u00a0 \u201cI..I…found it.\u00a0 Yeah, that\u2019s it.\u00a0 I found it, on the street,\u201d he gasped out quickly, his eyes wide with terror as he gazed at the man in black<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s voice was deadly.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you said that it wasn\u2019t yours.\u00a0 Now you say that you found it on the street.\u00a0 Which is it?\u201d\u00a0 He moved closer still, and the little man shrank back into his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy turned on Adam in a sudden fury.\u00a0 \u201cAdam Cartwright, I said for you to back off.\u00a0 Now I want you and Hoss outta here, right now.\u00a0 I\u2019ll send word after I\u2019ve questioned this prisoner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shorty went white when he heard the names of the two men who were towering over him.\u00a0 He squeezed his eyes shut, and hung onto the arms of the chair for dear life, as if he could make the horrible apparitions disappear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss growled in fury at the Sheriff\u2019s words, and stood with his hands on his massive hips.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t going nowhere until this fella tells me where Little Joe is!\u201d he said viciously.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if he needs a hand remembering, I\u2019m sure I can help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy stood his ground, and glared back at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cI said git, and I meant it.\u00a0 Now!\u00a0 The both of you.\u00a0 Go back to the saloon, I\u2019ll come see you in a little while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Adam in supplication, refusing to move unless his brother ordered him to.\u00a0 Adam stood frozen to the spot, wanting to beat the cringing man before them into a pulp in order to get the information they so desperately needed.\u00a0 But he knew that Roy was right. They were terrifying the man, and it might make him stop talking.\u00a0 He nodded slightly, and saw Hoss\u2019 shoulders sag with disappointment.\u00a0 \u201cMake it soon, Roy.\u201d Adam said tonelessly.\u00a0 Together the Cartwrights walked out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once outside the Sheriff\u2019s office the Cartwrights stopped on the sidewalk.\u00a0 Adam stared sightlessly at the darkened street, his shoulders rigid with tension.\u00a0 He started violently when he felt the hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 He looked into a pair of blue eyes that were wide with a mixture of misery and anger.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you let me take him apart, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked violently, slamming his fist into a post.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam straightened to his full height.\u00a0 \u201cBecause if you killed him, we wouldn\u2019t have a chance to find Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 He looked deadly in the moonlight.\u00a0 \u201cThat maggot knows where Joe is, and I intend to make sure he tells us what he knows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss felt his anger cooling in the face of Adam\u2019s cold steel.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do we do now, Adam?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou go home and get Pa.\u00a0 As soon as that fellow tells us what he knows we\u2019re gonna ride.\u00a0 Pa will want to be there.\u201d\u00a0 Adam instructed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss looked at him uncertainly.\u00a0 \u201cShouldn\u2019t we wait before we get Pa\u2019s hopes up?\u201d he asked quickly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if this guy doesn\u2019t really know anything at all?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes glittered with hatred.\u00a0 \u201cHe knows something.\u00a0 Joe wouldn\u2019t part with that money clip if he could help it.\u00a0 It was taken from him.\u00a0 And we know who took it.\u201d\u00a0 He glared back at the door of the Sheriff\u2019s office.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go wait for Roy, while you get Pa.\u00a0 It\u2019s time to go find our little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Ben Cartwright pushed his way into the crowded saloon, his son at his heels.\u00a0 He made his way over to the table where he spotted his oldest son.\u00a0 Adam was an oasis of silence in that noisy room, the air of menace that he exuded warning off the people who thought to approach him.\u00a0 Ben pulled up a chair and watched as Hoss did the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Roy say, Adam?\u201d Ben asked eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face was grim.\u00a0 \u201cHe hasn\u2019t been here yet.\u00a0 I was only waiting for you before I went back to the jail.\u00a0 I\u2019m ready to get some answers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stood quickly, turning without speaking, a terrible urgency written on his face.\u00a0 He stopped at the sight of the sheriff of Virginia City approaching their table.\u00a0 \u201cRoy!\u201d he cried.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s my son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Ben,\u201d Roy said quietly. He hooked a chair with one foot and pulled it up to the little table.\u00a0 He looked around the little circle of men, his heart sinking at the naked desperation in their eyes.\u00a0 \u201cHe still claims that he doesn\u2019t know anything about Little Joe\u2019s whereabouts.\u00a0 He says he picked up the money clip on the street the other day.\u201d\u00a0 Again Roy looked at his audience, drew a deep breath, and continued.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t shake his story.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss exploded in fury.\u00a0 \u201cRoy, you know he\u2019s lyin\u2019.\u00a0 How can you just sit there and say you\u2019re sorry?\u00a0 Make that lyin\u2019 son of a bitch tell us where my little brother is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s response was cold.\u00a0 \u201cHe didn\u2019t pick up that clip on the street and you know it, Sheriff.\u00a0 What do you intend to do now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy shook his head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cI know he\u2019s lying, and you boys know he\u2019s lying.\u00a0 But I can\u2019t make the man tell the truth.\u00a0 And unless he does, we ain\u2019t any closer to finding Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes glowed with renewed hope and vigor.\u00a0 \u201cBut he\u2019s alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy sucked in a deep breath; he hated to see that light go out of Ben\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cNo one says that Little Joe is alive, Ben.\u00a0 Even if this fellow got the clip from Little Joe himself, it don\u2019t mean he left the boy alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was watching Roy as he spoke, but he turned quickly to his father to gauge the effect of Roy\u2019s words.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face drained of color and the excitement in his eyes died, leaving behind the ashen faced old man that Ben Cartwright had become in the last month.\u00a0 Adam felt his heart break at the sight.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s alive, Pa!\u00a0 I feel it!\u201d\u00a0 Adam spoke fervently, and he reached out to grasp his father\u2019s arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was startled.\u00a0 Adam wasn\u2019t normally given to flights of fancy.\u00a0 His oldest son\u2019s ardent belief that his brother still lived renewed Ben\u2019s confidence.\u00a0\u00a0 He placed a shaky hand over his eyes and wiped them briefly.\u00a0 Then he squared his shoulders and gave himself a visible shake.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do we do now, Roy?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d\u00a0 Roy\u2019s answer was equally quiet.\u00a0 He glared at the Cartwrights.\u00a0 \u201cI can keep the fella in my jail for a couple of days to see if I can get him to talk, but that\u2019s all.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t want to see any of you hanging around trying to scare him, neither.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This time it was Adam whose anger got the best of him.\u00a0 \u201cA few days!\u00a0 Roy, we need to find Joe now!\u201d\u00a0 He stood up quickly, his chair falling backwards with a clatter.\u00a0 Planting his hands on the table in front of him, he leaned so that his face was close to Roy\u2019s. \u201cIf you can\u2019t make him talk, I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy stood also.\u00a0 \u201cYou come near that jail, Adam, and I\u2019ll have you arrested.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to leave, and then looked back over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cIf I get anything out of the fella, you\u2019ll be the first to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three Cartwrights sat looking at each other in disbelief.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u00a0 How can Roy talk about lettin\u2019 that man go?\u201d Hoss asked with dismay.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s our only chance at finding Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply, his head drooping dispiritedly.\u00a0 \u201cRoy\u2019s only doing his job, Hoss.\u00a0 His hands are tied by the law.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think he likes it any better than we do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Expression dark and brooding, Adam sat lost in thought.\u00a0 Then, eyes suddenly brightening, he exclaimed, \u201cThat\u2019s it!\u00a0 When Roy lets the miner go we\u2019ll tail him.\u00a0 He\u2019ll lead us right to Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss whistled softly.\u00a0 \u201cI think you got an idea, there, older brother.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to do it quietly though.\u00a0 Roy won\u2019t like us following the guy around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled grimly.\u00a0 \u201cThen I guess we just won\u2019t let Sheriff Coffee know what we\u2019re doing, all right boys?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights smiled at each other.\u00a0 The flame of hope that had burned low in all of them had flared back into brilliant light.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Roy Coffee pulled his big ring of keys from the hook and reluctantly opened the cell door.\u00a0 Shorty gazed at him nervously and brushed past the Sheriff, hastily exiting from the cell, as if afraid that he was going to be put back in immediately.\u00a0 \u201cAm I free to go, Sheriff?\u201d he asked hesitantly, hovering by the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon I can\u2019t hold you any longer.\u00a0 I still think you know somethin\u2019 about Little Joe Cartwright\u2019s disappearance, but I can\u2019t prove it.\u00a0 You get out of my town, mister, and don\u2019t come back.\u00a0 We don\u2019t want trouble like you around here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shorty nodded frantically, and slipped out the door as fast as he could.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to be in\u00a0 Virginia City any more than Virginia City wanted him.\u00a0 He hastened to the livery stable, found his horse and rode quickly out of town.\u00a0 He was in such a hurry to get away from the Sheriff and his questions that he didn\u2019t notice the three men who surreptitiously followed him out of town.\u00a0 He rode for hours; never checking to see if anyone was behind him, so intent was he on what he would say to Slim and Red when he returned.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shorty feared Slim\u2019s anger and his quick fists.\u00a0 He knew that Red would back up Slim, and that would mean trouble.\u00a0 But he had to go back. If he stayed in Virginia City, those Cartwrights would corner him and force him to talk about that money clip.\u00a0 Shorty again cursed his stupidity in taking something so recognizable into the saloon.\u00a0 Who knew that he\u2019d run into the kid\u2019s brothers that way?\u00a0 And so his thoughts continued all during the long ride from Virginia City to the hidden cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights stayed far enough back that they wouldn\u2019t be spotted by the nervous miner, although he didn\u2019t appear to be worried about being followed.\u00a0 They easily kept pace with him, and as the familiar landmarks passed behind them, they exchanged measured glances.\u00a0 Shorty was leading them right back to the spot where Little Joe had disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face was grim, while Adam fingered his gun as he rode.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 expression was murderous, a scowl taking up residence on his normally placid face.\u00a0 The three men were worried about what they would find at the end of their long ride, but none of them doubted that they were about to solve the mystery of Little Joe\u2019s disappearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was riding in the lead when he spotted Shorty riding straight toward a solid cliff face.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u00a0 Adam!\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s that fella doing?\u201d\u00a0 He pointed at the distant figure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam squinted into the distance, a speculative look in his eye.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t take your eyes off of him, Hoss,\u201d he said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cMark the spot where he stops.\u00a0 I could have sworn that the cliff was solid, but I\u2019d be wrong.\u00a0 If we lose him now, we\u2019ll never find Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights rode as close as they dared, never taking their eyes from Shorty, who now rode close to the cliff face.\u00a0 They watched him stop, glance around nervously, and then disappear.\u00a0 From where they sat, it looked like he had walked into a solid wall of rock.\u00a0 Adam swore softly, while Hoss let out a slow whistle.\u00a0 Ben just stared in shock.\u00a0 They had all ridden by this cliff face so many times in the past month while searching for Little Joe.\u00a0 Was it possible that they had been riding right by him the whole time?<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly they edged nearer, taking care to conceal themselves and their horses from casual observation.\u00a0 Finally they were within a few feet of the cliff, and they hid the horses, approaching the spot where Shorty had disappeared on foot.\u00a0 They still couldn\u2019t see how he had just vanished, even knowing there must be a cave of some kind.\u00a0 The opening was completely concealed by some trick of the light and shadows.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Little Joe swung the pickax, watching it slam into the stone wall.\u00a0 Slowly he pulled it back, and let it fall again.\u00a0 His shoulders ached with the strain of the long days of digging, and shoveling.\u00a0 His clothes hung on his gaunt frame, and his cheeks were hollow, the skin pale with lack of sun. He tried to pull the pick up again for another swing, but it just seemed too heavy all of a sudden.\u00a0 He leaned against the handle, breathing heavily.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of the whip didn\u2019t even make Joe jump.\u00a0 He had heard it so often in the past month.\u00a0 When he felt the sharp pain rip across his back, he was bewildered.\u00a0 What had happened?\u00a0 His dulled senses suddenly registered the fact that Slim had actually struck him with the whip.\u00a0 He turned, his arms up to ward off another blow, tears of pain in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet back to work, Kid!\u201d\u00a0 Slim ordered, harshly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re slacking off.\u00a0 We ain\u2019t gettin\u2019 nothing outta you, lately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe felt his temper flare, and he let it go.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the use?\u201d he snapped angrily.\u00a0 \u201cThere isn\u2019t more than a nickel\u2019s worth of gold in this rock anyway.\u00a0 I could dig for a hundred years and not find enough to make you happy!\u201d\u00a0 He threw down the pick in disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew he had made a mistake when he heard Slim\u2019s scream of rage and saw him draw back the whip again.\u00a0 He jumped backwards, his hands held protectively in front of his face.\u00a0 He felt the whip cutting across his arms, and he couldn\u2019t stop the cry that escaped his lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had picked a bad time for his rebellion.\u00a0 Slim and Red were still angry and upset at Shorty\u2019s disappearance several days earlier.\u00a0 Joe had seen them deep in discussion until late at night, but so far neither had made a move to leave the cave.\u00a0 Slim was convinced that there were riches to be found just beyond where they were currently digging, and he wasn\u2019t about to give up his one chance at a fortune.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim\u2019s anger had been building all day, and Joe\u2019s increasing weakness and fatigue had exacerbated his fury. Soon, even his slave would be gone.\u00a0 The whip cracked again, as Slim\u2019s fury vented itself on his helpless target.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe felt several more blows land on his arms and back.\u00a0 He fell to the ground, keeping his head and neck covered as best he could, his heavy green jacket blunting the blows somewhat.\u00a0 It had just occurred to Joe that Slim wouldn\u2019t quit until his victim was dead, when he heard Red shout for his partner to stop.\u00a0 Joe lifted his head weakly, in time to see Red grab the whip away from the irate man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSlim, no!\u00a0 You\u2019ll kill him!\u201d Red shouted again.\u00a0 \u201cI told you I wouldn\u2019t hold with a killing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim\u2019s face was a mask of fury, and he struck out blindly at his partner.\u00a0 Red easily dodged the blow and pulled back a massive fist, striking Slim on the point of his chin.\u00a0 Slim staggered back, the fight draining out of him suddenly.\u00a0 He looked at Joe, lying on the ground, his jacket ripped in several places, welts rising already from several of the lash marks.\u00a0 \u201cGet him out of my sight!\u201d he shouted, kicking at Joe\u2019s body. \u201cChain him back to that wall; I\u2019m going out for some air.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched in relief as his tormentor strode quickly out of his sight, heading for the entrance of the cave.\u00a0 He felt himself being pulled to his feet and he staggered slightly as Red led him to the chain. The clank of the chain as it was securely fastened pilfered the hope of freedom once again.\u00a0 Joe immediately slumped against the wall of rock closing his eyes against the pain. He deliberately willed himself into the welcome darkness of oblivion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flew open as Slim clattered back into the cave at a run.\u00a0 \u201cSomebody\u2019s coming!\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 \u201cKeep that kid quiet!\u00a0 We don\u2019t want him letting anyone know we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Red moved to hold his gun on Little Joe, he sought to reassure his partner.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s probably just old Shorty finally gettin\u2019 back from that bender he\u2019s been on.\u00a0 He\u2019s the only one who knows we\u2019re out here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim pulled his gun and aimed it at Joe\u2019s head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t make a sound, Kid, or I\u2019ll kill you,\u201d he said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou so much as twitch, and you\u2019re a dead man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three men listened in silence as the sound of hoof beats came closer and finally stopped just outside the cave entrance.\u00a0 They started up again, as a man came into the cave leading his animal.\u00a0 Slim pulled back the trigger of his gun, the sound of the bullet entering the chamber echoing in the silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t shoot, it\u2019s just me!\u201d Shorty called out.\u00a0 He came into view, a sheepish expression on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim strode forward and slapped the smaller man across the face.\u00a0 Shorty staggered backwards, clutching his burning cheek.\u00a0 \u201cHey, what did you do that for?\u201d he cried out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what for!\u201d Slim yelled back. \u201cHow dare you disappear like that?\u00a0 You\u2019ve been gone for days!\u00a0 Where have you been?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shorty\u2019s eyes shifted nervously.\u00a0 \u201cI just went out for a ride, and I ended up going to the saloon in Virginia City.\u00a0 That\u2019s all, Slim.\u00a0 I swear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim cursed violently, while Red glared at the smaller man.\u00a0 \u201cYou went to the saloon in Virginia City?\u201d Slim repeated questioningly.\u00a0 \u201cHow could you have been in the saloon for three days?\u201d he bellowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shorty stared at the ground, the horse\u2019s reins dangling from his limp fingers.\u00a0 \u201cI.. I wasn\u2019t exactly in the saloon the whole time,\u201d he answered slowly, shuffling his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim almost danced with rage, while Red closed in on Shorty, reaching out to twist his arm behind his back.\u00a0 The horse shied backwards at the sudden movement, jerking the reins from the smaller man\u2019s hands.\u00a0 With a clatter of hoofs, it turned and ran back out of the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slim howled,\u00a0 \u201cNow see what you\u2019ve done!\u00a0 We\u2019ve got to go catch that stupid horse!\u201d\u00a0 He stomped toward the entrance of the cave, Red tugging Shorty along behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The three men reached the entrance to the cave, Red pulling himself through the narrow entrance first.\u00a0 Soon all three were out trying to round up the frightened horse.\u00a0 Little Joe slumped against the wall of the cave, clenching his eyes shut in despair.\u00a0 His hopes had risen at the sound of hoof beats, but had been dashed by Shorty\u2019s arrival.\u00a0 Somehow Joe had felt that his family had finally come for him.\u00a0 He was cruelly disappointed, and a wave of anguish washed through him.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know how much longer he could hold out against his captors.\u00a0 He could feel his body weakening every day, but Slim had been very careful to make sure that Joe had no chance to escape.\u00a0 Without a miracle, Joe knew that his time was growing short.\u00a0 He let exhaustion overtake him, and he sank into a fitful doze.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dreams filled Joe\u2019s sleeping mind, and all of them centered around his family.\u00a0 He was riding Cochise up to the door of the ranch house, his father and brothers running to meet him.\u00a0 They were all laughing and pulling him inside for one of Hop Sing\u2019s wonderful meals.\u00a0 Joe let the sensations of love and happiness fill him and his sleep deepened, a soft smile on his face.\u00a0 The dreams continued, he could feel the warmth of his father\u2019s loving hands on his cheek.\u00a0 He could hear Adam\u2019s voice calling his name, while Hoss clasped him firmly around his shoulders.\u00a0 It was all so real that Joe didn\u2019t ever want to wake up.\u00a0 But he felt an insistent shaking, and Adam\u2019s voice was getting more strident.\u00a0 Why was Adam yelling at him?\u00a0 In his dream, Joe felt confused and uncertain.\u00a0 Adam wanted him to do something, but he just couldn\u2019t figure out what.\u00a0 The confusion intensified and Joe now fought his way through a dark fog, unwillingly leaving the comfort of sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was strange, but Joe was certain that he could still feel his father\u2019s touch, and hear his brothers\u2019 voices.\u00a0 His eyes fluttered open, and he was looking into the frantic faces of his family.\u00a0 Joe looked at them with a beautiful smile on his face, and then he collapsed, unconscious, into his father\u2019s arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The sudden clatter of hooves startled the Cartwrights, and as one they jumped back against the cliff face, trying to conceal themselves as much as possible.\u00a0 They watched a horse bolt from the hidden entrance, its eyes wide with terror.\u00a0 After a few minutes the horse was followed by first one man, then another.\u00a0 Finally Shorty emerged; the three men scattered, trying to entice the horse to return.<\/span><\/p>\n

At a signal from Ben, Adam and Hoss split off, and each targeted one of the men, stealthily coming up behind their targets. Working with unspoken accord they holstered their guns, not knowing how many more men were in the cave.\u00a0 Hoss deftly cut his man off from the cave entrance and crept up behind him, tapping him on the shoulder.\u00a0 As Hoss\u2019 victim swung around, startled, the big man\u2019s massive fist crashed into his face.\u00a0 The miner slumped to the ground, unconscious, before he even knew what hit him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam circled around behind his man and reached out with a strong arm, yanking the man off his feet with a jerk.\u00a0 The miner\u2019s startled face looked up at Adam in dismay, a yell forming on his lips. It died before it began as Adam knocked him cold.\u00a0 Adam gave a grunt of satisfaction, hauling the miner\u2019s limp body up and dragging it back to the opening of the cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright took on Shorty, the last of the miners to be standing upright.\u00a0 He waited until the stocky miner had captured the horse at last.\u00a0 When Shorty\u2019s hands were occupied with the horse\u2019s reins, Ben Cartwright, his face etched with lines of rage, abruptly appeared in front of him.\u00a0 Shorty screamed frantically dropping the reins, and startling the horse into flight once again.\u00a0 He turned to run, but felt himself yanked back by an arm as rigid as steel.\u00a0 Ben let his fists fly, venting some of the fury that had been building in him since the discovery of Joe\u2019s money clip.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long before Shorty joined the other men, slumped in unconsciousness, hands bound behind their backs.<\/span><\/p>\n

With one accord the three Cartwrights turned toward the entrance of the cave, guns drawn and ready. \u00a0Slipping silently across the rocky ground, Adam reached the entrance first, marveling at how well concealed it was.\u00a0 He ducked into the dark opening, cautiously moving forward.\u00a0 Ben following closely behind him, with Hoss at his father\u2019s heels.\u00a0 They slowly made their way down through the narrow part of the cavern.\u00a0 Rounding the bend, the three men stopped short in amazement at the size of the interior of the cave.\u00a0 Their eyes widened in disbelief when they saw the lights of the oil lamps and the still flickering fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam cried out in distress and ran forward, startling his father and brother, until they spotted the bundle of rags that he was cradling in his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben paled, and he moved forward in a daze. \u201cIs he alive, Adam?\u201d he whispered, reaching out with a trembling hand to touch the face of his youngest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss crouched down beside his father and brothers, tears streaming down his face.\u00a0 \u201cWhat have they done to you, Short Shanks?\u201d he said brokenly.\u00a0 He caught sight of the manacles on Joe\u2019s wrists and ankles, and a spasm of rage contorted his broad face.\u00a0 \u201cHow dare they?\u201d he snarled as he yanked futilely on the chains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben cupped Joe\u2019s cheeks with gentle hands.\u00a0 \u201cJoe! Wake up son!\u201d he said gently, his eyes taking in the boy\u2019s gaunt frame and dirt smeared face.\u00a0 The glint of anger burned in Ben\u2019s dark eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss crouched with their father, all touching some part of Joe, as if they couldn\u2019t let him go.\u00a0 After several long minutes, Joe\u2019s eyes flickered briefly and then opened.\u00a0 He looked around at his father and brothers, a beautiful smile on his face, and then he once again surrendered to unconsciousness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe\u2019s brief awakening had heartened his worried family, and they were galvanized into action.\u00a0 Ben sent Hoss outside to secure the miners and guard against their escape.\u00a0 He wanted to put them on horses and send Hoss back to Virginia City for help, but Hoss flatly refused to leave Little Joe.\u00a0 When Ben had turned to Adam to issue the same order, Adam\u00a0 just as bluntly told his father that this time he wasn\u2019t leaving either.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben tried to look stern at his sons\u2019 rebellion, but couldn\u2019t find it within himself to be angry with them.\u00a0 He understood why they wouldn\u2019t leave; in truth, he wouldn\u2019t have left Joe\u2019s side if ordered to at gun point.\u00a0 Adam, searching through the miner\u2019s meager possessions\u00a0 found a hammer and chisel, and removed the manacles from Joe\u2019s wrists and ankles.\u00a0 A grimness\u00a0 lurked around his eyes and mouth when he saw the broken and bruised skin where the cuffs had rested.\u00a0 Together the Cartwrights bundled Little Joe up and carried him gently out of the cave, finally heading for home.\u00a0 Hoss brought up the rear, keeping his gun trained on the three miners who were tied to their horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The next time Little Joe opened his eyes, he was in his own bed.\u00a0 He looked around the familiar room, a wistful smile on his face.\u00a0 It looked so real, felt so warm and inviting.\u00a0 His dreams were becoming so vivid, he hated to wake up and lose this glimpse of home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben leaned over the bed, a broad smile on his face as he smoothed the bed covers a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened in surprise.\u00a0 He\u2019d been dreaming quite a bit the last few days in the mine, but it almost seemed as if he could reach out and touch the vision of his father.\u00a0 He raised a questioning hand and cried out in shock as he touched warm skin.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d he gasped out, his face crumpling, tears flowing down his cheeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what is it?\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong, son?\u201d Ben asked frantically.\u00a0 He reached out to put a strong arm around Joe\u2019s too-thin shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWhere does it hurt?\u201d he asked again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u00a0 Am I really home?\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s voice was a whisper, his eyes wide with longing.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t another dream?\u201d\u00a0 He struggled to sit up in the bed only to be held down by that same strong arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben chuckled, his fears easing, although there was a catch in his throat.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not a dream, son.\u00a0 You\u2019re home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut how?\u201d\u00a0 Joe clutched at his father\u2019s arm as if it might disappear.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are Slim and Red?\u201d\u00a0 The frantic green eyes raked the room looking for his tormentors to appear at any moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story.\u00a0 They\u2019re in Roy Coffee\u2019s jail waiting for the circuit judge.\u201d Ben replied, a fierce anger making his voice sound stern and forbidding.\u00a0 \u201cThey won\u2019t be kidnaping anyone else for a very long time.\u00a0 I\u201dm going to see to that personally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to wait in line, Pa.\u201d Adam\u2019s mellow voice broke into the conversation.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be the first one to testify against that scum.\u201d\u00a0 The dark-haired man moved gracefully into the room and hovered over the bed, his eyes ranging over Joe\u2019s features, as he drank in the sight of the boy that they had thought dead.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you feeling, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe smiled up at his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cAm I really awake, Adam?\u201d He reached out again, his green eyes sparkled as he ran his fingers over his brother\u2019s dark shirt.\u00a0 \u201cThen I guess I\u2019m feeling pretty good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss clattered into the room bearing a tray containing a pot of coffee and a bowl of broth.\u00a0 He stopped abruptly, a smile breaking out over his large features.\u00a0 \u201cHey, I thought you said you\u2019d call me when he woke up, Pa!\u201d he complained good-naturedly.\u00a0 He set the tray down quickly, carefully setting the pot of coffee on a bedside table before moving to his beloved younger brother\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cHey, punkin!\u00a0 Don\u2019t you ever scare me like that again,\u201d he said fiercely.\u00a0 The shadowed blue eyes gave Joe a brief glimpse of what his family had gone through while he was gone.\u00a0 To Joe\u2019s eyes Hoss looked thin and tired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOlder Brother, I ain\u2019t never leavin\u2019 this house again!\u201d\u00a0 Joe declared fiercely, but he smiled as he said it, causing his brothers to laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam reached out to ruffle the curly head, a gesture he\u2019d thought he\u2019d never make again.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know about that, Younger Brother!\u201d he said mockingly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got a month\u2019s worth of chores piled up and waiting for you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t think we\u2019re going to let you off the hook that easily.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben had moved back a few paces, ostensibly to get Joe\u2019s breakfast ready for him, but in reality to watch the antics of his children.\u00a0 He felt a sense of peace return to him as he gazed at Little Joe\u2019s smiling eyes and heard the return of his laugh.\u00a0 He knew that Joe had a long road ahead of him.\u00a0 The memories of that month of imprisonment and forced labor were not going to go away overnight.\u00a0 His mind was going to need healing, perhaps even more than his body.\u00a0 Even as Ben watched he could see a shadow pass over Joe\u2019s face, although it just as quickly slipped away as he responded to something that Adam said.\u00a0 But Ben knew that they would help Joe deal with the aftermath of his ordeal as a family.\u00a0 He bowed his head in a silent prayer of thanksgiving.\u00a0 His son had against all odds returned home.<\/span><\/p>\n

The arrival of Dr. Paul Martin cut short Ben\u2019s musings, and he shooed Adam and Hoss out of Little Joe\u2019s room to give both doctor and patient some privacy, although he hovered anxiously in the background.\u00a0 The Cartwrights had gotten Joe home long after midnight, and Paul had been out treating a patient on a distant ranch.\u00a0 It was only now that he\u2019d been able to get out to see his most frequent patient.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he examined Little Joe, he kept up a constant patter of conversation aimed at putting his patient at ease. He was dismayed to find that it wasn\u2019t working on this particular patient this morning.\u00a0 Little Joe lay tense and silent under his examination, as he refused to be drawn into the doctor\u2019s chatter.\u00a0 Ben watched worriedly as the animation faded from Joe\u2019s face, leaving his son looking distant and withdrawn.\u00a0 Doc Martin finally finished his examination, with a gentle pat on Joe\u2019s thin shoulder.\u00a0 Turning his head to the wall, Little Joe closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Martin took Ben by the arm and almost forcibly pulled him from the room.\u00a0 Ben followed along, but he turned his head for a last look back at his son.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face was no longer visible.\u00a0 He had thrown an arm over his eyes.\u00a0 The boy looked so skeletal lying in the big bed that a pang of fear stabbed at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they walked down the staircase, Ben looked at the doctor with concern.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s Joe, Paul?\u201d he asked worriedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul shook his head slowly.\u00a0 He gratefully accepted the cup of coffee that Hop Sing held out to him, and took a swallow before answering.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not concerned about Little Joe physically, Ben,\u201d he said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s too thin, they must not have been feeding him too well, and he\u2019s exhausted.\u00a0 But there\u2019s nothing that Hop Sing\u2019s cooking and a couple of days rest won\u2019t cure.\u00a0 Emotionally, it\u2019s another story.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul patted Ben\u2019s arm when he saw the fear in the other man\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s had a rough time, Ben.\u00a0 Give him some time and see what happens.\u00a0 He\u2019s bound to have been affected by what he\u2019s been through.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face was grave.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t there anything at all that I can do, Paul?\u201d he asked softly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s been through so much already.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul smiled.\u00a0 \u201cJust do what you do best, Ben.\u00a0 Stand by him no matter what.\u201d\u00a0 He clapped Ben\u2019s shoulder, lightly, and headed for the door.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll come out and see Joe in a week, Ben.\u00a0 Keep him in bed for a few days, and then he can resume a normal life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben walked the doctor to the door, and turned to face two sets of worried eyes.\u00a0 Adam spoke first, his voice filled with concern.\u00a0 \u201cWe couldn\u2019t help but overhear, Pa.\u00a0 Is the doc afraid of anything in particular, or just Joe\u2019s overall reaction?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe wasn\u2019t really specific, Adam. I think we\u2019d all better keep a real close eye on Joe for a little while.\u201d\u00a0 He started up the stairs again, Adam and Hoss at his heels.\u00a0 Little Joe was in for a full dose of the Cartwright brand of care.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Several weeks later, Ben glanced up to see his youngest son meandering through the great room of the Ponderosa ranch house.\u00a0 His brows drew together in concern as he surveyed Joe unobtrusively.\u00a0 Joe had not regained much of the weight he had lost during his ordeal in the cave, and his clothes hung on his gaunt frame.\u00a0 Joe was slender to start with and the lost weight was readily apparent.\u00a0 The dark circles under Joe\u2019s eyes didn\u2019t go unnoticed by his father.\u00a0 Ben knew better than anyone how frequently Joe\u2019s sleep was disturbed by nightmares.\u00a0 He had been up twice the previous night drawn by the sound of his son\u2019s moans.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he called.\u00a0 \u201cMay I see you for a moment?\u201d He motioned for Joe to join him at his desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe crossed the room, a wary expression on his face.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Pa?\u00a0 What can I do for you?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to talk to you, son, to see how you\u2019re feeling.\u201d Ben replied warmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve been pretty quiet the last couple of weeks, and I know you\u2019ve been having nightmares.\u00a0 I just want to help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The wariness on Joe\u2019s face was immediately replaced with a defensive look.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ve told you a hundred times that I\u2019m fine.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled away from his father and turned as if to walk away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben grabbed at Joe\u2019s shoulder, determined to force the confrontation.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u201d he said urgently.\u00a0 \u201cYou need to talk about what happened to you.\u00a0 Look at yourself!\u00a0 You\u2019re too thin; you\u2019re afraid to sleep at night!\u00a0 You either ignore your brothers or yell at them for no reason.\u00a0 We want to help you, son!\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you let us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shrugged his father\u2019s hand off his shoulder, his green eyes sparkling with anger, but Ben could see that the anger was mixed with fear.\u00a0 \u201cNo one can help, Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Joe said, his words coming out with effort.\u00a0 \u201cI have to work through this by myself.\u00a0 It happened to me, so it\u2019s mine to deal with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head sadly.\u00a0 \u201cIt didn\u2019t just happen to you, Joe.\u00a0 Your disappearance affected all of us.\u00a0 When you vanished, it was as if all the life went out of this ranch.\u201d\u00a0 He reached out a big hand and gently squeezed his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have to handle it alone, Joe.\u00a0 We all went through a terrible ordeal.\u00a0 I think you should let us help you deal with the aftermath.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben saw that Joe was trying to speak, but he held up a hand to stop him.\u00a0 \u201cDid you ever stop and think, Joe, that we need to be able to work through our pain as well?\u00a0 We didn\u2019t come out of this unaffected, Joe.\u00a0 Maybe we need your help as much as you need ours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head was bowed as he listened to his father\u2019s words.\u00a0 He had felt so out of control for the last several weeks, his mood altering with lightening speed, careening from delight in his freedom and return home to the utter darkness of depression and sadness.\u00a0 His rage against the men who had held him continued unabated.\u00a0 In his self-absorption, Joe had never stopped to consider that his family had been through hell, too.\u00a0 Blinking back the unwanted tears that sprang to his eyes, he gazed in wonder at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t mean to shut you out.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face was a study in misery.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t think about what you had gone through, or how you must have felt.\u00a0 I was so wrapped up in my anger.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t stop to think about anything else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben smiled gently, keeping his hand on Joe\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou have a right to be angry, son.\u00a0 Those men put you through hell.\u00a0 But it\u2019s time to move on.\u00a0 They\u2019ve been put in prison; they\u2019ll never harm anyone else again.\u00a0 But we need you to come back to us, Little Joe.\u00a0 You haven\u2019t really done that yet.\u201d\u00a0 Ben swung his youngest son around so that they stood face to face.\u00a0 As he looked down into those beautiful eyes, he felt his heart lurch.\u00a0 \u201cWe need you back, Little Joe.\u00a0 And that isn\u2019t going to happen if you keep shutting us out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face crumpled and he threw himself into his father\u2019s arms.\u00a0 He felt the hot tears fall, but this time he didn\u2019t stop them.\u00a0 Ben held him tight, letting his son cry out the rage and despair that had been festering inside him for so long.\u00a0 He knew that Joe would still need a lot of help, but he was finally on the road to recovery.\u00a0 A smile crept over Ben\u2019s face, and he held Joe tighter still.\u00a0 Now his son was truly home.<\/span><\/p>\n

the end<\/span><\/p>\n

February 2001<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tags:<\/strong> Family<\/p>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0Joe disappears while looking for strays<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0T (16,615 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":379,"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":[23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2981,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/bonanza.jpg?fit=295%2C295&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12133,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12133","url_meta":{"origin":584,"position":0},"title":"Frightened Beyond Reason (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"June 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. 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Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12147,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12147","url_meta":{"origin":584,"position":3},"title":"He Said Not To Tell (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"The author requests those who wish to read this series contact her via eMail: DLB1234@aol.com","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\/1-joe.jpg?fit=238%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12132","url_meta":{"origin":584,"position":4},"title":"Chinese Molasses (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"January 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","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\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5347,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5347","url_meta":{"origin":584,"position":5},"title":"A Quartet of Limericks (by Puchi Ann)","author":"Puchi Ann","date":"May 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Ben Cartwright reflects on his three sons in this quartet of limerick verses. Rated: K \u00a0(134 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/584\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}