Rating: T \u00a0WC 6100<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0<\/span>WHI for Death at Dawn \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza or the Cartwrights. No copyright infringement is intended on Laurence Moss’ wonderful script for Death at Dawn. All original plot situations are property of the author. This story is for entertainment purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n Devil’s Bargain<\/strong><\/p>\n Farmer Perkins sat in the cell, hoping his boss, Sam Bryant, was going to get him out before dawn. He still couldn\u2019t believe that he\u2019d been found guilty of killing that shop keeper and that he\u2019d been sentenced to hang. The pounding going on outside to build that gallows would hopefully be for nothing.<\/span> <\/p>\n
He heard dainty footsteps passing through the sheriff\u2019s office. Was that the shopkeeper\u2019s wife? If he could get that piece of information to Mr. Bryant, he\u2019d surely go free. There was no way Mr. Bryant would let that mealy-mouthed woman shut down his control of Virginia City.\u00a0<\/span>
The sheriff went out back to check on the gallows\u2019 progress. With Mrs. Cameron in his room, there shouldn\u2019t be any trouble beyond an attempted jailbreak. Luckily, he\u2019d deputized the Cartwrights; that didn\u2019t exactly even the odds, but it might make Bryant think twice about trying anything. A bandana-wrapped rock landed near his feet; it contained a note he had to show to Ben\u2019s sons.<\/span>
Entering his office, he asked, \u201cWhere\u2019s your dad? What\u2019s keepin\u2019 him? He should\u2019ve been here a half hour ago.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI know. I\u2019m getting worried about him,\u201d said Adam as he paced.<\/span>
\u201cThe judge has prob\u2019ly trapped him into some long-winded discussion of the law or somethin\u2019,\u201d observed Hoss as he moved the pieces around on the checkers board.<\/span>
\u201cNo, not tonight,\u201d replied Joe as he checked his gun.<\/span>
\u201cI just wanted to make sure this was no crazy man\u2019s idea of a joke,\u201d said the sheriff. \u201cRead that,\u201d he said as he offered the note to Adam.<\/span>
\u201cHang Farmer Perkins and we hang Ben Cartwright,\u201d Adam read aloud. Joe and Hoss, not believing their ears, went over to their brother to see the note for themselves. \u201cSet Farmer Perkins free, give him a horse, and a half hour head start, and we\u2019ll send Cartwright back to you.\u201d The sound of Perkins\u2019 laughter could be heard in the office.<\/span>
\u201cShut up, Perkins!\u201d ordered the sheriff. \u201cYou\u2019ll still hang,\u201d he said as he looked into the cell from the door that separated the cells from the office. \u201cOr will he?\u201d the lawman asked as he shut the door and returned to his deputies. Sitting heavily on the corner of the desk, the sheriff said, \u201cI don\u2019t wanna rub it in, but you boys got us inta this, and if you\u2019ve got any suggestions for getting\u2019 us out.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHave you?\u201d asked Adam.<\/span>
\u201cJust this. Before you three go off half-cocked, let me give ya a little advice.\u201d He paused for a brief second and then went on. \u201cThere\u2019s only one sensible way to get out of this mess.\u201d<\/span>
Adam and his brothers looked at the sheriff. Both Hoss and Joe, extremely worried, hoped the sheriff would suggest going after Bryant. Adam, fearing for his father\u2019s safety in his heart but not showing it on his face, asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cLet Farmer Perkins go.\u201d<\/span>
Adam shot a brief glance at Joe, who was looking at him for guidance. Hoss took a deep breath and hoped Adam had a solution. \u201cWe don\u2019t see it your way, Sheriff,\u201d was Adam\u2019s reply.<\/span>
Joe left his oldest brother\u2019s side and went to the door of the sheriff\u2019s room. Weakly, he said, \u201cNo, we don\u2019t.\u201d He then leaned against the doorframe, hoping for a support he didn\u2019t feel he was getting from his oldest brother.<\/span>
\u201cAll right. You boys think you\u2019re a match fer ole Sam Bryant\u2014one of the toughest, smartest gunmen to shoot up a mining camp?\u201d Joe could only glare at the sheriff. \u201cHim and his men outnumber us five-to-one. He\u2019s got this whole town in his grip they\u2019re so scared of him.\u201d<\/span>
Joe stepped away from the door and towards the sheriff. He knew action, not words, was needed now. \u201cHe got you scared, too, Sheriff?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI got just one life, Joe. It\u2019s against my principles to bet it wildly.\u201d Adam felt fear\u2019s icy grip squeeze his heart. Pa had lived his life by a firm set of principles; would he want his sons to treat his life like a chip in a tense game of poker?<\/span>
The sheriff looked at his deputies and said, \u201cAn\u2019 if you boys wanna play games with your father\u2019s life as the prize, you got the authority.\u201d He tapped the star pinned to Joe\u2019s vest for emphasis. Adam took a deep breath and looked at the note again. Hoss glanced at the note in his older brother\u2019s hands and scowled. What would Pa want them to do? Surely he wouldn\u2019t want them to trade his life for a murderer like Perkins. Joe could only glare at the sheriff. \u201cNow let\u2019s see if you can come up with a practical plan,\u201d said the sheriff.<\/span>
Joe and Hoss both glanced back at the clock ticking on the wall. \u201cWe got six hours; we oughtta be able to come up with something,\u201d said Joe.<\/span>
\u201cLike what?\u201d asked the sheriff with exasperation in his voice.<\/span>
Adam crossed an arm over his chest in a half hug. His other hand went to his face to wipe the beads of sweat from his upper lip. He knew he was going to have to remain calm and collected even though he wanted to draw his gun, go in the street, and issue a challenge to Bryant. Glancing over at Joe, he knew that his youngest brother was going to be the wild card tonight. Their father\u2019s life might hang on a balance weighted by Joe\u2019s rashness.<\/span>
Looking over to his older brother, for confirmation, Joe suggested, \u201cA search. Search every house \u2018til we find Pa.\u201d Neither of his brothers met his glare.<\/span>
\u201cHow do ya know he\u2019s in town? Mebbe they\u2019ve got him hid in a mine someplace. \u2018Sides, we\u2019ve got neither the time nor the men for the search.\u201d Adam glanced at the floor while Hoss began to think.<\/span>
\u201cSheriff, let me ask ya something,\u201d said Hoss as he began to pace. \u201cWhat would happen if we went right ahead with the preparations for the hangin\u2019 jest like nothin\u2019 happened? They never would know whether we got that message or not.\u201d<\/span>
Joe thought Hoss must be coming up with a plan. Why wasn\u2019t Adam? Why didn\u2019t Adam know what to do?<\/span>
\u201cThey\u2019d just send another messenger,\u201d said Adam.\u00a0<\/span>
Joe stole a glance at his oldest brother. Was he shooting down Hoss\u2019 idea before he heard it?\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d said Hoss, \u201cand we\u2019d be waitin\u2019 for him.\u201d<\/span>
With excitement, Joe said, \u201cAnd we\u2019d jump him.\u201d He was grateful that Hoss at least was thinking.\u00a0<\/span>
Adam looked over at Joe in disbelief. Did his younger brothers think Bryant was going to make things easy for them?<\/span>
\u201cNo,\u201d replied Hoss, \u201cwe\u2019d follow him. We\u2019d follow him right to where they\u2019re holdin\u2019 our Pa.\u201d<\/span>
The sheriff had been looking between the brothers and noticed that none of them looked sure of what should be done. Hearing Hoss\u2019 plan, he said, \u201cNow that\u2019s the first good suggestion I\u2019ve heard tonight.\u201d He got up from the desk and went to grab his coat. \u201cAdam, you stay here. I\u2019ll take the boys. Stake \u2018em out so we can keep an eye on anybody that might come around.\u201d As the three men exited from the office, Adam was left alone with his thoughts.<\/span>
Stepping into the street, the sheriff greeted the armed men near the office. \u201cHowdy, Doc.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThere\u2019s some of us you can count on, Sheriff,\u201d replied the doctor. \u201cWe\u2019re spotted around, watching the jail, in case Sam Bryant and his men try to rush it.\u201d<\/span>
Joe and Hoss looked over the men. These were friends and fellow law-abiding citizens of Virginia City. Would they support their plan to get their father back from Bryant?<\/span>
\u201cWell, that\u2019s not Sam Bryant\u2019s way of thinkin\u2019 but I\u2019m much obliged to ya anyway,\u201d the sheriff told the doctor. Hoss and Joe looked at the sheriff in surprise. Why wouldn\u2019t Bryant and his men try to shoot their way in to free Perkins?<\/span>
\u201cAll right,\u201d replied the doctor with a nod.<\/span>
As the physician turned to leave, the sheriff said, \u201cHey, Doc?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWe\u2019re expectin\u2019 a caller. Don\u2019t stop him, just keep outta sight.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWe\u2019ll do that,\u201d reassured the doctor as he walked away. Joe took a deep breath and hoped the plan was going to work.<\/span>
\u201cHoss, go over there by those stairs,\u201d ordered the sheriff with a jerk of his thumb to the area he wanted the man to cover. \u201cJoe, go back there in the alley. Keep yer eyes sharp.\u201d The sheriff crossed the street to hide in the shadows, Hoss settled in under the stairs, and Joe hid behind some crates in the alley. Now they\u2019d have to wait for Bryant or one of his men to appear.<\/span>
While the sheriff and his brothers waited in the shadows, Adam paced the office. Would Pa want them to trade his life for Perkins\u2019? Was the life of a cold-blooded murderer truly equal to that of an upright, moral man? What if they released Perkins and Bryant killed Pa anyway? He took a deep breath and tried to let it out slowly and evenly to clear his head of doubts. He\u2019d seen Pa make what seemed risky gambles many times and come out the winner. How could he ever forget Pa\u2019s gamble of giving into Drummond\u2019s demand to sign over a portion of the Ponderosa in exchange for his own life? Pa had signed that paper with complete confidence that Drummond would keep his word and honor their agreement. There may be honor among thieves, but Sam Bryant seemed to only honor his own desires.<\/span>
Adam\u2019s pacing was interrupted by Beth Cameron. \u201cI couldn\u2019t help but overhear your conversation with the sheriff. I\u2019m so sorry your father has been taken to force you to free Perkins.\u201d<\/span>
He placed his hands on her shoulders and said, \u201cThank you. We\u2019ll find a way to get our father back.\u201d<\/span>
Looking at the floor, she said, \u201cI\u2019ll understand if you decide to let Perkins go. Two men shouldn\u2019t have to die because Bryant is a bully.\u201d<\/span>
Adam felt as if he\u2019d been punched in the gut. How could he, his brothers, and the sheriff even think about letting Perkins go? Freeing Perkins would be an injustice to Mr. Cameron and his widow. The whole town would know that Bryant truly could get away with murder; no judge or lawman could stop him.\u00a0<\/span>
With a squeeze to Mrs. Cameron\u2019s shoulders, he said, \u201cPerkins is going to hang as scheduled. You should try to get some sleep.\u201d<\/span>
Softly, she said, \u201cThank you, Adam. Your father should be proud of you.\u201d She then slowly returned to the sheriff\u2019s small room.<\/span>
Outside, the sheriff and his deputies saw a man sauntering confidently up the sidewalk toward the jail. He casually looked around but didn\u2019t appear nervous to be a plain target. Stepping onto the porch of the sheriff\u2019s office, he withdrew a note from his vest pocket; with the butt of his gun, he tacked it to the door and quickly left. He hid in the shadows to make sure the note was retrieved.<\/span>
Hearing the knock, Adam quickly went to the door with his gun drawn. Warily stepping onto the porch, he looked up and down the street; not seeing anyone, he turned to go back inside. Noticing the note, he plucked it from the door and returned inside.<\/span>
Seeing his mission accomplished, Bryant\u2019s man headed to tell his boss he\u2019d followed the instructions. The sheriff, Hoss, and Joe quickly left their hiding places to follow the man to Bryant\u2019s lair. In the dark, Hoss bumped into a small keg outside of the mercantile. Bryant\u2019s man, alerted by the noise, nervously looked back. Realizing he was being followed, the man tried to calmly continue his progress down the sidewalk.<\/span>
Noticing the man resuming his pace, Joe eagerly nudged the sheriff and said, \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m still the sheriff here,\u201d the lawman replied as he gently pushed Joe back into the shadows. The sheriff then quickly headed down the sidewalk after Bryant\u2019s man.<\/span>
Reaching an alley, the man glanced back and then ran into the darkness to lie in wait. Seeing his quarry disappear, the sheriff raced down the sidewalk in pursuit. Stopping in the shadows at the alley, the sheriff peered around the corner of the barbershop. Not seeing his man, the sheriff drew his gun and stepped into the alley; the man stepped from the shadows and shot the sheriff.<\/span>
Unable to stay where told, Joe had been following the lawman. Hearing the shot, he drew his gun and raced in the direction of the sound. Reaching the barbershop, he caught a glimpse of the man and dropped into a roll as a shot was fired at him. He then quickly emptied his gun, firing at the man, fanning the hammer of his pistol. The man dropped to the ground, dead.<\/span>
Hoss, gun drawn for trouble, came tearing around the corner as Joe fired his pistol. Seeing the dead man, he said, \u201cWe sure needed that one alive.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell, there was nothing I could do, not if I wanted to stay alive myself.\u201d<\/span>
They turned their attention to the sheriff. Realizing he was alive, Hoss sent Joe for the doctor while he carried the wounded lawman to the doctor\u2019s house.<\/span>
Hearing the shots, Adam wanted to rush from the office and to his brothers\u2019 assistance; that, though, would leave Mrs. Cameron unprotected and possibly allow someone to help Perkins escape. All he could do was wait patiently until the sheriff and his brothers returned.<\/span>
Mrs. Cameron heard the shots and tried to look out the small window. She couldn\u2019t see anything in the darkness, but hoped Bryant\u2019s men weren\u2019t trying to set Perkins free. Returning her attention to the Bible she had removed from the nightstand, she took small comfort in the familiar words of Matthew\u2014\u201cEye for eye, and tooth for tooth\u201d\u2014and didn\u2019t bother to finish the verse.<\/span>
After delivering the sheriff to the doctor, Hoss and Joe returned to the office. Glancing at the clock, Hoss noted that the time was 2:00. All they had left was three hours, three short hours, until the hanging. Now that they had killed one of Bryant\u2019s men, Pa was probably going to hang for sure.<\/span>
\u201cI sure hope the sheriff makes it,\u201d observed Adam to no one in particular.<\/span>
\u201cThe doctor\u2019s doin\u2019 everything he can for him, Adam. Besides, it\u2019s our Pa we oughtta be worried about.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell, we\u2019ve already tried one scheme and all we did was kill the messenger that might\u2019ve led us back to him,\u201d replied Adam.<\/span>
\u201cYou talk like we might as well give up. What are you figurin\u2019 on doin\u2019\u2014just sittin\u2019 there?\u201d Hoss was annoyed that he and Joe had tried to follow Bryant\u2019s man while Adam now sat there on the sheriff\u2019s desk and criticized.<\/span>
\u201cWell now, if you\u2019ve got any ideas, I\u2019d like to hear \u2018em.\u201d Adam was trying to keep a tight rein on his temper. Didn\u2019t his brothers understand that the future of their family, and Virginia City, rested in their actions in the next three hours?<\/span>
Joe had been pacing but now confronted his oldest brother. \u201cWell I\u2019m with Hoss; we gotta do somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBut just exactly what?\u201d<\/span>
Hoss\u2019 temper was rising, too. \u201cWell, we could at least go around to the saloons and see if we couldn\u2019t pick up somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cLook, Sam Bryant\u2019s got his spies all over the place. You\u2019ll only pick up what he wants you to pick up.\u201d How could he make his brothers understand that Bryant wasn\u2019t going to make things easy for them? Not when his power had been challenged this way.<\/span>
\u201cYou sure think he\u2019s smart, don\u2019t ya?\u201d said Hoss in disbelief.<\/span>
\u201cYes I do because he is!\u201d said Adam. Hoss looked at the floor and Joe stopped his pacing. Bryant wasn\u2019t some petty criminal who just ordered people around. He was a smart man who knew how to hold a town under his thumb through terror and bullying tactics.<\/span>
Adam took a deep breath to calm himself. Then he said, \u201cI\u2019m beginning to feel the key lies in Bryant\u2019s mind.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhaddya mean?\u201d asked Joe. He was interested but wanted to physically do something to get Pa back. Sitting around talking wasn\u2019t going to find their father.<\/span>
\u201cA couple of hours ago when the sheriff was all set to let Farmer Perkins go, you were both against it. Now do you still hold to that?\u201d<\/span>
Hoss and Joe exchanged an uneasy glance. \u201cWell Adam, that was a couple of hours ago. We still thought we could find Pa by now.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAnd now you\u2019re not so sure,\u201d observed Adam.<\/span>
Joe felt his temper beginning to increase from an ember to a flame. All it needed was more fuel to become a fire. \u201cWell you\u2019re not makin\u2019 it any easier the way you\u2019re goin\u2019 about it.\u201d<\/span>
Adam felt his own temper beginning to flare. \u201cLook\u2014all I asked was if you\u2019re still intent on hanging Farmer Perkins.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d said Joe angrily. \u201cI don\u2019t wanna stand here and play question and answer games! They got my father out there and they threatened to kill him!\u201d That calm look on Adam\u2019s face only added fuel to Joe\u2019s temper. \u201cMaybe you forgot that, Brother, but I haven\u2019t!\u201d<\/span>
Hoss decided to intervene. \u201cJoe, I feel the same about way it you do; I done tole ya that. But Pa sure wouldn\u2019t want us all fightin\u2019 among ourselves.\u201d<\/span>
Joe glared at Adam and said, \u201cRight. Then let him start makin\u2019 sense.\u201d<\/span>
Adam glared back. \u201cWell, if you give me a chance, maybe I will.\u201d Both men took deep breaths and Joe began to pace again. \u201cNow look at it this way\u2014what would Bryant do if, say come dawn, we simply went ahead and hung Farmer Perkins?\u201d<\/span>
Joe turned to face his oldest brother again and his eyes narrowed as the small flame of his temper was stoked. \u201cRegardless of what Sam Bryant said he\u2019d do to our Pa?\u201d<\/span>
With a slow nod, Adam replied, \u201cRegardless.\u201d<\/span>
The temper\u2019s flame began to catch the kindling that it rested upon. Joe took a step forward and asked, \u201cAnd what would you do if you were wrong, Adam?\u201d Realizing the dangerousness of Adam\u2019s thinking, Hoss looked at his older brother in wary anger. Joe asked, \u201cWould you go out to my father\u2019s grave and say I\u2019m sorry, Pa, I made a big mistake?!?\u201d<\/span>
Trying to remain calm, Adam replied evenly, \u201cJoe, he\u2019s my father, too.\u201d Joe could only glare at a brother who was willing to sacrifice his father.<\/span>
Taking a breath as he rose from the desk, Adam squeezed each brother\u2019s shoulder as he passed between them. \u201cLook, if we let Farmer Perkins go then Sam Bryant has proved that you can get away with murder in this town. And he\u2019ll have no qualms about goin\u2019 ahead and hangin\u2019 Pa anyway.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou still haven\u2019t told me how you\u2019re gonna get Pa away from him,\u201d replied Joe.<\/span>
Adam looked at his youngest brother and continued, \u201cOn the other hand, we go ahead and hang Farmer Perkins and we show that we punish murderers. Sam Bryant\u2019ll see that his only chance will be to let Pa go.\u201d<\/span>
Joe couldn\u2019t believe his ears. When had bargaining with a criminal ever worked? \u201cOh come on, Adam! First, ya stand there and tell me how smart Sam Bryant is and then you say he\u2019s gonna back down. He\u2019s never been afraid of the law in this town!\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo, but he\u2019s never been charged with murder either. Once Sam Bryant knows he\u2019s facin\u2019 a murder charge, I figure he\u2019ll be smart enough to back down.\u201d Adam then passed between his brothers again and sat on the desk. \u201cAnd that\u2019s why we gotta go ahead and hang Farmer Perkins.\u201d<\/span>
Joe looked to Hoss for guidance but his older brother only looked at the floor. He noticed that Hoss looked torn between him and Adam. If he could convince Hoss to see the situation his way, they could follow their course of action whether or not Adam agreed. Softly, and calmly, Joe said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam, I can\u2019t go along with it. It\u2019s too big a gamble.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss looked at his older brother and said, \u201cAdam, you go right ahead thinkin\u2019 like that if you want to, but you\u2019re gonna have to do it alone. We\u2019re gonna go find Pa.\u201d With a pat for his younger brother, he said, \u201cCome on, Joe,\u201d and they headed for the door.<\/span>
Adam had gambled and lost; his brothers had no confidence in his plan. Before his brothers could reach the door, he said, \u201cI saw plenty of bullies like Sam Bryant on the way out here as a boy. It was always the same\u2014they did what they wanted because people always backed down and gave in. Mama was killed because everyone in the wagon train tried to protect a man who wasn\u2019t worth it. If they had\u2026.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss\u2019 temper finally burst into flame. \u201cDon\u2019t you bring my mother into this!\u201d he said with a jab to Adam\u2019s chest. \u201cYou can\u2019t compare a wagon train trying to defend itself from attacking Indians to Sam Bryant. My mother died trying to give me a future. You\u2019ve let that badge go to your head and you think that fancy education of yours can make you outsmart another smart man. I ain\u2019t gonna let you gamble Pa\u2019s life away to prove that you\u2019re smarter than everyone else!\u201d<\/span>
Adam put a hand against Hoss\u2019 chest to brace himself so he could punch his brother. A glance past him by Hoss made Adam turn his head, but before he could look behind him, he saw an explosion that was followed by intense pain.<\/span>
Joe put his gun back in its holster as Adam crumpled to the floor. He hadn\u2019t wanted to hurt his brother, but he wasn\u2019t going to let Pa\u2019s life be tossed away because Adam thought he knew everything. \u201cPut him in the other cell,\u201d he told Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cHis head\u2019s bleedin\u2019,\u201d said Hoss as he slung Adam over his shoulder. No matter, they\u2019d take him to the doc\u2019s after they got Pa back.\u00a0<\/span>
Reaching the cells, Hoss glared at a laughing Farmer Perkins. \u201cTook him bad-mouthin\u2019 your mama to make you see that lettin\u2019 me go is the only way to get your daddy back.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShut up!\u201d said Hoss with a glower. \u201cYou ain\u2019t got nothin\u2019 to do with this.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBut I got everythin\u2019 to do with this. If your brother wasn\u2019t so dead set for hangin\u2019 me, ole Sam wouldn\u2019t be holdin\u2019 your daddy.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss got Adam settled on the bunk in the other cell. He tucked the blanket around his brother\u2019s still form. Hopefully, this nightmare would be over soon and Pa would be pleased that he and Joe and made the right decision. He came through the office and said, \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 over to the saloon to announce a trade. I\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/span>
Beth had been peeking through the cracked door when Joe hit Adam with his gun. Seeing the youngest Cartwright alone, she came out of her room. \u201cJoe, you can\u2019t trade Perkins for your father. Perkins isn\u2019t worth it.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMy Pa\u2019s life is worth the trade.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBy letting Perkins out of this jail, you\u2019re saying that my husband\u2019s life was worth less than his!\u201d She angrily pointed towards the cells to emphasize her point.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cWhat do you want me to do?!? Let my father die? You\u2019ve already paid the price for standing up to Bryant. No one else should have to pay that.\u201d<\/span>
Perkins\u2019 laughter could be heard from the cell. \u201cYour father insisted that I testify in order to bring that man to justice. Now you\u2019re saying justice doesn\u2019t matter. Hanging Perkins won\u2019t bring my husband back and letting him go won\u2019t either.\u201d She took a deep breath and wrung her hands. Softly, she added, \u201cYour father said if I didn\u2019t testify, then my husband died for nothing.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss returned to the office fifteen minutes later and announced, \u201cTrade\u2019s to take place on Main Street at 4:00.\u201d Looking at the clock, Joe noted that the time was 3:50. Reaching for a pair of cuffs, Hoss said, \u201cWe\u2019d better get Perkins ready.\u201d<\/span>
Beth returned to the sheriff\u2019s room and sat on the bed. The Cartwrights were some of the most upstanding citizens in the territory. How could Ben\u2019s sons support Sam Bryant this way? The message would be loud and clear that he ran Virginia City any way he pleased. She couldn\u2019t allow her husband\u2019s death to go unavenged.<\/span>
Peeking through the cracked door, she saw Hoss and Joe escort a handcuffed Perkins out. She quietly went to the cells and checked on Adam; he was still unconscious and there was blood on the pillow. She felt torn between getting the doctor and preventing the trade; her need for vengeance won out and she returned to the sheriff\u2019s room.<\/span>
Hearing the office door open slowly, her heart leapt into her throat. Slow, quiet steps could be heard heading for the sheriff\u2019s room. She stood as flat as she could between the wall and the door so as not to be seen. The toe of a boot entered her field of vision and she held her breath. The boot retreated and she could hear the sound of steps going to the cells.<\/span>
\u201cWell, what do we have here?\u201d asked a masculine voice. She could hear the sound of dragging and assumed that Adam was being removed from the cell and office. Joe and Hoss had made a poor gamble, indeed.<\/span>
She peeked into the office from her hiding place and saw no one else around. Crossing to the rifle rack, she selected a gun and checked to see if it was loaded; luckily it was. Going to the office door, she steeled her courage to do what she knew had to be done.<\/span>
Out on Main Street, Hoss and Joe stood on either side of Perkins, who was happily humming to himself. \u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be long now,\u201d said Hoss to no one in particular.<\/span>
Since word had spread quickly about the exchange, the sidewalks were lined with armed men; one side for Bryant\u2019s, the other for Virginia City\u2019s citizens. Watches and guns were checked as everyone waited.<\/span>
Bryant stepped from the shadows leading several of his men; Ben was being shoved along by several underlings. Here was his opportunity to prove that no citizen, lawman, or judge could break his hold on Virginia City. The town would be his like a beautiful woman\u2014only those he deemed worthy would be allowed to get to know her charms. He would control all business transactions and could now expand his power to encompass the mines and surrounding ranches. All would come to see him as a benevolent protector, unless he was crossed.<\/span>
\u201cHow are you, Pa?\u201d yelled out Joe.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m okay, Son. Where\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe\u2019s back at the office,\u201d said Hoss. He thought that really wasn\u2019t a lie since they had left him in a cell.<\/span>
\u201cNo he ain\u2019t,\u201d a voice yelled out. Two of Bryant\u2019s men came forward supporting Adam between them. One had the barrel of his pistol pressed under Adam\u2019s jaw; the exchange would go smoothly with a Cartwright for a hostage.<\/span>
Adam was having a hard time seeing clearly in the dim light, especially since he was seeing double. His hands were cuffed behind his back and if it weren\u2019t for the support of the two men, he doubted he could stand on his own. The bandana tied around his mouth assured that he couldn\u2019t make an attempt to talk his brothers out of this exchange.<\/span>
Joe was stunned to see Adam being held by Bryant\u2019s men. He hadn\u2019t thought that his oldest brother would be used as a bargaining chip. Instead, he thought that Bryant would keep his word and trade Pa for Perkins. That was what he wanted, wasn\u2019t it?<\/span>
Hoss now regretted overpowering Adam with violence. If they hadn\u2019t hit him upside the head, Bryant\u2019s men wouldn\u2019t be using him to make sure their boss got whatever he wanted. He hadn\u2019t thought that Bryant would stack the deck in his favor. Even the sheriff had said that the only way to get Pa back would be to let Perkins go; now Hoss wasn\u2019t so sure.<\/span>
Ben couldn\u2019t believe that his sons were trading Perkins for him. Beth Cameron had risked her life to testify against her husband\u2019s killer and this was how she was repaid for her courage? More shocking was seeing Adam being used to up the ante. His sons had obviously disagreed on what to do when they learned that he was in Bryant\u2019s clutches. How could they turn against each other? Didn\u2019t Hoss and Joe understand that there could only be justice if the law was followed?<\/span>
Bryant bellowed out, \u201cWe\u2019ll go forward with the exchange when everyone drops their guns. I wouldn\u2019t want Ben here to get hurt because someone had an itchy trigger finger.\u201d Hearing grumbling from both sides of the street, Bryant added, \u201cGo on. Set your guns down. Phil, you keep that gun on Adam Cartwright so everyone will comply with my request.\u201d<\/span>
Beth was in the shadows behind the mercantile. She couldn\u2019t believe that everyone was obeying Bryant. Even Joe and Hoss had dropped their pistols.\u00a0<\/span>
Chuckling, Bryant reached for Ben and drew him forward. \u201cGo ahead to your boys.\u201d<\/span>
Seeing their father walking forward, Hoss gave Perkins a rough shove to send him over to Bryant. Perkins began laughing with glee.\u00a0<\/span>
Beth thought it was now or never. She stepped into the street and raised the rifle. With a cry of \u201cJustice!\u201d she pulled the trigger. All hell broke loose on Virginia City\u2019s main street.<\/span>
Men on both sides of the street grabbed up their guns and began firing. Adam dropped to the ground and one of his captors fell over him. Joe and Hoss rushed to protect their father who tried to yell over the sound of the guns.<\/span>
The gunfire only lasted a few seconds, but the sound seemed to echo for minutes. As the smoke cleared, men on both sides of the street were down\u2014the living were writhing in pain. Beth Cameron, Farmer Perkins, and Sam Bryant were all dead. Joe had been grazed along the right arm and Hoss had a bleeding gash along the side of a thigh. Ben was miraculously unscathed.<\/span>
Helping their father up, he asked, \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam? Adam! Go find your brother.\u201d He knew Hoss or Joe would obey him.<\/span>
Joe ran down the street to where he\u2019d last seen Adam. Seeing that his brother\u2019s body was covered by a corpse, he used his foot to roll the dead man off. Adam was face-down with his hands cuffed behind his back. Kneeling down, Joe noticed dried blood on the back of Adam\u2019s neck; however, there was no fresh blood on his back, arms, or legs. Gently, he rolled his brother so his head was resting in his lap. He lightly slapped Adam\u2019s cheek and was rewarded with a soft moan.<\/span>
Hoss led Ben to his brothers. Joe looked up, relief written in his eyes. \u201cHe\u2019s all right, Pa. He must not have been able to stand unsupported when the shooting began. Should we take him to the doctor?\u201d<\/span>
Looking around, Ben said, \u201cThe doctor is going to be busy enough today. Let\u2019s take him over to the sheriff\u2019s office.\u201d Ben hooked his hands under his eldest\u2019s arms while Joe took his legs; together they carried Adam down the street.<\/span>
Entering the office, Hoss looked through the desk for the handcuff keys. Finding them, he went back to the cell and unlocked the cuffs; Ben removed them from his son\u2019s hands and then pulled his eldest back so Adam\u2019s head was in his lap. After a tender look for Adam, Ben looked from Hoss to Joe. Breaking the silence, he asked, \u201cWhy did you decide to give Perkins to Bryant?\u201d<\/span>
Joe scuffed a boot on the floor and Hoss jammed his hands into his pockets. Hoss thought it was obvious why they freed Perkins.<\/span>
With another look to Adam, Ben said, \u201cI take it your brother disagreed with your decision.\u201d<\/span>
Joe\u2019s eyes flashed as he said, \u201cWhat were we supposed to do\u2014let you die?!? Bryant said he\u2019d kill you if Perkins was hanged. We made the only decision we could.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhat about the decision Mr. Cameron made to defy Bryant? He paid the ultimate price for standing by his decision.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s exactly why we couldn\u2019t chance hanging Perkins, Pa,\u201d said Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cLook what happened out there\u2014complete lawlessness. If there\u2019s no respect for the law, then people have no respect for each other.\u201d<\/span>
Joe pleaded, \u201cPa\u2014Bryant said he was going to kill you. Even the sheriff said we should let Perkins go.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI heard gunshots at one point. What happened?\u201d<\/span>
Hoss answered. \u201cI said we should follow any messengers Bryant sent. The sheriff was followin\u2019 him but must\u2019ve been seen. Joe had to shoot Bryant\u2019s man or get killed himself.\u201d<\/span>
Ben took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling. A moan from Adam brought his attention back to his younger sons. \u201cWhy did Adam want to hang Perkins?\u201d<\/span>
Joe replied, \u201cHe said Bryant would back down when he realized that he would be charged with murder for killing you.\u201d<\/span>
Ben sighed, relieved to know that Adam had intended to see justice delivered. \u201cBryant was used to other people doing his killing for him. He would have backed down when he realized that he would be charged with murder. A man who abuses power is only as powerful as his supporters will allow him to be. If they knew Bryant was going to hang, they would have left him like rats on a sinking ship. You boys made a bargain with the devil by giving Perkins back to Bryant.\u201d<\/span>
Adam moaned and opened his eyes. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/span>
Ben looked into his son\u2019s eyes with relief. \u201cYou\u2019re all right, Son. It\u2019s all over.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAre you okay, Pa?\u201d asked Adam, reaching his hand towards his father\u2019s face.<\/span>
Ben clasped his son\u2019s hand tightly and said, \u201cI\u2019m fine, Son. Bryant didn\u2019t hurt me.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThere was gunfire\u2026\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s over now.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPerkins?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDead.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBryant?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDead.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHmph,\u201d was Adam\u2019s only response.<\/span>
\u201cWe\u2019re sorry for not trusting your judgment,\u201d said Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cWe should have listened to you,\u201d said Joe weakly.<\/span>
\u201cNice to hear every once in a while,\u201d answered Adam.<\/span>
\u201cDo you feel up to going home?\u201d Ben asked his eldest.<\/span>
\u201cAs long as I don\u2019t have to ride or drive. There\u2019s two of everyone.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss and Ben helped Adam to stand. \u201cGo rent a buggy, Joseph.\u201d<\/span>
Joe started out but stopped to look back. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t risk losing you, Pa.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI know, Son,\u201d was Ben\u2019s soft response. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/span>
The End<\/span>
January 2008<\/span><\/p>\n