{"id":5849,"date":"2004-08-03T00:51:52","date_gmt":"2004-08-03T04:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5849"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:42:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T18:42:03","slug":"chains-and-slavery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5849","title":{"rendered":"Chains and Slavery (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Worried when one of his friends goes missing, Joe sets out to look for him. But he is not prepared for what he discovers.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(10,100 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

Chains & Slavery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peering in through the crack between the barn doors, Joe Cartwright felt his breath catch in his throat. Now he knew what had happened to all the young men who had disappeared lately! They were all here! He had to get the sheriff, Joe knew, and stepped silently backwards.<\/p>\n

Something hard and round jabbed into the small of his back. Joe froze. \u201cWell, well, well, what have we here?\u201d murmured a familiar voice. \u201cJoe Cartwright, as I live and breathe! You\u2019re a prize I only dreamed of having.\u201d The gun poked Joe hard in the back. \u201cPut your hands up,\u201d the man ordered. Joe did as he was told and felt his gun lifted from the holster. \u201cNow go inside and don\u2019t try anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe did as he was told. He saw all the heads turn to see who the new person was, and saw shock on several faces. Joe was appalled. All the men in the barn were heavily shackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what is this?\u201d he asked. \u201cWhy are all these men here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easy,\u201d replied his captor, watching as another couple of men came forward with chains in their hands. \u201cYou\u2019re all for sale to the highest bidder.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The past\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNot another one!\u201d Ben Cartwright exclaimed in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother what?\u201d Joe asked, coming out of the barn, leading his horse and finding his father talking to the ranch foreman, Charlie.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Charlie,\u201d Ben said to the foreman before turning back to Joe. \u201cAnother hand has disappeared.\u201d He belatedly realized that Joe had been friendly with this hand and braced himself to tell Joe. \u201cJoe, its Drake Preston.\u201d Drake was the third hand to disappear in the last couple of weeks. This was the third time in the last six months that men had just disappeared. It wasn\u2019t unheard of, but it wasn\u2019t something that happened a lot, either.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrake?\u201d Joe echoed. \u201cBut Drake liked it here. Why would he suddenly run off without being paid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied, troubled. \u201cAnd he left his gear behind, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019s in trouble!\u201d Joe declared. \u201cDrake would never go off without his gear. All he has to remember his family by is in his gear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps he took the keepsakes with him,\u201d Ben suggested, but Joe was having none of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hardly think so,\u201d he scoffed. \u201cI\u2019m going down to the bunkhouse to have a look!\u201d He handed his rein to his startled father and hurried off in the opposite direction. Ben looked down at the strip of leather in his hand and shrugged. When Joe got an idea in his head, he was always quick to follow it up. Ben resignedly led Cochise over to the hitching rail and wrapped his rein around it.<\/p>\n

About 20 minutes later, Joe reappeared and there was a scowl on his handsome face. \u201cDrake didn\u2019t just up and quit,\u201d he told Ben and he seemed angry. \u201cSomething must have happened to him, Pa. All his keepsakes are still with his gear and I know he\u2019d never go off and leave them behind.\u201d Joe produced Drake\u2019s gear and took out the tattered, much handled photos of Drake\u2019s late parents and his little sister who had died in a wagon accident on their way west. Young Drake, barely 18 years old had been left alone to make his own way in the world. He had drifted from town to town before ending up in Virginia City, where he had the good fortune to fall in with Joe.<\/p>\n

The two young men hit it off at once.\u00a0 Joe was a few years Drake\u2019s elder and felt an immediate empathy for the young man and offered him a job on the Ponderosa. They were hiring men for the autumn round up and although Drake had no experience, he was willing to learn. Joe took the good-looking youngster under his wing and friendship blossomed. It seemed inconceivable to Joe that Drake should just run off and leave behind his stuff \u2013 all of his belongings!<\/p>\n

\u201cOthers have left as suddenly,\u201d Ben pointed out. Indeed, it seemed to be an epidemic at the moment. Several of the younger cowboys had just suddenly left. Many had left some of their belongings behind, too, although not everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cBut I know Drake, Pa and this just isn\u2019t like him.\u201d He frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said, abruptly. \u201cTake some time and go and look for him. A couple of days and no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe beamed, for he hadn\u2019t thought as far as wheedling with his father to allow him to look for his friend. He bounced towards the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben called.<\/p>\n

Pausing, Joe looked back. \u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d Ben advised him. \u201cI don\u2019t want to lose you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

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

The present\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

His words came back to haunt him as he watched the men with the chains coming towards him. Joe had not been careful enough. He glanced round quickly, trying to see a way out of this situation. There didn\u2019t appear to be an obvious one, but Joe had never let that stop him before.\u00a0 As the man at his back relaxed slightly and the gun withdrew, Joe dived sideways, somersaulting away from the danger and back onto his feet. He feinted to his left and then broke right, but there were too many men. He almost reached the barn door before he was brought down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want enough chains on him that he can\u2019t move!\u201d panted the man who had caught Joe. \u201cI\u2019m not letting him get away!\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning his head, Joe looked at his captor and saw the familiar face. \u201cWhy are you doing this, Logan?\u201d he pleaded. He tried not to wince as handcuffs were tightened round his wrists. \u201cYou\u2019re the assistant foreman at the ranch!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is better money,\u201d Logan replied, casually. He had been working with the Cartwrights for over six months and was well liked by the men. Now Joe understood why so many of their younger cowboys had disappeared. Logan knew exactly where they all would be. \u201cI didn\u2019t hope to get you, Joe, but now that you\u2019re here, I think I could probably retire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you intend to do with me?\u201d Joe asked boldly, as he was hauled into a sitting position and heavy leg irons were attached to his ankles. The length of chain running between them was very short and Joe soon discovered that it was too short to allow him to walk. He was dragged across the barn and a thick leather collar was fastened around his neck with a padlock and attached to the wall by a short length of chain. His wrists were handcuffed behind him and fastened to a chain around his waist. There was no way Joe was going anywhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, most of your fellow prisoners are probably going to be enlisted in the Mexican army to fight for \u2013 well, whichever side is willing to pay the most. The handsomer ones, like your friend Drake, are going to join you and go to an auction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of auction?\u201d Joe demanded. He shot a glance across the barn at Drake.<\/p>\n

\u201cA slave auction,\u201d Logan smiled, seeing Joe flinch despite himself. \u201cSomeone somewhere is bound to be looking for a handsome young man like yourself. You\u2019ll fetch a lot of money, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sickened, Joe held Logan\u2019s gaze, trying to stare the man down. Logan simply laughed. As he walked away, Joe understood now why he hadn\u2019t been beaten up when they caught him; they couldn\u2019t risk leaving a mark that might lower his price. Joe had no idea how he was going to get out of this mess, but he knew one thing \u2013 he wouldn\u2019t stop trying.<\/p>\n

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

The past\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe had started his search for Drake in all the obvious places \u2013 the saloons and the jail. Drake hadn\u2019t been seen in either. So Joe retraced his steps to the ranch and tried to trace Drake\u2019s last movements there. His friend had been away riding fence when he vanished and Joe thought that would be why Drake\u2019s belongings were left behind. But he still didn\u2019t think that Drake had gone voluntarily. However, he had no witnesses to corroborate his theory and Joe found himself back at home, glumly wondering what he should do next.<\/p>\n

Next day, Joe set off to question the hands, wondering if anyone had noticed if Drake was particularly unhappy, or annoyed about something. But no, none of them had noticed anything, which wasn\u2019t really a surprise. Most of the hands minded their own business.<\/p>\n

Thinking that the horse that Drake had been riding must be somewhere \u2013 for it hadn\u2019t come back to its home stable, like horses were inclined to do \u2013 Joe set out to look for the horse and found it. He hadn\u2019t expected to, but the horse was in the livery in town. Henry, the livery owner, said that he\u2019d found the horse tied up outside his barn with some money tucked under the saddle. He had assumed that the owner had arrived during the night and was too lazy to look after his own horse. He hadn\u2019t particularly noticed the pine tree brand on the hip, but mostly because he was used to seeing it.<\/p>\n

With one part of his mystery solved, Joe decided he\u2019d go and have a beer and think about what to do next. As he crossed the street, he saw Logan Blake, the ranch\u2019s assistant foreman, further down the street. \u201cLogan!\u201d Joe hailed and hurried across to him, noticing vaguely that the older man seemed surprised to see him. \u201cJust the man,\u201d Joe smiled. \u201cDrake\u2019s horse is in the livery. Could you collect it and take it back with you please? I\u2019m going to stay in town for a while longer and ask a few more questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Joe,\u201d Logan agreed, easily. \u201cSee you back at the Ponderosa.\u201d He walked across to the livery and Joe stopped to talk to someone he knew, mentioning his missing friend. When Logan emerged from the livery a few minutes later, Joe was still deep in conversation with his friend and only subconsciously noticed Logan leaving town.<\/p>\n

After another abortive couple of hours, Joe realized that he was perilously close to being late for supper and went to collect his horse. It was then that it occurred to Joe that Logan hadn\u2019t left town heading for the ranch. In fact, he had gone in completely the opposite direction. Curious, Joe decided it was worth risking Hop Sing\u2019s ire for once and checking it out. Of course, Logan might just be going off to meet friends, but given the circumstances\u2026<\/p>\n

The tracks of the two horses were quite clear. Joe followed them for quite some time before he discovered where they were going. It was an old farmstead, run down and ruinous, long deserted, but there were lights on in the ramshackle house that evening. Joe got down from Cochise, and dropped the rein. He guessed he might want to make a run for it, and wanted his horse ready to go, not tethered. If Cochise strayed, Joe knew he would be walking home, but it was a risk he was willing to take.<\/p>\n

In the gathering dusk, Joe crept forward, towards the house. A covert glance through the window showed him two or three unshaven men he didn\u2019t know sitting around the table. Drawing back, Joe decided to look in the outbuildings and started with the barn. It was only when he peered through the crack between the doors that Joe knew he had solved his mystery.<\/p>\n

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

The present\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d A voice drew him from his reverie and Joe glanced across the barn at Drake. \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d Drake asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Drake,\u201d Joe assured him. He was also furiously angry, both with himself and with his captors. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Drake sighed. \u201cJoe, do you really think they\u2019re going to\u2026 sell\u2026 us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe replied, troubled. He knew that the slave auctions in the South were supposedly still going on and had heard rumors that white men and women sometimes appeared on the same block, but he hadn\u2019t given any credence to those rumors. Now, he wished he\u2019d paid more attention to them. He tried to move to a more comfortable position, but there wasn\u2019t one to be had. Enviously, Joe looked at the other men. Although all securely chained, they had more freedom to move than Joe had.<\/p>\n

As the night wore on, Joe found it impossible to sleep and spent the time thinking about his situation. He couldn\u2019t see how Logan was going to get his prisoners away unseen. Although this farmstead was abandoned, the road near by was traveled fairly frequently. As far as Joe could see, the men would have walk. How would Logan explain their presence to anyone he met?<\/p>\n

Glancing round at the 10 or so men, Joe wondered if they would be willing to join in him attacking their captors. He admittedly had no idea how many men there were in total holding them prisoner. He had counted only five. \u201cDrake,\u201d he hissed and Drake stirred out of an uneasy sleep. \u201cDrake, how many men are there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Drake asked, sleepily.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many men guarding us?\u201d Joe persisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive,\u201d Drake replied. He rubbed his eyes, the chains on his wrists clanking noisily. The guard at the door glanced sharply down the lines. \u201cWhy?\u201d he hissed back, quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause if we work together, we can overpower them,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d gasped another man sitting near Joe. \u201cYou want\u00a0us\u00a0<\/em>to fight them while\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0sit there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sitting like this by choice,\u201d Joe grated. \u201cBut they can\u2019t keep me like this forever,\u201d he added, although he privately wasn\u2019t so sure of that. \u201cWe\u2019ll get our chance. Pass the word. If we work together, we can do it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d the other replied, doubtfully, but Drake had turned away and was whispering to the men closest to him. The two other ranch hands were prepared to follow Joe at once, because they knew that he would lead from the front, not encourage from behind.<\/p>\n

Apart from the doubter next to Joe, the other men were all keen to try his plan. They agreed to wait until Joe was able to join them. Every man would count and several of them bullied the one reluctant man into agreeing. Joe, looking round at them all, could see that they looked more alive. That wasn\u2019t necessarily a good thing and he quickly began to explain that they had to try and look cowed, as they had before, so that the guards wouldn\u2019t suspect a thing. As it was, the guard by the door was growing suspicious off all the whispering and came over, looming threateningly over Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do if I don\u2019t?\u201d Joe asked, defiantly. He knew that they didn\u2019t dare hit him, for fear of leaving a mark, which would lower his value at the auction.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis!\u201d the man responded and gagged Joe. He laughed at his captive\u2019s furious face and walked off.\u00a0 Joe could feel his cheeks burning.<\/p>\n

Glancing up, he saw the other men looking at him. Each one met his eyes and nodded. They were prepared to follow him. It warmed Joe\u2019s heart and allowed him to bear the indignities that he was being subjected to with more patience and forbearance than he thought he could have mustered alone.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cPa?\u201d Hoss spoke hesitantly as they sat down after supper. \u201cDon\u2019t cha reckon Joe oughta be back by now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, Hoss,\u201d Ben replied, with a sigh. Hoss had noticed his father sighing a lot over the last few days. \u201cJoe didn\u2019t say when he would be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut yer worried,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am concerned,\u201d Ben admitted, slowly. \u201cI know Joseph is old enough to look after himself, but a father can\u2019t help worrying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019ya reckon Joe is right about Drake an\u2019 them other men bein\u2019 kidnapped or somethin\u2019?\u201d Hoss mused aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut Joe knew Drake better than I did, and I have to respect his opinion about Drake\u2019s disappearance. I don\u2019t have any proof to offer to the contrary. But if Drake was kidnapped, it worries me that Joe is out there looking for him alone. After all, you\u2019ve heard the rumors, the same as I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon Joe\u2019s heard them rumors, too,\u201d Hoss muttered, darkly. \u201cPa, d\u2019ya think its true? Are white women an\u2019 men being taken an\u2019 sold at slave auctions?\u201d<\/p>\n

The rumors had been circulating for months. Nobody was sure who had started them, but \u2018reliable sources\u2019 insisted that white men and women were being sold at slave auctions \u2013 and not just in the South. Illegal auctions were said to be springing up all over the place. Ben abhorred the system of slavery and defended the rights of all men to be free, regardless of their color.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben said, thoughtfully. \u201cBut I fear they might be.\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t add that he had heard that good looking young white men were being sold for fortunes at these illegal auctions. Ben didn\u2019t want to worry Hoss further. He was already concerned enough.<\/p>\n

But Ben and Hoss\u2019 concern only grew as the evening went on and there was no sign of Joe returning. They went quietly off to bed, but neither of them slept. When morning came, they set off in search of Joe.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cBreakfast,\u201d Logan announced, crouching in front of Joe and enjoying seeing his former boss in such a humiliating position. He reached over and tugged the gag from Joe\u2019s mouth, but made no attempt to release his bonds. He held up a plate of something brown and unrecognizable. Joe looked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, so we\u2019re going to be fussy are we?\u201d Logan asked. Determined silence was his only response. \u201cI\u2019m going to be nice to you, Joe,\u201d Logan went on. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll tell you what\u2019s going to happen. If you don\u2019t eat willingly, we\u2019ll force-feed you. You won\u2019t like it, but that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do. You\u2019ve got to keep your strength up for the auction, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the growling of his stomach, Joe was determined that he wasn\u2019t going to eat. Knowing that they didn\u2019t want him marked, he thought that Logan\u2019s threat was fairly idle. Unfortunately for Joe, it wasn\u2019t. Before he quite knew what was happening, all the men rushed at him, bearing him to the floor. Joe was helpless, but he fought them as best he could, to no avail. He was pinned on his back, his head was forced back and his nose squeezed shut. Joe tried desperately to avoid taking a breath, but his body screamed for air and his mouth opened to gasp in a huge draught of air.<\/p>\n

At that moment, a wooden implement was shoved into his mouth and he could feel and hear it being cranked open, forcing his mouth to stay open. Joe struggled to move, to try and break free of his metal fetters, but it was impossible. Something warm and wet was poured into his mouth, and Joe choked, coughing and gagging as the liquid flowed into his lungs as well as his stomach. For several horrible minutes, Joe thought he was drowning.<\/p>\n

But the torture wasn\u2019t prolonged. Logan sat him up and took the thing from his mouth, allowing Joe to spew up the small amount of fluid that had entered his lungs. Joe coughed, spluttered and gasped for air for some time before his breathing settled down.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo now you see that it\u2019s not worth fighting me on this, Joe,\u201d Logan said, quietly. \u201cIf you refuse to eat again, I can simply repeat this. Not pleasant, was it?\u201d He didn\u2019t wait for Joe to say anything, just nodded to the men, who got up and left. One of them returned with a bowl of oatmeal. \u201cAs a punishment for refusing food, you\u2019ll only get oatmeal today,\u201d Logan told him. \u201cIf you eat it, you\u2019ll get real food tomorrow.\u201d Reaching for his keys, Logan unlocked Joe\u2019s hand cuffs, bringing his hands in front of him before fastening the cuffs again. He correctly assumed that Joe could not face a repeat of the force feeding. \u201cAnd since I\u2019m not a nursemaid, I\u2019ll allow you to feed yourself. If you behave, Joe, then you may remain like this. If you don\u2019t\u2026\u201d Logan didn\u2019t bother to finish his threat. There was no need.<\/p>\n

There didn\u2019t seem to be an immediate reply that didn\u2019t commit Joe to doing as he was told. He knew he had to be more careful, but he was no less determined to get free. He would need his strength, he reasoned as he silently picked up the bowl of oatmeal. He did not ever want to repeat the experience he had just gone through.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Joe?\u201d Drake asked, fearfully, from across the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe replied. He slowly ate the oatmeal, hating the texture, but needing the nourishment. He obediently drank the water he was given, too and was instructed to use the back of the stall to relieve himself. Joe nodded, setting out to prove himself a model prisoner, although he was fairly sure that Logan wouldn\u2019t believe in his sudden quiescence; Logan knew him too well for that. Joe was watched closely all day.<\/p>\n

When darkness fell, the men were told to get up, and were chained together in a long line. Joe at last had his legs free and he reveled in the partial freedom. He couldn\u2019t help testing his other bonds, and received a sharp poke in the ribs from a guard\u2019s rifle barrel. The men were all gagged and then marched out of the barn and across the dark land outside.<\/p>\n

Casting a glimpse over his shoulder, Joe wondered when he would next see his home again.<\/p>\n

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

Cochise was grazing in the yard when Ben and Hoss went out of the door. Hoss caught the pinto and examined him closely, but there was no sign that Cochise had been running or that Joe had had an accident, but that meant nothing. Hoss put Cochise away in the barn and then he and Ben went off into town to look for Joe and to report his disappearance to the sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa sure Joe ain\u2019t jist sleepin\u2019 it off somewheres?\u201d Roy Coffee asked, as Ben explained that Joe had disappeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we are!\u201d Ben snapped. He and Hoss had spent a fruitless couple of hours searching the town for Joe and Hoss hadn\u2019t returned yet. \u201cRoy, he was looking for Drake. Somehow, Joe either found out something, or got too close to whoever has Drake and he was taken or\u2026 or killed.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was admirably steady, apart from the momentary hesitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave ya any idea where he was lookin\u2019?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, frustrated. \u201cPerhaps Hoss will find something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he don\u2019t, there ain\u2019t much I can do,\u201d Roy explained.<\/p>\n

Rising to his feet, Ben began to pace Roy\u2019s office. Roy watched him with silent sympathy. It was the standing family joke that Ben\u2019s hair had only begun to turn white after Joe was born. It was true \u2013 but it wasn\u2019t really worry that had caused it. But Roy wondered how Ben was able to cope with his worries alone. Oh sure, he had Hoss and Joe, but when something happened to one \u2013 or both \u2013 of them, Ben had no helpmeet to share the load with.<\/p>\n

When Hoss did finally come in, he looked grimly satisfied. \u201cWell?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry seen Joe yesterday,\u201d Hoss reported. \u201cDrake\u2019s horse was in the livery. Joe said he\u2019d take it home, but Henry says that it was Logan what collected it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLogan,\u201d Ben breathed. \u201cWe need to get back and talk to Logan. Roy, we\u2019ll get in touch as soon as we\u2019ve spoken to Logan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Logan?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLogan Blake, our assistant foreman,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cHe\u2019s been with us for quite a few months. He came up from the Circle C ranch in Texas. Very good man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Roy nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll wait ta hear from ya, Ben.\u201d He watched the Cartwrights mount up and ride away and then he walked over to the telegraph office. \u201cRudi, I need to send a wire to the Circle C ranch in Texas,\u201d he announced. \u201cIt\u2019s urgent.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It took quite some time to ride back to the ranch and then it took some more before they located Charlie, the foreman, who would know where Logan was working that day. By then, Ben\u2019s nerves were wound up tight.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie!\u201d Ben hailed and the foreman detached himself from the group of hands he\u2019d been talking to and came over. \u201cCharlie, where\u2019s Logan working today?\u201d Ben asked, urgently, before Charlie could even greet him.<\/p>\n

There was a hesitation and Ben exchanged a wordless glance with Hoss. \u201cBoss, I ain\u2019t seen Logan since yesterday,\u201d Charlie told him. \u201cHe told one o\u2019 the boys he was goin\u2019 into town yesterday afternoon an\u2019 would be back by supper, but he never come back.\u201d Charlie frowned. \u201cBoss, his stuff\u2019s all gone. I done checked this mornin\u2019. I reckon he\u2019s left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he hasn\u2019t been paid for this month,\u201d Ben objected.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t reckon that matters much to Logan,\u201d Charlie told him. \u201cHe seems to have a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot?\u201d Ben echoed. \u201cDo you think he\u2019s been winning heavily at cards?\u201d Ben didn\u2019t really approve of gambling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Charlie admitted. \u201cBut I doubt it. Logan has to be the worst card player I ever saw. You know how some folks jist don\u2019t have luck with cards? That\u2019s Logan. He\u2019s keen enough to win an\u2019 none too happy when he don\u2019t. So I don\u2019t reckon it were cards. He seemed to me to have too much money for it to be cards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do you think it is?\u201d Ben asked. Charlie wasn\u2019t just foreman because he was good with the stock, which he was. He was also good at reading men, and getting a good day\u2019s work out of them for a good day\u2019s pay.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have no proof,\u201d Charlie began, hesitantly, and Ben nodded. \u201cBut I think it was somethin\u2019 illegal he were doin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

His gut instinct was telling Ben to believe Charlie. \u201cThanks, Charlie. If you see Logan, will you let us know at once? We\u2019re going back into town. You can find us at the sheriff\u2019s office, or someone there will know where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Boss,\u201d Charlie agreed and watched Ben and Hoss ride away before he went back to the other men.<\/p>\n

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

They found Roy in his office, reading something and drinking coffee. Roy glanced up as they came in, but his face was grim. \u201cBen, Hoss,\u201d he greeted them. \u201cI got some news fer ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked, in a mixture of hope and dread.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about that there Logan Blake,\u201d Roy told him. Ben\u2019s heart sank slightly. \u201cI wired the Circle C right after ya left, an\u2019 I jist got the reply a little while ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Ben asked, wondering where this was going.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 it seems that Logan Blake ain\u2019t jist a ranch foreman, Ben,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cHe\u2019s also a well-known dealer in slaves in the South.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d Ben stuttered, but he was beginning to understand. He groped for a chair and sat heavily. Hoss looked at his father with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccordin\u2019 ta ma sources, he\u2019s turned up at nearby auctions twice this year with slaves \u2013 and they ain\u2019t all been black men,\u201d Roy replied, hurrying, as though saying the words quickly made them any less repulsive. \u201cThe men he had with him were white.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Hoss protested, but couldn\u2019t go on as the implications struck him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, white men couldn\u2019t be sold as slaves if they could prove that they\u2019re white,\u201d Roy agreed. \u201cBut unless ya carry somethin\u2019 that proves it, there are some who don\u2019t care what ya say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the war\u2019s over,\u201d Hoss frowned. \u201cSlavery ain\u2019t allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese weren\u2019t legal auctions,\u201d Roy explained, hating to have to tell them this. \u201cAn\u2019 ma source tells me there\u2019s another auction in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think\u2026?\u201d Ben started and then couldn\u2019t bring himself to finish the sentence. He abhorred slavery in all forms and the thought of his beloved youngest son in that situation was too much for him. Ben began to shake.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet some brandy!\u201d Roy urged Hoss and knelt by Ben\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n

It was not only brandy that Hoss brought, but the doctor, too. He had met Paul Martin on his way back from the saloon with the brandy. Ben, however, had regained control, but he still drank the brandy at the doctor\u2019s urging. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he repeated, this time for Hoss\u2019 benefit. The big man looked so worried. Ben dreaded telling him that Joe had been kidnapped to be sold at a slave auction. But Hoss had already worked it out for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cLogan\u2019s taken Joe ta sell at that auction, ain\u2019t he?\u201d Hoss demanded, watching as Paul took Ben\u2019s pulse without his father even noticing. \u201cAn\u2019 Drake an\u2019 them others too, most likely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think so,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cI got Clem out lookin\u2019 ta see if\u2019n he can find anyone what\u2019s seen Logan in the last few days. Perhaps we\u2019ll catch him afore he can get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing beside and slightly behind Ben, Paul exchanged a worried glance with Roy. He clearly didn\u2019t expect to find Logan and Paul\u2019s heart ached for the fear and misery the Cartwrights \u2013 all of them \u2013 were going to face in the next few days until Joe was returned to his home safe and sound.<\/p>\n

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

The forced march through the darkness was grueling. Joe was as exhausted as the rest of the men when dawn broke and they were herded into a small thicket of trees. There, they were allowed to sit down, had their leg irons attached again and were given some food and water before being gagged again. There had been no sign of life anywhere around, but Logan was taking no chances. However, all the men were so tired by their exertions that they all fell asleep pretty much at once.<\/p>\n

All but Joe. His mind was still working, trying to figure out a way to escape. He knew his only chance was to get the other men to work with him in over-powering their guards. He vowed to try that evening, before they started walking again. They were obviously following a pre-planned route, with each stop well chosen for its camouflage qualities. Joe moved restlessly and the clanking of his chains drew the guard\u2019s eye. Joe sighed, and closed his eyes, willing his body to relax.<\/p>\n

But it was some time before he slept.<\/p>\n

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

The captives were fed again in the late afternoon and Joe contrived to speak to as many of the men as he could manage. Everyone agreed to act when Joe gave the signal \u2013 everyone but the doubter from Joe\u2019s first night as a captive, a man called Rick. \u201cWe can\u2019t fight the guards,\u201d he protested in a heated whisper. \u201cI\u2019m not going to!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you really want to be a slave?\u201d Joe demanded. \u201cDo you have no more self-respect than that? Don\u2019t you have a family or friends waiting for you, wondering what\u2019s happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t got a family,\u201d Rick muttered, flushing. \u201cAn\u2019 I don\u2019t want ta be a slave.\u201d He gave Joe a hard look. \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll follow you, but I think it\u2019s a bad idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing to listen if you have any others,\u201d Joe replied, but Rick stayed silent.<\/p>\n

As they ate their evening meal, Joe watched the guards covertly. Logan was seeing to his horse, putting on the saddle and his gear. Joe could hear the saddle bags clinking and assumed that Logan was carrying extra chains, just in case. Just in case of what, he didn\u2019t like to think.<\/p>\n

The moment Joe had chosen was when the guards had their hands full of plates and the one remaining look-out was turned away. With a jerk of his head, Joe gave the signal and dived at the nearest man, bearing him to the ground. After an instant\u2019s hesitation, the other captives followed his lead.<\/p>\n

And for a few minutes, it looked as though the captives would win their freedom. Joe felt a surge of triumph as the man beneath him succumbed to the blows Joe had been raining down on him. But as Joe turned away to help someone else, something crashed down heavily on his head.<\/p>\n

Caught by surprise, Joe slumped down, badly dazed, but not unconscious. A man\u2019s weight landed on him and Joe was crushed to the ground, unable to get his hands under him to push upwards and free himself. He was vaguely aware of sounds of fighting from all around, but he couldn\u2019t move his head to try and see what was going on.<\/p>\n

Gradually, Joe\u2019s head stopped ringing, and he became more aware of what was going on. A man still lay on top of him and Joe was beginning to feel squashed. From the sounds around, Joe gathered that the uprising had failed. He felt a wrenching pang of disappointment and wondered what Logan would do to punish him.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t have long to wait to find out. Still lying face down, Joe felt different hands fumbling with the chains he wore on his wrists. He felt a lifting of his spirits as the first cuff was removed, but it was short lived as something made of canvas was shoved onto his arm and pulled up. Joe renewed his struggles, but now, there were several pairs of hands on his body and as the person who was lying on him rose, Joe tried to fight his way free, but there were too many people holding him.<\/p>\n

As he was hauled into a seated position, Joe saw what it was that was being pulled onto his arm and he began to fight again in earnest \u2013 it was a straitjacket. Joe had only ever seen drawings of these fearsome things, but he recognized it immediately. He thrashed violently, but to no avail. The second cuff was removed \u2013 with difficulty \u2013 from his other wrist and his arm forced into the sleeve. With three men working together, the jacket was drawn up around Joe\u2019s shoulders and he could feel it being fastened down his back.<\/p>\n

When the back was secure, the sleeves were forced through a strap that ran vertically down the front of the white canvas jacket and pulled around to buckle firmly behind Joe\u2019s back. Joe was then hauled to his feet, fighting all the way, and a leather strap going from the front of the jacket was pulled between his legs and again buckled at the back. Joe was thrown back to the ground and a broad leather strap was buckled tightly round his thighs. His boots were pulled off and another strap fastened his ankles together. Only then did the men step back.<\/p>\n

Furious, humiliated, Joe glared around. The other prisoners were all tightly chained again, looking at him in horror. The guards were all smirking as they looked down at their helpless captive. Logan\u2019s was the only grim face amongst them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI warned you, Joe,\u201d he said, and the deadly quiet tone of his voice gave everyone pause. \u201cI was nice to you, Joe, but no longer. I can\u2019t afford for you to be marked in any way, so you are going to make the rest of the journey like this. You will eat when you are told to, or I will force feed you. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what you will,\u201d Joe snarled. \u201cBut I\u2019m not going to go meekly to be sold!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Logan shrugged. \u201cI think you\u2019ll find that you will,\u201d he replied. He reached into his pocket and drew out a syringe. Joe stiffened, wondering what it contained. He soon found out as the contents were shot into his thigh and a short time later, Joe was drifting helplessly into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYes, its Joe\u2019s gun belt,\u201d Ben replied, heavily. He handled the familiar worn leather as though it could tell him where Joe had been taken. The barn at the deserted farmstead showed signs of recent occupation and Joe\u2019s gun belt was only one of the things they had found.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know he\u2019s alive, then,\u201d Hoss offered, knowing that this was cold comfort if their suspicions were correct. He felt desperately uncomfortable with the lost look on his father\u2019s face and he grasped the chance to go elsewhere and occupy his mind, leaving his father with men more experienced at giving comfort. \u201cI\u2019ll look round outside,\u201d he offered and hurried away. Ben didn\u2019t notice him go.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he whispered and closed his eyes, conjuring his son\u2019s face behind his closed eyelids and seeing the beloved dazzling smile and the sparkling green eyes. Would he ever see Joe\u2019s smiling face again? Swallowing back tears, Ben opened his eyes and saw Roy and Clem watching him with unsettling sympathy. \u201cWhere is this auction?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Before Roy could tell him, Hoss hurried into the barn. \u201cThey\u2019re on foot,\u201d he reported, breathlessly. \u201cI seen the place where they didn\u2019 quite brush out the tracks right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShow me!\u201d Ben ordered, as though Hoss was likely to refuse.<\/p>\n

They all followed Hoss outside and he showed them the place where one footprint had escaped the efforts to brush it out. Ben studied it for a moment before looking up. \u201cWhich way were they going, do you think?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat way,\u201d Hoss replied, without hesitation, pointing to the south east. Ben glanced at Roy, who nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n ya go that way long enough, ya come ta Ironstone,\u201d Roy stated quietly. \u201cThat\u2019s where the next auction is to be held.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d Ben asked, bleakly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn about three days,\u201d Roy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe leave today,\u201d Ben told Hoss.<\/p>\n

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

Joe had no idea how long he drifted in the darkness, but when he finally was able to open his eyes, he discovered he was tied to a travois being pulled behind one of the horses. As he tried to move, he realized that he was still trapped in the straitjacket and his legs strapped together. By craning his head, Joe could see the other captives walking obediently in line through the moonlit dark. They were all, him included, gagged.<\/p>\n

And nothing changed as the trek continued. Joe was kept totally isolated from the others and allowed no freedom at all. He was sedated regularly. His captors, Logan in particular, did everything they could to humiliate him. He was never allowed to feed himself, but Joe had learned his lesson the first time and ate what he was given. He did not want to go through force feeding ever again. As soon as Joe was finished eating, he was gagged again, although the other captives were allowed a short time to talk to one another. Joe hoped desperately that Drake would cajole them into another escape attempt, but Joe\u2019s harsh captivity had cowed them all.<\/p>\n

When they arrived at their destination two nights later, Joe was almost relieved. Perhaps he would be able to find a way to escape now they were in a town. And hope flared even higher as they reached a large warehouse on the outskirts of town, for a man stood there waiting for them and he wore a badge.<\/p>\n

But the hope died at once as the sheriff spoke. \u201cI thought you were never going to get here, Logan,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right on time,\u201d Logan responded. \u201cAnd wait till you see this lot.\u201d He dismounted and together he and the sheriff walked along towards the line of prisoners. \u201cLook at this one first. He\u2019s given me a lot of trouble, but don\u2019t you think he\u2019s worth it?\u201d he asked, gesturing towards Joe.<\/p>\n

Leaning down to peer more closely at Joe in the dim light, the sheriff grinned as he saw the way Joe was trussed up. \u201cReal good lookin\u2019,\u201d he agreed. \u201cYou gonna let him out o\u2019 that now you\u2019re here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Logan replied, enjoying seeing Joe blanch. \u201cHe\u2019s got to learn his lesson and besides, it keeps the others quiet, too. I\u2019ve never had a march so easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff laughed and moved off to inspect the other men. Joe forced himself to keep his breathing even.\u00a0I can do this<\/em>, he told himself.\u00a0Pa will be looking for me by now. He might not find me right off, but he will find me<\/em>. And Joe held tight to that thought as he was carried into the warehouse and a leather collar fastened around his neck and chained to the wall.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to be sold tomorrow,\u201d Logan told Joe, as he clicked the padlock shut. \u201cI\u2019m going to really enjoy that, Joe,\u201d he added. \u201cJust like I\u2019ve enjoyed seeing you brought down a peg or two, trussed up like that.\u201d He laughed. \u201cBetter get some sleep, boy, because you want to look your best for the ladies and gents, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gagged as he was, there was no response that Joe could make. But his silence was pleasure enough for Logan, who laughed once more. \u201cSee you in a few hours,\u201d Logan smiled. \u201cThen, I\u2019ll get you ready to be sold.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Morning came only too soon. Waking uneasily from the first natural sleep he had had in days, Joe glanced round to see what had wakened him. All around, the other men were being prepared for the day ahead. Joe wondered what was going to happen to him. From what Logan had said the previous night, Joe didn\u2019t think he was going to like it.<\/p>\n

When Logan did appear at Joe\u2019s side, he had the sheriff with him, plus another man, one of the guards from the journey. Joe swallowed. The handful of chains he had expected to see were not evident, but Logan dropped something made of iron onto the ground where it landed with a solid clunk.<\/p>\n

Leaving the collar and leg restraints in place, Logan forced Joe to sit up and slowly began to unbuckle the straitjacket. Joe could have cried with relief. His arms were so stiff and cramped from being in the same position for so long. As soon as the straitjacket was off, Joe was stripped of his green jacket and shirt. Then he was pinned to the ground while Logan gave his face and upper body a wash. Joe didn\u2019t mind. He had been dying for a wash for several days.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got something special for you, Joe,\u201d Logan grinned as he threw the wet cloth into the water. He picked up the iron thing he had dropped and held it up for Joe to see. It was basically round, with a straight piece of metal dissecting the circle and about 2 inches deep. One side was slightly open. \u201cIt\u2019s called a chalet cuff,\u201d Logan explained, opening it up. \u201cI got it from a Frenchman. He used it to keep his slaves in line. It\u2019s very effective.\u201d Logan grinned. \u201cTurn him over, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite Joe\u2019s struggles, he soon found himself lying face down, with his hands behind his back. The chalet cuff was fastened around one wrist, the metal bit in the middle clicking closed before the other wrist was forced into place. Joe both heard and felt the screw close. For the first few seconds, as they padlocked the cuff securely, Joe thought that this wasn\u2019t going to be too bad. But as soon as the restricting grip on his arms loosened, Joe discovered why Logan had used this. The cuff was so deep that Joe was unable to relax his arms at all. His forearms were forced together and the strain on his arms and shoulders was bad. The cuffs immediately began to bite into his skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you like it, Joe?\u201d Logan asked, in a solicitous tone. \u201cNo? Well, never mind.\u201d He patted Joe\u2019s shoulder and laughed. He hauled Joe to a sitting position again and turned to the guard. \u201cGet me the short leg irons,\u201d he ordered. \u201cThe heavy ones.\u201d He reached down and began to unstrap Joe\u2019s ankles. \u201cSlaves don\u2019t get to wear anything on their feet, Joe, did you know that?\u201d Logan asked as he pulled off Joe\u2019s socks. \u201cDon\u2019t worry; the soles of your feet will soon toughen up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe said something his father wouldn\u2019t have approved of, but Logan was unfazed. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see that you haven\u2019t lost any of your spirit,\u201d he commented. \u201cLots of people will be attracted by it. They\u2019ll want to break you. You\u2019re going to make me a very wealthy man, Joe.\u201d He glanced up as his assistant returned with the short leg irons, took them, and fastened them tightly around Joe\u2019s ankles, not worrying that he caught the skin. Joe winced despite himself. \u201cI\u2019ll be back for you shortly, Joe,\u201d Logan commented as he rose. \u201cAnd remember to keep quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe scoffed. \u201cYou expect me to keep quiet? No way!\u201d He wondered why the leather strap hadn\u2019t been taken off his thighs. Then he realized that it was to make walking almost impossible for him; another way of keeping him under tight control.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you might say that,\u201d Logan grinned and put up his hand. The sheriff handed him the all too familiar syringe and Joe got yet another shot. This one was not as strong as the ones that had kept him unconscious, but it was enough to scatter his wits. He found himself flopping down, lying painfully on his bound arms, but unable to move enough to turn onto his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee, Joe? You can\u2019t win,\u201d Logan smirked and left.<\/p>\n

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

In the main warehouse, Ben Cartwright sat quietly at the back of the large crowd. He was dressed in a very fancy coat and trousers, and was wearing a ridiculous floppy hat that effectively hid his face. Outside, Hoss was waiting with several deputy US marshals. It was much harder to disguise someone of Hoss\u2019 size. Beside Ben sat the US marshal that had come to arrest the organizers of this auction.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep quiet until some of the captives have been sold,\u201d he warned Ben. \u201cOtherwise, we can\u2019t prove anything against any of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed, but he was finding it difficult to sit still, knowing that Joe was somewhere close by.<\/p>\n

Promptly at 10 am, the auction started. The first few \u2018lots\u2019 out were black men and Ben wondered why the marshal was waiting before taking action. Surely this had gone on long enough. The people who bought the blacks went out and the marshal leaned over to whisper in Ben\u2019s ear. \u201cEveryone leaving will be arrested, and the captives freed,\u201d he confided and Ben relaxed slightly.<\/p>\n

Then the first of the white men came in and Ben recognized one of his hands. Bidding was brisk and Ben was shocked at the amount of money the man was sold for. He fought to keep the disgust he felt off his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our star lot, folks,\u201d the auctioneer declared. \u201cA challenge for whoever buys him, but I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll agree with us that he\u2019s worth every penny.\u201d He gestured and Joe was hustled into the room by Logan. A murmur went round and the marshal\u2019s hand clamped down hard on Ben\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you can see, we\u2019ve had to restrain him more than the others,\u201d the auctioneer went on. \u201cAnd gave him something just to keep him quiet. But you can see what a fine specimen he is. Look at that musculature!\u201d Joe was turned round so that they could see the muscles bulging in his arms.<\/p>\n

Bidding was fast and furious, leaping up into tens of thousands of dollars in a matter of moments. Ben sat rigid, his gaze fastened to his son. He could see Joe\u2019s eyes were glazed and the way his head lolled told Ben that his son had received a strong drug to quiet him. He was disgusted and horrified at the way Joe was bound, but relieved that Joe seemed to be in good shape otherwise.<\/p>\n

The hammer fell at $60,000 and the marshal let go of Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cGet the men,\u201d he hissed and rose to his feet. \u201cEveryone freeze. US Marshal Kent. You\u2019re all under arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was instant pandemonium. Ben rose, and saw Logan look directly at him and recognize him. Instantly, Logan threw an arm around Joe\u2019s throat and began to drag the dazed young man out of the room. Ben forgot that he was supposed to be getting the deputies, and began to push his way towards Joe. Luckily for Kent, the deputies had been watching and now hurried in to help.<\/p>\n

Oblivious to this, Ben fought his way through the crowd, cursing as he got held up. He burst through the back door in time to see Logan mounting a horse. Joe was slung face down over the saddle in front of him. \u201cHold it!\u201d Ben shouted, drawing his gun.<\/p>\n

Turning, Logan shot at Ben, missing as the older man ducked. He kicked his horse into a gallop as Ben shouted for Hoss and shot back, also missing. Ben raced towards the nearest horse, seeing Hoss appearing out of the corner of his eye. \u201cHe\u2019s got Joe!\u201d Ben cried, pointing at the fleeing figure. That was all the prompting Hoss needed and he jumped onto the other horse standing there.<\/p>\n

Face down over the saddle, Joe fought with his queasy stomach as the ground flashed past beneath him. He was already dizzy from the drug. He felt himself start to slide, but Logan must have noticed, too, for his hand clamped down onto Joe\u2019s back, pressing him harder to the saddle.<\/p>\n

A shot whined past and the horse shied, almost throwing Joe once more. Logan let out a curse and tried to grab Joe, but with Joe\u2019s torso being bare, there was nothing for Logan to get a proper grip of. With another curse, Logan abruptly changed his mind and slid his hand under Joe\u2019s shoulder and heaved upwards. Joe crashed from the fleeing horse to the ground.<\/p>\n

Dragging his horse to a standstill, Logan turned it, and deliberately took aim at Joe as he lay in agony on the ground. His aim was true, despite the dancing horse beneath him and the bullet bit into Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Next moment, a bullet hit Logan in the chest and he fell backwards from his horse. Hoss galloped past his stricken brother to secure the brute that had treated Joe so badly, while Ben leapt from his horse to kneel by Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d he exclaimed, seeing the blood pouring from just below Joe\u2019s ribs. He moved to free Joe\u2019s hands and was instantly thwarted by the padlock. The only part of the restraints that he could remove was the strap around Joe\u2019s thighs, which he did. \u201cJoe?\u201d he repeated. \u201cCan you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no answer. Ben glanced over at Hoss, who had dragged Logan to his feet and was now frisking him thoroughly. \u201cThese what cha want, Pa?\u201d he asked, throwing Ben a handful of keys.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben replied, scooping them up and beginning the laborious task of trying each key until he found the one that fitted the padlock. Then he carefully unscrewed the cuff, freeing Joe\u2019s hands. Joe\u2019s arms fell free and Joe let out a cry and jerked back to consciousness. \u201cEasy, Joe, easy,\u201d Ben soothed, dropping the keys to gather his son into his arms. \u201cYou\u2019re safe now, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe whispered. He forced his eyes open and blinked to try and sort out his focus. \u201cPa,\u201d he repeated. \u201cHurts,\u201d he slurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat hurts?\u201d Ben asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cSide,\u201d Joe breathed. \u201cArm.\u201d He swallowed painfully.<\/p>\n

Carefully, Ben moved his position so he could feel gently down each of Joe\u2019s arms and he discovered that Joe\u2019s right arm was broken just below the elbow. \u201cYou lie still, Joe,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cI\u2019ll get these chains off your feet and we\u2019ll get you back to town to see the doctor.\u201d He laid Joe down on the ground and saw his son shiver. Immediately, Ben stripped off his coat and covered Joe with it. \u201cHoss, put those horrid things on Logan so we can take him into town while I get these irons off Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied, with grim satisfaction in his voice. He began to fasten Logan\u2019s hands in front of him.<\/p>\n

At last, Ben found the correct key to open the leg irons and saw that Joe\u2019s ankles were bruised and raw where they had been pinched. He dropped the irons on the ground in disgust. At once, Joe stretched his legs out and then drew them up, so he was curled in a ball. He muttered something that Ben missed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slightly louder, Joe repeated the one word he had said. \u201cFree.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Marshal Kent had everyone under lock and key by the time the Cartwrights arrived back in town. Joe had lost quite a lot of blood, and was in shock when they returned and the doctor was summoned urgently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bullet\u2019s still in there,\u201d he explained to Ben and Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ll need to operate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe was drugged,\u201d Ben replied, worriedly. \u201cI don\u2019t know what he was given exactly. Will that make any difference?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it will,\u201d the doctor replied. \u201cI can\u2019t risk giving him anything else until I know what he had. Is there any way to find out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe man who drugged him is refusing to talk,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIn fact, he\u2019s your next patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be right back,\u201d the doctor told him an unholy light twinkling in his eyes. Ben frowned after him, perplexed, but sure enough, he was back a few minutes later wearing a satisfied smile. \u201cAll right, I know what I can and can\u2019t do now, Mr. Cartwright. Don\u2019t worry, Joe will be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Ben asked, watching as the man prepared for surgery.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I just told him that I would some of his own restraints to hold him down while I operated on his shoulder without anesthetic,\u201d the doctor replied in an innocent tone. \u201cAmazing how helpful he became then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben replied, fervently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to you, this dreadful trade has been stopped,\u201d the doctor answered. \u201cWe can start putting right all the wrongs. And believe me, it was my pleasure.\u201d He patted Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cNow, let me work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It was the next day before Joe was up to talking about his experiences with Marshal Kent. Ben sat quietly by Joe\u2019s side as his son quietly told his story. Most of it, Kent already knew, from questioning the other men who had been held captive, but Joe\u2019s testimony would be doubly necessary to get a conviction, since Logan had shot him. But Ben and Hoss were hearing it for the first time and were appalled. Ben stroked Joe\u2019s uninjured arm gently throughout and Joe took strength from that familiar touch.<\/p>\n

At last, Joe was finished and he leaned back tiredly on his pillows. \u201cWhere did he get all that stuff from?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cAll those chains and stuff.\u201d He couldn\u2019t quite repress a shudder and winced as his side twinged violently. He had refused any painkillers, telling Ben that he couldn\u2019t face the spaced out feeling he had had the day before, or the long periods of unconsciousness he had had to endure before that. Although Ben was unhappy that Joe was so sore, he couldn\u2019t deny that he totally understood his son\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I\u2019ve been told so far, Logan worked in some asylums, and just helped himself to things like the straitjacket. The chains he bought from other slavers,\u201d Kent replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the others?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cDrake and Rick and the others? What are they going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrake is coming back to the ranch with us,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cas are the other two hands. The others are going to go back to their homes and families.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working on finding the other men that Logan kidnapped and sold,\u201d Kent told Joe. \u201cOnce we\u2019ve found them, we can take Logan to trial. It could be some time before that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell me and I\u2019ll be there,\u201d Joe replied. Kent smiled, and put out his hand to shake Joe\u2019s. There was a moment of awkwardness as Joe held up his casted arm, but after a second they shook hands with their left hands, smiling at the ludicrousness of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel?\u201d Ben asked Joe, after Kent had gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I guess,\u201d Joe replied. He looked ruefully at the cast on his forearm. \u201cBut just as I got out of one lot of restraints, I find myself stuck in this! How exactly did it happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think it happened when you fell from the horse,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cSomething to do with that evil thing securing your wrists.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLogan sure knew what he was doing,\u201d Joe mused. \u201cHe knew exactly what to do to keep me immobile and to cow the others.\u201d Joe blushed. \u201cIt was pretty bad,\u201d he concluded and Ben knew that whatever thought had made Joe color like that was a lot worse than just \u2018pretty bad\u2019. \u201cAfter the straitjacket was put on, I wasn\u2019t allowed to do anything for myself,\u201d Joe went on, looking across the room. \u201cAnd I mean anything. I couldn\u2019t feed myself nor\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off and the color deepened. Ben understood instantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a cruel and sadistic bully,\u201d Ben declared, with a great deal of feeling in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure weren\u2019t too tickled at havin\u2019 ta wear them things on his wrists,\u201d Hoss recalled, his voice laden with satisfaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Joe replied, and Ben didn\u2019t feel inclined to chastise either of them for their blood-thirsty feelings.<\/p>\n

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

A few days later, Ben was allowed to take Joe home and they made the journey in easy stages. Joe was quiet, but Ben put it down to tiredness, for his son had been through quite an ordeal. He thought that Joe would probably perk up once they got home and he was right. For the first time since being rescued, Joe slept through the night without any nightmares.<\/p>\n

Next day, Ben came into the house to find Joe sitting in the leather chair by the fire, gazing pensively into the flames. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked, coming over to sit by Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was thinking,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI always knew slavery was wrong, but I never really thought about how bad it must have been for the slaves until it happened to me. You know, I always kind of leaned towards the South during the war. I was wrong, Pa. I reckon I should\u2019ve fought with the North.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad that none of you were involved in any of the fighting,\u201d Ben reproved him gently. \u201cSlavery is wrong, Joe, I agree. But how could we really know exactly what anything is like without experiencing it first hand? I never completely realized how awful things could be, either. I knew that depriving a human being of his freedom was wrong, but I never allowed myself to think of the horrors that other human beings could inflict upon them.\u201d Ben saw that Joe was looking at him and he smiled at his son. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think that necessarily makes us bad, either, Joe. After all, we weren\u2019t holding slaves, nor encouraging others to hold slaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess not,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cChains and slavery. I was so lucky you found me, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the lucky one, to have you back,\u201d Ben corrected him.<\/p>\n

Blinking back sudden moisture, Joe smiled. \u201cPerhaps we\u2019re both lucky,\u201d he responded.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 Worried when one of his friends goes missing, Joe sets out to look for him. But he is not prepared for what he discovers.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0(10,100 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":14937,"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_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1015,23,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-pa","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/leg-irons.jpg?fit=234%2C215&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5849","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\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5849"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5849\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}