{"id":5917,"date":"2004-04-14T11:37:32","date_gmt":"2004-04-14T15:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5917"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:28","slug":"flames","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5917","title":{"rendered":"Flames (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A gang of rustlers is plaguing the Virginia City area.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> (10,205 words)<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Flames\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! What are you doing here?\u201d The young man frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that my line?\u201d Joe asked, amused, stepping down from his pinto horse, Cochise. He took the rein in his hand and walked round the horse, smiling at the group of young men gathered in the clearing. \u201cI thought you fellas knew the ranch well enough by now that you\u2019d realise that this is not the South Forty. Are you lost again?\u201d<\/p>\n

The five young men gathered there had all been at school with Joe. Although they hadn\u2019t been particular friends, Joe had been quite pleased to see them when they turned up at the ranch looking for work a few months back.\u00a0 With the fluctuating work situation in Virginia City, a number of the boys Joe had been at school with had moved on, following the gold strikes or trying their luck with the free land in Oregon Territory. When Mikey, Steve, Phil, Jason and Simon had returned to town after seven years away, Joe had been pleased to see them. He was even more pleased to be able to offer them work, as the ranch was just coming up to the busiest season of the year, when the herd was rounded up, ready to drive to the cattle markets in Sacramento.<\/p>\n

It was slightly awkward for Joe to be their boss, but Joe put himself out to ease the awkwardness and he thought he had succeeded quite well. The five were hard working and learned quickly. The only stumbling block had been their tendency to get lost, and none of them made any bones about their lack of sense of direction. Joe thought that this encounter was another example of them turning left when they should have turned right.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess\u2026\u201d Jason began, but Simon didn\u2019t let him finish. Joe suddenly found himself looking into the barrel of a gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re gonna stop riding us, Cartwright!\u201d Simon growled. \u201cWe\u2019re sick of you always on our backs!\u201d<\/p>\n

Frozen in place, Joe glanced at the other men and saw that Simon\u2019s attitude hadn\u2019t come as a surprise to them. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d he asked, trying to keep his voice calm. \u201cSimon, you work for us. Telling you what to do is part of the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot any more!\u201d Simon growled. \u201cPut your hands up, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe did as he was told. Jason lifted Joe\u2019s gun from his holster. Mikey squirmed uneasily. \u201cThis ain\u2019t the way it was supposed to be,\u201d he whined.\u00a0 Joe remembered that he\u2019d always been a whiner at school, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust shut up!\u201d Simon warned him and Mikey wisely backed down. Simon had an unpredictable temper, despite his blond hair and angel face. Thin, small Mikey wouldn\u2019t have stood a chance against the taller, stronger, heavier Simon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, now what?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cWhat are you planning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome fun,\u201d Simon responded, coldly. He nodded to his friends and Phil and Steve grabbed Joe\u2019s arms. Cochise snorted and danced a step or two away. Joe, caught by surprise, found his arms in an unbreakable grip. He struggled futilely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you\u2019re planning, don\u2019t do it,\u201d Joe advised Simon, not for his own sake, but for the other man\u2019s. \u201cJust ride away and I\u2019ll forget about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou always were a coward, Cartwright,\u201d Simon sneered and Joe saw red. He had been trying to defuse the situation, but no more. Not caring that he was severely out-numbered, Joe wrenched his left arm free and threw a punch at Simon.<\/p>\n

It never connected. Simon simply stepped back while Phil, who had hold of Joe\u2019s right arm, pulled, swinging Joe around. Joe stumbled and Simon moved in, his fists swinging, too. Joe knew, as the first punch hit him, that he didn\u2019t stand a chance.<\/p>\n

It was a free-for-all. Joe tried to fight back, but there were too many of them. As he crumpled to the ground, dazed and bleeding, there was a shot and everyone froze. \u201cBack off!\u201d ordered a voice and Joe managed to raise his head and peer disbelievingly at his father and brothers who sat on their horses a few feet away, rifles pointing at Joe\u2019s assailants.<\/p>\n

Slowly, the five backed away. Joe knew he should get up and prove that he wasn\u2019t hurt, but it was beyond him to move. He simply lay there, dropping his head back down to the ground. Holding it up was more effort than he could afford to expend.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here!\u201d Ben ordered, disgust clear in his tone. \u201cKeep on riding. If I see you again, I\u2019ll have you arrested!\u201d He, Adam and Hoss watched as the five mounted up and rode out. Jason dropped Joe\u2019s gun onto the ground as he left. Only when they were a good distance away did Ben sheath his rifle and jump from Buck\u2019s back to hurry over to Joe\u2019s side. Adam and Hoss were right with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d Ben asked, kneeling by his son and gently turning him over.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the rescue,\u201d Joe croaked. \u201cPity you didn\u2019t arrive sooner.\u201d The ghost of a smile flitted across his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts sheer luck we arrived at all,\u201d Ben replied, taking in the bruises on Joe\u2019s face and the blood coming from both nose and lip. \u201cAdam, get the canteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

The water helped revive Joe and he sat up with Ben\u2019s help. Everything hurt, but Joe didn\u2019t think there were any bones broken. He knew that he would have a motley collection of bruises to show for his afternoon\u2019s work. \u201cFeeling better?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thanks,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam asked, eyeing Joe keenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw them here, when they should\u2019ve been on the South Forty,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI thought they\u2019d got lost again, but Simon pulled a gun on me.\u201d He shrugged and bit back the wince that rose to his lips. \u201cThe rest you pretty much saw.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder what they was up ta,\u201d Hoss murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got me,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, whatever it was, we\u2019ll keep an eye out for them,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cI hated to let them go, but there were more of them than us. Think you\u2019re all right to ride, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Joe assured him and tried another smile. It was slightly more successful than its predecessor. He allowed his brothers to help him to his feet and was grateful for the arm that Hoss kept around his waist while he regained his equilibrium. Ben watched critically as Joe was helped onto his horse, but he could see that Joe, while sore, was quite capable of riding. However, Ben kept the pace slow as they headed for home.<\/p>\n

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

It didn\u2019t surprise anyone that Joe opted for an early night that night. A hot bath had done a lot to loosen stiff muscles, but it was clear that Joe was sore. However, he joined in with the speculation about what the five men had had in mind. Finally, Ben shrugged. \u201cWell, unless we have the misfortune to come across them again, we\u2019ll probably never know,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI\u2019ll pass the word to the others to keep an eye out for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll go to bed,\u201d Joe added, and got stiffly to his feet. He waved away offers of help and walked quite smoothly upstairs.<\/p>\n

As he undressed, Joe looked at himself in the mirror and winced as he saw the dark bruises on his ribs. His face felt lumpy and stiff and his right eye was circled by a rainbow of colours. Luckily for Joe, it wasn\u2019t too badly swollen. \u201cGuess I got off lightly,\u201d he told his reflection. His reflection didn\u2019t look convinced. Joe climbed into bed and fell asleep in an instant.<\/p>\n

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

The next day dawned clear and cloudless and Joe was at the table just a few minutes after his brothers. The discomfort his bruises had given him the night before was wearing off and he had no trouble convincing his father that he was able to go to work. \u201cWe\u2019re five men down,\u201d he reminded Ben when it was suggested that he have an easy day. \u201cAnd the fence on the north range won\u2019t repair itself, Pa.\u201d Joe had been checking on it the previous day when he had fallen foul of Jason, Simon and co.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben capitulated. \u201cCan you manage alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIf we get a move on this morning, Hoss and I can go up and help Joe finish after lunch,\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, that would be good,\u201d Joe agreed. He finished his meal and went out to put the things he would need on the buckboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like it\u2019s going to be warn today,\u201d Ben commented, eyeing the sky as he came out to bid Joe goodbye.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure does,\u201d Joe agreed, with feeling. He knew he would be working in the full blaze of the sun and he checked that he had a couple of canteens with him. He was close enough to a stream to refill his canteen if need be, but if he had two to work with, he wouldn\u2019t need to have a break to refill them quite as often. \u201cSee you later, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d Ben warned him, as he always did. Joe waved in response.<\/p>\n

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

When Joe arrived at the north range, he dropped off the timber he would be using in strategic places along the length of the fence before tethering the team in the shade and setting to work. For the most part, Joe was doing a virtual rebuild of the fence. This high, the snow was deep in the winter and every summer, the fence was broken down. Joe felt he could\u2019ve built the fence in his sleep, he had done it so often.<\/p>\n

After a while, Joe stopped, took off his shirt, hat and gun belt and dropped them on the buckboard seat. He took a long drink and tipped some of the water over his head. It felt great and he shivered momentarily as a few cold drops ran down his bare chest. He resumed working.<\/p>\n

It was well into the morning when something caught Joe\u2019s attention out of the corner of his eye. Pausing, he glanced around and saw to his horror a plume of smoke rising about the trees. Fire!<\/p>\n

Habit had Joe dropping his hammer and turning to jump onto his horse, but even as he turned, he remembered that he was there with the buckboard and team, not a horse and by the time he got anywhere near the fire, it, hopefully, would be well under control. Up at the north range, there was precious little Joe could\u2019ve done to help anyway. He paused, irresolute, wanting to go and help fight the fire, but realising that he was too far away. Finally, he walked back to the fence and picked up his discarded hammer. But although he worked as diligently as he could, the smoke was a constant distraction.<\/p>\n

Gradually, the smoke began to thin and Joe was relieved to see evidence that someone had seen it and was now dealing with the blaze before it could consume too much timber. He could smell the smoke on the air as the breeze moved it in his direction. Content that his help wasn\u2019t needed, Joe applied himself to his fence mending with renewed determination. He hoped that only the larger bits would remain for Adam and Hoss to help him with after lunch.<\/p>\n

That thought made Joe pause, for he suddenly realised that it might be quite some time after lunch \u2013 if at all \u2013 that his brothers would arrive. The fire would hold everyone up. Resolutely, Joe shrugged and continued working.\u00a0 But then he paused. He thought he could hear\u2026 Joe strained his ears, putting down the hammer again, and took a few steps away from the fence, frowning. He could hear the thunder of hooves and for a moment, he thought that it was a stampede, but the herd was far from where he was.<\/p>\n

But only some of the herd was far from where Joe was. Some of them \u2013 Joe estimated about 20 head \u2013 were thundering up the hill towards him, being chased along by five men on horseback. His heart sank as he recognised them as Jason, Phil, Simon, Mikey and Steve. He turned to make a run back to the buckboard for his gun, but he was too late. Simon had spotted him and a bullet bit into the ground near his foot as the cattle turned away from the mostly-repaired fence, slowing as they did so. There wasn\u2019t enough broken down fence to allow them to get through.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe meet again,\u201d Simon sneered as he stopped his horse a few feet away from Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I like it less every time,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cSo that\u2019s what you were doing yesterday; making sure that the fence wouldn\u2019t stop the cattle you were planning on rustling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it,\u201d Jason agreed. He got down and moved closer to Joe, although not close enough for Joe to try anything. \u201cWe sure worked you over good yesterday, didn\u2019t we?\u201d he laughed. Joe glanced down at the bruises dotting his chest and stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had worse,\u201d Joe remarked, knowing it would aggravate them, but unable to stop himself. He gestured with his head to the cattle milling about aimlessly. \u201cIf you don\u2019t go catch your cows, they\u2019ll make their way back to the herd,\u201d he mentioned sarcastically. \u201cOr have you decided to forget them for now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Enraged, Jason gave Joe a shove. Joe staggered back and bounced off the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have time for this,\u201d Simon announced, glancing over his shoulder as Jason and Joe exchanged sharp looks. \u201cThe fire\u2019s out and I thought it would take a bit longer to get under control. Let\u2019s forget the cattle for now. We don\u2019t have time to rip down the fence, round them up and drive them away. They\u2019ll catch us. We were seen, remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want to do about him?\u201d Jason asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShoot him!\u201d Steve laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m tempted,\u201d Simon agreed, watching Joe to see how this news would affect him, but Joe kept his face sober. \u201cBut we don\u2019t want them hunting us down for murder. Let\u2019s just tie him up and someone will set him loose eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instantly, Joe knew he wasn\u2019t going to quietly submit to being tied. Simon was malicious and a bully and Joe knew that anything Simon planned would not be pleasant. If there was someone coming after them, it probably wouldn\u2019t be long before they arrived, but Joe couldn\u2019t be sure of that. He took to his heels.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t get far. Immediately, he could hear hooves after him and moments later a body landed heavily on Joe\u2019s shoulders, driving him to the ground. Joe fought as best he could, but he no more chance against the five of them than he had had the previous afternoon. Dazed, Joe was barely away as he was dragged up against the fence, his back to a stout post. His arms were pulled out from his body and tightly bound to the rails and a loop of rope that was attached to his wrists went around his throat so that he couldn\u2019t move at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo long, Cartwright,\u201d Simon whispered, leaning in close to look in Joe\u2019s face. He punched the helpless man in the stomach, laughing as Joe choked as his body involuntarily doubled over as far as it could go. By now, they could all hear hooves in the distance, coming ever closer. Simon jumped on his horse and they all rode off, leaving Joe alone.<\/p>\n

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

It was imperative that he didn\u2019t struggle, Joe thought. If he pulled at the rope on his wrists, he would choke himself and the rope round his throat was tight enough already, thanks to that punch. He brought one knee up, pushing himself back against the fence, but the muscles in his leg were trembling, thanks to the pounding he had just taken. A burning sensation was starting to creep along his arms and his head was throbbing. \u201cHurry,\u201d he whispered to whoever was coming his way.<\/p>\n

The cattle were no longer milling about anxiously, but were beginning to calm down and start grazing. Joe just hoped that the appearance of the riders that he could hear coming wouldn\u2019t startle the spooked animals again, because if they should stampede, he would be in a lot of danger. Joe swallowed with difficulty, feeling the rope rasping over his Adam\u2019s apple. His mouth was as dry as a desert.<\/p>\n

It was another few minutes before the first rider came into view and immediately slowed their horse, putting up a hand to warn the others following. With a vast amount of relief, Joe recognised Hoss. He willed his brother to look in his direction, for shouting was beyond him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s them cows,\u201d Hoss called back over his shoulder and Joe saw Adam ride up, along with several hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe should be here somewhere\u2026\u201d Adam said. Their voices carried easily over the still air in the meadow. He glanced around and spotted Joe immediately. \u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Those moments were probably the most dangerous of all for Joe. The relief that he had been found caused his body to start slumping as the tension began to ebb away. But as that happened, he slid down slightly and began to choke anew. Desperately he fought, but that only made things worse.<\/p>\n

But he wasn\u2019t alone. Moments later, he felt someone\u2019s arms around him, holding him up and he opened his eyes to look into Adam\u2019s concerned face. \u201cEasy, Joe,\u201d Adam urged. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to keep still so we can help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep still,\u201d Hoss urged and Joe felt something cold against his neck. His absolute trust in his brothers allowed him to keep still as Hoss slid his knife blade under the rope round Joe\u2019s neck and gently cut through it. The relief was immediate as the pressure vanished and Joe slumped down even further. It took only seconds before his arms were cut free, and Adam laid Joe gently on the grass.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet some water,\u201d he told Hoss curtly. \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d He began to rub some life back into Joe\u2019s arms. The returning circulation made Joe wince slightly, but it was a huge improvement over the burning he had been suffering before.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay,\u201d he whispered. He heard Hoss returning with the canteen and gulped eagerly at the cool water. \u201cThanks,\u201d he added, as he finished. He leaned back against Hoss\u2019 broad chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam asked, seeing that Joe did look better after the drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimon and co again,\u201d Joe replied. His voice felt raspy and his throat was sore. A hand strayed up to feel his neck, but Adam prevented him. \u201cThey set that fire and were going to drive the cattle through this fence, but I\u2019d repaired too much of it.\u201d He reached for the canteen again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better get Joe home,\u201d Adam decided. He rose and walked away and a few moments later, Joe could hear him giving orders to the hands. He closed his eyes briefly, suddenly exhausted. He opened them as Adam came back. \u201cThink you\u2019re up to riding?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cFred will bring the buckboard back; you can have his horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can ride,\u201d Joe croaked. Hoss and Adam helped Joe to his feet and Adam went to retrieve Joe\u2019s shirt, hat and gun belt while Hoss kept a close eye on Joe. Apart from a few winces, Joe kept his feet quite easily, which reassured the big man. He had felt his heart contract when he spotted the way Joe was trussed to the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go,\u201d Adam said, plonking Joe\u2019s hat on at a rakish angle. He slid a sleeve carefully over Joe\u2019s wrist, pulled the material over his brother\u2019s shoulders and up the other arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can dress myself,\u201d Joe protested mildly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll believe you,\u201d Adam responded dryly and handed Joe his gun belt, which the younger man buckled around his slender hips. He stayed close as Joe walked across to Fred\u2019s horse, and watched while Joe mounted and got settled. Then, convinced that Joe wasn\u2019t going to black out, he mounted his own horse and they set off for home.<\/p>\n

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

If Ben had been angry the previous day, it was nothing compared to his fury when his sons arrived home. His anger was further fuelled by Joe\u2019s appearance and every wince or cough just fanned the flames even higher. Tenderly, he helped Joe into the house and made him sit down on the settee, although Joe protested the whole time that he was all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to report this to Roy,\u201d he declared. \u201cAnd I think the doctor should take a look at you, Joe.\u201d His warm hand lingered too close to Joe\u2019s neck for the young man\u2019s comfort and he moved uneasily. He didn\u2019t know that there was a huge rope burn on his neck, but it was sore enough that he didn\u2019t want anyone accidentally touching it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay,\u201d Joe protested, but it might have convinced everyone more if his voice hadn\u2019t cracked slightly at the end.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to talk to Roy anyway,\u201d Adam pointed out calmly. \u201cYou were the one that Simon told about setting the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to Roy,\u201d Joe agreed, wearily. He rose to his feet and stifled a wince. He had yet more bruises to add to the collection he had received the previous day. He walked slowly out to the yard and waited obediently as Hoss saddled Cochise for him. All too soon, they were riding into town.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWe\u2019ll git up a posse tomorra an\u2019 go lookin\u2019 fer them,\u201d Roy promised. \u201cI c\u2019n hardly believe it. Those boys always seemed all right, compared to some of \u2018em.\u201d He twinkled a joking look at Joe, who smiled tiredly. But it was true. Simon had always tended to be something of a bully, but Jason usually kept him under control. Mikey was a follower and a whiner, but all right. None of them had ever got into serious trouble and it was because of this reputation that Ben had hired them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben sighed. He saw the tiredness on Joe\u2019s face and decided that it would be a good idea to get Joe to the doctor and then home. He had had a hard couple of days. \u201cWe\u2019ll be keeping our eyes out for them, too.\u201d He rose and his sons rose along with him. \u201cThanks, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a light on in Paul\u2019s surgery and Ben took Joe\u2019s arm to steer him over that way. Joe didn\u2019t bother to resist \u2013 he knew an immoveable object when he met one.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take Paul long to establish that no permanent damage had been done to Joe\u2019s throat or vocal cords. He was quite bruised by then, and the rope burn looked red, so Paul bandaged it gently, along with the burns on Joe\u2019s wrists. \u201cGo home and rest,\u201d he ordered. \u201cKeep the bandages on for a couple of days, till we make sure no infection sets in, but you\u2019re fine, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben replied, gratefully. He steered Joe out into the waiting room where Adam and Hoss were sitting. He gave them both a smile and even before he spoke, they knew that Joe was going to be all right. \u201cHe\u2019s fine, boys,\u201d Ben reassured them. \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201c\u2026So keep an eye out for anything suspicious,\u201d Ben concluded. He watched as the men gathered around him nodded and mumbled agreement. He had been warning them about their erstwhile colleagues. At least, he thought as he dismissed the men, he hadn\u2019t had to give descriptions of the men. The hands all knew each other.<\/p>\n

Turning to his sons, who were standing together by the corral, Ben raised his eyebrows. \u201cHave you no work to do?\u201d he enquired, in a tone that suggested that \u2018no\u2019 would be the wrong answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure do,\u201d Hoss agreed and moved off with alacrity. He was more than happy for Adam and Joe to talk to Ben.<\/p>\n

Raising his eyebrows, Ben waited. Sure enough, Adam immediately began to speak. \u201cWe should ride up and warn the timber crews, too, Pa,\u201d he suggested. \u201cThe fire yesterday didn\u2019t do much damage, because it was spotted in time. But if the men are busy, they might not notice another one as soon. They need to be alert, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose they do,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAnd you two thought you\u2019d go and do that, did you? Very commendable, sons.\u201d He hoped that he had hidden his amusement from them. Their motive was so transparent.<\/p>\n

The brothers exchanged a look. \u201cTold you Hoss leaving would give us away,\u201d Joe commented laconically.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you did,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cWhat do you say, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, go tell the timber crews,\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cBut don\u2019t spend all day looking for the others, all right? I would like you both do some work today. Joe, don\u2019t overdo it, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed, readily. Too readily, Ben thought. He knew that if by some chance Joe and Adam did meet up with the gang, overdoing things would not be on Joe\u2019s mind at all! He watched them mount. \u201cBe careful,\u201d he called after them, although he hadn\u2019t meant to say anything.<\/p>\n

As Ben went into the barn to get his horse, an uneasy feeling crawled down his spine and it took all his determination not to go after them both.<\/p>\n

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

Riding out to the timber camps took longer than the actual explanations did. The crews agreed that they would keep a look out for the men, and the boss frowned thoughtfully. \u201cI think I seen them men,\u201d he muttered as everyone else went back to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d Joe asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me think,\u201d the man muttered and scratched his sweating, balding head. It was another hot day. Joe looked at Adam, but his older brother was watching the boss. \u201cI know!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cI seen them over by the Carson City road a day or so ago.\u201d He pointed. \u201cI\u2019m sure it was them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Adam told him, clapping him on the shoulder. \u201cC\u2019mon, Joe, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t need any urging. He was already mounting.<\/p>\n

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

Silently, they rode towards the Carson City road. It took them about an hour to reach the place that they had been told about, where the gang had been seen.<\/p>\n

Cautiously, they dismounted a short distance away and tethered the horses securely. Wordlessly, Adam drew his gun and glanced round to see that Joe had drawn his, too. He nodded. Joe returned the gesture and they made their way over to the campsite.<\/p>\n

Separating, they eased their way through the foliage. Adam felt a twinge of worry as Joe disappeared from his sight. True, Joe had not been badly hurt in his last two encounters with these men, but Adam was not naive enough to think that this pattern was bound to continue. If something was going to happen, it usually happened to Joe.<\/p>\n

There was a sudden cry and Adam felt a lurch in his gut. He dived through the concealing foliage and discovered that Joe\u2019s cry had been of frustration, not fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re gone!\u201d Joe exclaimed in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I see,\u201d Adam retorted in equal disgust. \u201cYou do know that I thought they had attacked you again? When you shouted a minute ago, I thought they were here.\u201d He drew a deep breath, trying to calm himself. It was the mingled fear and relief that were causing him to lose his temper. He couldn\u2019t prevent giving his youngest brother a glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe replied, contritely. \u201cI didn\u2019t think. I was just so frustrated that they\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam nodded, placing a hand momentarily on the back of Joe\u2019s neck. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t mean to jump all over you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do now?\u201d Joe asked as Adam holstered his gun. \u201cJust go home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we let Roy know what we found?\u201d Adam suggested. He was as disappointed as Joe that they had found the gang\u2019s encampment too late.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed. They made their way back to the horses.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou\u2019re very quiet,\u201d Adam noted as they reached the outskirts of the town.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cThese guys are looking to rustle some cattle, so they must have somewhere in mind to stash them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh,\u201d Adam nodded cautiously, wondering where Joe was going with this.<\/p>\n

That was all the encouragement Joe needed. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we start looking in the most likely places?\u201d Joe urged, enthusiastically. \u201cAfter all, we\u2019ve lived round here long enough to know the best hiding places.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, that could take forever,\u201d Adam admonished. \u201cWe could spend the rest of our lives doing that.\u201d He saw Joe\u2019s face fall. \u201cBesides, what do you think Roy has been doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what Roy\u2019s been doing!\u201d Joe shot back. \u201cBut Roy is only one man, Adam. He can\u2019t be everywhere at once. He\u2019s needed in town, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suggest that we find out what Roy has been doing first, before you shoot off on one of your little adventures,\u201d Adam replied, sarcastically. \u201cAfter all, you\u2019ve come off worst both times you\u2019ve met them and needed us to help you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

He regretted his sarcastic words at once. \u201cDon\u2019t you think I know that?\u201d Joe retorted, his face showing all too clearly his hurt at Adam\u2019s words. \u201cI was just suggesting that we do something to help Roy out. But fine, you please yourself, Adam! After all, we all know you\u2019re always right!\u201d He urged his horse into a quicker gait.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Dammit, don\u2019t go off mad!\u201d Adam called after him, but he might as well have been spitting into the wind for all the effect his words had on his brother. Cursing under his breath, Adam urged Sport to a lope.<\/p>\n

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

It was rather a relief for Adam to see Joe dismounting in front of the sheriff\u2019s office as they had planned. Joe waited for Adam to dismount and they went into the office together, but Joe resolutely refused to look at Adam and said not a word. Adam knew he would have to talk to Joe to sort things out between them, and soon, but he didn\u2019t want to do it in public, or in the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee, the sheriff, was buckling on his gun belt as the Cartwrights entered his office. He looked up, then smiled a welcome. \u201cI jist sent someone out ta speak ta you folks,\u201d he announced. He glanced past them, clearly expecting to see Ben and Hoss, too. \u201cAin\u2019t yer pa with ya?\u201d he enquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, just us,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cWe were coming to tell you that we found the place where that gang had been camped, but they\u2019ve gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sent someone out ta tell ya that we think they\u2019ve done another ranch yesterday. Same pattern as they used on yer place,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cThey set a fire first, then stole a bunch of cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny leads?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon so,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cYa fellas wanna come along?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure do,\u201d Joe agreed before Adam could say anything. He shot Adam a glance.<\/p>\n

Before Adam could react, there was a thunder of hooves outside and Roy dashed over to the door and threw it open. Clem Foster, Roy\u2019s deputy, was just getting down off his horse. \u201cRoy! We\u2019ve spotted them on the outskirts of town! They haven\u2019t seen us, and the posse\u2019s keepin\u2019 them under surveillance. Hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t need to add that last word, as Roy was already hurrying towards his horse. Joe thought vaguely that he had never seen Roy moved so quickly, but the thought was nebulous and swiftly lost as he mounted his own horse.<\/p>\n

They went by a roundabout route to avoid alerting the men they were chasing. Adam tried to get Joe\u2019s attention to talk to him, but Joe was deliberately blanking his older brother and Adam finally gave up. Shouting back on forth on a horse was not the way he wanted to straighten things out.<\/p>\n

Stopping at the side of the old feed store, they left the horses there and went on, on foot. The deserted livery stable \u2013 out grown when the mines hit silver \u2013 gave them shelter as they crept forward.\u00a0 About 100 yards away, the men were sitting under a tree, talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cBet they\u2019ve got the cattle hidden in Dry Creek Canyon,\u201d Joe whispered and was gratified to see Roy nod in agreement. Dry Creek Canyon was close to town, but only local kids went there to play sometimes.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s move out,\u201d Roy suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, be careful,\u201d Adam said, as Joe followed in Roy\u2019s wake.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe looked at him. \u201cAnd you,\u201d he replied, although his tone did not yet have the warmth that Adam was accustomed to hearing.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t really enough, Adam decided as he, too, followed Roy. But it was all they had time for and would have to do.<\/p>\n

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

Given the lack of cover, it was no surprise that the posse was spotted at once. Jason, Phil, Simon, Steve and Mikey all leapt to their feet and made a dash for their horses. Phil made it as far as his saddle, but by then, gunfire was being exchanged and Phil stopped a bullet. As he dropped from his saddle, the other horses broke free, spooked by the repeated firing so close by, and took off.<\/p>\n

Simon took a shot at Roy that blew the sheriff\u2019s hat off and fled into the trees. Jason followed close on his heels. Seeing this, Joe veered off to go after them, and Adam raced after him. He momentarily lost sight of Joe amongst the trees and when Adam did spot him again, he was in time to see Simon appear out of the trees and swing his gun down onto Joe\u2019s head. Silently, the youngest Cartwright toppled to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam cried and heedlessly dashed to his brother\u2019s rescue, forgetting that there was another suspect in those trees. He fired wildly at Simon, knowing that his aim was erratic and Simon ducked, grabbing Joe. Next moment, a gun butt crashed down onto Adam\u2019s head and he fell to the ground, the world spinning crazily.<\/p>\n

He could hear crashing all around and somehow forced himself to his feet, leaning heavily on the nearest tree for support. He glanced towards where Joe had been lying and realised that his brother was gone! Turning too swiftly, Adam almost lost his precarious hold on his balance, but somehow managed to right himself. He staggered from the trees in time to see Simon and Jason dragging Joe into the old livery stable. Adam took a step after them and crashed to the ground, out cold.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cTie him up!\u201d Simon ordered Jason as he barricaded the doors. They were both panting, but unscathed. Joe lay in an unconscious heap on the ground where they had thrown him. There was blood matting his chestnut curls. Jason snatched up a length of discarded rope, briefly tested it for soundness, and used it to tie Joe\u2019s hands and feet.<\/p>\n

As Jason finished tying Joe, he glanced at Simon, who was prowling about the building. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should get into the loft,\u201d Simon replied. \u201cWe can defend it more easily. Take that rope \u2013 its long enough that we can lower ourselves to the ground. But they can only get up into the loft by this ladder. Throw Cartwright up there, too. He\u2019ll be useful as a hostage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like your thinking,\u201d Jason replied, with a wolfish grin. Between them, they manoeuvred Joe into the loft and set about rigging the rope for their escape.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAdam, can ya hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy?\u201d Adam murmured, recognising the voice that pulled him from the all-enveloping blackness. He struggled to sit up. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon ya must\u2019ve got conked on the head,\u201d Roy replied, once more wiping away a trickle of blood from Adam\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam remembered and tried to get to his feet, but a wave of pain from his head hammered him back to the ground. \u201cThey\u2019ve got Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Roy replied, grimly. \u201cThey\u2019ve holed up in the old livery.\u201d He exchanged a glance with Clem. Now, they had a hostage situation to deal with. Roy hated that, as the hostage seldom survived.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam whispered, anguished. One thought beat through his mind; they hadn\u2019t properly made up their quarrel.<\/p>\n

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

Slowly, Joe opened his eyes. The world swam in front of his eyes for a moment before his focus finally sorted itself out. His head was thumping and when he tried to move, he discovered that he was bound hand and foot. Squinting, Joe lifted his head and peered around him. What he saw made no sense; he seemed to be in a hayloft. How had he got there? Turning his head a bit further, he saw Simon and Jason crouching by the big doors usually used to bring hay bales into the loft. Memory came racing back to him and he couldn\u2019t stifle a groan.<\/p>\n

Hearing the groan, Simon rose and walked over to Joe, standing over him and gazing impassively down. Joe fought to keep his expression neutral. \u201cSo you\u2019re awake,\u201d Simon remarked. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything, Cartwright. I\u2019ll kill you as soon as look at you; just remember that!\u201d He brandished his gun.<\/p>\n

The only answer Joe could think of to that wasn\u2019t the wisest one, so he kept it to himself, contenting himself with holding Simon\u2019s gaze until the other man turned and walked calmly away. At once, Joe began to struggle against his bonds. He watched his captors all the time, immediately ceasing his struggles if one of them began to turn round.<\/p>\n

But neither Simon nor Jason were overly interested in Joe at that point. They were too busy watching the goings-on outside through a gap in the big doors. \u201cLook!\u201d Jason exclaimed. \u201cThere\u2019s Ben Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight have known he\u2019d show up,\u201d Simon remarked, disparagingly. \u201cAw, look; he\u2019s kneeling beside Adam. Ain\u2019t that sweet? Daddy\u2019s worried about his little boy!\u201d He laughed.<\/p>\n

The relief that Joe had felt at the sound of his father\u2019s name died away. Adam! What had happened to Adam? Fear lanced through Joe\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa,\u201d Adam insisted. The unfocused gaze told his concerned father a different story. Adam was, at the very least, concussed. He gently restrained his oldest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you are, son,\u201d he agreed. \u201cBut you stay right there until the doctor says you\u2019re all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Joe!\u201d Adam protested, trying to get up once more. A sideways tilt of the world kept him down.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet Hoss and I worry about Joe,\u201d Ben instructed. \u201cWe\u2019ll get your brother out safely, don\u2019t worry.\u201d He exchanged a glance with Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe sure will,\u201d he agreed. \u201cAn\u2019 if\u2019n ya don\u2019 stay down there, I\u2019ll sit on ya!\u201d Adam gave a sort of laugh, which was reassuring to his family.<\/p>\n

Just then, Doctor Paul Martin arrived and knelt by Adam. Ben hovered helplessly, but Paul was soon smiling up at him. \u201cNo skull fracture that I can feel,\u201d he told the anxious father. \u201cBut he\u2019s got a concussion. I\u2019ll take him back to the office and he can rest more comfortably there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam objected. \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere until I know Joe is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before either Ben or Paul could say anything, Roy came up. \u201cBen, I\u2019m gonna talk to them boys now. I figgered ya\u2019d want ta come?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d Ben agreed. He went with Roy and Paul let Adam stay where he was. Now that he knew the situation, he could see why Adam wanted to stay.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHere\u2019s the sheriff comin\u2019,\u201d Simon hissed to Jason, who had been tormenting Joe by kicking him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys in there!\u201d Roy shouted. \u201cPut down yer weapons an\u2019 come on out!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo way!\u201d Simon shouted down. \u201cKeep away!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne way or another, we\u2019re comin\u2019 in fer ya,\u201d Roy told him. \u201cMake it easy on yerself an\u2019 give up now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Simon replied. He backed over to where Joe lay and swiftly cut the bonds on Joe\u2019s feet. He yanked Joe to his feet and dragged him across to the door and threw it wider open. \u201cIf you value Joe Cartwright\u2019s life, then back off!\u201d he cried, holding his gun to Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Beside Roy, Ben gasped. \u201cDon\u2019t hurt Joe!\u201d he begged. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t done anything to you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack off and we won\u2019t hurt him,\u201d Simon informed him. \u201cWe want to get out of here, so get us some horses and we might leave Cartwright here. Try anything, and we\u2019ll take him to pieces, one bit at a time.\u201d He shook Joe and the injured young man groaned. The sudden movement had caused his head to start swimming again, and Joe was unaware of the blood that was dried all down his cheek. \u201cNow back off! I don\u2019t want to see you again unless you\u2019re bringing us horses!\u201d He dragged Joe back into the loft and threw him to the floor.<\/p>\n

Outside, Ben turned to Roy. \u201cGet the horses,\u201d he instructed the sheriff. \u201cHoss and I are going to try going in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThink it\u2019ll work?\u201d Jason asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Simon replied, irritably. \u201cBut I tell you one think, Jase, I ain\u2019t hangin\u2019 around here to find out!\u201d He glanced around. \u201cIt\u2019s always worked before, so why not again now?\u201d he mused aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlames?\u201d Jason asked, his eyes lighting up. A shared fascination with fire was one of the things that drew the two young men together.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. We set the loft alight an\u2019 leave Cartwright here. We\u2019ll make good our escape while they\u2019re all trying to save him. Course, they won\u2019t succeed.\u201d He grinned broadly and Joe thought of the saying \u2018beauty is only skin deep\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like your thinking, Si,\u201d Jason responded, also laughing.<\/p>\n

Horrified, Joe tried to get his feet under him to get away, but Simon saw the movement and dived at Joe, grabbing him by the jacket collar and throwing a hard punch into Joe\u2019s face. Joe gasped, but still struggled, so Simon did it again, but harder. This time Joe slumped down, not unconscious, but very close to it.<\/p>\n

Dimly, he heard the others moving, and then the footsteps hurried off somewhere behind him. After a few moments, he heard the sound he most dreaded \u2013 the crackle of flames!<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSmoke!\u201d Hoss cried, pointing. He drew his gun and ran over to the barn, Ben, Roy and Clem right on his heels.<\/p>\n

They threw open the small side door and through the smoke spotted Simon and Jason running towards the back of the building. \u201cStop!\u201d Roy ordered. A bullet whistling past him was his only answer. None of them hesitated. Simon and Jason went down.<\/p>\n

By then, the fire had a thorough hold of the old, dry, building. The loft ladder was already ablaze. \u201cGet out of here!\u201d Roy cried. He caught Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cBen, ya can\u2019t go in there! The whole place could collapse any minute!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Joe!\u201d Ben cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t no use, Pa!\u201d Hoss yelled over the noise of the flames. He coughed. \u201cIf\u2019n we don\u2019 git out, we\u2019ll all die!\u201d He used his brute strength to drag his father from the burning building. They knew that if either Simon or Jason had survived the shooting, they would have been overcome by smoke.<\/p>\n

Outside, Ben fell to his knees, coughing and retching. His agony for Joe was complete. \u201cJoe,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u201d At the shout, everyone turned and looked up, following Adam\u2019s pointing finger.<\/p>\n

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

The crackling the flames provided Joe with the stimulus he needed. He fought his bonds, but to no avail. They were not going to move. \u201cThink,\u201d he urged himself. \u201cThink!\u201d He coughed. Suddenly, Joe knew what he could do and sat up, painfully threading himself through his bound hands. For a horrid minute, he thought he wasn\u2019t going to be able to do it, but his natural athleticism helped him out and finally his hands were in front of him \u2013 a marked improvement.<\/p>\n

A single glance at the ladder told Joe he would not be going down that way! The whole thing was engulfed in flames and as he watched, fascinated, they began to crawl over the floor towards him. He was totally unaware of the shooting from below; the noise of the fire was too intense.<\/p>\n

There was only one hope and Joe went over to the door and paused. He didn\u2019t care for heights and the thought of jumping from the loft was daunting. He took another step closer and salvation appeared. Joe saw the escape rope that Jason had rigged for himself and Simon.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t hesitate any longer. He could feel the heat of the flames growing with every moment. He grasped the rope firmly in both hands and swung himself out of the door.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cLook!\u201d At the shout, everyone turned and looked up, following Adam\u2019s pointing finger. Silhouetted against the flames was a dark figure.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben gasped and rushed forward as his son jumped from the loft, convinced that Joe was going to fall to his death.<\/p>\n

It took a moment before Ben realised that Joe was holding into a rope and his heartbeat slowed a fraction. But his relief was short-lived, for suddenly the fire burst through the door where Joe had been a scant few moments before and began to eat its way down the rope.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben screamed and rushed forward.<\/p>\n

Feeling the sudden give in the rope, Joe glanced up and saw that it was giving way. He dropped a few feet quite suddenly and realised, with horror that he was going to have to jump for it. But there was no choice. Joe let go and plummeted to the ground, landing with a sickening thump. The flaming rope coiled down after him, missing him by some miracle.<\/p>\n

By then, Ben was at Joe\u2019s side, knowing he had to move his son to safety, but terrified that Joe was badly injured and moving him might make everything worse. Joe\u2019s eyes were shut. Then other hands were there, and Ben saw that Paul Martin was taking charge and he knelt to help in any way he could. Together, he, Hoss, Clem and Paul lifted Joe and carried him across to where Adam lay. As they set the injured young man down, there was a loud crash from behind them as the barn caved in on itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben knelt by his son and gently stroked the blood-matted curls back from his son\u2019s face. He was oblivious to Paul ordering a stretcher and Hoss slicing through the ropes that held Joe captive. All his attention was fixed on his son\u2019s pale, unmoving features.<\/p>\n

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

The waiting was driving them crazy. Adam lay on a couch in the waiting room, a basin strategically placed by his side. He slipped in and out of an uneasy doze, his head still throbbing mercilessly. The bouts of nausea seemed to have abated for the moment, but he wasn\u2019t too sanguine about them not returning. Adam had been concussed before.<\/p>\n

Across the room, Hoss slumped in a chair that seemed far too frail to support his large frame. He had washed his face free of soot at some point and had tended to Adam when the sickness had hit. Now, he just waited, his anxiety printed all too clearly on his usually genial face.<\/p>\n

Neither brother was able to find the words to reassure the other that Joe would be all right.<\/p>\n

At long last, the door to the surgery opened and their father came out. Hoss was on his feet without realising, his chair rocking from his precipitous exit. Adam, too, tried to rise, but as his stomach flipped over nastily, he aborted the movement. They both looked wordlessly at Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother is awake,\u201d Ben reported and saw the smiles beginning. \u201cHe\u2019s got a serious concussion, as well as two broken ankles and a broken collarbone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he going to be all right?\u201d Adam asked. From inside the room, through the open door, he could hear Joe coughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019s going to be fine,\u201d Ben replied, reassuringly. \u201cHe breathed in too much smoke, but Paul says his lungs sound clear. Come in and see him, and Paul wants to look you over, too, Adam.\u201d He went over and helped his oldest son to his feet.<\/p>\n

Inside the surgery, Joe lay on the examination table. He was incredibly pale, his shoulders bound in a figure-8 bandage and his right arm in a sling. The sheet that covered him was drawn back to his knees, allowing the still-wet plaster casts the chance to dry. There was a bandage round his head, similar to the one Adam wore. But he was awake, even if he wasn\u2019t smiling. But the relief on his face when he saw Adam was evident.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u201dYou see?\u201d Paul asked. \u201cI told you he was fine. You\u2019ve got to start believing me, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

For a few minutes, Adam and Joe just looked at one another as Hoss fussed over Joe, drawing a wan smile from his little brother while Paul checked Adam\u2019s head. But apart from a few glances at Hoss and Ben, Joe kept his eyes riveted on his older brother, who made his way over to Joe\u2019s side as soon as the doctor was finished with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never got the chance to apologise properly to you,\u201d Adam said softly as he sat down by Joe, the ever-present basin on his lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cNor I to you,\u201d Joe agreed. He looked at the basin. \u201cIs that for you or me?\u201d he asked, for he had thrown up several times since wakening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhichever of us needs it,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cWe\u2019ll share; how\u2019s that?\u201d He put his hand lightly on Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cI am sorry, Joe. I shouldn\u2019t have jumped all over you like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, too,\u201d Joe replied and coughed hollowly. He sighed, completely worn out. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have lost my temper.\u201d He moved his good arm and put his hand on top of Adam\u2019s and squeezed gently.<\/p>\n

After a moment, Ben gently intervened. \u201cYou need to get a little sleep, both of you,\u201d he chided them. \u201cAdam, there\u2019s a bed prepared for you over there. Hoss, you get yourself a room at the hotel for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about ya, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father will be joining you as soon as these two are settled,\u201d Paul replied. He held his hand up as Ben started to protest. \u201cMy nurse is quite capable of wakening them every two hours during the night, Ben and you can get some rest while you can. Joe is going to need a lot of help for a while.\u201d As if to reinforce that message, Joe leaned over and vomited into the basin on Adam\u2019s lap. A moment later, his older brother copied him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help you clean this up,\u201d Ben offered as he saw the resigned look on Paul\u2019s face. \u201cAnd then I\u2019ll leave you to it.\u201d Together, they cleaned the boys up and then Ben bid each one a tender goodnight.<\/p>\n

With Hoss at his side to make sure he didn\u2019t return to the doctor\u2019s office, Ben went to the hotel for a much needed sleep.<\/p>\n

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

It was doubtful if any of them got much sleep that night. Ben was disturbed by visions of Joe silhouetted in the doorway against the flames, but in his dreams, Joe didn\u2019t always escape. Hoss\u2019 dreams were more nebulous than that, but woke him regularly all the same. Both Joe and Adam were wakened every couple of hours all night, and come morning, Joe was very cranky.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019d be better off here where I can give him the painkillers he needs when he needs them,\u201d Paul argued when Ben suggested taking his sons home. \u201cAnd it saves me a trip out to the ranch every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben wavered; he knew how busy Paul was, and the Ponderosa wasn\u2019t exactly close by. But then his eye fell on Joe, who was saying nothing, but his face was pinched and white as he thought of being left behind in town. He knew his family would visit him every day, but it wasn\u2019t the same as being home and Joe desperately wanted to go home. He wanted to sleep in his own bed and eat Hop Sing\u2019s cooking. He didn\u2019t want to be lonely and sick in town. He far preferred being lonely and sick in his own bed, where he knew he was only disrupting the daily routine a little bit.<\/p>\n

Drawing Paul aside, Ben lowered his voice. \u201cIf this was Adam we were discussing, I\u2019d agree, Paul. Adam would make the best of it and recover just as quickly here as he would at home. But this is Joe we\u2019re discussing and I don\u2019t think its best for him. He needs to have us as close by as he can. Yes, all right, we might not be in the house with him, but we\u2019d be on the same ranch, and we both know that, mentally, that\u2019s better for Joe. He\u2019ll stay here if I insist, but look at him, Paul. I\u2019m sorry, but I think it\u2019s best if Joe is at home, under my eye. Hop Sing will keep an eye on the boy if we\u2019re not able to be there. And its not as if I\u2019ve never nursed a sick child before!\u201d He rolled his eyes as he made this last statement, for heaven knows, Joe alone had required more nursing than both his brothers put together!<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do realise that Joe will be completely dependent on you, Ben, don\u2019t you?\u201d Paul asked. \u201cThere\u2019s very little he can do for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben nodded. \u201cAnd you do remember that Joe is left-handed?\u201d he prompted. \u201cHe\u2019ll be able to do enough for himself. Lord knows, he\u2019s endured worse than this. At least this time he can pee by himself!\u201d The burst of laughter from the doctor and Ben made all three sons look at each other, one quizzical eyebrow raised.<\/p>\n

\u201cI give in!\u201d Paul spluttered. \u201cTake him home! I\u2019ll travel the extra miles and not count the cost!\u201d He shook his head at Ben. \u201cIts all right, I\u2019m teasing. I think you\u2019re right, Ben. I think Joe will be better off at home. I\u2019ll give you some painkiller to take back with you, but be careful how you hand them out, all right? No more than one tablet every four hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be careful,\u201d Ben promised. He turned to Joe, who still looked white and worried. \u201cYou\u2019re coming home, son,\u201d he told him and was rewarded with Joe\u2019s brilliant smile.<\/p>\n

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

Joe\u2019s recuperation was not completely straightforward. He found it frustrating not being able to get about alone, although he was extremely grateful that he only required minimal help with his personal bodily needs. To begin with, he had Adam for company, as his older brother recovered from the severe concussion he had received.\u00a0 But once Adam was well again, Joe spent more time alone and he spent a lot of time thinking about the day he and Adam had quarrelled.<\/p>\n

With the passage of time, and the use of 20-20 vision in hindsight, he could see that Adam had only been worried about Joe\u2019s safety. However, he had expressed it badly, and Joe had reacted badly. Neither of them had come out of the encounter with any laurels! The breach had been mended without any lasting recriminations and Joe vowed once more to think before he spoke or acted. Whether he would ever manage this miraculous feat he didn\u2019t know, but he intended to try.<\/p>\n

A couple of weeks later, Ben came and told him about the outcome of the trial. Mikey and Steve had both received long stretches in prison for rustling. \u201cWhat happened to Simon and Jason?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were shot,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cAnd we couldn\u2019t get to them because of the fire in the barn. But when the bodies were recovered, we knew they were killed before the fire got to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wondered,\u201d Joe replied, quietly. \u201cI can never forgive them, Pa. They left me there to die.\u201d For a moment Joe was silent and Ben prayed fervently that God would give him the words he needed. \u201cI was never friends with them, exactly,\u201d Joe mused before Ben could speak. \u201cWe got on all right, I suppose, when we were kids in school. I was enough of a daredevil to earn their respect, I guess. They never bothered me. I suppose I was in trouble quite a bit.\u201d He grinned at Ben after that admission. Ben grinned back. It was no secret that Joe had not been happy in school. An exceptionally clever boy, he had absorbed facts without noticing and relieved his boredom by playing pranks. Luckily, none of the pranks had been nasty, and almost every teacher had been charmed by Joe; apart from Miss Abigail Jones, who had seen Joe as a means to get to his brother Adam, and had not taken it too kindly when her wiles failed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were pleased to see them when they came home,\u201d Ben remarked, neutrally.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I was,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut apart from Tuck and Seth,\u201d Joe made a face at the mention of Seth\u2019s name, \u201cmost of my school friends had moved on.\u201d He sighed. \u201cI guess I was just pleased to be able to help someone I knew. I suppose I coloured those memories, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts sometimes hard not to colour memories,\u201d Ben ventured. \u201cI find myself doing it, too. Oh, don\u2019t get me wrong, Joe, I have a lot of good memories. But I sometimes find myself looking at people or situations through rose-coloured glasses and sometimes we pay a penalty for fooling ourselves.\u201d He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should venture on, but he saw that Joe had already picked up that he had something hidden and was waiting for Ben to reveal what it was. This youngest son of his was all too quick to pick up on unspoken thoughts. \u201cBut I found out the other day that Simon had often set fires when he was young. His mother\u2019s friend says he tried to set fire to her house one day after she had refused him another cookie. Luckily, she had caught the fire before it got going. Simon was whipped for it, and everyone assumed that his love affair with fire was over. Roy has been asking about Simon, and it seems that everywhere he went in those years that he was away from town, he had been around when there had been a major fire. Paul says there\u2019s a word for the condition. Pyro – pyro-something. I can\u2019t remember what it is. So it seems Simon was sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a long silence as Joe assimilated this information. Ben watched him anxiously throughout. Joe was one of the strongest people he knew, but he wasn\u2019t sure how his son would take this information.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can understand Simon was sick,\u201d Joe said, at last.\u00a0 He lifted his green eyes to meet his father\u2019s dark gaze. \u201cBut I can never understand why he could have left me there to die. All right, we weren\u2019t the friends I thought we were, but I couldn\u2019t leave someone alone and helpless to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Joe,\u201d Ben assured him, realising that he was holding Joe\u2019s good hand. \u201cYou could never kill a man in cold blood. None of my boys could.\u201d He patted Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cI\u2019m very proud of all my boys,\u201d he whispered, suddenly close to tears with that pride.<\/p>\n

As he lay down to sleep, Joe thought that he and his brothers had been incredibly lucky. Granted, others might not think so, given that each boy had lost his mother at a tender age. But they had had a father who loved them deeply and had shown them, by example as well as by word, how to behave. Joe hoped that one day, when he became a real grown-up, he would be just like his pa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019ll be a better man than me,\u201d Ben whispered and Joe was startled to realise that he had spoken that thought aloud.<\/p>\n

Sleepily, Joe reached out for Ben. \u201cYou\u2019re the best father ever,\u201d he replied as the flames of love fanned high in his heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A gang of rustlers is plaguing the Virginia City area.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0 (10,205 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":12989,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-5917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2410,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/s-l500-2a.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":5917,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5391,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5391","url_meta":{"origin":5917,"position":1},"title":"The End of a War (by BnzaGal)","author":"BnzaGal","date":"June 30, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Written using the five words (Bachelor, Medieval, Commence, Culmination, and Tassel) from the Chaps & Spurs Challenge, June 2011. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,110 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Calamity-over-the-Comstock-8.jpg?fit=634%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7694,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7694","url_meta":{"origin":5917,"position":2},"title":"Sally Lynn, Swimming, and Sweet Revenge (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A young Little Joe finds out about feminine revenge. 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