Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I Won’t Be Spoiled No More<\/strong><\/p>\n On this Saturday morning, Ben was sending the boys out to the east pasture to make fence repairs. Earlier in the week, Adam and Hoss had rode along the fence line, identifying loose or rotting posts. Hoss and Adam got supplies loaded in the wagon Friday afternoon so everything would be ready to go Saturday morning. The only delay that they might have would be Little Joe. Pa wanted them to take eleven year old Joe with them, but the boy was notorious for sleeping late on Saturdays.Adam approached Joe\u2019s bedroom and steeled himself for combat. He rapped on the door and then went in. He was not surprised to see Joe sprawled across the bed, sound asleep. Going over to the pitcher on the nightstand, Adam poured some water into the basin. Then, he cupped his hand, submerged it in the basin, and brought it up. He wore a devious grin as he approached his little brother\u2019s sleeping form with the water cupped in his palm. Since Joe was on his stomach, Adam let the cool water drip onto the back of his brother\u2019s neck.Little Joe sprang from the bed at the feel of cool water on his neck. \u201cGaaaahhh!\u201d was all he could get out at first. \u201cWhy can\u2019t you wake someone up like a normal person?\u201d he finally shouted at Adam.Adam just crossed his arms over his chest. \u201cWell, you don\u2019t wake up like a normal person. The water worked, though.\u201d With that, Adam left his brother\u2019s room. He could hear Joe sputtering and grumbling from the hallway.Passing Hoss on the stairs, Adam said, \u201cI got Joe up. We should be ready to go soon.\u201d\u201cHop Sing is gettin\u2019 us some lunch together,\u201d answered Hoss.Adam continued down the stairs while Hoss went up to check on Little Joe. He wished that Adam hadn\u2019t woke the boy up. Whatever he did would probably leave the youngest Cartwright cranky all day.Hoss tapped on his brother\u2019s door. He looked in to see his brother hopping around on one foot while trying to put on a sock. \u201cMornin\u2019, Joe. Adam wants ta be ready ta go in a half hour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy does Adam take such pleasure in pesterin\u2019 me? Why can\u2019t he wake me up with a shake to the shoulder or somethin\u2019?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n Hoss didn\u2019t know what had happened, but he knew Little Joe could be really hard to wake on Saturday mornings. School days were hard enough for Pa and Adam to get the boy up and off in time. \u201cWell, I\u2019m sure Adam did what he thought was best,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n Getting his sock on, Joe quit hopping. As he pulled on his pants, he looked at Hoss and said \u201cI wanna work with you today, Hoss. I don\u2019t wanna work with Old Bossy Boots. Please, Hoss, tell Pa to let me work with you.\u201d Joe had a pleading look in his eyes. To increase his plea, Joe added, \u201cAdam\u2019s got somethin\u2019 against me and wants to work me so hard I\u2019ll be old before my time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam ain\u2019t got nothin\u2019 against ya, Joe,\u201d answered Hoss. \u201cThe two of ya jes have diff\u2019rent personalities is all. But ya do got some things in common.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike what?\u201d asked Joe skeptically.<\/p>\n \u201cYer both bears in the mornin\u2019,\u201d replied Hoss. With that, he left Joe\u2019s room and headed for the stairs.<\/p>\n For once, Joe was left speechless. How could he and Adam have anything in common? Well, they did have Pa in common, but that was it.<\/p>\n Joe came down the stairs while fastening his belt. Pa was sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee. Hoss was back at the table, eating more biscuits and bacon. Adam was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Joseph. You\u2019d better get some breakfast before your brother eats it all.\u201d Ben gestured at Hoss with his coffee cup as he said this. \u201cBe quick about it, though, because Adam is getting the horses hitched to the wagon. He\u2019ll be ready to leave soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do we hafta leave so early?\u201d Joe asked as he plopped himself down at the table. He reached for the plate of biscuits at the same moment as Hoss. Ben cleared his throat and Hoss withdrew his hand so Joe could get some food.<\/p>\n \u201cYou boys have a long day ahead of you,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cYour brothers noticed quite a number of rotting fence posts earlier in the week. The hands got many new posts put in, but I need them to move the cattle to the north pasture today. You boys will be doing all of the work today on the fence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmph,\u201d said Joe with a mouthful of biscuit and eggs.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t speak with your mouth full, Joseph,\u201d reprimanded Ben.<\/p>\n After swallowing, Joe said, \u201cWhy have I gotta work on the fence? Why can\u2019t Adam and Hoss take care of it?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 face started to turn red. He didn\u2019t get angry very often, but he could feel his dander rising at Joe\u2019s comment.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, you benefit from living on this ranch. I expect you to help in its running. This means learning how to do various tasks, including fence repairs. I don\u2019t want to hear any complaints. I expect you to work hard today and listen to your brothers. If they tell you to do something, I expect you to do what\u2019s asked of you without complaint. Do you understand me, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d answered Joe with downcast eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at me, Joseph,\u201d requested Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe answered again. This time, however, he was looking into his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n Adam entered the house to see Hoss and Joe at the table with Pa. \u201cThe wagon\u2019s ready to go,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss got up from the table and went to retrieve their hats. Hoss strapped on his gunbelt after putting on his hat. Adam seemed to be getting impatient with his brothers.<\/p>\n Ben called out to his boys, \u201cAdam, you make sure those repairs get done. Hoss, keep an eye on things and keep your brothers from spending the day arguing.\u201d Both Adam and Joe rolled their eyes at this comment. \u201cJoseph, you mind your brothers. Adam is in charge, so he\u2019ll give the orders. Be careful and I\u2019ll see you this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n As the boys turned to leave, Ben called out for them to wait. He went to his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a gunbelt and gun. He then approached Joe. \u201cJoseph, you know I think you\u2019re too young to be wearing a gun. However, you\u2019ll be out working the fence line today. I want you to take this with you. Only use the gun if you are in danger. It\u2019s not a toy. Adam will let me know if you abuse this privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shot Adam a glare at that remark. He took the gunbelt from his father and strapped it on. In his mind, he seemed a bit taller with the gun strapped to his hip.<\/p>\n The boys finally headed out of the door and to the wagon. Ben followed them outside to see them off. Adam and Joe climbed onto the wagon seat while Hoss mounted Chubb. Riding his own horse would give Hoss greater mobility, especially since he would be working separately from Adam and Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cSee ya later, Pa,\u201d Hoss called as they rode out. Adam tipped his hat in farewell while Joe waved good-bye with a pout. Ben watched his sons until they became specks in the distance. He hoped Joe would check his tongue and put in a hard day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n As the wagon rumbled out of the yard, Adam tried to talk to Joe about the day\u2019s chore. Joe was sitting with his arms across his chest, trying to tune out Adam\u2019s voice. Hoss rode alongside the wagon, whistling a tune.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you listening to me?\u201d Adam asked with exasperation.<\/p>\n \u201cHow can I not hear ya?\u201d replied Joe. \u201cI\u2019m sittin\u2019 right next to ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a difference between hearing and listening. I expect you to listen to me so that we can get the work done in a decent amount of time. I don\u2019t want to have to give you directions four or five times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmph,\u201d Joe snorted in response.<\/p>\n Hoss could see Adam\u2019s hands tensing on the reins. \u201cLil Joe, you\u2019d better listen ta Adam. He taught me how ta mend fences. He\u2019s a good teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you gonna tell Pa on me if I don\u2019t?\u201d asked Joe sarcastically.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Lil Joe, I ain\u2019t,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cPa\u2019ll know ya didn\u2019t listen if we get back really late.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was surprised. He hadn\u2019t thought that dragging his feet could cause them to get home later than planned. He sat up a little straighter and decided he\u2019d better pay attention to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can sleep, Joe,\u201d said Adam, deciding he\u2019d rather ride in silence than talk with a sulky Joe. It\u2019ll be at least another hour before we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n Relieved to have permission to sleep, Joe slumped down in the seat and pulled his hat over his eyes. Even with the jostling of the wagon, he was soon asleep. He dreamed about having wild shootouts with characters that he\u2019d read about in dime novels.<\/p>\n Hoss noticed Joe\u2019s fingers twitching as he slept. \u201cLooks like Lil Joe\u2019s dreamin\u2019 \u2018bout usin\u2019 that there gun,\u201d he remarked to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as he just dreams about it we\u2019ll be okay. Maybe I\u2019ll practice with him if he have time today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019d shore like that,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n Adam began singing to pass the time. He was soon singing some of the lullabies he had sang to Joe when his brother was a baby. Hoss was surprised that Adam was singing those songs and wondered if Adam realized what he was singing.<\/p>\n As they came within sight of the fence, Adam reached over and gave Joe\u2019s shoulder a shake. Startled, the boy jerked awake. Feeling the weight of the gun on his hip, Joe clumsily pulled the pistol from its holster. \u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on?\u201d he asked groggily.<\/p>\n \u201cPut that gun away, Joe,\u201d said Adam in rebuke.<\/p>\n Realizing that he had drawn the gun, Joe turned crimson. He gingerly placed it back in the holster. \u201cSorry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat gun is not a toy,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that!\u201d Joe replied testily.<\/p>\n \u201cWe jes wantcha ta be careful, Lil Joe,\u201d said Hoss, trying to divert his brothers from losing their tempers.<\/p>\n Upon reaching the fence, Adam stopped the wagon. He jumped down while Hoss dismounted from Chubb. The two of them pulled posts, a shovel, a hammer, and nails from the back of the wagon. This was where Hoss would be working for the morning.<\/p>\n \u201cThese supplies ought to keep you busy for a while,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI s\u2019pose,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cWhere\u2019s that packet of food Hop Sing made fer me?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam pulled a small basket of food out from under the wagon seat. He handed it over to Hoss with a smile. \u201cRemember to make that food last, Hoss,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll try ta keep that in mind,\u201d laughed Hoss in reply. \u201cYou two be careful and holler if ya need anythin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam climbed back up onto the wagon and again took up the reins. Joe looked back at Hoss, wishing he could work with him instead of Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re stuck with me today, Joe. You\u2019d better accept the idea now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d answered Joe fliply.<\/p>\n Adam could feel his temper rising and he took a deep breath. He held it for a count of ten and then exhaled. He didn\u2019t want to start out arguing. The day was going to be long enough as it was.<\/p>\n They reached their portion of the fence where they would be working. After dismounting, Adam unhitched the horses and hobbled them. As a precaution, he tethered them to one of the wagon\u2019s wheels with a fifty-foot rope. The horses would have enough leeway to graze but not enough to get too far if they were needed quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp me unload the wagon,\u201d Adam told Joe.<\/p>\n Sulkily, Joe clambered into the back of the wagon to help Adam remove the fence posts. Once the last post was on the ground, Joe threw the hammer and nails over where the posts lay.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t throw things!\u201d Adam yelled. \u201cI don\u2019t want to lose those nails!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry,\u201d Joe said grouchily. The day had started off bad and was just getting worse.<\/p>\n \u201cGet down here so we can get to work,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n Joe jumped out of the wagon and waited for Adam to tell him what to do. He wished he was working with Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll start with here,\u201d Adam said, pointing to a post.<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks okay to me,\u201d Joe said, jamming his hands into his pockets.<\/p>\n \u201cThe post is rotting down near the ground. If we don\u2019t replace it, this one will fall over and make the fence weaker. Go get the shovel so you can start digging a hole for the new post.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t you do that?\u201d asked Joe, hands still in pockets.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I told you to do it,\u201d responded Adam.<\/p>\n Joe went over to the shovel and picked it up while Adam cut the wire on the old fence post. With the wire gone from both sides of the post, Joe would have room to put the new post in. He tried to dig, but the ground was hard. \u201cPut your back into it,\u201d said Adam. A snort was the only response he got.<\/p>\n Unable to stand Joe\u2019s apparent laziness anymore, Adam took the shovel from him and began digging the new hole. Within five minutes, the hole was excavated.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t we just put the new post where the old post is?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new post won\u2019t stand properly in that hole since we won\u2019t be able to pack the soil in tightly. Let\u2019s just get the new post set.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam held the new post while Joe backfilled around the post. \u201cC\u2019mon, Joe, you can get more dirt than that with each shovelful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m doin\u2019 the best I can,\u201d answered Joe testily.<\/p>\n \u201cPa should have you work more often,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know why you and Hoss can\u2019t do this,\u201d Joe said grumpily.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to learn, Joe. Besides, it\u2019s about time Pa stopped spoiling you and expected you to pull your weight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill you lay off?!?\u201d yelled Joe. \u201cI hafta go to school. You were lucky \u2018cause at my age you got to stay home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the lucky one,\u201d Adam replied, trying to hold back his temper. \u201cBy the time I was your age, I\u2019d walked across most of this country, raised my brother, and helped build the house we live in. My childhood was spent helping Pa realize his dream. You\u2019ve been able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of that dream, spoiled brat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuit callin\u2019 me spoiled!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n The sound of hoof beats interrupted what might have become a fist fight. They looked up to see Hoss riding towards them.<\/p>\n \u201cI can hear ya clear back there,\u201d Hoss said, gesturing with his thumb. \u201cEverythin\u2019 okay here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDandy,\u201d said Joe sarcastically.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re gettin\u2019 the job done,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n Satisfied that his brothers weren\u2019t about to kill each other, Hoss rode back to where he had been working.<\/p>\n \u201cSee what you did? You made Hoss worry,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cDrop it. Let\u2019s just get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally finishing the new hole, Adam decided to take his shirt off. The day was getting hot and he was working up quite a sweat, unlike his little brother. Joe sneaked a sideways glance at Adam. Both Adam and Hoss had hair on their chests. Joe wondered if his would ever look like theirs.<\/p>\n \u201cQuit daydreaming and help me with this post,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n Adam steadied the post while Joe continued to backfill. When the post started leaning, Adam stepped forward and repositioned it. Once Joe backfilled the hole, Adam tamped the post down with several hits of the hammer.<\/p>\n \u201cCan we take a break now?\u201d Joe asked with a whine.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019ve got to get the wire strung on this new post.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m hot and tired,\u201d whined Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll take a break after the next one.\u201d<\/p>\n They got the wire strung from two older posts to the new post. Adam held the nails with his mouth while Joe stretched the wire. His arms were getting tired from all of this work.<\/p>\n They moved to the next post and Adam handed Joe the shovel. Adam watched the boy dig. Joe could feel anger boiling in his chest. Why was he being punished like this? What had he done to make Pa mad? He wished he could work with Hoss.<\/p>\n Standing up, Joe decided to stretch out his back. Adam was taking off his gun belt. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you working?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am working. I just need to rest a second.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, your second should be up. Why don\u2019t you take that gun belt off so you can move easier?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather keep it on,\u201d answered Joe petulantly.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you don\u2019t expect me to finish everything for you today,\u201d Adam said sarcastically while nodding towards the shovel.<\/p>\n Instead of replying, Joe started digging again. His back was hurting from the work.<\/p>\n Adam was surprised that Joe was actually working. Without a word, Adam took the shovel from him and handed him a canteen. Finishing the hole, Adam reached for the canteen.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get the new post in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t we take a break?\u201d Joe asked irritably.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat have you got against hard work?\u201d asked Adam, feeling anger rising.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d work harder if I was workin\u2019 with Hoss,\u201d Joe said. He immediately felt a pang of regret for saying that.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re saying you believe it\u2019s okay to be lazy when working with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what I said!\u201d countered Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what I get for encouraging Pa to spoil you,\u201d said Adam as he bent down to pick up a new post.<\/p>\n Hearing the click of the hammer on Joe\u2019s gun, Adam looked up to see the pistol in Joe\u2019s hand and pointed at him.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t move,\u201d said Joe shakily.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s mind began racing. Was Joe that sensitive about being called spoiled? Without looking back, Adam stretched for the hammer. He felt a stinging on his arm and then the report of the gunshot. He couldn\u2019t believe that Joe shot him for using the word spoiled.<\/p>\n Looking into Joe\u2019s eyes, Adam saw fear through the cloud of smoke. But he noticed that Joe was looking slightly off to his left (Adam\u2019s right), towards the fence. Adam looked in that direction and saw the tail of a snake as it slithered away through the grass. There were rattles on the snake\u2019s tail. Adam then looked at his arm. Instead of seeing a wound caused by a bullet, Adam saw two punctures.<\/p>\n \u201cPut the gun away, Joe,\u201d Adam said softly.<\/p>\n Joe was still gripping the pistol and his hands were shaking. He\u2019d missed the snake!! Because of him, Adam got bit!<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, listen to me. I\u2019m going to be okay. Just put the gun away.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face was turning pale. He could feel his legs starting to quiver. Before he knew it, everything started to turn black.<\/p>\n Adam rushed forward as he saw his brother faint. He caught Joe gently and lowered himself to his knees. The sound of hoof beats caught Adam\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n Hoss rode up to see Joe unconscious with his head in Adam\u2019s lap. \u201cWhat happened? I heard a gunshot.\u201d Hoss noticed the pistol lying on the ground near Joe, but he didn\u2019t see gunshot wounds to either of his brothers.<\/p>\n Before Adam could answer, Joe sobbed out, \u201cI missed, Adam! I\u2019m sorry!!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHand me your canteen,\u201d requested Adam as he held his left hand out to Hoss, who was dismounting.<\/p>\n Hoss brought the canteen over and then helped raise Joe up. \u201cWhat did he mean he missed?\u201d Hoss asked while Joe drank.<\/p>\n \u201cI was reaching for the hammer when Joe shot at a rattlesnake,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n Joe pulled away from the canteen and noticed Hoss. The scared boy threw his arms around Hoss\u2019 neck. \u201cI missed and now Adam\u2019s gonna die!\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked confused as Adam said, \u201cDon\u2019t be so dramatic, Joe. I\u2019m not going to die.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWere ya bit?\u201d Hoss asked Adam with concern in his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the arm,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cNot all bites inject venom,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t take a chance,\u201d said Hoss. With that, he pulled out a knife made x-like incisions on the puncture wounds and began to try to suck out the venom. Adam only gasped in pain.<\/p>\n \u201cWe gotta get ya back home or to Doc Martin\u2019s. It\u2019s a couple hours back ta the house or a couple a hours ta town. Which way do ya think we should go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFlip a coin,\u201d said Adam with some agitation. His lips were beginning to tingle and he could feel his eyelids twitching. Hoss noticed that the puncture wounds were starting to bruise.<\/p>\n Joe was sitting with his arms around his knees and rocking back and forth. Hoss reached for Joe and then wiped away some of the tears on the boy\u2019s face with his thumb. \u201cLook, Lil Joe, we gotta help Adam git home. I need ya ta help me get him in the wagon and then hitch up the horses. Can ya do that fer me?\u201d Joe\u2019s only response was a nod.<\/p>\n Hoss went over to Chubb and uncinched the saddle. That would do for a pillow for Adam to lie on. The saddle blanket would have to do as a blanket for now.<\/p>\n As he was bringing the saddle over, Hoss noticed Joe trying to untie the horses from the wagon wheel. The boy\u2019s hands were shaking so bad that he was just fumbling with the knots. \u201cLeave the horses fer a few minutes,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cLet\u2019s just get Adam in the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n Climbing into the back of the wagon, Hoss got the saddle positioned to his satisfaction. \u201cBring Adam over here,\u201d he told Joe. The boy helped Adam stand up and protectively put an arm around his oldest brother\u2019s waist. Adam was feeling dizzy as Joe steered him to the wagon. When they reached the back of the wagon, Hoss reached down for Adam\u2019s hands and pulled him into the wagon. Adam grimaced in pain at that, but lay down in the bottom of the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cGet my shirt!\u201d Adam yelled at Joe.<\/p>\n Joe ran over to the fence and plucked the shirt off of the wire. He heard ripping and turned to see a strip of the fabric fluttering on the fence. Gulping, he ran back to the wagon. Would Adam be mad at him for ripping the shirt? Hoss took the shirt from Joe and laid it over Adam\u2019s torso. Then he draped the saddle blanket over the shirt. He made sure to leave the injured arm exposed so the pressure from the blanket wouldn\u2019t cause Adam more pain.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the best we can do,\u201d Hoss said in way of apology.<\/p>\n \u201cJust get me home,\u201d said Adam through gritted teeth.<\/p>\n Hoss jumped out of the wagon and set about hitching up the team. Joe didn\u2019t know what to do. He wanted to help but worried about being in the way. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we put some of these posts up against him? I mean, that\u2019ll make it harder for him to roll over. Won\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like a great idea,\u201d said Hoss with a smile for his little brother. Joe ran to the posts and started dragging one over while Hoss finished hitching the team. Hoss quickly ran over and helped Joe with the post. They shoved it into the wagon alongside Adam. Hoss went and picked up two more posts while Joe dragged another over to the wagon.<\/p>\n Once Adam was positioned to his satisfaction, Hoss tied Chubb to the back of the wagon. Then he climbed up on the seat.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you send Chubb on home?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cThat way, Pa\u2019ll know somethin\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe might need him if Adam gets bad off,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cYou may hafto ride Chubb ta the doc\u2019s while I bring him home.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe just gulped and then climbed onto the seat. He was worried about Adam. Why couldn\u2019t he have hit the darned snake?<\/p>\n The wagon started moving with a lurch. Hoss and Joe heard Adam gasp as the wagon rocked.<\/p>\n Joe kept looking back to Adam, who was becoming more agitated. Climbing into the back of the wagon, Joe took a look at Adam\u2019s arm. The arm was swelling up to the elbow and the puncture wounds were looking ugly. He noticed that the fingers were twitching. As a moan escaped Adam\u2019s lips, Joe noticed that his brother\u2019s cheeks and lips were twitching, too.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, we gotta go faster!\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 as fast as we can. If we tire out the horses, we won\u2019t be able ta git Adam any help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease don\u2019t die,\u201d Joe whispered as he leaned over Adam.<\/p>\n Suddenly, Adam\u2019s eyes flew open. He found himself looking into a pair of green eyes. \u201cWhy\u2019re you crying, Marie?\u201d Adam asked. Joe\u2019s only response was a gasp.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s gonna be okay. He\u2019s only got a few scrapes and bruises.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe realized that Adam must be remembering some incident from their childhood. He didn\u2019t know how to respond, except to pat Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be more careful next time we go riding,\u201d Adam said. \u201cI promise we won\u2019t jump any fences, even if Little Joe begs.\u201d With that, a groan escaped Adam and his eyes closed.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I\u2019m scared!\u201d Joe said after Adam lost consciousness. \u201cHe thinks I\u2019m Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n Too scared to stay in the back with Adam, Joe climbed back onto the seat. \u201cWhy would he think I\u2019m Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPeople who\u2019ve been snake bit sometimes git delusions. They imagine all sorts a things,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cBut why would he be thinkin\u2019 about Mama?\u201d Joe persisted.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cMebbe he\u2019s thinkin\u2019 \u2018bout happier times because of the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n They rode on in silence for a while. The only sounds were the creaks of the wagon, the horses\u2019 hooves, and Adam\u2019s groans.<\/p>\n After a couple of miles, Joe said, \u201cHoss, I gotta go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo where?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I gotta go,\u201d Joe said with a tap to Hoss\u2019 arm and a pleading look.<\/p>\n \u201dCan\u2019tcha wait?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I really gotta go.\u201d<\/p>\n Pulling the horses to a stop, Hoss gestured to some sparse bushes and said, \u201cMake it quick. We can\u2019t afford delays.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t go there!\u201d protested Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll jes hafto. Where were you plannin\u2019 on goin\u2019 if Adam hadn\u2019t got bit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno. But I gotta go now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, go in those bushes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere ain\u2019t enough privacy,\u201d Joe whined.<\/p>\n Hoss found himself losing his temper. \u201cYou\u2019ll go in those bushes or hold it \u2018til we git home.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grimaced at the thought of using such sparse cover.<\/p>\n \u201cYa goin\u2019 or not?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n Instead of responding, Joe jumped down from the wagon and went behind the bushes where he could have some privacy.<\/p>\n Hoss ventured a look in the back of the wagon. Adam\u2019s coloring was getting bad and his face was very sweaty. Hoss didn\u2019t know how much longer Adam would have to suffer.<\/p>\n Seeing Joe emerge from the bushes, Hoss decided the boy should ride for Dr. Martin. \u201cYou\u2019ll hafto ride Chubb inta town and git the Doc. Have him come out to the house. We should be there by the time you and the Doc git there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo ya want me to get the saddle outta the wagon?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll hafto ride bareback. Chubb\u2019s a big horse and yer pretty light. You should make good time.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss noticed how scared Joe looked. \u201cI know ya can do this, Shortshanks. You\u2019ve been ridin\u2019 bareback since you would walk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m scared,\u201d was Joe\u2019s only reply. The boy sniffled a little.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Shortshanks,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cBut ya gotta do this fer Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe untied Chubb from the back of the wagon and led the horse over to the front. He handed the reins up to Hoss while he climbed into the back of the wagon. Joe touched Adam\u2019s cheek and said, \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 for help. Hang in there, Adam. Please don\u2019t die.\u201d There was no response from Adam. Joe wiped his nose and eyes on his sleeve and then went to the edge of the wagon. He leaped out of the wagon onto Chubb\u2019s broad back. The big horse shied a bit, but the boy\u2019s weight was nothing compared to his usual rider\u2019s. Hoss handed the reins over to Joe and said, \u201cRide fast, Lil Joe. We\u2019re dependin\u2019 on ya.\u201d With that, Hoss flicked the reins on the horses\u2019 rumps and the wagon started rumbling again.<\/p>\n Joe gave Chubb a hard kick in the ribs and the horse sprang into a gallop. He was gripping the reins tightly and had fistfuls of mane, too. Chubb was flying across the landscape, his long strides covering the distance quickly.<\/p>\n All Joe could do was replay the snake bite in his mind. Maybe Adam would\u2019ve seen the rattler if they hadn\u2019t been arguing. If he had shouted a warning instead of drawing the gun, maybe Adam could\u2019ve jumped out of the way. But the snake had blended into the grass so well that the only reason Joe noticed it was because it was moving. He had thought he could shoot the snake and impress his oldest brother.<\/p>\n Tears began flowing down Joe\u2019s cheek, blurring his vision. He knew he had to keep an eye on where they were going so Chubb wouldn\u2019t head for home. If he ended up at home instead of Virginia City, time would be wasted as he got a fresh horse and headed for town again.<\/p>\n After what seemed like days, Joe saw Virginia City\u2019s main street in the distance. Chubb was getting tired, but Joe tried to encourage him to keep up the pace. He was almost there and that much closer to saving Adam.<\/p>\n Thundering into Virginia City, Joe didn\u2019t pay attention to whom or what was in the street. People were yelling and screaming as the big horse barreled though town. Before he knew it, Joe had made it to the other side of Virginia City. He started pulling on the reins, trying to get the sweaty horse stopped.<\/p>\n Joe could hear hoof beats thundering behind him. Before he knew it, Sheriff Coffee was grabbing Chubb\u2019s bridle. Chubb finally started to slow down. Joe found himself relaxing as Chubb slowed to a trot.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat in tarnation are ya doin\u2019, Little Joe?\u201d asked the sheriff. \u201cThat was a mighty dangerous joyride you just took through town. Why are ya ridin\u2019 Chubb? Is Hoss hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease,\u201d begged Joe, \u201cI\u2019ve gotta get Doctor Martin. Adam got bit by a rattler when we were workin\u2019 on the fence this morning. Hoss is taking him home and he told me to ride for the doc. I gotta go get him and then head home.\u201d<\/p>\n Turning the horses back to town, Roy saw Joe shaking. The boy could make up some wild stories to cover his tracks, but this certainly didn\u2019t seem to be one of those times. Joe was very pale and trembling. He probably would be laughing and whooping if he had taken Chubb for a joyride.<\/p>\n As they rode through town, Roy asked, \u201cWhy are ya ridin\u2019 bareback?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sobbed out, \u201cBecause Hoss put the saddle in the wagon as a pillow for Adam. The saddle blanket is bein\u2019 used as a regular blanket to keep him warm.\u201d<\/p>\n They finally reached Dr. Martin\u2019s office, where Joe slid off Chubb\u2019s back. While Roy tied up the horses, Joe rushed inside.<\/p>\n Seeing the doctor, the sweaty boy flung himself into the man\u2019s arms. \u201cAre you hurt Little Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Roy walked into the office to see Joe bawling, his arms tightly circling the doctor\u2019s waist. \u201cHe said Adam got snake bit while they were workin\u2019 on the fence this mornin\u2019. Hoss is takin\u2019 Adam home and he sent Little Joe to fetch ya.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all my fault!\u201d Joe sobbed out.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d the doctor asked the scared boy.<\/p>\n Joe pulled back from the doctor and looked into his face. \u201cInstead of warnin\u2019 Adam when I saw the rattler, I tried to shoot it. When I missed, it bit him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did the snake bite your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn the arm,\u201d Joe replied as he indicated on his own arm where the snake bite was located.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was Adam doing when the snake bit him?\u201d Dr. Martin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was reaching for the hammer,\u201d Joe sniffled.<\/p>\n \u201cDid he see the snake?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sir,\u201d Joe replied. He wiped his runny nose on his sleeve.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are his symptoms?\u201d asked Dr. Martin, hoping that little or no venom had been injected with the bite.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s all twitchy and in pain. His arm\u2019s swellin\u2019 and the bite looks bad.\u201d Joe sniffled again.<\/p>\n The doctor went to retrieve his bag, knowing there wasn\u2019t much he could do. He didn\u2019t want to say anything and scare Joe further. Dr. Martin caught Roy\u2019s eye and just raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go down ta the livery to get your buggy hitched up,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n Before he could get out the door, Joe said, \u201cI\u2019ll ride Chubb home and meet ya there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Little Joe,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cChubb is too winded for ya to run him home. You ride in the buggy with the Doc. I\u2019ll bring Chubb out to the house later.\u201d<\/p>\n The doctor tried to ease Joe\u2019s worries while they waited for the buggy. \u201cAdam is young and strong. The snake might not have injected much venom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s gonna die. I know it,\u201d Joe wailed.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin heard the sound of his buggy approaching. \u201cCome on, Little Joe. The faster we get out to the Ponderosa the better chance your brother will have.\u201d<\/p>\n The pair got into the buggy and headed for the Ponderosa. Joe was not very talkative. He kept thinking about Adam calling him spoiled. That couldn\u2019t be true. Maybe Adam was jealous because Joe had grown up with his own mother through his babyhood.<\/p>\n \u201cDoc?\u201d Joe finally asked. \u201cDo ya think I\u2019m a spoiled brat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you ask that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam keeps sayin\u2019 I am. Is he right?\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Martin decided tact would be the best route to take. \u201cWell, Little Joe, you are your father\u2019s youngest child. It\u2019s only natural to want the youngest child to have everything that couldn\u2019t be provided to the oldest child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Adam always says I\u2019m spoiled because Pa don\u2019t make me work on the ranch like him and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to remember, Little Joe, that Adam had a very hard childhood and never had the chance to play like you do. He was always on the move with your pa, who didn\u2019t have much money or a settled home, like you do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss never calls me spoiled. Why do ya think so?\u201d Joe was desperate to find out why Adam hated him so much.<\/p>\n \u201cI figure that Hoss has had quite a hand in helping to spoil you, Son. Hoss grew up on the Ponderosa for the most part. He had to help your pa and Adam with building and clearing land. The difference, though, was your pa had settled on his own patch of land when Hoss was a very little boy. When you were born, Hoss finally got to be a big brother and help you grow up. He takes his responsibility as your older brother very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe thought about that for a little bit. After Adam left home, Hoss was Joe\u2019s companion and playmate. They did chores together, played together, and, when Joe had bad dreams, slept together.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I just won\u2019t be spoiled no more,\u201d Joe announced. He\u2019d show Adam how responsible he could be.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin smiled a bit at that. Maybe Little Joe was now convinced that Adam would live. He certainly hoped so since there wasn\u2019t much he could do medically.<\/p>\n The buggy pulled into the yard at the Ponderosa. Hoss came outside at the sound. Joe leaped out of the buggy and into Hoss\u2019 arms.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2019s upstairs with Adam,\u201d was all Hoss said to the doctor.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin let himself in and went up the stairs to Adam\u2019s room. He caught the smell of whiskey as he entered the room. Adam was laid out on the bed under a number of quilts, his wounded arm on top of the covers. A poultice covered the bite. Ben was sitting on the bed, looking down at his eldest. He looked up as the doctor entered the room.<\/p>\n Ben said, \u201cHop Sing put a poultice of goldenseal on the bite to try to draw out the poison. Do you think it will help?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t hurt,\u201d was all Dr. Martin said as he pulled back the poultice to look at the wound. Adam\u2019s arm was swollen up to the shoulder. His lips, eyelids, cheeks, and fingers were twitching. Placing his hand on Adam\u2019s face, the doctor was surprised at how feverish Adam felt. The bite would itself had turned a deep purple. Knowing he couldn\u2019t do anything, the doctor felt keenly useless. Ben Cartwright would have a couple of agonizing days waiting to see if his oldest son would survive. Even if Adam lived, he might not be able to use the arm again.<\/p>\n Covering the wound with the poultice again, the doctor looked at Ben, one of his dearest friends, with a look of great sadness. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ben,\u201d he said, \u201cyou and Hop Sing have done more than I can. It\u2019s up to Adam now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGod help us!\u201d Ben cried out. He couldn\u2019t bear the thought of life without his oldest child. When Adam left for college, Ben had felt a stab in his heart. He was so worried that Adam would love big city life among educated people as well as being in the land of his ancestors that he would never return to the Ponderosa. That stab wound in his heart had healed the moment Adam returned to his father. Now, that wound might reopen and never heal. Losing his wives had been hell, but losing one of his children? Ben was sure that he would die too if Adam didn\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n Joe couldn\u2019t believe it when he heard Dr. Martin say he couldn\u2019t do anything for Adam. How was that possible? He\u2019s ridden to Virginia City as fast as he could! Adam had to live, he just had to.<\/p>\n Feeling more angry than scared now, Joe burst into Adam\u2019s room and started flailing his fists at the doctor. Hoss rushed in and grabbed the boy, pulling him away from the doctor. \u201cYou gotta save him!\u201d Joe yelled. \u201cYou went to college. Didn\u2019t they teach ya \u2018bout snake bites?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough, Joseph!\u201d said Ben sternly. \u201cThe doctor said he can\u2019t do anything for Adam. If he could, he would be doing it right now.\u201d Looking at the doctor, Ben said, \u201cThank you for coming, Paul. We\u2019ll let you know how Adam fares.\u201d With that, Ben went back to looking at Adam.<\/p>\n Knowing there was nothing else he could do, Dr. Martin left Adam\u2019s room and went downstairs. He had never felt so dejected leaving the Cartwright\u2019s. In the past, there had always been some medical service he could provide. Along with words of comfort. Now, there was nothing. He shut the door behind him, hoping for the best.<\/p>\n Joe approached Adam\u2019s bedside and knelt down. He clasped his hands together and prayed for Adam to get better. The boy decided to make a bargain with God\u2014he would never argue with Adam again if God would let Adam recover from the snake bite.<\/p>\n Seeing Joe kneeling by the bed, Ben whispered, \u201cJoseph.\u201d Joe looked up and saw his pa gesture for him to come over. Ben moved from the edge of the bed to the rocking chair. When Joe came over, he pulled his youngest into his lap.<\/p>\n \u201cGod knows how much you love your brother. I\u2019m sure He\u2019ll listen to your prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe began to sniffle.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Son?\u201d Ben asked gently.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all my fault, Pa,\u201d Joe said, beginning to cry. \u201cIf I wasn\u2019t such a spoiled brat Adam would\u2019ve seen that rattler. He\u2019d be okay instead of dyin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not a spoiled brat,\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cBut everyone says I\u2019m spoiled,\u201d was Joe\u2019s only response.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s everyone?\u201d Ben asked, assuming Adam was the only one who ever called Joe that.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, Dr. Martin, all sorts of other people,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWhy do ya hafto spoil me, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSssshhh,\u201d was Ben\u2019s only response as he stroked Joe\u2019s back. \u201cI\u2019m able to give you the security I was never able to give Adam or Hoss. I\u2019m sorry if that makes people think you\u2019re spoiled.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben wished he\u2019d been able to spoil Adam. If Elizabeth had lived, they still would have traveled west. Adam would still have grown up in a covered wagon and on the move. However, Adam would have had a mother to look after him and to soothe his hurts the way only a mother could. Inger had been a wonderful parent to Adam. Ben was sure that it was love at first sight between the two. The boy was desperate for a mother and Inger was longing to have a family of her own. Inger\u2019s death had left Adam devastated and saddled with even more responsibility since the child had to help raise his baby brother.<\/p>\n After claiming and settling the Ponderosa, Adam had to help clear land, saw timber, and build the cabin that they lived in. By the age of ten, Adam had labored far more than his father at that age. Ben regretted that his oldest never had a proper childhood.<\/p>\n When he married Marie, Ben thought that Adam would be glad to have a mother to spoil him. Instead, Adam had resented a step-mother telling him what to do. After all, the boy had been helping to run the ranch for several years. The birth of Joseph had brought Adam out of his shell, though. Seeing Adam play with the baby made Ben wish that he could have provided a better childhood for his oldest.<\/p>\n Ben was brought out of his reverie by a gasp from Adam. Getting up from the chair, Ben went over to the bed to see Adam thrashing. \u201cHold him down, Joseph,\u201d Ben said as took one side. Joe took the wounded side and tried to keep his brother still. Hoss came in the room and helped Joe try to keep Adam still.<\/p>\n Adam finally stopped thrashing and lay still. Ben dipped a cloth into a basin of water and dabbed it against Adam\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019m going to see if Hop Sing has anymore poultices,\u201d Ben said to Hoss. \u201cKeep an eye on your brother.\u201d With that, he handed the cloth to Hoss, who began to wipe the sweat from Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n While Hoss was leaning over his brother, Adam opened his eyes. He found himself looking into a pair of blue eyes. They were such a clear blue, like the color of a mountain lake.<\/p>\n \u201cI finded a present for ya, Mama\u201d Adam said in a very soft voice. Joe tensed up as he thought back to when Adam had thought he was Mama. \u201cDoes ya like it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful,\u201d was all Hoss said. Adam\u2019s eyes closed and he seemed to relax. Hoss knew Adam was nowhere near out of the woods yet.<\/p>\n Ben entered the room with another poultice. He removed the old one and was surprised to see the egg-plant color of the wound. Hoping this herb was actually working, Ben placed the new poultice on the bite.<\/p>\n When Ben laid the new poultice on the arm, Adam sat up suddenly. He looked at Ben and then yelled out, \u201cIndians, Pa! We gotta get outta here! Where\u2019s Hoss?! We gotta get home!!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben pushed Adam\u2019s shoulders to force his son back on to the bed. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Son. These are friendly Indians. They aren\u2019t going to hurt any of us. Remember them? They said they\u2019d help us hunt for deer so we\u2019ll have enough food.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d was Adam\u2019s only response as he settled back onto the bed. Ben hoped the hallucinations would stop soon. He knew Adam would be on the mend when he could speak coherently.<\/p>\n The clip-clop of hooves could be heard in the yard. Hoss went to the window and saw Sheriff Coffee leading Chubb to the hitching post. \u201cIt\u2019s Roy, Pa,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cStay with your brother,\u201d Ben said to the boys. He then went downstairs to thank Roy for bringing the horse back. Ben was hoping that Roy might have some advice on snake bites.<\/p>\n Opening the door, Ben gestured for Roy to come in. \u201cThanks for bringing back the horse,\u201d was all Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNot good,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d Roy asked, remembering how scared the boy had been in town.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s praying for Adam to pull through.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas Doc able to do anythin\u2019 fer the bite?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d replied Ben morosely.<\/p>\n Roy didn\u2019t know what to say. He\u2019d known the Cartwrights since they arrived in the Virginia City area. He had helped Ben out with all the legalities when Ben claimed the Ponderosa land and then later registered his brand. Adam had been such a mature child that Roy wondered if the boy knew how to have fun. Roy discovered that Adam had a very dry sense of humor and could pull some mighty impressive pranks when the mood struck him. He sure hoped that Adam would pull through this. The sheriff hated to think of how despondent Ben would be if Adam didn\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe told me that he and Adam were arguin\u2019 when this happened. That poor kid holds himself responsible. Chances are, Adam didn\u2019t even know that snake was there.\u201d Roy knew these words were just conversation and wouldn\u2019t provide any comfort to the worried father.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think I\u2019ve turned Joseph into a spoiled brat?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n Surprised, Roy asked, \u201cWhaddya mean, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph told me that everyone thinks he\u2019s a spoiled brat. I told him that his childhood\u2019s been easier than Adam\u2019s or Hoss\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Trying to be tactful, Roy replied, \u201cWell, everyone can tell Little Joe is the apple of your eye. \u2018Sides, it\u2019s only natural ta want the best for your children.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I love all three of my boys,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI\u2019ve tried to love them all the same. I never wanted them to resent each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t resent each other,\u201d answered Roy. \u201cEveryone admires how much yer boys love each other. You shoulda seen Little Joe when he got ta town today. His only concern was gettin\u2019 help fer Adam. You should be proud of yer boys, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy gave Ben\u2019s shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then let himself out. He hoped Adam pulled though all right.<\/p>\n Ben went upstairs and went into Adam\u2019s room. He settled himself into the rocking chair for a long night. He knew he spoiled Joseph because he was a wealthy man. Times had been harder for Adam and Hoss. Maybe Roy was right, the boys loved each other as they should.<\/p>\n During the night, Joe came in and sat on the edge of the bed. The boy turned the lamp up a bit and began reading Robinson Crusoe aloud.<\/p>\n By morning, Adam\u2019s breathing seemed to be shallow, but his coloring was a bit better. His eyelids and lips were still twitching. The boy was young and strong. Maybe his body could overcome the venom.<\/p>\n Joe stopped reading to give his voice a rest. Adam opened one eye and asked, \u201cWhy\u2019d ya stop? Are you gonna read the part about the naked native ladies?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone was so shocked to hear Adam\u2019s voice. Joe dropped the book and flung himself onto Adam\u2019s chest. Hoss, who had come into the room at dawn, pulled Joe off and said, \u201cBe gentle. He ain\u2019t outta the woods yet.\u201d Ben was ecstatic to hear Adam lucid. With a smile, Ben sat down on the bed and then gave his son a kiss on the forehead.<\/p>\n Adam lightly pushed his father away with his good arm and made a face. \u201cI\u2019m not a kid, Pa,\u201d was all he said.<\/p>\n Joe meanwhile had picked the book up off the floor and was flipping through it, hoping he could find the passage Adam had mentioned. A throaty chuckle was heard from Adam, who had relaxed back into the pillows.<\/p>\n Ben pulled back the poultice and noticed the bite wound was still purple, but it didn\u2019t look as ugly. Maybe Hop Sing\u2019s herbs were working.<\/p>\n Joe finally went to bed at his father\u2019s insistence. He didn\u2019t mind sitting alone with his oldest child. It wasn\u2019t very often anymore that Ben got to feel in control with Adam.<\/p>\n Joe had settled himself in his bed, happy that Adam was going to recover. Remembering his bargain with God, he vowed that he would never argue with Adam again.<\/p>\n That evening, a dozing Ben awoke to the sound of raised voices. Joe was trying to spoon some gruel into Adam\u2019s mouth. Ben noticed that gruel was all over Adam\u2019s chin and chest. He wondered just how much was making its way into Adam\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing says ya gotta eat,\u201d said Joe with a spoonful of gruel poised over his brother\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cThen why don\u2019t you try to actually get it in my mouth?\u201d Adam countered.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t help that it\u2019s runny,\u201d said Joe irritably.<\/p>\n Since Adam\u2019s mouth was open to say something, Joe shoved the spoon into his brother\u2019s mouth. Adam grabbed for the spoon with his good hand and yanked it out.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch what you\u2019re doing, ya brat!\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n Forgetting his bargain with God, Joe said, \u201cFine! Starve then. See if I do anythin\u2019 else for ya, ungrateful granite head!!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough, Joseph,\u201d said Ben, taking the bowl and spoon from his youngest. Everything was going to be alright now. Adam and Joe were bickering as usual. He sighed in relief as Joe left the room.<\/p>\n Ben lifted a spoonful of gruel out of the bowl and had it poised over Adam\u2019s mouth. Adam might be scowling, but his father silently thanked God for sparing his son. Ben was only too happy to be in control now. \u201cOpen the barn door and let in the wagon,\u201d Ben said as he held the spoon above Adam\u2019s mouth. Figuring he\u2019d better comply, Adam opened his mouth for his father. Now Ben would have a chance to spoil Adam a bit.<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n
\nAs Hoss was hitching the horses, he said, \u201cI wish there was a way to keep Adam from rollin\u2019 around as we move.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYes, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"star\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bonanzabrand.info\/efiction\/images\/star.gif?ssl=1\")
![\"half-star\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bonanzabrand.info\/efiction\/images\/starhalf.gif?ssl=1\")