Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza or the Cartwrights. No copyright infringement is intended on Alex Sharp’s script, Old Sheba. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ponderosa Pachyderm<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben Cartwright was sure glad that Angus Tweedy wouldn\u2019t take Old Sheba back. The elephant had become his secret weapon in completing timber contracts ahead of schedule. Sheba could haul timber when it couldn\u2019t be floated down a stream due to low water. She could also bring whole trees down with a push of her head\u2014the men sawed part way through the tree trunk and then Sheba pushed against the tree. Ben bragged that he had moved from horsepower to pachyderm-power.<\/span> <\/p>\n
Joe and Hoss were driving the wagon into town to pick up supplies for the lumber camp. Their father had been awarded a large contract with the Missouri-Pacific Railroad to supply ties for the track. The competition for the contract had been pretty stiff, but in the end, Old Sheba had helped the Missouri-Pacific decide in favor of Ben Cartwright. This meant that Jeb Clarkson, one of the railroad\u2019s biggest contractors, had lost out. Ben warned Hoss and Joe to be careful in town since Clarkson was known to be a sore loser.<\/span>
While Hoss drove the wagon, Joe went over the list Adam and Pa had prepared. One hundred pounds of peanuts was at the top of the list.<\/span>
\u201cIt\u2019s a good thing Sheba doesn\u2019t eat at the table with us, Brother,\u201d said Joe. \u201cHop Sing wouldn\u2019t be able to cook enough for all of us.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMaybe it\u2019s a good thing fer Ole Sheba that I don\u2019t care much fer peanuts,\u201d Hoss responded with a laugh. \u201cAt least I share Hop Sing\u2019s cookin\u2019 with everyone.\u201d<\/span>
Joe snorted in disbelief. \u201cThe only reason you share is because Pa would banish you from the house if you ate everything.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPa wouldn\u2019t do that to his favorite son!\u201d Hoss said with a wink at Joe.<\/span>
As they pulled up to the mercantile, Hoss said \u201cLet\u2019s get these supplies together and grab a beer.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m with ya, Brother,\u201d replied Joe.<\/span>
Hoss and Joe jumped off of the seat when they parked the wagon. Joe went inside with the list while Hoss got the horses situated.<\/span>
\u201cHiya, Joe,\u201d said Mr. Anderson, proprietor of the mercantile.<\/span>
\u201cGood afternoon,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cPa and Adam gave me a list of supplies,\u201d he said as he handed the list to Mr. Anderson.<\/span>
\u201cLet\u2019s see. Flour, beans, coffee, sugar, peanuts. Did I read that right, Joe? You want one hundred pounds of peanuts?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s right, Mr. Anderson. Sheba is gonna be working pretty hard. Lucky for us, she\u2019s happy to work for peanuts.\u201d<\/span>
Mr. Anderson let out a laugh at that. \u201cToo bad your pa can\u2019t say the same of Hoss, eh?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhat cain\u2019t Pa say about me?\u201d asked Hoss as he approached the counter.<\/span>
\u201cPa can\u2019t say you work cheaper than Sheba,\u201d said Joe with a wink.<\/span>
\u201cI shore work cheaper than you, Lil Joe,\u201d said Hoss in reply. \u201cYou spend money too quick on beer and poker.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSpeaking of beer,\u201d interrupted Joe, \u201cwhen are we gonna go get those beers you were talking about earlier?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYa got those supplies on the list, Mr. Anderson?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span>
\u201cSure do, Hoss. Why don\u2019t you boys go get those beers while I gather up what you need? How \u2018bout I see you in a half hour?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSounds good,\u201d answered Joe. He and Hoss then left the mercantile for the saloon.<\/span>
As the door shut at the mercantile, a cowhand approached the counter. \u201cIs them peanuts for the big fella?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cOh no,\u201d answered Mr. Anderson with a restrained laugh, \u201cthose are for Sheba herself. Those Cartwrights treat her like a queen.\u201d<\/span>
The cowhand looked surprised for a second. He\u2019d never heard of a woman, queen or not, being that fond of peanuts. Since the two fellas had gone to the saloon, the cowhand decided to do the same.<\/span>
Entering the saloon, he saw the two fellas at a table drinking beers. He went to the bar and got a beer then he moseyed over to the table in the corner where he joined another cowhand. \u201cThose fellas are two o\u2019 them Cartwrights. They\u2019ve got the Queen of Sheba livin\u2019 with \u2018em.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhat?\u201d asked the other man, his eyebrows disappearing under the brim of his hat.<\/span>
\u201cAnd the strange thing is she likes peanuts. You ever hear of a woman liking peanuts enough to want a hundred pounds worth?\u201d<\/span>
Sam\u2019s eyebrows still hadn\u2019t come back down. Why would a peanut-loving woman decide a contract in favor of the Cartwrights? Sheba must be some beautiful woman for Mr. Clarkson to lose out. Maybe they should kidnap her so Mr. Clarkson could make the Cartwrights ransom her back. Maybe he and Frank would get a cut of the ransom. Sam was brought out of his daydream by a nudge from Frank.<\/span>
\u201cDidn\u2019tcha hear me, Sam?\u201d Those Cartwrights left. What\u2019re we gonna tell Mr. Clarkson?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI dunno. Get us a couple more beers while I think.\u201d<\/span>
Frank and Sam finished their beers and then left the saloon. They looked up the street and saw Hoss and Joe loading the wagon with the supplies. If the Cartwrights were stocking the lumber camp that meant that timbering operations must be getting underway.<\/span>
\u201cWe\u2019d best send a telegram to Mr. Clarkson,\u201d said Sam. The two men went to the telegraph office and Sam made out his message. \u201cBidder has pretty woman Stop Likes peanuts Stop Go with plan Stop.\u201d The telegrapher gave Sam a quizzical look before sending the message but wired it when Sam paid up. \u201cYou wanna wait fer a reply?\u201d the telegrapher asked. \u201cOkay,\u201d answered Sam.<\/span>
Finally, after an hour and a half, a reply came to Sam\u2019s telegram. \u201cFollow the plan Stop Do not mess up Stop.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell, that solves that,\u201d said Sam, showing Frank the message. \u201cLooks like Mr. Clarkson don\u2019t want us to stop.\u201d<\/span>
The two left the telegraph office and realized they would need a plan to get near this Sheba. Frank was hoping Sheba was beautiful with a womanly figure. Sam was wondering if a peanut-loving woman could act like a lady. He thought this Sheba must have strong hands from cracking peanut shells.<\/span>
Sam and Frank decided to go to their hotel to eat some supper. They figured they\u2019d better live well on Mr. Clarkson\u2019s money while they could. Also, they could ask the desk clerk about Sheba. A lady wasn\u2019t likely to frequent a saloon, but chances were good that she had taken meals at the hotel\u2019s dining room.<\/span>
Entering the hotel, they noticed the desk clerk putting mail in the guest slots. Sam cleared his throat to get the clerk\u2019s attention. Turning around, the clerk saw the two cowhands.<\/span>
\u201cMay I help you?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCan you give us some information, friend?\u201d asked Sam.<\/span>
\u201cI can\u2019t divulge information about any of our guests.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShe ain\u2019t a guest,\u201d said Frank, forgetting that Sam was supposed to be doing the talking.<\/span>
\u201cWhat he means is that we\u2019re looking for a lady who\u2026\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou gents should try the saloon. We don\u2019t run that kind of establishment.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI think you misunderstood, friend,\u201d said Sam. \u201cWe\u2019re hoping to find out about a lady friend of Ben Cartwright\u2019s. Her name is Sheba.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSheba is definitely not a lady,\u201d said the clerk, starting to laugh.<\/span>
\u201cAre you sayin\u2019 we should try the saloon?\u201d asked Frank.<\/span>
\u201cYou won\u2019t find her there either,\u201d said the clerk between guffaws of laughter. The mental picture he was conjuring of an elephant in the saloon made him laugh even harder. All Frank and Sam could do was stand at the desk looking puzzled.<\/span>
\u201cIs she at least pretty?\u201d asked Frank hopefully.<\/span>
The clerk shook his head no as he wiped his eyes.<\/span>
\u201cWhere would we find her then?\u201d Sam asked the clerk.<\/span>
By this time, the clerk was wiping tears from his eyes with a handkerchief. \u201cTry the Cartwrights\u2019 lumber camp. No doubt you\u2019ll find her there.\u201d<\/span>
Even more confused, Sam and Frank went into the hotel\u2019s dining room. Maybe that clerk wasn\u2019t getting enough sun. They now knew that Sheba wasn\u2019t a lady and she enjoyed hanging around the lumber camp. Plus, she liked peanuts and lots of them. How could she have swayed the railroad to award the contract to Cartwright?<\/span>
Sitting down at a table, the two men waited for their order to be taken. \u201cHow do you think that gal got saddled with the name Sheba if she ain\u2019t beautiful?\u201d asked Frank.<\/span>
\u201cI dunno,\u201d replied Sam. \u201cMaybe her mama was hopeful that she\u2019d turn out pretty.\u201d<\/span>
The waiter finally arrived and took their orders of steaks and mashed potatoes. Before he could leave for the kitchen, Sam asked \u201cYou ever hear of a gal called Sheba? She works with the Cartwrights.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI seen her once,\u201d answered the waiter, a gangly young man. \u201cShe came through town with the circus. What a sight she was!\u201d Both Frank\u2019s and Sam\u2019s jaws dropped. Before either could ask a question, the waiter had headed for the kitchen.<\/span>
\u201cDid that boy say this Sheba worked in the circus?\u201d asked Frank.<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s what he said,\u201d answered Sam still puzzled.<\/span>
\u201cDo ya s\u2019pose she\u2019s one o\u2019 them bearded ladies?\u201d asked Frank. Sam shuddered to think of a woman sporting a beard.<\/span>
\u201cMaybe she\u2019s really strong\u201d said Frank. He was picturing a woman in a tiger skin dress lifting a barbell over her head. Sam pictured Sheba as being as big as Paul Bunyon, felling trees with a single stroke from an axe.<\/span>
The two men ate their meals in silence. Each formed his own mental picture of Sheba. Frank imagined he was courting a seven-foot tall woman who was strong enough to carry him over the threshold if they married. Sam pictured a woman as broad as she was tall, chopping down an entire forest of trees single-handedly and then coming back to the lumber camp to cook and sew. Again, he shuddered at the thought that this Sheba must be quite the homely girl.<\/span>
Finishing their meals, Frank and Sam went up to their room to plan their strategy. Mr. Clarkson intended for the two to sabotage the Cartwrights. Sheba, pretty or not, wasn\u2019t going to distract them from destroying the railroad\u2019s confidence in Ben Cartwright.<\/span>
The next morning, Sam went over to the mercantile to pick up some supplies. He figured they would need dynamite, plenty of matches, and some kerosene. Sam had convinced Frank that burning the lumber camp down would be the easiest way to delay timber operations. Frank was worried that Sheba might get hurt. However, Sam figured Sheba would be able to take care of herself.<\/span>
Walking into the mercantile, Sam realized that he\u2019d have to wait his turn. A lady was at the counter buying calico for a dress. Behind her was a man dressed all in black. Sam was checking this man out. The man, casually leaning without anything to lean against, looked like he could stop trouble in its tracks. In a way, Sam was glad this man was ahead instead of behind him. Maybe he was the sheriff or a deputy here. If so, he\u2019d probably want to know why Sam was purchasing dynamite since he didn\u2019t look like a miner.<\/span>
\u201cThank you and have a good day, Mrs. Watkins,\u201d said Mr. Anderson. \u201cWhat can I do for you, Adam?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPa sent me to get some liniment and another fifty pounds of peanuts.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMore peanuts already?\u201d the storekeeper asked in surprise. Sam was shocked. How could one person like peanuts so much?<\/span>
\u201cPa always said that Sheba was sneaky. Turns out he\u2019s right. Sheba managed to go through at least twenty-five pounds last night.\u201d<\/span>
Shaking off his surprise, Mr. Anderson said \u201cWell, that\u2019ll be 75-cents for the liniment and one dollar for the peanuts.\u201d After paying up, Mr. Anderson got a bottle of liniment down off of the shelf and handed it over to Adam. \u201cYou can pick up the peanuts outside,\u201d he said.<\/span>
\u201cThanks a lot,\u201d said Adam, tipping his hat. Adam noticed Sam on the way out and registered the curiosity on the man\u2019s face. Not wanting to answer any questions about the elephant\u2019s craving for peanuts, Adam hurried out of the mercantile.<\/span>
Approaching the counter, Sam said \u201cThat Sheba sure must like peanuts.\u201d<\/span>
Mr. Anderson laughed and said \u201cShe sure does. Lucky for her, the Cartwrights took her in. Not many other folks would be so kind to her.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhy\u2019d she leave the circus?\u201d asked Sam, figuring that a sad story would begin.<\/span>
\u201cFrom what I heard, the owner of the circus owed Little Joe and Hoss Cartwright some money but offered them Sheba instead of cash. They must have figured they were getting a bargain by accepting the old girl. If they\u2019d know her appetite for peanuts then, they probably would\u2019ve held out of the money.\u201d<\/span>
The mental picture Sam had previously formed dissolved and a new picture developed. Now he imagined Sheba as a gray-haired granny. Maybe she was dyspeptic and all she could eat was peanuts. Those Cartwrights must be awful soft to take in a lady well past her prime.<\/span>
Changing subjects, Mr. Anderson asked \u201cWhat can I get for you?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cA box of matches, twelve sticks of dynamite, and a small keg of kerosene.\u201d<\/span>
Eyeing Sam, Mr. Anderson said \u201cYou don\u2019t look like a miner.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d he replied. \u201cI\u2019m clearing some stumps from some land north of here.\u201d<\/span>
Getting the supplies together, Mr. Anderson asked \u201cWhose land are you clearing?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI was hired by a gent from back east who wants me to clear land for him to build on. He figures he\u2019ll be arriving in about two months. Once he gets a place built, he\u2019ll bring out his family. I hear he\u2019s got some beautiful daughters.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe\u2019d better keep his young ladies away from Virginia City\u2019s resident heart-breaker,\u201d stated Mr. Anderson.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cWho\u2019d that be?\u201d asked Sam.<\/span>
\u201cLittle Joe Cartwright,\u201d was the answer. Setting all of the supplies on the counter, Mr. Anderson tallied up the merchandise. \u201cTwenty-five cents for the matches, fifty-cents for the kerosene, and four dollars for the dynamite.\u201d<\/span>
Sam handed over a five-dollar note and got his change. Gathering up the supplies, he headed for the livery to meet Frank. He found Frank inside saddling the horses.<\/span>
Stowing the supplies in their saddle packs, the two men headed out for the Cartwrights\u2019 lumber camp. \u201cYou find out anything about that Sheba lady?\u201d asked Frank hopefully.<\/span>
\u201cI heard she\u2019s an old granny,\u201d Sam replied. \u201cThe Cartwrights took her in when the circus fired her. She\u2019s got some kind of stomach ailment because all she eats is peanuts.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHer cookin\u2019 must be real good then if she\u2019s workin\u2019 in the lumber camp,\u201d said Frank. He imagined an elderly lady who smelled of cinnamon and whose face was lightly dusted with flour. She was probably a top-notch pie baker.<\/span>
\u201cAt least it shouldn\u2019t be too hard to get this Sheba. She\u2019s probably too old and frail to run away from us. If we can distract the crew, we should have no trouble gettin\u2019 our hands on her.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMr. Clarkson won\u2019t be happy if\u2019n we hurt a old lady. We\u2019d better treat her real good,\u201d suggested Frank.<\/span>
They rode on in silence, knowing that Mr. Clarkson would have their hides if they messed this up. There probably wouldn\u2019t be anywhere out west they could hide if the plan didn\u2019t work. Sam figured he could go back east and hide in a city for a while. Frank would just have to fend for himself.<\/span>
Finally, they could hear the sounds of the mill up ahead sawing logs into ties for the railroad. The chops of axes could be heard cutting the trees into a suitable size for the saw. Frank and Sam dismounted, secured their horses, and crept forward to scout out the camp.<\/span>
From the safety of their hiding place, Sam counted six men working in the camp. The man in black he\u2019d seen earlier was also there. Sam noted that he looked like he was the one giving directions. Distract and remove him and they could probably easily take the camp.<\/span>
Nudging Frank, Sam told him his plan. They would start as small fire out here to get the man in black\u2019s attention. When he came out to investigate, they would disarm him and tie his hands behind his back. Then they would enter the camp with their bargaining chip. If the man refused to cooperate, they would kill their hostage before burning the camp down. The two men returned to their horses to get the box of matches and the kerosene.<\/span>
Returning to their previous hiding place, Sam and Frank set about gathering pine straw and some kindling to make a fire. Once they got the kindling and pine straw together, Sam withdrew a match from the box and lit it. He set the lit match to the pine straw, which started to smoke. Small flames then appeared. Sam motioned for Frank to follow him to a hiding spot where they could wait for their quarry. Maybe, if they were lucky, they\u2019d get a glimpse of the mysterious Sheba.<\/span>
A few minutes later, Adam caught the smell of smoke. He quickly glanced around to make sure the saw wasn\u2019t overheating. \u201cTurn off the saw,\u201d he ordered. One of the men disconnected the spout that poured water onto the wheels, powering the saw. Once the saw stopped, all of the men glanced around nervously. Seeing the smoke, one of the men pointed and yelled \u201cFire!\u201d<\/span>
Adam quickly grabbed up a pail of water and headed for the source of the smoke. The men were filling pails and pots with water from Snake Creek. Frank wasn\u2019t so sure anymore that Sam\u2019s plan was going to work.<\/span>
Pouring the contents of the pail onto the fire, Adam quickly turned to dash back to the creek. Sam emerged form his hiding place with his gun drawn. \u201cYou\u2019d best stop in your tracks if\u2019n you don\u2019t want to see your men hurt,\u201d he warned the man in black.<\/span>
Adam slowly turned around to see a man holding a gun on him. \u201cThrow down the pail,\u201d Sam said. Quickly judging the situation, Adam swung back his arm to throw the pail at the stranger. A blow to the back of his head resulted in Adam falling face forward near the fire. Sam was shocked at what Frank had done. That wasn\u2019t part of the plan.\u00a0<\/span>
Frank dragged Adam\u2019s unconscious form into the woods a little ways where the camp men wouldn\u2019t find him. He figured when the camp men came to the fire, he and Sam would be able to torch the camp and grab Sheba. The idea of the filthy rich Cartwrights forcing an elderly lady to work in a logging camp gnawed at his craw. Poor Sheba should be sitting in front of a fire in a warm cabin being tended to by a devoted son. He\u2019d been raised by his grandmother and felt a bit of sympathy for Sheba. Well, he\u2019d use his share of the money to take care of Sheba in her declining years.<\/span>
A loud trumpet froze Frank in his tracks. Sam turned deathly white as he felt the ground beneath his feet shake. He hadn\u2019t factored an earthquake into his plan. Maybe the quake would destroy the camp, making his job so much easier.<\/span>
Frank screamed in terror and pointed. A large, gray beast was charging towards them. The beast had an arm hanging off if its face. A man in a green jacket rode on top of the beast, waving his hat.<\/span>
Terrified, Sam fled for the creek. The men grabbed hold of him, though, and prevented him from escaping. He struggled as one of the men trussed him up. Frank was rooted where he stood, still pointing. No sound came out of his mouth now. He was sure the Apocalypse had begun.<\/span>
\u201cWhoa, Sheba!\u201d yelled Joe over the sounds of the commotion. \u201cWhoa, girl!\u201d he yelled again. Sheba finally came to a stop close to Frank. The elephant reached out with her trunk and touched Frank on the forehead. With his eyes rolling upwards, Frank passed out with a thud.<\/span>
\u201cDown, Sheba,\u201d commanded Joe. The elephant obediently knelt down to let off her rider. \u201cUp, Sheba,\u201d he then commanded. Joe saw the men pushing Sam forward as he stamped out the fire. Adam was nowhere to be seen.<\/span>
\u201cWhere\u2019s my brother?\u201d demanded Joe.<\/span>
Sam looked at Joe tight-lipped. Joe decided to try intimidation. He tapped Sheba\u2019s right foot with this stick and she complied by raising her foot. \u201cTell me where my brother is or Sheba will crush your friend.\u201d<\/span>
Looking pole-axed, Sam realized that Sheba was an it, not a she. No wonder old Cartwright had won the contract. A railroad could probably be built by a beast like this.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m losing my patience,\u201d warned Joe.<\/span>
\u201cHe\u2019s over there,\u201d replied Sam with a jerk of his head.<\/span>
Joe tapped Sheba\u2019s foot again and she gently placed the large foot on the ground. Two of the men stepped forward with another rope and trussed Frank up. Then Joe led Sheba forward to find Adam.<\/span>
Adam was still laying face-down where Frank had left him. Joe let out a gasp, fearing the worst. Sheba reached out with her trunk and caressed Adam\u2019s cheek lightly. Yet again, Joe was mystified as to why females felt a need to take care of Adam. He knew that he was way better looking than his brother. Must be because he\u2019s old, Joe thought.<\/span>
A moan escaped Adam\u2019s lips. Joe and gently rolled his brother over. Checking him over, Joe found a good-sized lump on the back of Adam\u2019s head. Adam would probably have a huge headache for a couple of days.<\/span>
Hoss rode up to see Joe kneeling with Adam\u2019s head in his lap. \u201cHow bad\u2019s he hurt?\u201d he asked worriedly.<\/span>
\u201cJust a bump to the head,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cGood thing he\u2019s got a head as hard as granite.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss turned his attention to Sam. \u201cWho\u2019re you and whaddya think yer doin\u2019?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWe work for Clarkson,\u201d sneered Sam.<\/span>
\u201cYa won\u2019t be workin\u2019 fer no one while yer in jail,\u201d replied Hoss.<\/span>
Frank began to stir and realized he couldn\u2019t move. He thought he must have been slain by the beast that had charged him. Maybe he had made it to Heaven. At least he hoped he had. A nudge from a boot made him realize otherwise.<\/span>
The men pulled Frank to his feet roughly. He saw Sam was also tied up. That big Cartwright fella was here now.<\/span>
Hoss decided to question Frank. \u201cWhy\u2019d Clarkson send ya?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe was mad that he lost that contract. So he paid me and Sam to destroy your camp so he could get it.\u201d<\/span>
Joe emerged on Sheba. He had gotten Adam situated in front of him on the elephant\u2019s back. Adam was still unconscious, his head lolling in time with Sheba\u2019s steps.<\/span>
Frank paled to see the elephant. Hoss noticed Frank\u2019s reaction and said \u201cLooks like Sheba ruined yer plan.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cTh\u2026Th\u2026That\u2019s Sheba?\u201d Frank asked in surprise. Sheba was gray, but she certainly wasn\u2019t a granny. He remembered that the hotel\u2019s desk clerk had said Sheba wasn\u2019t a lady. Frank was a bit disappointed since he had been expecting a kindly grandmother type.<\/span>
\u201cGet those two loaded in the wagon,\u201d ordered Hoss. \u201cTom, you drive \u2018em into town. I\u2019ll go with ya and give a report to the sheriff. Joe, you make sure Sheba gets extra peanuts for saving the camp from these two.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss headed for town with the prisoners while Joe headed for home. Joe wished Hoss was the one taking Adam home and explaining everything to Pa. Maybe Pa would really see how valuable Sheba was. After all, she put a halt to Clarkson\u2019s plan all by herself. Adam had tried but didn\u2019t succeed.<\/span>
A groan escaped from Adam and he reached up to touch the back of his head. \u201cWelcome back to the land of the living,\u201d said Joe cheerfully.<\/span>
Adam noticed that he was high above the ground and being rocked back and forth. A snort made him realize he was riding Sheba.<\/span>
\u201cDid we stop those guys?\u201d asked Adam.<\/span>
\u201cSheba sure did,\u201d replied Joe.<\/span>
\u201cGood,\u201d said Adam. He then decided to take advantage of Joe being in charge for once. Saying he was hurting and dizzy, Adam leaned back and placed his head against Joe\u2019s shoulder with his forehead resting against his youngest brother\u2019s neck. All Joe could do was tighten his hold around Adam\u2019s waist.<\/span>
\u201dIt\u2019d be nice if you sang,\u201d said Adam drowsily.<\/span>
With much reluctance, Joe began singing. However, he chose \u201cShe\u2019ll Be Comin\u2019 Round the Mountain When She Comes.\u201d Adam groaned again. Not in pain, but annoyance. Sheba plodded on, carrying her riders to home and more peanuts.<\/span>
The End<\/span><\/p>\n
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