Summary:\u00a0 Ben tries to teach a young Hoss the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’, but Hoss turns the tables on him, and Ben learns the real meaning of the story.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (12,000 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n THE GOOD SAMARITAN <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The small mining community was quiet on this Sunday morning.\u00a0 Most folk were either in church or working their claims and the tented saloon and the dry goods store were closed and silent.\u00a0 It seemed peaceful enough, but a chain of events was in motion that would change the lives of a small group of people forever.<\/p>\n Two men rode down the track that passed as a main street.\u00a0 Their eyes darted this way and that as if expecting trouble.\u00a0 Both wore guns, one easily with familiarity and the other awkwardly as if unused to its weight and even the most innocent bystander would have known these men were hunting for something or someone.\u00a0 One slightly better dressed than the other nodded to his companion and they halted outside the saloon, lounging in the sunshine waiting for it to open its doors.<\/p>\n Across the street a lanky youngster of around sixteen and a younger girl watched them from their hiding place.\u00a0 In contrast to the two well-fed and confident men, these two were undernourished and frightened.\u00a0 They had been running for days and it seemed there was no end to their journey and no place that was safe from their tormentors.<\/p>\n In the church with its canvas roof, which also served as a schoolhouse, the tall thin pastor droned on unaware that in the warmth of a spring morning most of his congregation was only pretending to listen.\u00a0 Ladies fanned themselves to keep cool, children fidgeted and old men dozed.\u00a0 Halfway back from the altar a ten-year-old boy fidgeted more than most.\u00a0 He hated wearing his best clothes and sitting still when he could be outside playing was an anathema to him.\u00a0 He was seated beside his older brother and he was convinced that Adam wasn\u2019t paying any more attention to the sermon than he was, it just looked that way.\u00a0 Recently all Adam\u2019s attention had been focused on girls and today he was preoccupied with a planned buggy ride with his newest conquest.<\/p>\n Hoss surreptitiously peered around his brother to look at his father who was seated on Adam\u2019s right.\u00a0 Pa looked as if he was concentrating on Pastor Wright\u2019s every word; he was facing forward and surely couldn\u2019t see Hoss unless he turned around.\u00a0 Slowly the boy put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a length of fishing line, a hook and some feathers.\u00a0 If he could make this up before the end of the service then he would be all ready to go trout fishing with his friend Andy.<\/p>\n He worked for a while undisturbed until he felt a sharp nudge in the ribs from his brother.\u00a0 He looked up to see his father\u2019s eyes on him and his hand held out.\u00a0 Swallowing hard Hoss passed the half finished fly to his father and blushing furiously settled back into his seat.\u00a0 For the next ten minutes until the pastor finished speaking he concentrated very hard on the story of the Good Samaritan.\u00a0 He was relieved when they stood to sing the final hymn then apprehensive when the service ended and he felt his father\u2019s firm grip on his arm<\/p>\n Outside the makeshift church Ben Cartwright stopped to talk to several people but all the time he maintained his firm grip on his young son.\u00a0 Finally he marched Hoss over to the family\u2019s wagon.\u00a0 \u201cGet in that wagon and sit while you still can,\u201d he said sternly.<\/p>\n Adam flashed his younger brother a sympathetic grin.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I\u2019ll be back before dark,\u201d he said cheerfully as he made to head over to a group of boys chatting in the sunshine.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll ride back with us now and eat the lunch Marie will have cooked,\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa,\u201d Adam pleaded, \u201cI\u2019m going for a ride with Margie Johnson.\u00a0 You said it was all right yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it is…after<\/em> lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam frowned and threw Hoss a less than flattering look.\u00a0 This was all his fault; he had put Pa in a bad mood.\u00a0\u00a0 The ride home was a silent one.\u00a0 Hoss didn\u2019t dare speak and Adam was fuming at having to ride home when he didn\u2019t need to.\u00a0 It would have been so much better to spend an hour or so with his friends in town before collecting Margie for a pleasant Sunday afternoon ride.\u00a0 Lunch wasn\u2019t much better.\u00a0 Ben explained to Marie what had happened and she was as disapproving as her husband.\u00a0 Because of her Catholic faith, Marie did not attend church with them when the visiting pastor came around but she insisted that Ben continue to take the boys whenever he could, while she looked after Joe\u2019s religious education at home.\u00a0 She could see a time coming when her small son would either want to know why he couldn\u2019t go with them or would crow over the fact that he didn\u2019t have to.\u00a0 Knowing small boys, probably the latter, she thought.<\/p>\n As soon as lunch was finished, Hoss was dispatched to his room to learn twelve Bible verses from the parable of the Good Samaritan.\u00a0\u00a0 His fishing trip was now but a distant hope, since he would never learn them in time to go.\u00a0 Adam rushed to saddle Sport and headed for the Johnson farm with his father\u2019s instructions to be back before chore time ringing in is ears.\u00a0 Ben spent an hour giving Little Joe a riding lesson and then when the little fellow was tired enough for a nap he read him a story.<\/p>\n \u201cPeace at last,\u201d Marie smiled dropping into a chair on the porch having tucked her son into his bed for the afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt this family knows the meaning of the word.\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam, would you go and fetch your brother, please?\u201d Ben asked, settling himself in his armchair by the hearth as he waited for supper to be served.\u00a0 Adam had only been back a short time.\u00a0 He had enjoyed his afternoon with Margie and even managed to steal a couple of kisses, but wasn\u2019t pleased to find that he had Hoss\u2019s chores as well as his own waiting for him.<\/p>\n Adam nodded and sped up the stairs.\u00a0 He pushed open Hoss\u2019s door and leaned in.\u00a0 His brother was sprawled out on the bed with the family Bible open in front of him.\u00a0 \u201cKnow it all yet?\u201d Adam grinned.<\/p>\n Hoss grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cTwelve verses…..\u201d he moaned.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t done but six or maybe seven and I ain\u2019t sure o\u2019 them, neither.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you\u2019d better pray Pa\u2019s in a good mood then, \u2018cos he wants you down there now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hell!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss exclaimed.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled, \u201cI\u2019d watch that too unless you want your mouth washed out and another dozen to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss reluctantly followed Adam downstairs and stood hesitantly in front of his father, while Adam loitered nearby.<\/p>\n \u201cGo finish your chores, I want to talk to your brother alone,\u201d Ben flashed a stern look at his oldest son.<\/p>\n Adam retreated to the kitchen door but didn\u2019t leave the room.\u00a0 He leaned on the doorframe and waited for Hoss\u2019s recitation.<\/p>\n Ben took the Bible from his son\u2019s hand and nodded to him, \u201cLet\u2019s hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss began slowly and managed three verses without too much trouble then he began to stumble over his words. The more Pa glared at him the more nervous he became.\u00a0 He looked up to see Adam mouthing the words to him and he concentrated very hard, managing another two verses and launching into the sixth.<\/p>\n Suddenly Adam froze as he felt a tap on his shoulder and he was pulled back into the kitchen.\u00a0 He turned to face a very stern Marie and swallowed hard as she nailed him to the wall with her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou had better not let your father see you unless you want to spend your free time learning all four gospels and probably doing it standing up,\u201d she said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cNow, go and do as you were told.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam retreated backwards through the kitchen door to finish off his own and Hoss\u2019s yard chores, while his brother struggled on without him.<\/p>\n \u201cNot exactly a faultless performance.\u201d\u00a0 Ben commented when Hoss finally gave up at the eighth verse and admitted he didn\u2019t know anymore.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps in future you will pay attention to the sermon on a Sunday morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you understand what the story is trying to teach us?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n Hoss shifted uncomfortably for a moment as he considered what he had read.\u00a0 \u201cThat we oughta look after folk no matter who they are and even if they ain\u2019t friends,\u201d he said hopefully.<\/p>\n Ben smiled, \u201cWell, something like that, yes.\u00a0 It seems you did listen to at least part of the sermon and since you\u2019ve missed your fishing trip, we\u2019ll say no more about it.\u00a0 Now, you\u2019d better go and wake your little brother from his nap or none of us will get any sleep tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Several days later on his way home from school Hoss was distracted by a movement in the tall grasses of Washoe meadows.\u00a0 He dismounted and dropped to the ground to lie perfectly still watching the tiny brown cub as it rooted around the body of its mother.\u00a0 He watched for almost half an hour, carefully keeping down wind of the animals in case they sensed his presence.\u00a0\u00a0 He was pretty sure the mother bear was dead but he knew better than to approach the cub until he was absolutely certain.\u00a0\u00a0 Slowly he got to his feet and moved nearer. The cub didn\u2019t seem startled at his approach, more curious.\u00a0 He held out his hand and allowed the cub to sniff at him then bent down and gathered the baby into his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s Hop Sing yelling about?\u201d Ben asked as he came in from the yard for supper.<\/p>\n Marie sighed. \u201cWe\u2019ve lost another chicken, that\u2019s two in the past week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCoyotes or bobcat?\u201d\u00a0 Ben queried.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing\u2019s not sure. There are few feathers around and no tracks.\u00a0 He thinks the thief has two legs not four.\u00a0 He says he saw someone a few days back and chased them off with a shotgun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably Indians,\u201d Adam commented from his seat at the table.\u00a0 He barely looked up from his books and didn\u2019t see his father\u2019s exasperated expression.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no reason at all to suspect the Piautes, so don\u2019t make statements you can\u2019t support,\u201d Ben retorted irritably.\u00a0 \u201cAnd where\u2019s your brother?\u00a0 He should have been home hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam leaned back in his chair and stretched.\u00a0 \u201cI rode home with Margie. He went off someplace with Andy.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood with his hands on his hips in lecturing mode, \u201cHe is supposed to come home with you and you are supposed to see that he does.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rubbed his ear and avoided answering.\u00a0 They had been down this road too many times lately and any protest on his part only brought trouble crashing around him.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you hear me?\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa, I hear you,\u201d Adam replied with as much insolence as he thought he could get away with.<\/p>\n Ben was about to respond, when the door crashed open and a four-year-old hurricane came into the room.\u00a0 \u201cHoss\u2019s got a bear!\u201d\u00a0 Joe cried dancing into the room and making a lot of noise.<\/p>\n Adam grinned with relief at the distraction, realizing he had probably been heading for trouble.<\/p>\n Ben stopped his youngest son\u2019s headlong dash.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, calm down,\u201d he cautioned, then did a double take as he understood what Joe had said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat!\u201d\u00a0 He headed for the door with Adam and Marie at his heels. Sure enough, Hoss was just disappearing into the barn with a large brown furry bundle.<\/p>\n Ben hurried across the yard and stood at the barn door.\u00a0 \u201cHoss…what\u2019ve you got there?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 Although as Hoss turned at his father\u2019s voice it was obvious that what he was holding was a small bear cub.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a bear cub, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied unnecessarily. \u201cHis mama\u2019s dead and I thought…\u201d\u00a0 he stopped as he saw his father\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n Ben was standing with his thumbs hooked into his pants pockets and that firm look on his face that told his sons he was not about to concede to any requests.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you can think again.\u00a0 We are not acquiring any more animals, especially a bear cub.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa, he\u2019s a baby and he needs me,\u201d Hoss pleaded as Joe reached out a chubby hand to stroke the cub\u2019s fur.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, he\u2019s a Grizzly.\u00a0 Do you know how big he will grow in the next few months?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s face fell.\u00a0 He knew it was going to be hard, if not impossible, to change Pa\u2019s mind.\u00a0 He glanced at Marie.\u00a0 Maybe Mama could… But no, she looked as immovable as his father.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll die,\u201d he said sadly, cuddling the bear cub to him and making it grunt in protest.<\/p>\n Joe ran to his father and pulled on his pants leg.\u00a0 \u201cI wanna keep him, Papa,\u201d he said staring up at his father with wide sad eyes.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m sorry, son. Even the smell of him is making the horses nervous.\u00a0 Hoss, give him to me and I\u2019ll take him back into the woods.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe another family of bears will find him.\u2019<\/p>\n Adam glanced from his father to his brother, wondering if Hoss knew what Pa intended.\u00a0 It would be cruel to leave the cub to starve to death and Adam knew his father wouldn\u2019t do that.\u00a0 He would shoot the cub as soon as he was out of earshot of the house.\u00a0 He could tell from Hoss\u2019s face that Pa\u2019s intention had slowly dawned on him, too.<\/p>\n Adam jumped in quickly.\u00a0 \u201cPa, if we could find somewhere away from\u00a0 the horses to keep him for tonight, I could take him up to old\u00a0 Red Hawk.\u00a0 He\u2019d take care of him until he\u2019s big enough to survive on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss saw an opening and added his plea. \u201cPlease, Pa. It\u2019s way up in the mountains and he\u2019d be safe there.\u00a0 You said we should help.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWhen exactly did I say that?\u201d\u00a0 He asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSunday,\u201d said Hoss promptly.\u00a0 \u201cYou said we had to be good Samaritans and help folk even if they weren\u2019t our friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie chuckled, the idea was so comical and she waited with a wide grin for her husband to dig his way out of this one.<\/p>\n Ben sighed,\u00a0 \u201cHoss, that means people not bears.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa, God made bears too didn\u2019t he?\u00a0 I mean, we should look after all animals, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tried to hide his grin.\u00a0 Pa was weakening merely because the argument was getting too deep for easy conversation.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s right, Pa, you always taught us to respect animals.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben rounded on Adam and glared at him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not the same thing at all,\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n Joe stroked the little cub. \u201cLook, Papa.\u00a0 He likes me.\u00a0 Can I go wiv\u2019 you to find him a new Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nudged Hoss, they were almost there.\u00a0 Pa couldn\u2019t agree to Joe\u2019s request if he planned to kill the little cub and he couldn\u2019t refuse without giving an excuse or Joe would have one of his infamous tantrums.<\/p>\n Ben raised a hand in defeat,\u00a0 \u201cAll right, all right.\u00a0 One night, one!\u00a0 And you keep him away from the stock.\u00a0 Put him in the woodshed and tomorrow you take him up to Red Hawk and don\u2019t bring him back,\u201d he said sternly or as sternly as he could manage with all three sons and his wife grinning at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey, Hoss can you ride home on your own and take your time?\u2019\u00a0 Adam asked as the two brothers left Red Hawk\u2019s camp.\u00a0 Red Hawk had taken the cub and explained that the bears were important to the Paiute and he would take care of the little one and release him into the wild when he was big enough to fend for himself.\u00a0 Hoss had promised himself that he would visit from time to time to see that the cub was all right.\u00a0 \u201cI want to make a quick visit to the Johnson place.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked askance at his older brother, \u201cOkay, but Pa won\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t know. I\u2019ll be back before chores.\u00a0 You take your time getting back and he\u2019ll never notice.\u201d<\/p>\n After Adam had disappeared down the road to the Johnson farm, Hoss decided to use the time he had to spare by visiting a few of his animal friends.\u00a0 He rode along the stream until he came to his favorite spot.\u00a0 A family of beaver was building a dam and he had spent hours watching the industrious little creatures over the past few weeks.\u00a0 As the sun began to dip he made his way homeward hoping that his older brother wasn\u2019t far behind.\u00a0 He hated having to make excuses to Pa.<\/p>\n He was almost at the yard when a movement behind the back of the barn startled him.\u00a0 He walked over to investigate and found a young girl, maybe a few years older than he was, in ragged clothes, crouching between the corral fence and the barn wall.\u00a0 The girl looked up nervously, she was thin and gaunt with sunken eyes and her dark skin had a gray sheen.\u00a0 To the rotund, well-fed Hoss she looked half-starved.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat ya doin\u2019 here?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked, as softly as he could so as not to startle her more.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wasn\u2019t doin\u2019 no harm,\u201d\u00a0 the girl replied in a weak voice.<\/p>\n Hoss surveyed her critically.\u00a0 \u201cYou hungry?\u201d\u00a0 he asked, then realized she had said we.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s with ya?\u201d\u00a0 he said glancing around a little nervously.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly my brother.\u00a0 He\u2019s gone huntin\u2019 food,\u201d she replied and then began to cough miserably.<\/p>\n Hoss went to her and knelt beside her.\u00a0 \u201cI could get ya some water from the pump.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He suited actions to his words and fetched the dipper for her.<\/p>\n The girl drank greedily.\u00a0 \u201cYou won\u2019t tell no one we\u2019s here, willya?\u00a0 Ain\u2019t doin\u2019 no harm and your barn\u2019s nice an\u2019 dry for sleepin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI could tell my Pa.\u00a0 He\u2019d let you stay, I know he would.\u201d<\/p>\n The girl looked alarmed.\u00a0 Then Hoss remembered the bear cub, maybe Pa wasn\u2019t in such a good mood lately.\u00a0 He might just turn her away, especially if there was a brother, too.\u00a0 She looked too frail to harm anyone but her brother might be different. Hoss decided to keep it secret for now.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, I won\u2019t tell no one,\u201d he said kindly.\u00a0 \u2018If\u2019n you stay here I\u2019ll go see if I can sneak you something to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss crept into the kitchen and peered around.\u00a0 No sign of his stepmother or Hop Sing.\u00a0 He took a small sack and went to the big cold store.\u00a0 The shelves were lined with food but it was hard to know what to take that would not be missed.\u00a0 He decided on a piece of cheese and some slices of ham, a loaf of bread, and some crackers.\u00a0 It looked better to take the whole loaf.\u00a0 Maybe Hop Sing hadn\u2019t counted how many he had made this morning.\u00a0 Cutting into one would show more.\u00a0 He was just leaving when he spotted an apple pie.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss loved apple pie with its lovely crisp brown crust.\u00a0 He broke the pie in half and put half in the sack and began to eat the other half.\u00a0 He had almost made it to the door when he heard someone approaching from the dining room.\u00a0 He quickly ducked out into the yard and ran for the barn.<\/p>\n Adam stood in the doorway watching his young brother racing across the yard.\u00a0 He grinned.\u00a0 What had Hoss been up to now?\u00a0 There were no donuts on the table, not even an empty plate, so it couldn\u2019t have been that.\u00a0\u00a0 He shrugged and went hunting for something to assuage his own hunger until suppertime.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie came into the dining room shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Hop Sing.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t touched anything in the kitchen today,\u201d she called back over her shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the problem?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked from the depth of his armchair.<\/p>\n Marie perched herself on the arm of the chair. \u201cOh, Hop Sing baked this morning and he says someone has taken things from the pantry.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled. \u201cAdam was sneaking around there a few minutes ago and you know Hoss is always hungry.\u00a0 Maybe they helped themselves.\u00a0 I\u2019ll speak to them about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie frowned.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think that covers it.\u00a0 It was a whole loaf and an apple pie and a few other things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoys do have big appetites but they shouldn\u2019t be stealing from the kitchen.\u00a0 Where are they now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s in his room, I think.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t seen Hoss since he and Adam went up to Red Hawk\u2019s with the bear,\u201d Marie replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI see\u2019d him,\u201d piped up Joe from the hearth.\u00a0 \u201cHe was runnin\u2019 \u2018cross the yard just now.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie scooped the little boy up into her arms and sat down on the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cOh was he?\u00a0 And you didn\u2019t think of running after him did you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHe not only thought, he would have done but my arm\u2019s longer than he realized and he was arrested before he got to the door.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up as Adam came down the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Marie, is supper almost ready? I\u2019m starving,\u201d Adam asked ruffling Joe\u2019s hair and making the little boy struggle in his mother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n \u201cAlmost.\u00a0 If you will entertain this little mischief, I\u2019ll go finish it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam picked up one of Joe\u2019s blocks and started to build.\u00a0 \u201cWhat shall it be, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA\u00a0 fort,\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied promptly and slid down on to the floor to help.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, did your starvation drive you to take food from the kitchen without permission?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked quietly.<\/p>\n Adam looked up and flushed with embarrassment.\u00a0 \u201cIt was only a couple of cookies, Pa, and Hop Sing wasn\u2019t around…\u201d\u00a0 His voice tailed off at his father\u2019s stern look.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure that\u2019s all it was?\u00a0 Not that the degree matters, the fact that you took anything without asking first is unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHonest, Pa, it was just two cookies,\u201d Adam replied anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cWas your brother with you?\u00a0 Did he help himself too?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam hesitated a second then decided he had no proof so he shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe wasn\u2019t in the kitchen when I was there, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He neatly side stepped the second question and continued with building the fort for Little Joe, avoiding is father\u2019s searching look as much as he could.<\/p>\n Hoss came into the room from the yard, hot and bothered from running around.\u00a0 He stopped as he saw Adam tapping his fingers on the table and glancing at Pa\u2019s chair. They had a set of signals and this one usually meant trouble<\/p>\n Sure enough, Pa beckoned to him.\u00a0 He moved slowly to the edge of the table and waited.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere have you been since you got back with Adam?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n Hoss saw Adam\u2019s plea to keep quiet.\u00a0 In any case it would do no good to say he hadn\u2019t come home with Adam.\u00a0 Pa would only question him more closely.\u00a0 \u201cI bin in the barn.\u201d\u00a0 Saying as little as possible seemed the best policy right now.<\/p>\n \u201cDoing what?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked tipping his head on one side to observe his son, who shifted uneasily from one foot to the other.<\/p>\n \u201cNuthin, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied his eyes fixed firmly on his feet to avoid catching the eye of his older brother who was grinning at his discomfort.<\/p>\n Ben grunted. \u201cDoes nothing<\/em> include hiding something from Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss considered very carefully how to word his answer so as not to mention his new acquaintance.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t hide nuthin\u2019, Pa,\u201d he said slowly.<\/p>\n Ben drew in a breath and spelled out his request very slowly.\u00a0 \u201cDid you take some food from the kitchen without asking either Hop Sing or your mother?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss bit his lip and considered all the angles.\u00a0 \u201cI ate some apple pie\u2026\u201d he said softly, then glanced up for his father\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss!\u00a0 You march right out into that kitchen and apologize to Hop Sing.\u00a0 You know better than to help yourself.\u00a0 If you are hungry then you ask. Not that you could possibly be hungry after the enormous breakfast and lunch you ate,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n Hoss almost breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 If Hop Sing hadn\u2019t mentioned the bread then a quick apology would get him off the hook this time.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa, I\u2019ll go tell him so now,\u201d he said quickly.<\/p>\n The conversation at supper ranged from ranch chores to new furnishings but through it all Hoss stayed silent.\u00a0 He ate steadily and at every opportunity slipped small quantities of food into his napkin.\u00a0 Maisie was hungry and Hoss had now met her older brother and he was even more emaciated than his sister.\u00a0\u00a0 The boy had bulging eyes, which stood out in his thin face, and his limbs were like matchstalks.\u00a0 They had both fallen on the bread, meat and cheese and had declared that they had never before tasted apple pie.\u00a0 Hoss couldn\u2019t believe that there was anyone who didn\u2019t know about apple pie.<\/p>\n Marie watched her young stepson with concern.\u00a0 He had eaten well today and if Hop Sing was right had taken almost another meal from the pantry but it didn\u2019t seem to have stopped his hunger.\u00a0 He was on his second helping of everything.\u00a0 She shrugged. He was a growing boy but at this rate he would outgrow his clothes again in a few weeks.<\/p>\n They had barely finished their meal when there was a sharp knock at the door.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss glanced across the table each expecting the other to answer it.<\/p>\n Ben gave an exasperated sigh, \u201cAdam, you\u2019re the nearest.\u00a0 Would you mind?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam got to his feet grumbling as he did so, \u201cWhy always me?\u00a0 Hoss can open a door.\u201d<\/p>\n He came back a minute later to announce, \u201cTwo fellas to see you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned, \u201cWell, invite them in.\u00a0 Where are your manners, boy?\u00a0 Don\u2019t leave them standing at the door.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam did as he was bid and Ben regretted his insistence.\u00a0 Neither man looked the sort of person he wanted in his house.\u00a0\u00a0 The bigger of the two looked like a convict.\u00a0 He was dressed in heavy work clothes that were none too clean and he wore the gun on his hip far too easily.\u00a0 The smaller man was better dressed but his eyes darted from place to place as if searching for something and he made Ben feel uncomfortable.<\/p>\n Ben nevertheless held out his hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n The smaller man shook his hand, surprising Ben with the firmness of his grip.<\/p>\n \u201cMacey,\u00a0 Alex Macey.\u00a0 And this is my\u2026\u00a0 er, colleague,\u00a0 Cade Henderson.\u201d\u00a0 He indicated the bigger man who made no attempt to shake hands.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018We\u2019re looking for two runaway kids.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019ve been in town and now we\u2019re checking the ranches and farms hereabouts.\u00a0 You seen any strangers?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head.\u00a0 His eyes were on Macey and he didn\u2019t see his middle son\u2019s startled glance.\u00a0 \u201cYou the law or from some sort of orphanage?\u201d he asked.\u00a0\u00a0 He looked Henderson up and down.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t look like a lawman but neither did he appear to be the sort of person generally employed by the churches who ran most of the orphan homes.<\/p>\n Macey gave a grim smile. \u201cI guess you could say we\u2019re the law where we come from, but that ain\u2019t why we\u2019re lookin\u2019 for \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd where exactly is that?\u201d\u00a0 Ben growled.<\/p>\n \u201cA fair piece from here. I was passing through on my way to San Francisco when the kids run off.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie got up from her chair and moved into the center of the room so that she could see them.\u00a0 She grasped hold of her husband\u2019s arm as if for protection.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re their father?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked, a little puzzled at the man\u2019s attitude.<\/p>\n Marie shook her head and curled her lip in disgust. \u201cNo, Ben.\u00a0 He\u2019s their owner and this excuse for a man is his overseer.\u00a0 You\u2019re a long way from home right now, Mr. Macey.\u201d<\/p>\n Macey moved toward her threateningly,\u00a0 \u201cSo are you, Ma\u2019am, and the law\u2019s on my side.\u00a0 Runaway slaves are property no matter what territory I\u2019m in and harboring \u2019em is illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put an arm around his wife. \u201cMacey, this is my house and you will not threaten my family or me.\u00a0 There are no slaves on this property.\u00a0 Now, I suggest you leave before I have you thrown out.\u201d His voice was like ice as his eyes bored into the smaller man.<\/p>\n Macey turned on his heel and swore softly.\u00a0 \u201cIf I find you got them kids here I\u2019ll see you in jail, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben let out a sigh of relief as the door closed behind them.\u00a0 \u201cHow did you know what they were?\u201d he asked Marie as he led her back to the table.<\/p>\n Marie gave a hollow laugh.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve seen too many of them, and his accent was so obviously Mississippi.\u00a0 The only mystery is why he brought two slave children way up here,\u201d she shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI doubt we\u2019ll see them again.\u00a0 Let\u2019s finish supper.\u201d\u00a0 She nodded slightly in the direction of the boys who were listening avidly to the conversation.<\/p>\n Hours later Hoss cornered his older brother in the upstairs hallway.\u00a0 \u201cCome in here,\u201d he invited, opening his bedroom door and almost pushing Adam inside.\u00a0 \u201cI wanna ask you sumthin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam regained his balance and grinned.\u00a0 \u201cSomething you don\u2019t want Pa to hear, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss ignored the comment and carefully closed the door.\u00a0 \u201cThem men that was here tonight\u2026 Was what they was saying right?\u00a0 Can some folks own people?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam pursed his lips in distaste and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, they were right.\u00a0 In some states rich white folk can own Negro slaves.\u201d\u00a0 Adam dropped down on to Hoss\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cNasty idea but it\u2019s true.\u00a0 You musta heard Marie talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. \u201cWhat\u2019s a Negro?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cBoy, you are stupid.\u00a0 A Negro is a person with black skin.\u00a0 You\u2019ve seen them in books.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded slowly as realization began to dawn on him.\u00a0 \u201cI never knew that\u2019s what they was called,\u201d he said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cAre all Negroes slaves?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head. \u201cNo, but I guess in this country most of \u2018em are.\u00a0 They mostly live in the south, so we don\u2019t get to see them.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at his brother. \u201cWhy are you asking all these questions?\u00a0 Do you know something about those runaways?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss turned his back on Adam and began fussing with a lariat left lying on his night table.\u00a0 \u201cWhat would happen to someone who helped them\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n Adam sat up straight and contemplated his brother\u2019s rigid back.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019d go to jail, I guess,\u201d Adam said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s kinda like hiding a bank robber.\u201d\u00a0 He waited a few seconds.\u00a0 \u201cHoss?\u00a0 If you know something you ought to tell Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head,\u00a0 \u201cWould Pa help \u2018em, d\u2019you think?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam now knew that Hoss was hiding the children.\u00a0 He had to be to ask all these questions.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, maybe.\u00a0 But he\u2019d do it within the law.\u00a0 What you\u2019re doing is not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow d\u2019you know I\u2019m doin\u2019 sumthin\u2019?\u201d Hoss rounded on his brother.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled, \u201cBecause you\u2019re no good at keeping secrets or telling lies, little brother.\u00a0\u00a0 Now, how about you tell me everything for starters.\u201d\u00a0 He leaned back against the bed head and showed no inclination to move until his brother complied with the request.<\/p>\n Hoss sighed and related his story, his voice showing his concern for the two youngsters.\u00a0 \u201cYou mustn\u2019t tell, Adam.\u00a0 Lijah says he\u2019ll die if they go back and he says that awful things will happen to his sister.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded. \u201c\u201d \u2018Older\u2019n me.\u00a0 Maybe twelve or thirteen and Lijah said he thought he was sixteen.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up puzzled, \u201cHow come he don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam reached up and pulled Hoss down beside him.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t suppose anyone ever told him.\u00a0 Maybe he got sold away from his family,\u201d Adam said sadly.\u00a0 \u201cWhere you got them hiding?\u201d\u00a0 he asked, casually.<\/p>\n Hoss hesitated for only a second.\u00a0 He knew he\u2019d have to tell his brother or Adam would tell Pa and it would all come out anyway.\u00a0 \u201cIn back of the hayloft,\u201d he sighed.<\/p>\n Adam bit his lip and thought. \u201cThat isn\u2019t a very safe place.\u00a0 Pa or one of the hands could go up there anytime and find them.\u00a0 We need to think of somewhere better.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked at him in amazement and then grinned.\u00a0 Adam was gonna help after all.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean you ain\u2019t gonna tell?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head. \u201cNot until I\u2019ve had a chance to talk to your friend Elijah.\u00a0\u00a0 I may have to then, but at least I want to hear his story.\u201d\u00a0 Adam pushed to his feet and dragged Hoss with him \u201cC\u2019mon, no time like now.\u00a0 Pa and Marie will be talking and the hands are in the bunkhouse.\u00a0 We can go down the backstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n The two boys crept quietly out of Hoss\u2019s room and along the hallway, listening at every step for the sound of their parents\u2019 voices to reassure themselves that they were safe from discovery.\u00a0 Once inside the barn Adam lifted the lamp from its bracket and lit it, shielding it as much as he could.<\/p>\n \u201cYou go up first so they don\u2019t get scared,\u201d he said pushing Hoss toward the ladder.\u00a0 By the time Adam had followed him Hoss had reassured the two children and he was talking quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my big brother, Adam,\u201d Hoss said softly.<\/p>\n Adam peered into the darkness, the lamp barely illuminating the corner of the barn.\u00a0 The boy was probably about his age but he looked older, his face thin and careworn.\u00a0 The girl, despite her ragged appearance and haunted expression, was pretty in an elfin way and Adam smiled reassuringly at her.<\/p>\n \u201cIts okay, he won\u2019t tell no one,\u201d Hoss said quickly as Lijah looked alarmed.<\/p>\n Adam frowned. \u201cI didn\u2019t exactly say that, Hoss,\u201d he corrected.\u00a0 \u201cI want to know a bit more first, but this place isn\u2019t safe.\u00a0 There\u2019s an old mine working\u00a0 a couple of miles from here, no one ever goes there.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned at the boy, \u201cWe have a kinda camp there.\u00a0 You can use that.\u00a0 It\u2019s got candles and matches and some blankets and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss smiled.\u00a0 Why hadn\u2019t he thought of that?\u00a0 The hideout was the perfect place.\u00a0 No one knew about it, not even Pa.\u00a0\u00a0 Over the past five or six years, he and Adam had built up quite a store of things there.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t often go there now he was older but it was fun to have a place that was their own.<\/p>\n Adam led the way down the ladder and before he reached the door he blew out the lamp plunging them into darkness.\u00a0 Carefully he pushed the door open and peered toward the house and then the bunkhouse.\u00a0 There was no one in sight so he pushed the other three out into the yard and followed closing the door quietly behind him.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to walk or someone will hear the horses,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie sank into a chair and threw up her hands in despair.\u00a0 Ben working at his desk grinned at her.\u00a0 \u201cDo I take it from all the French and Chinese emerging from the kitchen that you and Hop Sing have had a falling out?\u201d he said mildly.<\/p>\n She started to yell then subsided and giggled,\u00a0 \u201cI suppose it was rather loud.\u00a0 We both got a bit heated over the plans for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre we getting any?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked his face creased into a grin.<\/p>\n Marie got up and wandered over to the desk perching beside him.\u00a0 \u201cThat could be doubtful.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing\u2019s that mad?\u201d<\/p>\n She shook her head, \u201cNo, but he can\u2019t cook without supplies and ours have dwindled.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI went to town a week ago.\u00a0 He had at least a month\u2019s supply of dry goods,\u201d Ben protested.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, that\u2019s not the problem.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s cooked food that is disappearing.\u00a0 Pies, bread, baked ham\u2026 that sort of thing;\u00a0 although the crackers and cheese are nearly all gone, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s frown deepened.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, it has to be.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have a few words to say to that young man.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie shook her head. \u201cYour theory doesn\u2019t fit,\u201d she said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cHe hates cheese.\u00a0 I can\u2019t get him to eat it unless I insist.\u00a0 He\u2019d never steal cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen it has to be Adam as well.\u201d Ben was now getting angry, \u201c\u2019ve told them several times and this is the last straw.\u00a0 Where are they?\u201d He pushed back his chair and closed the account books.<\/p>\n Marie moved back in mock alarm.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019m not sure.\u00a0 I wanted them to look after Little Joe for a while but I couldn\u2019t find them.\u201d<\/p>\n This didn\u2019t improve Ben\u2019s temper. \u201chey should be back to do chores by now, \u201che said crossly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go and get started.\u00a0 If they come into the house send them out to the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie raised her eyebrows as her husband went out slamming the door behind him, a practice that, if performed by his sons, made him angry.<\/p>\n A few minutes later Adam and Hoss did come into the kitchen, laughing and pushing each other in friendly teasing.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Marie.\u00a0 We\u2019re starving.\u00a0 Can we have a snack to keep us going until supper?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked putting his arm around Marie\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 He was now quite a bit taller than she was and he grinned at his brother over her head.\u00a0 \u201cSwimming sure makes me hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019ve had more than enough to eat today and your father wants to see you in the barn right now,\u201d she said crossly, shrugging off his hand.<\/p>\n Adam bit his lip and raised an eyebrow at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cWhat does Pa want?\u201d he asked warily.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean apart from you two doing your chores?\u201d she replied with a snap.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d better get on out there and find out.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t keep him waiting, he\u2019s not in the mood for tardiness.\u201d<\/p>\n As they walked across the yard Adam leaned toward Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHe must know about the food.\u00a0 Now, let me do the talking.\u00a0 We\u2019re probably gonna get it in the neck for taking it but he doesn\u2019t have to know about Elijah and Maisie if we\u2019re careful.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded, only too happy to let Adam be in the front line.\u00a0 Adam cautiously opened the barn door and moved toward Sport\u2019s stall.\u00a0 His father was filling a bucket with oats and spoke without looking up.\u00a0 \u201cAbout time too.\u00a0 Where have you been all afternoon?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam bridled a bit.\u00a0 It was Saturday, after all, and they were usually free to do as they pleased once the chores were done in the morning.\u00a0 He was about to make an angry retort when he thought better of it.\u00a0\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t do to get Pa any more riled up than he was already.\u00a0 \u201cWe went for a ride and then had a swim in the lake,\u201d he said quietly and respectfully.<\/p>\n Ben stopped what he was doing and moved across to stand in front of them.\u00a0 \u201cYou helped yourselves to a picnic too, didn\u2019t you?\u201d he accused, wagging a figure under Adam\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n Adam almost smiled but stopped himself just in time.\u00a0 Pa had just given him the perfect excuse and the perfect opening for his apology.\u00a0 He scraped his toe in the dust as if ashamed and embarrassed.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry about that.\u00a0 We wanted to get away and Hop Sing wasn\u2019t around and Marie was busy with Joe.\u00a0 We made some sandwiches.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben grunted at his son\u2019s quick and unsolicited apology.\u00a0 It was not like Adam to apologize so freely\u00a0 \u201cA sight more than a few sandwiches and you\u2019ve been told more than once not to take food without asking,\u201d he said slightly mollified at this sons\u2019 rapid repentance.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe going without your supper tonight will make you think before doing it again,\u201d he finished, turning back to his work.<\/p>\n Hoss drew in a sharp breath.\u00a0 He was hungry.\u00a0 To him there was no worse punishment than missing a meal.\u00a0 Adam relaxed and winked at his brother.\u00a0 It could have been so much worse.<\/p>\n When they were washing up at the pump Hoss complained about his missed meal.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh,\u201d Adam grunted.\u00a0 \u201cIf Pa had found out where the food was really going it would have been a whipping.\u00a0 Think yourself lucky, little brother.\u201d\u00a0 He stuck his head under the pump then shook his hair sending spray everywhere like a wet dog.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d better sort out something more permanent for them tomorrow.\u00a0 We can\u2019t take any more food from the kitchen or we\u2019ll be in big trouble and we can\u2019t keep enough of our own to feed them.\u201d\u00a0 He straightened up and pushed his black hair back from his forehead then shook the water off his hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou got any money?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cOnly twelve cents,\u201d he replied ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cI got maybe a dollar and a half.\u00a0 It\u2019s not enough to feed them for more than a day or two or buy them a way out of here,\u201d Adam mused as they walked toward the house.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll go up to the hideout tomorrow and see if Elijah has any ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben paced anxiously back and forth across the rug.\u00a0 \u201cJust wait \u2018til I get my hands on those two.\u00a0 They are going to wish they\u2019d never left the yard,\u201d he stormed.<\/p>\n Marie watched him pace and cuddled Joe close to her.\u00a0 The little boy was in his nightshirt and ready for bed and was waiting for his mother to read him a story.\u00a0 His eyes widened at his father\u2019s anger.\u00a0 He tucked in closer to Mama and hoped Papa wouldn\u2019t shout at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be back.\u00a0 I expect they lost track of the time and only noticed how late it was when the sun started to set.\u201d Marie tried to calm her husband but it was a lost cause.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s after seven.\u00a0 They should have been back two or three hours ago,\u201d he complained \u201cDid they give any idea of where they were going?\u201d<\/p>\n Marie shook her head. \u201cThey asked for a picnic and said they were heading over towards the north end of Washoe Lake, but they didn\u2019t say where.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben ceased pacing and peered out of the front door.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s less than an hour\u2019s ride from the furthest point of Washoe to the house.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He came back inside and picked up his coat and gun belt.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going looking for them and when I find them riding is going to be the last thing on their minds.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie sighed as she watched him leave.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon little one, let\u2019s get you to bed and read that story,\u201d she said setting Joe on his feet and taking his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa\u2019s vewy cwoss with Adam and Hoss, ain\u2019t he Mama?\u201d\u00a0 Joe said anxiously as they climbed the stairs. \u201cThey get lost?\u201d<\/p>\n Marie smiled down at him.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think they got lost, sweetie.\u00a0 I think they got into some game or other or maybe fishing and forgot that they had chores to do.\u00a0 When your Papa finds them I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll forget again for a while.\u201d\u00a0 She picked him up and set him on the bed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what story are we going to read tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Across the valley, Adam sat back on his heels and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s no good, Elijah.\u00a0 We\u2019re never going to move all this rock.\u00a0 There has to be another way out.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced around as the flame from the candle stub flickered in his hand.\u00a0 They had been discussing what to do to get Elijah and Maisie away from here when Hoss had backed into one of the timber uprights sending showers of dust and rock on to them.\u00a0 Adam had tried to push it back into place but had only succeeded in starting a massive rock fall as the timber gave way.\u00a0 Luckily none of the children had suffered more than a few cuts and bruises but the entrance was very effectively blocked.\u00a0 Adam, Hoss and Elijah had worked for maybe an hour and made no impression on the blockage.\u00a0 In fact, as they worked more rocks fell and Adam was afraid that one of them would get hurt or they would bring the whole roof down on them.<\/p>\n The colored boy sat back on his heels and nodded, \u201cI doan like bein\u2019 shut in.\u00a0 We gonna go find another hole?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam wiped his cheeks with a grimy hand. \u201cOne of us should stay here with the kids\u2026\u201d he indicated Hoss and Maisie.\u00a0 \u201cThen if we get lost we can shout and find our way back.\u00a0 We\u2019re gonna have to feel our way.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have much candle left.\u201d<\/p>\n Maisie began to cry.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019s \u2018fraid of the dark,\u201d she whimpered. \u201c\u2018Doan leave me \u2018Lijah.\u00a0 We\u2019s gonna die, ain\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss put an arm around her skinny shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u00a0 My brother will find a way out, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was touched at Hoss\u2019s faith in him but he felt that on this occasion it might be misplaced.\u00a0 These shafts were small, dug in the early days when gold lay near the surface.\u00a0 This one had three tunnels leading off the main one but he guessed that they only went a few yards into the mountain.\u00a0 The miners hadn\u2019t needed to do much heavy work and didn\u2019t unless they found a seam and this one had no sign of extensive working.<\/p>\n The first two tunnels were very short and ended in rock faces, marked and scarred by pickaxes.\u00a0 The third was slightly longer and ended with a pile of rocks not unlike the one at the entrance.\u00a0 This tunnel, too, had suffered a cave in sometime in the past.\u00a0 Adam pulled at few stones but it didn\u2019t seem any easier to move than the other blockage and this one would only lead deep into the mountain.\u00a0 He turned to go back to the others, his heart heavy with the knowledge that unless someone came looking for them there was no way out.\u00a0 A rescue was unlikely.\u00a0 No one knew where they were.\u00a0 In fact, he and Hoss had deliberately misled Marie into thinking they were heading up to the north end of Washoe.\u00a0\u00a0 Any search party would be miles away.\u00a0 It was true that in daylight you could see the mine workings from the valley floor but they had deliberately tethered the horses out of sight so that nothing would give them away and in the dark any trail would be invisible.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no way out down any of the tunnels,\u201d he told his three companions.\u00a0 He set the candle down on the floor and gazed at it for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s funny, it\u2019s still flickering,\u201d he mused softly.\u00a0 \u201cEverybody keep real still.\u00a0 Yeah, see that?\u00a0 It flickered.\u00a0 There must be some air getting in here from somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Elijah looked admiringly at his companion,\u00a0 \u201cYou mean there\u2019s gotta be a hole someplace?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAll we have to do is find it.\u201d\u00a0 He picked up the candle again and began to search the tunnel walls.<\/p>\n \u201cDidja try the roof?\u201d\u00a0 Elijah asked.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face lit up.\u00a0 \u201cAn air vent, you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n The colored boy wasn\u2019t sure what a vent was but he nodded anyway; Adam seemed to have understood him.<\/p>\n The candle flickered more as Adam lifted it higher.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2026.there!\u201d shouted Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cI saw somethin\u2019.\u00a0 It\u2019s a different color.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam ran his hand along the area Hoss pointed to and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s soft, like earth.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled a handful down and small stones rattled around him making Maisie shrink back in alarm.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can dig our way out?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss shouted; relief evident in his voice.<\/p>\n Adam looked at Elijah. Neither of the older boys looked so pleased.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we can, cain\u2019t we?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked, seeing their somber expressions.<\/p>\n Adam grasped his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThink, Hoss.\u00a0 Think about the entrance.\u00a0 The mountain rose up above it.\u00a0 We are about ten feet inside the entrance so we could be seven or eight feet under the surface.\u00a0 That\u2019s a lot of digging and we would probably hit rock again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut the air\u2026?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss persisted.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be just a tiny shaft drilled out to give a little air, or it could be that some of the rock has water running down it making a channel.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t have to be much to make the candle flicker.\u201d\u00a0 Adam saw his brother\u2019s face crumple and the first signs of defeat and tears.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u00a0 Pa\u2019ll find us, and when he does you\u2019ll wish we\u2019d been stuck here longer.\u201d\u00a0 He tried to grin to ease the tension.<\/p>\n Elijah looked at Adam in the dim light.\u00a0 \u201cWe could go on diggin\u2019\u2026 It\u2019s sumthin\u2019 to do.\u201d\u00a0 He indicated the two younger ones.<\/p>\n Adam nodded.\u00a0 At least it would take their minds of the hopelessness of the situation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben rode slowly in the fading light.\u00a0 First he headed toward the north end of the Washoe Valley but here he could see for miles and there was no sign of any boys.\u00a0 Then he turned towards the slopes around Washoe diggings; maybe some of the miners had seen the boys.\u00a0\u00a0 After more than an hour of riding and no sign of anyone he moved to riding the trails that overlooked the valley on the west side above the Ponderosa ranch house.\u00a0 His anger was now translating to fear.\u00a0 The boys were quite capable of taking care of themselves in normal circumstances but to be out this late wasn\u2019t normal.\u00a0\u00a0 They might tempt fate a little, hoping he wouldn\u2019t be too angry, but they knew that once it started to get dark he would worry and his anger, and consequently their punishment, would escalate.\u00a0 No, something had to be wrong.<\/p>\n He saw horses in the distance and watched as the riders moved along the ridge, stopping every now and again to check the mountainside as if searching for something.\u00a0 Maybe these men had seen the boys.\u00a0 He pushed Buck into a faster gait and angled across to meet the men.\u00a0 As he drew closer he recognized Macey and Henderson.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, well, if it isn\u2019t Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 You\u2019re out a mite late, ain\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Macey drawled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking for my sons Mr. Macey.\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t suppose you\u2019ve seen them?\u201d\u00a0 Ben tried to keep his voice even and polite.\u00a0 If they co-operated these men might save him a long ride along the ridge.<\/p>\n Macey shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNope, but then I reckon you know where our young friends are so maybe we can help each other.\u00a0 You tell me where I can find those runaways and me and Cade here will help you look for your boys.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben raised himself in the saddle and made to turn away.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve told you that I\u2019ve no idea where those children are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut we could make it a double search, Cartwright.\u00a0 You help us and we\u2019ll help you.\u00a0 If those kids are still in the area the only place we ain\u2019t searched is these old mine workings.\u00a0 It\u2019s almost dark and we need to get to the end of the ridge by nightfall.\u00a0 We ain\u2019t gonna have time if we have to go into each one but together we could cover the last few in maybe half an hour.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll ride with you to look for your boys wherever you say.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben considered the proposal.\u00a0 Riding back to the ranch for more help would take time and it would be dark before he could mount a proper search.\u00a0 Against his better judgement, worry for his sons won over worry for some unknown slave.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Mr. Macey.\u00a0 I accept your offer.\u00a0 You check this end of the ridge and I\u2019ll check the other and we can meet in the valley and you can help me check over the south end of the lake.\u00a0 It\u2019s the only part I haven\u2019t covered.\u201d<\/p>\n Macey nodded and smiled, or rather leered, at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cA gunshot to let us know you\u2019ve found something.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben rode slowly along the ridge wondering if his own sons had decided to explore the mines.\u00a0 He had told them often enough to keep out of them but that was no guarantee that they had obeyed.\u00a0 Adam, particularly, had a curiosity with the mining process and boys were often foolhardy and reckless when they wanted to do something.\u00a0 The first shaft he entered was low and dark and as he brushed cobwebs from his face it became obvious no one had been in here for months, maybe even years.\u00a0 The next had a large rock fall within three feet of the entrance and the third ended after about ten yards in a solid rock face.\u00a0 He walked slowly back to Buck intending to mount up and ride down to the valley but something drew him back along the ridge.\u00a0 At the second tunnel he examined the rock fall; it was recent.\u00a0 He bent down and examined the ground around the entrance.\u00a0 There were several sets of footprints going into the mine but none coming out.\u00a0 He looked closer: two sets of boot prints in similar sizes, one large set of bare footprints and another smaller set. He sat back on his heels and pondered.\u00a0 Events began to fall into place: the boys\u2019 evasive answers to his questions, the missing food and now the footprints.\u00a0 Could it be that his sons had been harboring the slaves up here in this shaft?\u00a0\u00a0 He hesitated a moment, then getting close to the rocks, he called out,\u00a0 \u201cAdam, Hoss are you there?\u201d\u00a0 For a second he waited then repeated the shout a little louder. Faintly, from behind the rock wall he heard an answering shout.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss exclaimed excitedly.\u00a0 He hugged Maisie.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s my Pa and we\u2019re gonna be all right,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n Adam and Elijah had already moved some of the rock, now they bent to their task with renewed vigor.\u00a0 After a few moments of rejoicing Hoss and Maisie added their efforts to their brothers\u2019.<\/p>\n It took about twenty minutes before the first glimmer of fading light from outside could be seen by the children<\/p>\n When the cool evening air touched his face Hoss cheered.<\/p>\n Adam raised an eyebrow at him. \u201cYou think we\u2019re safe?\u00a0 Our hell is just beginning,\u201d he said under his breath.\u00a0 \u201cA few hours from now being buried might seem like a better fate.\u201d<\/p>\n A few more minutes of work made it possible for the youngsters to crawl out into the gathering twilight.<\/p>\n \u201cThank God you are all right,\u201d Ben commented in relief as he checked Hoss over and eyed Adam up and down.\u00a0 He looked at the other two children.\u00a0 \u201cAnd who might these young people be?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss pushed in front of Adam.\u00a0 They were his responsibility and he intended to explain.\u00a0 \u201cThis is \u2018Lijah and his sister, Maisie, and they\u2019re my friends.\u00a0 Those men are bad and \u2018Lijah\u2019s hiding from them.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded wisely.\u00a0 \u201cSo you thought you\u2019d help by hiding them out in an old mine that isn\u2019t safe?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss looked a little disconcerted.\u00a0 \u201cWe had to help Pa and Adam said \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh yes, your older brother had a bright idea, I suppose.\u00a0\u00a0 Instead of doing the right thing and coming to me, he decided he could solve their problems.\u201d\u00a0 He swung around and fixed Adam with a stern stare.\u00a0 \u201cJust how did you plan to feed them?\u00a0 More stealing?\u00a0 Were they supposed to live in this mine over the winter, too?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrank back a little at his father\u2019s tirade and Maisie hid behind him.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t like this man shouting; he scared her almost as much as Cade and her master.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cYou are supposed to be old enough and intelligent enough to think before you act,\u201d Ben continued.<\/p>\n Adam felt Maisie trembling in fear and it made him brave.\u00a0 \u201cWhat should I do then?\u00a0 Hand \u2018em over to that man and his overseer, so that he can beat them and take Maisie back to give satisfaction and amusement to her \u2018master\u2019?\u201d\u00a0 He said the last word sarcastically relishing the shocked look on his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why he wants her back, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s nothing to do with us,\u201d Ben blustered, taken aback by Adam\u2019s mature reading of the situation.\u00a0 He turned to look back along the trail where dust from the two horses was already visible.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re gonna just hand \u2018em over,\u201d Adam said in shock.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t believe his father would do such a thing.<\/p>\n Ben hesitated. \u201cThe law says we have to,\u201d he finally pronounced.\u00a0 Elijah looked up at him in despair.\u00a0 They had come so far and to lose now was unthinkable.\u00a0 \u201cThey plans to sell us in San Francisco.\u00a0 They ain\u2019t takin\u2019 my sister or me alive, Mister.\u201d<\/p>\n He spoke quietly and calmly and Ben was shocked at the determination in his eyes.\u00a0 The boy meant it.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, that\u2019s a stupid thing to say.\u00a0 Frightening your sister like that,\u201d he responded in a reasonable tone.<\/p>\n \u201cShe ain\u2019t scared o\u2019 me or dyin\u2019, she\u2019s scared o\u2019 the master and Cade,\u201d he came back angrily.\u00a0 \u201cThey took us from our folks and they ain\u2019t taking Maisie from me.\u201d He was now obviously upset and nervous and he began to back away down the slope.<\/p>\n The sound of horses could be heard clearly now and the cloud of dust had become two riders.<\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d Ben commanded.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe there is something I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss both grinned in delight.\u00a0 They had supreme confidence in their father.\u00a0 If he said he would do something then something would be done.\u00a0 Elijah wasn\u2019t so sure and although he stopped, he also hid Maisie behind him.\u00a0 Ben moved between the children and the approaching horses and waited for Macey and Henderson to dismount.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you found \u2018em.\u201d\u00a0 Macey waved his hand at the children.\u00a0 \u201cAnd surprise, surprise they was with your boys, who, of course, knew nuthin\u2019 about \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n Henderson started to move toward Elijah and the boy gripped the rock he had concealed behind his back with a greater strength.\u00a0 \u201cYou get over here, boy,\u201d Henderson rapped out.<\/p>\n Elijah didn\u2019t move but he did glance at Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cWait a minute, Henderson.\u00a0 The boy doesn\u2019t want to go with you,\u201d Ben interrupted.<\/p>\n Macey gave a low animal laugh. \u201cHe don\u2019t have no choice.\u00a0 He ain\u2019t free to choose, he\u2019s my property.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe where you come from, but this territory is free,\u201d Ben tried.<\/p>\n Again Macey laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou been outta touch too long, Cartwright.\u00a0 Mexico don\u2019t own this land no more.\u00a0 Been nigh on four years now, you been part of Western Utah and the law says you\u2019re a territory of the US of A and I have rights here just same as back home.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben swore under his breath.\u00a0 The man was too clever and likely had all the papers he needed to prove his case if it came to the law.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Macey.\u00a0 I\u2019ll buy the children. Name your price.\u201d<\/p>\n Macey looked interested, but said nothing.<\/p>\n Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cYou hold the papers don\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 His scheme would work only if Macey was as greedy and broke as Ben suspected.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I got their papers\u201d\u2019 Macey said warily.<\/p>\n \u201cSo name your price.\u00a0 You give me the papers and go on your way.\u00a0 You won\u2019t have to worry about them any more.\u201d<\/p>\n Macey rubbed his chin and considered his options.\u00a0 He was tired of chasing these kids all over the territory and here was a way of making the money he wanted a little sooner.\u00a0 It would be a pity to miss out on the girl, but there would be others in San Francisco.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hundred,\u201d\u00a0 Macey said quickly. It made Henderson whistle and earned him a sour look from Macey.<\/p>\n Ben smiled. \u201cKinda steep for two kids, skinny kids at that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoy\u2019s got muscles, he\u2019ll work hard for ya.\u00a0 The girl\u2026well, she\u2019s almost growed.\u00a0 You could have a lot of fun with her, Cartwright, or your boy could.\u201d\u00a0 He leered at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been to slave auctions and you and I both know that\u2019s ridiculous. Fifty,\u201d Ben replied, ignoring the man\u2019s lewd suggestions.\u00a0 \u201cTake it or leave it.\u201d He knew he was offering them enough to see them over the mountains and staked.<\/p>\n As Macey hesitated, Ben\u2019s hand edged toward his gun.\u00a0\u00a0 He was now determined that the children wouldn\u2019t go with these men, even if he had to use a gun to prevent it.<\/p>\n Macey hesitated before responding.\u00a0 \u201cMake it a hundred and you got a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSixty is all I\u2019ve got with me, you want more you\u2019ll have to come back to the house and take a note for the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n Macey nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAll right Cartwright, you got a deal.\u201d\u00a0 He leered again at Adam as Ben counted the notes into his hands and he handed over the papers.\u00a0 \u201cEnjoy her kid.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t mind her meself.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben watched them ride away in disgust and then turned to the two children he now owned.\u00a0 The thought left a nasty taste in his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get home.\u00a0 Marie will be worried,\u201d he said gruffly.<\/p>\n Elijah reached out and touched his sleeve.\u00a0 \u201cThank you.\u00a0 I knows you\u2019ll be a kind master.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben recoiled in shock.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not your master,\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 \u2018Tomorrow we\u2019ll go see if we can find a circuit judge in Carson City.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get the papers signed so you are free.\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t wait for Elijah to respond.\u00a0 Pulling Buck to him he lifted Maisie into the saddle and set off down the trail leaving the others to follow.<\/p>\n Adam touched his new friend\u2019s arm. \u201cHe\u2019s not as bad as he sounds,\u201d he said softly so his father wouldn\u2019t hear. Then realizing his own likely fate, he added, \u201cHe\u2019s mad at me and maybe Hoss, but he won\u2019t be mad at you.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie was watching anxiously for them but she was not expecting four children.\u00a0 As the group entered she gave a sigh of relief to see her stepsons safe, and then raised an eyebrow at her husband when the two Negro children followed them in.<\/p>\n \u201cElijah and his sister will be staying for a while.\u00a0 Ask Hop Sing to find them some food and make up the beds in the guest room.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll explain later.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie nodded, recognizing that her husband was still seething with anger over the incident, whatever it had been.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, show Elijah where he can wash up and I\u2019ll take care of the little one,\u201d Marie said kindly holding out her hand to Maisie.<\/p>\n Used to total obedience to white folk or suffering painful consequences the two children followed like lambs.\u00a0 Hoss, too, escaped with his brother to clean up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think Pa\u2019s gonna yell at us?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked his older brother when the three boys were at the pump in the yard.<\/p>\n Adam shrugged, \u201cHe sure isn\u2019t gonna let it go by with out some comment.\u00a0 He\u2019s told us hundreds of times to avoid those mines and if he finds out it was a proper hideout that we used regularly he\u2019s gonna have a fit.\u00a0 Not sure what he\u2019ll do about us hiding Elijah here and his sister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI doan wanna get you in no trouble,\u201d Elijah said, as he finished washing and took the towel Adam handed him.<\/p>\n Adam gave a grim laugh\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re already in it\u2026 up to our necks.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled reassuringly\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t let it worry you.\u00a0 We\u2019re not strangers to trouble with Pa and his bark\u2019s worse than his bite.\u201d\u00a0 Even as he said it he wasn\u2019t sure he believed it this time.\u00a0 Pa looked pretty angry.<\/p>\n After supper, which to Elijah\u2019s amazement was eaten at a shared table (he had never eaten with white folks before) and the amount of food daunted him, he was taken to one side by Ben for a discussion.\u00a0 He had explained that the farm Macey had owned had hit hard times and been sold for taxes with the few slaves he had owned.\u00a0 Elijah had been kept so that Maisie would come along quietly; the master liked her.\u00a0 He suspected that the plan was to sell him in California if the need arose and keep Maisie for himself.\u00a0 Cade had been Macey\u2019s overseer and latterly his partner and was the violent one.<\/p>\n Ben listened in horror to the stories Elijah had to tell and could understand why the boy had been ready to kill himself and his sister to avoid falling into Macey\u2019s hands again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right now, lad.\u00a0 We\u2019ll see the judge and get you papers and then maybe you can find yourself work.\u00a0 For now you go get some rest.\u201d\u00a0 Ben showed him into the bedroom off the big room and returned to talk to Marie.<\/p>\n \u201cHave the boys gone up to bed?\u201d he asked, tapping his pipe against the hearth.<\/p>\n Marie glanced up at him worriedly,\u00a0 \u201cYes, they are rather expecting a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t intend to disappoint them,\u201d he responded in a firm voice. \u201cAdam should know better than to fool around those mines and as for hiding those children\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Marie got to her feet and put a hand on his shoulder. \u201cThey were trying to help.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard for a child to understand that running away isn\u2019t the answer.\u00a0 For Elijah it was the only way he knew and for Hoss and Adam the concept of slavery is so strange that they couldn\u2019t believe they were breaking the law.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be too hard on them,\u201d she begged.<\/p>\n He kissed her lightly on the cheek. \u201cI\u2019ll see what I can do but I make no promises,\u201d he muttered as he went up the stairs.<\/p>\n Hoss had put on his nightshirt and was curled up in bed, his head resting on his arm as he watched his older brother staring out of the window.\u00a0 \u201cShouldn\u2019t you be in bed too when Pa comes up?\u201d\u00a0 he asked not really wishing his brother to go but worried that it would make Pa even more angry to find Adam in his room.<\/p>\n Adam half turned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gonna be mad whatever I do, so I might as well keep you company.\u201d\u00a0 He walked slowly over to the bed and sat down then swung his long legs up on to the bed, hugged his knees and surveyed his stockinged feet as if they were of intense interest.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019ll happen to \u2018Lijah and Maisie now?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked.<\/p>\n His older brother shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Pa said something about seeing a judge and setting them free, but I don\u2019t know what they do then.\u00a0 They\u2019ve got no place to go and no way to support themselves.\u00a0 It\u2019s kinda like you and me being left to fend for ourselves.\u00a0 I suppose I\u2019d have to find a job but that would be easier for me than it will be for Elijah.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sat up and looked at his brother in surprise. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he\u2019s black,\u201d Adam stated coldly.\u00a0 \u201cFolks don\u2019t give jobs to black folk easy.\u00a0 They don\u2019t trust, \u2018em I guess.\u00a0\u00a0 Marie says that in New Orleans Negroes get blamed for everything .\u00a0 She said how funny it is that the rich folk then let them look after their children as if that\u2019s somehow different and they don\u2019t need to be trustworthy for that.\u201d<\/p>\n They stopped talking as the door was pushed open. Both boys scrambled to their feet and stood facing their father.<\/p>\n \u201cYou decided to share rooms?\u201d he asked sarcastically.<\/p>\n \u201cNo sir, I came to say good night to Hoss,\u201d Adam replied respectfully, keeping eye contact with his father.<\/p>\n Ben grunted.\u00a0 \u201cWell, since you are here I might as well speak to both of you at once.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHow long have you been hiding those children and deceiving me?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss swallowed hard but managed to explain how he had found Maisie and what had happened since.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the mine shaft was your idea,\u201d he swung around on Adam.\u00a0 \u201cHow long have you been going up there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe went up every day to take them food,\u201d Adam replied deliberately misunderstanding his father\u2019s question.<\/p>\n \u201cI meant how long have you known about that mine shaft and been visiting it?\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied his voice hardening at Adam\u2019s evasion.<\/p>\n Adam shrugged and looked at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cThree or four years, I guess,\u201d he admitted. \u201cEver since it was abandoned.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s jaw dropped.\u00a0 \u201cAnd how many times in those years have you been told to stay away from the mine workings and from Washoe diggings?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam had no answer and stared at his boots.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must know how dangerous it is.\u00a0 Well, you do now,\u201d he thundered making Hoss jump.\u00a0 \u201cI ought to take a strap to the pair of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam almost sighed with relief.\u00a0 If Pa was saying ought to<\/em> then he had no intention of doing it.\u00a0 Long years of listening to such lectures had attuned him to such nuances.<\/p>\n Ben turned back to Hoss \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me about Elijah and Maisie when you found them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you\u2019d give them back to those men,\u201d Hoss said quietly, his voice muffled as he dropped his head to his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what did you propose to do with them?\u201d\u00a0 Ben placed his hands on his hips and glared at his son.<\/p>\n \u201cL\u2026look after them,\u201d Hoss stuttered.\u00a0 \u201cLike a Good Samaritan,\u201d he added hoping that would gain sympathy.<\/p>\n Adam stifled a chuckle and almost choked as he saw his father raise an eyebrow at this remark.<\/p>\n Ben leaned in toward Hoss making him step back in alarm.\u00a0 Adam held his breath if Pa thought Hoss was being insolent, nothing would save his brother from that tanning.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s expression remained totally innocent and Ben glared at him but relaxed a little.\u00a0 Adam breathed again.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u00a0 Well, you couldn\u2019t look after them, could you?\u201d he said, finally, his voice quieter now. \u00a0\u201cI think both of you should consider yourselves confined to the yard with the yard chores to do for the next week.\u00a0 You will also apologize to Hop Sing about the food.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam jumped in quickly before Pa could say anymore.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and turned to go.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, get back to your own room and get ready for bed and leave your brother to get to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam moved to follow his father and was surprised when Ben turned back again,\u00a0 \u201cAnd make no mistake, I\u2019d better not find you\u2019ve been back to those mines or you\u2019ll get that tanning I mentioned,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Downstairs Marie was waiting for him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEverything all right?\u201d she asked as he dropped into his chair and fished for his pipe.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I think so.\u00a0 I\u2019ll talk to the judge over in Carson City tomorrow and see what I have to do to get Elijah his papers free and clear.\u00a0 Then all he\u2019ll need is a job.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be easy to find him one but I\u2019ll try.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could offer him one with us for a while,\u201d she said softly.\u00a0 \u2018Maisie needs some loving and I\u2026\u201d she faltered.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you would like a little girl to spoil,\u201d he finished, knowing she was thinking of their loss.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, I can\u2019t fight everyone.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get Jake to find him some chores for him to do until he\u2019s stronger and he can move into the bunkhouse.\u00a0 Maisie can stay in the guestroom for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill the men accept him in the bunkhouse?\u201d\u00a0 Marie queried, her eye\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cPretty special sons, too,\u201d she added. \u201cI mean, if it hadn\u2019t been for Hoss being a good…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood Samaritan,\u201d Ben laughingly finished for her.\u00a0 \u201cYes, he\u2019s already told me that.\u201d\u00a0 He got up and moved to her chair putting his arm around her he kissed her cheek.\u00a0 \u201cThey are<\/em> pretty special, aren\u2019t they?\u201d he said, glancing up at the staircase.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE END<\/p>\n <\/p>\n