Summary:\u00a0 A wild horse helps Adam and Joe come to a new understanding
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (10,275 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Black Stallion<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe Cartwright rode in from school one sunny afternoon to find his brother, Hoss, propped on the corral fence.\u00a0 His intense blue gaze fixed on a lively black stallion that paced back and forth.\u00a0 A captive, but every line of his body, every toss of his mane said he longed to be free.<\/p>\n \u201cWow!\u00a0 Whose horse is that?\u201d\u00a0 Joe jumped from the saddle, dropped his reins and raced to join his brother.<\/p>\n Hoss glanced up. \u201cIt\u2019s the horse Wes Durham\u2019s son, Jack, was trying to break when he was killed.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe dropped his school books in the dust and climbed up to sit on to the top rail, He cocked his boot heels over the rail beneath. \u201cWhat\u2019s it doin\u2019 here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWes Durham gave it to Pa.\u00a0 Said he didn\u2019t wan\u2019 it around the place but couldn\u2019t bring himself to shoot it,\u201d Hoss\u2019s concentration remained fixed on the stallion\u2019s movements.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s beautiful.\u00a0 Is Pa gonna keep him?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI guess so.\u00a0 He asked Don to try him out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHim, I wanna ride,\u201d said Joe softly.<\/p>\n Hoss snorted. \u201cNo chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked at him. \u201cWhat d\u2019ya mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss raised an eyebrow. \u201cAdam already asked Pa if he could try him out and nearly got his head bit off.\u00a0 So, little brother, you got no chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head thoughtfully and slid down the inside of the fence.\u00a0 He spoke softly to the horse as he moved slowly towards it.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, get outta there.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss\u2019voice was low, but urgent.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to startle the horse, but he was anxious to keep Joe out of trouble.\u00a0 Out of the corner of his eye, he had seen his father come out of the barn and head their way.\u00a0 When he saw his Pa\u2019s expression, he knew it was too late for help.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, get out of that corral, now,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 His voice was as quiet as Hoss\u2019 had been but with considerably more authority.<\/p>\n Joe sighed and did as he was told.\u00a0 Once on the other side of the fence he protested.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t doin\u201d no harm, Pa.\u00a0 He was just gettin\u2019 used to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben fixed him with a stern stare.\u00a0 \u201cThat horse killed a man a couple of days ago.\u00a0 A man who\u2019d spent his life around horses.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want you or your brothers anywhere near him until Don has tried him out and decided whether he can be any use.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can ride as well as Don,\u201d Joe said sulkily.<\/p>\n \u201cDon is employed by me to break horses; it\u2019s his job, not yours.\u00a0 You will stay away from this corral and from that stallion.\u00a0 Is that understood?<\/p>\n Joe stared at the ground and made no comment.<\/p>\n Ben raised his voice slightly. \u201cDid you hear me, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up at his father and rolled his eyes.\u00a0 He nodded slowly. \u201cI heard you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben continued to glare at his son until Joe was forced to look away.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ve nothing better to do than hang around the corral, I\u2019m sure I can find you both some extra chores.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped as his eye fell on the books at Joe\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n Joe followed his father\u2019s gaze and flushed.\u00a0 He bent to pick up the books and self- consciously dusted them off.<\/p>\n Hoss caught hold of Joe\u2019s sleeve. \u201cC\u2019m\u2019on, little brother, let\u2019s get to work.\u201d \u00a0Ben watched them go into the barn then leaned on the fence and surveyed the horse himself.\u00a0 Had he done right bringing it here?\u00a0 Wes had wanted it off his place.\u00a0 While it was there, it was a painful reminder that he had lost his son.\u00a0 Neither Wes nor Ben could destroy such a beautiful animal.\u00a0 They had debated setting him free, but without a herd, he would almost certainly start raids on the surrounding ranches for mares. Maybe it would have been better to take him up into the hills north of Virginia City, after all, and hope he didn\u2019t come back this way.<\/p>\n \u201cHe sure is something.\u201d\u00a0 Adam came and leaned along side his father.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well like I told Joe, you stay away from him and leave working with him to Don.\u00a0 That\u2019s what I pay him for,\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n Adam turned away so his father wouldn\u2019t see the frustrated expression.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Don\u2019ll do a good job.\u00a0 I could\u2019ve done as well.\u201d\u00a0 He walked away before his father could reply.<\/p>\n Ben looked after him and sighed.\u00a0 Just at the moment, Adam in a mood was something he could do without.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The silver light of the moon gave the yard an eerie feel as someone slipped from the shadows at the side of the house and moved toward the corral.\u00a0 Adam had been unable to sleep, and as was his usual practice in these circumstances, he had wandered downstairs. After some time spent at the corral, he was now seated in the darkness of the porch.\u00a0 He watched the figure for a second or two with a grim smile on his lips.<\/p>\n He hoped his father was sound asleep.\u00a0 The corral was clearly visible from Pa\u2019s bedroom window, and the scene being played out was not one that would please him.<\/p>\n Adam pushed himself to his feet and walked toward the corral, keeping as quiet as he could manage. He arrived at the fence and leaned on it.\u00a0 The stallion was motionless, and the figure in front of him was holding out a hand, allowing the horse to investigate without being threatened.<\/p>\n Adam waited until he was sure that his presence wouldn\u2019t startle the animal; then he spoke very softly.<\/p>\n \u201cBack outta there, real quiet, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe jumped about three feet. \u201cAdam!\u00a0 Hell, you scared the life outta me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u00a0 Well, thank your lucky stars it\u2019s me and not Pa. Get out of there, now,\u201d\u00a0 Adam said his voice still quiet and calm..<\/p>\n Joe swore under his breath and backed off to the fence.\u00a0 He ducked under the top rail and faced his brother angrily.\u00a0 \u201cYou coulda scared him, creeping up like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHe knew I was here.\u00a0 You were the one who got the fright, which you deserved.\u00a0 What are you doing out here at this time of night?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked his brother up and down, and noted that he was also fully dressed. \u201cI could ask you the same thing,\u201d he said wryly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could, but I\u2019m the eldest, so I get to ask first.\u00a0 He\u2019s some horse.\u201d \u00a0Adam gave his brother a sideways glance.<\/p>\n Joe looked at him in disbelief. \u201cYou mean…you…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t sleep and heard him stomping around \u2013 came down to see if he was alright.\u00a0 You just missed me doing the same thing.\u201d\u00a0 Adam leaned on the top rail and watched the horse.<\/p>\n \u201cI sure wish Pa would let me ride him,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cFor once, we agree, little brother.\u00a0 But I think we\u2019re both gonna be out of luck.\u00a0 After what happened to Jack, he\u2019s not about to let us near him.\u201d\u00a0 Adam patted his brother on the back. \u201cCome on.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get back in the house before we get caught.\u201d<\/p>\n As they walked back to the porch, Joe glanced up at his brother. \u201cThis is between us, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou bet. \u00a0I\u2019m not about to tell Pa.\u00a0 But do me a favor, stay outta the corral.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was a little ahead of him, and Adam thought he saw him nod, but he couldn\u2019t be sure.\u00a0\u00a0 He shrugged and followed him into the house and up to bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At breakfast next morning, Ben was outlining the day\u2019s plans to Adam while Hoss and Joe listened half-heartedly: Hoss because he was more interested in his ham and eggs and Joe because he would be in school and would play no part in it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going over to George Devlin\u2019s today.\u00a0 I want to check that George and the boys will be willing to combine forces for the roundup this year.\u00a0 I want you to check over the horses that Jose says are ready for sale.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded. \u201cYou want them brought down here until they are ready to go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that would be best, and Don\u2019s going to take the stallion up to the north corral.\u00a0 He can work better with him away from the other stock.\u201d\u00a0 Ben poured himself more coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cI could take him when I ride up to fetch the others,\u201d Adam suggested, winking at his little brother.\u00a0 Joe grinned then dropped his head to concentrate on his meal when he saw his father glance his way.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I made it clear that the horse was Don\u2019s responsibility,\u201d Ben said, fixing his oldest son with a stern stare.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on Pa.\u00a0 He\u2019s not gonna do much harm to me on the end of a lead rope,\u201d Adam complained.<\/p>\n Ben knew there was no reason why Adam couldn\u2019t take the stallion; in fact, there was no reason why he couldn\u2019t work with him, too, except Ben\u2019s own unreasoning fear.\u00a0 Adam was a good horseman, and Ben could understand the resentment at the way he was being treated, but he couldn\u2019t bring himself to give his permission.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think you could do as you\u2019re told for once?\u00a0 There is enough to do without you questioning every order,\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n Adam threw down his napkin and banged his coffee cup back in its saucer. \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d he replied, emphasising the \u201csir\u201d in as insolent a tone as he thought he would get away with. He pushed himself to his feet. \u201cYou ready, Hoss?\u00a0 We have a lot to do, apparently.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss glanced from his brother to his father and decided that no comment was the safest route.\u00a0 He shovelled in one more mouthful and took a quick gulp of his coffee before following Adam to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise to get home in time for supper, but no doubt, you\u2019ll check on me before then,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0 He almost trapped his brother\u2019s fingers as he slammed the door behind him.\u00a0 Hoss sighed and opened the door again; it was going to be a tough day.<\/p>\n Joe watched his father\u2019s reaction from under lowered eyelids.\u00a0 Ben started to rise to his feet; obviously he had heard Adam\u2019s muttered comment and planned to follow him to the barn.\u00a0 Then he caught Joe\u2019s glance and thought again.\u00a0 He relaxed back into his chair and sighed.<\/p>\n Joe had a plan for today that had formed while listening to his father at breakfast, and he was anxious to put it into practice.\u00a0 He hurriedly grabbed his books and headed out to the barn.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss were already saddled up and ready to ride.\u00a0 He waved them off and began saddling Cochise.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get to Mitch before he gets to school today,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThen you can have a day in the hills instead of in that dusty corral at school.\u201d\u00a0 Cochise nuzzled closer to him as if he understood every word.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou sure you wanna do this, Joe?\u201d his friend cautioned.\u00a0 \u201cYour Pa\u2019ll be mighty angry if you get caught.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe had met up with Mitch just short of the school house, and they had stopped to talk.\u00a0 Joe had explained his plan, and Mitch was trying desperately to talk him out of it.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna see Don work with that stallion.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of trees above the corral; we can hide out.\u00a0 No one will see us.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s persuasive tongue got to work.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, what\u2019s with the \u2018us.\u2019\u00a0 I ain\u2019t comin\u2019.\u00a0 My Pa\u2019d have my hide if I cut school this session,\u201d Mitch protested.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cWe could go swimmin\u2019 or fishin\u2019 after,\u201d Joe tried, knowing there was nothing Mitch liked more than fishing.\u00a0 \u201cI promise we can hide out and no one will know.\u00a0 My Pa ain\u2019t even gonna be there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow we gonna explain it at school tomorrow?\u201d\u00a0 Mitch frowned.<\/p>\n Joe knew he was winning.\u00a0 Mitch would come.\u00a0 He just needed a little more persuasion.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019ll think of somethin\u2019,\u201d he said airily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll write you a note, and you can write one for me \u2013 say we was sick or somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u00bc \u201c<\/strong>Mitch was almost there. \u201cIf you\u2019re sure we won\u2019t be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t,\u201d grinned Joe.<\/p>\n Just for a moment Mitch hesitated.\u00a0 There was no way they would get away with being sick, then, as he so often did, he gave in and let Joe\u2019s enthusiasm carry him along with it.<\/p>\n The corral where the horses were broken was set back into a sandy slope and above it there were aspen trees and sagebrush.\u00a0 It was an ideal place to hide away.\u00a0 They left the horses well back, and crept forward; Joe in the lead.<\/p>\n On the ride up here Mitch had decided that he was a fool for allowing Joe to talk him into this.\u00a0 It was quite obvious that not even the most gullible teacher was going to believe that they were both sick, and the idea of writing notes on which he would have to forge signatures was too scary to think about.\u00a0 His Pa had warned him; why did he blindly follow Joe this way?<\/p>\n They reached the edge of the slope and could look down on the horses in the corral. Several men were working to get the horses ready to move out, and Joe spotted his oldest brother talking to Don.\u00a0 The stallion, which Don must have brought up, was held in a separate pen to one side of them.<\/p>\n Joe knew that Adam ought to be taking the horses straight back to the ranch yard, but it was obvious that he was putting off that chore until he had seen Don work with the stallion.\u00a0\u00a0 He wormed his way over to Mitch.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think Adam would stay.\u00a0 We\u2019d better keep well outta sight.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitch nodded. \u201cI knew this was a crazy idea.\u00a0 I wish I\u2019d gone to school.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what I have to do for you, boy.\u00a0 I get you outta school, find some excitement, promise you fishing and still you complain.\u201d<\/p>\n Down below them, Don had put a rope on the stallion and, with the help of two men, had managed to get a bridle on to him.\u00a0 Joe was a little surprised that one of the men was his brother.\u00a0 If Pa saw this, he would not be pleased.\u00a0 Adam was putting himself into nearly as much danger as if he were doing the riding.\u00a0 While Adam and another hand held the horse\u2019s head, Don swung first the saddle blanket then the saddle into place.<\/p>\n Even from a distance, Joe could see that they were having a hard time holding the stallion while Don secured and checked everything.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll never stick with him,\u201d Mitch breathed.<\/p>\n Joe glanced across at him.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019s pretty good, but I don\u2019t think I\u2019d bet on him this time.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019d sure like to try that horse myself, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned back to watch and was in time to see Don swing into the saddle and nod to Adam to turn the horse loose.\u00a0 Adam and the other ranch hand barely made it out of the corral before the stallion was raking Don alongside the fence.\u00a0 For a few moments, an intense battle followed, and Joe was right: Don was good but not good enough.\u00a0 The horse won this round, and Don parted company with the saddle and landed hard.\u00a0 Joe wasn\u2019t sure what happened next.\u00a0 It was all so fast.\u00a0 Suddenly the stallion whirled on the fallen rider and reared up.\u00a0\u00a0 His hoofs missing Don by inches as he rolled to escape them.\u00a0 He heard Mitch gasp.\u00a0 Adam was in the corral in seconds, and Joe held his breath as he saw his brother narrowly miss being trampled by those flying hoofs.\u00a0 Don got to his feet, and another ranch hand joined them.\u00a0 All three crowded the horse until they could grab at the trailing reins and bring it under some sort of control.<\/p>\n Joe glanced across at his companion.\u00a0 Mitch looked stunned \u201cWhat a horse!\u201d\u00a0 Mitch said when he had recovered his breath. \u201cHe would\u2019ve killed Don.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The supper table in the Cartwright household was always a place where the day\u2019s events were discussed, but tonight there was a certain reticence to talk from the two people involved in the day\u2019s most exciting event.\u00a0 Adam had told Hoss about the stallion but had sworn him to secrecy.\u00a0 He knew he shouldn\u2019t have been there and shouldn\u2019t have been so closely involved.\u00a0 He kept his eyes on his plate and answered his father\u2019s inquiries with short precise answers.\u00a0 Joe, too, concentrated on his meal.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t say anything about the horse and wanted to avoid talking about his day in case Pa asked a question he couldn\u2019t answer truthfully.<\/p>\n Ben looked from one son to the other and sighed.\u00a0 There was something going on that he hadn\u2019t been told, that he was sure.\u00a0 Hoss didn\u2019t usually start conversations at the supper table.\u00a0 He preferred to give his full attention to Hop Sing\u2019s excellent food unless he was particularly interested in a subject raised by one of the others.\u00a0 But, Adam liked to discuss the day\u2019s work, and Joe was often difficult to keep quiet.<\/p>\n About half way through the meal, he decided to tell Adam about his visit to the Devlin ranch in the hope it would spark some interest. \u00a0\u201cThey\u2019ll need to know our count as soon as you have it, and George will hire on more hands.\u201d\u00a0 Ben finished.<\/p>\n Adam took a sip from his glass of water before answering. \u201cWhatever you think, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll talk to Jake about it in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put down his fork and looked from Adam to Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAm I missing something here?\u00a0 Did you two have an argument?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up in surprise, and Adam shook his head and raised his eyebrows. \u201cWe\u2019ve hardly seen each other,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ben was used to evasive answers, and he repeated his question.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAfter fifteen years, I know that hardly seeing each other doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you didn\u2019t have a disagreement in the five minutes you were together.\u00a0 So, I\u2019d like a straight answer, please.\u00a0 Did you have an argument?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what makes you think we\u2019ve argued, but no, we haven\u2019t, not even a mild disagreement,\u201d Adam grinned at his brother. \u201cBut, if you like, I\u2019m sure we can find something, eh, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe smiled.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t have dared say that.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll do,\u201d Ben said, but he was smiling.\u00a0 \u201cIf that\u2019s the case, why is no one at this table talking tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing interesting to say, I guess,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI fetched the horses down to the yard, checked them over and made sure they were ready for that buyer you\u2019ve got lined up.\u00a0 I picked out four that I think we should keep.\u00a0 Apart from that, I did routine chores, not very exciting.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He finished his last mouthful of food and put down his knife and fork.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe Hoss or Joe had a more exciting day.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked hard at his older brother.\u00a0 How could he avoid the most exciting part of the day so easily, without showing any sign of guilt at the half-truth he was telling Pa?\u00a0 Joe had always thought his older brother was too good to be true, but after last night and this morning, he was seeing him a different light.\u00a0 Maybe Adam\u2019s tight-lipped style hid more than Joe had ever imagined.<\/p>\n Hoss heard his name and looked up from his third helping.\u00a0 \u201cNope, my day was pretty boring, too.\u00a0 I helped Jake check over the new calves. We moved a couple of the weaker ones down into the lower pasture where we can keep an eye on them.\u00a0 Sorted out a spot for the branding corral and worked out a rota for the hands.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u00a0\u201cAlright, I get the picture.\u00a0 You both had quiet days.<\/p>\n There was a knock at the door, and to Joe\u2019s surprise, Hoss got up to answer it.\u00a0 \u201cEvenin\u2019, Don.\u00a0 You want Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Don stepped inside.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I just wanna know how many horses we\u2019re gonna need for the remuda.\u00a0 Then I can get to work on them early tomorra.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben wiped his mouth on his napkin. \u201cWon\u2019t know for sure until we get the cattle tally, but I\u2019d say we ought to get at least a dozen new ones ready for the drovers George Devlin is hiring.\u00a0 I said we\u2019d supply the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n Don nodded and turned to go.\u00a0 He was about to open the door, when Ben spoke again. \u201cOh, by the way, how did it go with the stallion?\u201d<\/p>\n Don looked at Adam in surprise.\u00a0 Surely he had told his father what had happened this morning.\u00a0 Adam closed his eyes and waited for Don to tell his father that he had deliberately flouted his orders.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I tried him out like you asked.\u201d\u00a0 He hesitated and looked at Adam again.\u00a0 He now knew from Adam\u2019s expression why the boss was asking him and not his son.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a killer, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I want no part of him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put down his coffee cup and stared intently at Don. \u201cWhat d\u2019you mean, Don?\u00a0 It\u2019s not like you to condemn a horse that way.\u201d<\/p>\n Don put his head on one side and surveyed his boss.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t usually scared of no animal, but that stallion wanted me dead.\u00a0 A horse\u2019ll throw me a time or two, but I ain\u2019t\u00a0 never had one turn on me like he did.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put out his hand in a placating gesture. \u201cYou sure you\u2019re not exaggerating, Don?\u00a0 I know Jack Durham died, but no one suggested the horse trampled him deliberately.\u201d<\/p>\n Don glanced apologetically at Adam.\u00a0 They were friends, and he knew that what he was about to say would cause trouble, but he couldn\u2019t afford to lose his job.\u00a0 He had to make his boss understand that he was not afraid of breaking horses, just this one.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t making this up, sir.\u00a0 You can ask Adam.\u00a0 He was there.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam caught his father\u2019s eye for just a second before he fixed his own eyes on the floor and waited for the inevitable.<\/p>\n Ben pursed his lips.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Don.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t implying that you were being less than truthful.\u00a0 I trust your judgement. \u00a0If you say he\u2019s dangerous, I\u2019ll get rid of him. Bring him down to the corral in the yard tomorrow, and I\u2019ll decide what to do with him.\u00a0 Maybe he could be gelded.\u00a0 Would that make a difference?\u201d<\/p>\n Don smiled briefly. \u201cMaybe, but he\u2019s a killer.\u00a0 I think it\u2019d be safest to shoot him or let him go.\u00a0 He ain\u2019t never gonna be tamed.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben waited until the door closed behind Don; then, very deliberately, he placed his coffee cup back on the table.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss both looked at Adam in sympathy. Joe was particularly glad that he wasn\u2019t in the line of fire, this time.\u00a0 The silence became uncomfortable.\u00a0 Finally, Adam could bear it no longer, and he forced himself to look up.\u00a0 His father was staring at him intently.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u00a0 It would seem that something interesting did happen to you today, but for some reason, you decided not to tell me about it.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped speaking for a moment but continued to glare at his oldest son.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps you\u2019d like to tell me now.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam got to his feet and looked at his father. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t that dramatic.\u00a0 Don got thrown, and the horse was frightened.\u00a0 He reared up and narrowly missed Don when he came down. I\u2019ve seen it happen hundreds of times. \u00a0I didn\u2019t think it was worth mentioning.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned. \u201cAre you suggesting that Don is exaggerating the danger?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed. \u201cI think he\u2019s upset about Jack Durham.\u00a0 They were friends, and he let that accident color his judgement.\u00a0 The horse is no more dangerous than others we\u2019ve broken.\u00a0 If you\u2019d let me try him, I\u2019m sure I could work with him.\u00a0 We need a new stallion, and this one\u2019s a beauty.\u00a0 Gelding him would be criminal.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben bit his bottom lip and nodded. \u201cIs that horse why you stayed up there when you should have been on your way back with the other horses?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam immediately went on the defensive.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI stayed a few minutes to watch.\u00a0 It was no big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that all?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked, knowing that there was still more he wasn\u2019t being told. \u201cNo, I went into the corral to help Don.\u00a0 Pete and I got the horse under control while Don got out of the corral.\u00a0 So I was close enough to tell how the horse was behaving, and it was nothing more than a normal scared animal,\u201d Adam said with resignation.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were also close enough to get hurt, weren\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Ben snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cOh really, Pa!\u00a0 I\u2019m supposed to work here!\u00a0 I can\u2019t ask the hands to do something if I\u2019m not prepared to do it myself.\u00a0 Lots of jobs around the ranch are dangerous.\u00a0 Why is this damned horse so different?\u201d he asked in exasperation.<\/p>\n Hoss began to move towards the stairs; this looked like developing into a full scale row, and he preferred to be elsewhere when it reached its height.\u00a0 Joe watched him out of the corner of his eye.\u00a0 He fully intended to stay and watch.\u00a0 He needed to know the outcome of this battle.\u00a0 Nothing he had seen or heard so far today had changed his mind about riding the stallion.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch your language and your tone when you speak to me,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice dropped lower, and he fixed his son with a stern glare.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re being irrational.\u00a0 This has nothing to do with that horse, does it?\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019re talking about an entirely different accident!\u201d<\/p>\n He stared straight into his father\u2019s eyes, which blazed with anger.\u00a0 For a moment Adam thought he would strike him.\u00a0 He instinctively moved back as he realised he had gone too far.\u00a0 To his surprise, Ben turned on his heel and made for the stairs, and a few moments later, the boys heard his door close.<\/p>\n Joe looked at his older brother wide eyed. \u201cWhew! What was that all about?\u201d Adam sank into a chair and put his head in his hands.\u00a0 He felt sick and very, very guilty.\u00a0 Hoss came back into the room and stood over his brother. \u201cWhen you lose it, you really know how to hit where it hurts, don\u2019t ya?\u201d he accused.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, shut up,\u201d Adam snarled, ashamed of what he had said.\u00a0 He knew he ought to go up and apologize, but saying sorry never came easy to him, and he had no idea how to put this right.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was last down to breakfast the next morning.\u00a0 Hoss had called him three times, but he had rolled over and gone back to sleep each time.\u00a0 Now he was going to have to make a difficult decision, either he angered his father by cutting his chores or he got into hot water at school for being late.\u00a0 He guessed school was the better option since he was already in trouble for playing truant yesterday.<\/p>\n He looked around the table. \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRode out early to go into town,\u201d Hoss said abruptly, his mouth full.<\/p>\n Adam frowned at him and then turned on Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYou still got chores to do before you go to school, and don\u2019t you forget them.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe pulled a face and, ignoring his oldest brother, looked at Hoss again. \u201cWhat\u2019s he in town for?<\/p>\n Hoss shrugged. \u201cSaid somethin\u2019 about seein\u2019 Judge Gilman to get an easement for water rights.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shivered. That name brought back memories of last summer \u2013 a summer he would rather forget.\u00a0 On Judge Gilman\u2019s instructions, he had spent the whole vacation working for the livery stable as punishment for his part in a fire.\u00a0 He wolfed down his breakfast and, with a muttered \u201cExcuse me\u201d to his brothers, raced outside to rush through his chores.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head as the door slammed shut behind his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s headed for trouble again.\u00a0 Can\u2019t he manage one summer without getting Pa mad at him?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss glanced up at his brother and picked up his coffee cup.\u00a0 \u201cTalkin\u2019 of Pa getting\u2019 mad, did you speak to him this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rubbed his nose and sighed. \u201cYeah, I apologised.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss pushed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s still pretty angry at me, but I suppose he\u2019ll get over it.\u00a0 I just got mad and didn\u2019t think before I spoke.\u201d\u00a0 He took the coffee pot from his brother and poured himself another cup.\u00a0 \u201cI still think I\u2019m right.\u00a0 He\u2019s got an irrational fear about this horse; somehow, he\u2019s relating it to Sable.\u00a0 It\u2019s ten years since Marie had her accident, and it\u2019s on his mind.\u00a0 He\u2019s scared one of us is gonna get hurt.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t you notice how he spoke to Joe that first day?\u00a0 The kid was only talking to the horse, for heaven\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss started to get up from the table. \u201cMaybe, but you ain\u2019t gonna help anyone by reminders of how Mama died, just now.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stared up at Hoss with a distant expression. \u201cYou know, I often wonder what it would have been like if things had been different.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss pushed his chair back under the table and leaned on it. \u201cWhaddya mean,<\/p>\n different?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tipped his head on one side.\u00a0 \u201cYou know how bad I wanted Sable.\u00a0 If I\u2019d asked first, she might have been my horse, not Marie\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss snorted. \u201cPa would never have let you ride her, even if you had asked first.\u00a0 You were much too young to have handled her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess so, but it\u2019s not just that.\u00a0 I mean, don\u2019t you wonder how different we might be if we\u2019d had a mother around all the time?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNever gave it much thought.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned and moved around the table. \u201cI leave all that thinking to you.\u201d\u00a0 He reached the doorway and took down Adam\u2019s hat and tossed it to him.\u00a0 \u201cIf you can stop thinking so deep, we oughta get some work done, or we\u2019ll be wishing we didn\u2019t have a Pa around all the time.<\/p>\n Adam returned the grin and followed his brother out into the yard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He hurried through his chores and raced Cochise across the valley, but Joe was unable to make up the time he had overslept.\u00a0 He crept up to the classroom doors and could hear Mr. Johnson explaining a math problem to the class.\u00a0 There was no back way in.\u00a0 He would have to walk past the teacher, and an apology would be required.\u00a0 He pushed open the door and froze as all eyes turned towards him.\u00a0 He could see Mitch grinning and was vaguely aware of his own empty seat beside Annie.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 How nice of you to join us today,\u201d Johnson said.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have an explanation for your tardiness, or is it an extension of your absence yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stood in front of the schoolmaster and took a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I\u2019m late, sir.\u00a0 I overslept.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnson surveyed Joe from all angles as if assessing him for some unpleasant task.\u00a0 \u201cAnd yesterday?\u201d\u00a0 he asked quietly. \u201cDid you oversleep all day?\u201d<\/p>\n A ripple of laughter ran around the classroom but stopped the instant Johnson looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cNo sir.\u00a0 I went fishing,\u201d Joe stated boldly.\u00a0 He saw no point in making excuses.\u00a0 He was in trouble, and nothing was going to make Johnson go easier on him.<\/p>\n The schoolmaster fixed Joe with a stern stare.\u00a0 \u201cI am new here, Mr. Cartwright, and you and I need to understand each other.\u00a0 I think I understand you, and after today, I\u2019m sure you will understand me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe waited, wondering what was coming next.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe in giving every one of my students one chance.\u00a0 You have already had yours.\u00a0 If you cut my classes again, you will be caned; do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded. \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u00a0 Now, to make sure it doesn\u2019t come as a shock to your father when that happens, you will take a letter to him from me explaining my policy.\u00a0 You may take your seat.\u201d\u00a0 Johnson waved a hand in dismissal and picked up the text book he had been using.<\/p>\n Joe closed his eyes and sighed.\u00a0 He\u2019d rather have been caned now; Pa\u2019s lecture would be much more painful. He walked to his seat and slid in beside Annie who gave him a sympathetic grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben agonised over what to do with the stallion, but he couldn\u2019t justify any of his alternatives to his satisfaction, so the horse just stayed in the corral.\u00a0 Just over a week after Don\u2019s encounter with the horse, Joe arrived home from school to find the house and yard empty.\u00a0 \u201cGreat,\u201d<\/em> he thought. \u00a0Everyone must be up at the branding corrals and would be there for another hour or more.\u00a0 It would give him some time to work with the stallion in daylight.\u00a0 Since his father\u2019s scathing lecture, he had been trying to stay out of trouble in school at least.\u00a0 So far he had been fairly successful.\u00a0 At home it was different. He\u2019d been spending his nights with the stallion, and his luck had held. He hadn\u2019t been caught.\u00a0 He was nearly ready to ride him, and that required time alone in daylight which he hadn\u2019t been able to get, until today.<\/p>\n He checked to make sure Hop Sing was busy, and then not bothering to put Cochise in the barn, he quietly entered the corral.\u00a0 The stallion had become used to the boy\u2019s voice and touch.\u00a0 He did not back away or show any signs of nervousness as Joe approached him this time.\u00a0 Jose had been working with another horse earlier in the day, and a saddle and saddle blanket were on the fence where he had left them. \u00a0Joe picked up the bridle and held it loosely in his hand.\u00a0 As he moved nearer, the horse became restless, so he replaced the bridle and went to him with his hand held out.\u00a0 The horse allowed his approach now, and Joe reached up and patted his nose and fondled his ears.\u00a0 He was totally absorbed and did not hear footsteps from behind the house.<\/p>\n \u201cGet out of there, now.\u201d<\/p>\n His father\u2019s quiet voice startled him more than gunfire would have done.\u00a0 He spun around, scaring the horse which whirled around nearly knocking him over.\u00a0 Joe moved quickly out of his way and ducked under the fence.\u00a0 One look at his father\u2019s face told him that the soft voice had been for the horse\u2019s benefit. \u00a0Pa was angry and he was in real trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cInside,\u201d Ben said, his voice ominously quiet.<\/p>\n The one word conveyed his anger more effectively than a full lecture.\u00a0 Joe swallowed hard and obeyed.\u00a0 He knew now was not the time to say anything.<\/p>\n Ben followed his son into the living room and closed the door slowly and firmly.\u00a0 Joe stood by the fireplace, his hands behind his back, waiting for the sky to fall in on him.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you recall a conversation we had a short while ago concerning that horse?\u201d\u00a0 Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n Joe nodded. \u201cYes, sir,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cThen perhaps you will tell me why you disobeyed me?\u201d\u00a0 His father fixed him with a stare that made him lower his eyes to the floor. \u201cLook at me, when I speak to you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben ordered his voice becoming harsher.<\/p>\n Joe lifted his eyes until he met his father\u2019s angry ones.\u00a0 \u201cI…I wanted to get to know him.\u00a0 He\u2019s not vicious, Pa; he\u2019s scared is all,\u201d Joe spoke quickly before his courage deserted him.\u00a0 There was no way he was going to tell the real reason he was in the corral.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be the judge of whether the animal is dangerous.\u00a0 You were told to stay away from him. \u00a0\u00a0Is that not so?\u201d\u00a0 Ben spoke quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir.\u201d Joe decided the less he said the better. \u00a0Pa might calm down in a minute if he said nothing to anger him further.<\/p>\n Ben grunted.\u00a0 Now that Joe was away from the horse, his anger was slowly receding. When he had first seen the boy in the corral so close to the stallion, he had been terribly afraid, and when the horse had turned so close to Joe, pictures of Marie lying dead in the front yard had flashed through his head.\u00a0 Now there was no danger, he could rationalise his fear, and it seemed foolish.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom now on, young man, you will do as you are told.\u00a0 If I catch you within ten feet of that corral fence, you\u2019ll not be able to sit any horse for a very long time.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded. \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n He waited for more, but his father simply shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got chores to do.\u00a0 You\u2019d better get on with them if you want to eat.\u00a0 Just remember what I said.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe made for the door and, once outside, gave a sigh of relief.\u00a0 That had been close.\u00a0 If he had been a little farther on with his plan, Pa would have been left in no doubt that he had intended to ride the horse.\u00a0 He would have to be more careful next time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam pulled out his chair and sat down as Hop Sing placed the supper dishes on the table. \u201cHave you decided what to do about the stallion?\u201d he said, unaware of the earlier events.<\/p>\n Ben looked up quickly.\u00a0 He knew his oldest son still wanted to keep the horse and was itching to ride him, just as he suspected Joe was.\u00a0 \u201cNo, but I suppose I\u2019ll have to soon.\u00a0 I think it might be better if he was released.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam reached for a dish of potatoes and considered what to say.\u00a0 He desperately wanted to ride that horse.\u00a0 \u201cWait a few days, Pa, let me have one day with him.\u00a0 If I can\u2019t work with him, then let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben hesitated. \u201cI don\u2019t know. \u00a0I still think he\u2019s dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam bit his lip to avoid an angry response. He knew that would get him nowhere.\u00a0 \u201cIf I work from a chute and with three or four hands to back me up, nothing can happen, even if he does throw me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe watched the exchange and wondered if the visits he had been making to the stallion would make him easier for Adam.\u00a0 He had to ride him before his brother if he was to impress Annie.\u00a0 Despite the earlier warning, plans began to form in his head.\u00a0 Maybe tomorrow, if Pa and Adam were going into town, he would have another chance.\u00a0\u00a0 The ranch hands took Saturday afternoons off and would be going into town, too. That just left Hoss,\u00a0 He was sure he could find a way to fool him.\u00a0 If he was real careful, Pa would never know.\u00a0 He could try the horse, and if all went well, he could invite Annie to come over after school Monday and watch him.<\/p>\n Ben stayed quiet for a moment considering the possibility.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlright, you can try next week, but you are to wait until Jose and at least two others can help you.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want you taking any unnecessary risks.\u00a0 Is that understood?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled. \u201cSure, Pa.\u00a0 Jose\u2019ll be finished with the branding by mid-week; we\u2019ll do it then.\u00a0 And, if it doesn\u2019t work then, I\u2019ll take him over into Carson Sink and release him. That way he\u2019ll be unlikely to come back this way.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe kept his eyes on his plate.\u00a0 Now he knew it had to be tomorrow; he might not get another chance.\u00a0 For a brief second he glanced at his father and prayed very hard that he would not find out, but even with the threat of a tanning hanging over him, he didn\u2019t reconsider. Almost as if reading his thoughts, his father asked him what he had planned for Saturday.\u00a0 He almost gasped but managed to control his voice and his expression as he replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I might go over and visit Mitch.\u00a0 We haven\u2019t been hunting for a while,\u201d he said, carefully checking that there was no outright lie in his statement.\u00a0 He was relieved when Pa didn\u2019t question him further, and he began to lay his plans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As it turned out Hoss had already arranged to go visit a friend in the afternoon, and by three the yard was deserted.\u00a0 This time, Joe carefully made sure that there was no one around.\u00a0 He even circled the house and barn.\u00a0 Having finally convinced himself that he was indeed alone, he took everything he needed from the barn and went into the corral.\u00a0 The stallion was used to him now and surprisingly allowed him to approach without even backing away.\u00a0 Very slowly and with many setbacks, particularly with the bit, Joe managed to put on the bridle and saddle blanket.\u00a0 With the horse securely held by a rope to the corner post of the corral, Joe swung the saddle gently on to his back.\u00a0 Before he could secure it, the stallion reared up and threw it off again.\u00a0 Patiently, Joe tightened the rope, pulling the stallion nearer to the corral fence and repeated the process.\u00a0 After four attempts he succeeded in completing the job.<\/p>\n He stood back and glanced all around.\u00a0 There was no one in sight.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and reached down to release the rope, keeping his eyes fixed on the stallion.\u00a0 Very gently he lifted the reins and placed his weight in the stirrup.\u00a0 The horse didn\u2019t move, but Joe felt the tension in him and made his movements as smooth and quiet as possible.\u00a0 He made it to the saddle before the stallion began to buck, and for a few, brief seconds, he thought he could handle it.\u00a0 Then he knew he had taken on too much. \u00a0He wasn\u2019t sure how it happened, but he felt himself flying through the air.\u00a0 The force as he landed knocked the breath from him, and it was a moment before he remembered to roll away from the horse.\u00a0 As he rolled, he saw the horse rear above him, and the black hoofs miss him by inches.\u00a0 He tried to move faster, but suddenly his head hit a rock near the fence, and there was nothing but darkness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben and Adam had a business meeting at the bank in the morning, and they rode into town in silence.\u00a0 Although, Adam had got his own way about the stallion, he was still uneasy about his remarks concerning his stepmother\u2019s horse. His father was obviously worried, and Adam considered that maybe it wasn\u2019t fair to subject him to the ordeal of watching his son try to break what he thought of as dangerous horse.\u00a0 He knew that every time Joe rode Cochise in a reckless fashion, as he often did, Pa was reminded of Marie and the manner of her death.\u00a0 Perhaps he would change his plans and just let the horse go tomorrow.<\/p>\n Business finished, Ben went to visit friends as he had planned. \u00a0Adam considered staying in town and having a few drinks but finally decided he\u2019d go home and work on his strategy for the stallion. \u00a0On impulse decided to take a detour up to the lake to visit Marie\u2019s grave. \u00a0Afterwards, he was to curse his delay in riding home. It was almost four when he rode into the yard.\u00a0 As he came around the corner of the barn, he saw a crumpled body under the corral fence.\u00a0 His heart stopped.\u00a0 Through his head two images flashed \u2013 the body of his stepmother\u2019s horse Sable after her fatal accident and his four\u2011year\u2011old brother lying unconscious on the barn floor following a fall from the hayloft.\u00a0 Some where in his sub\u2011conscious both events were his fault and now another accident that he could have, should have prevented.<\/p>\n He threw himself from Sport and left the horse standing by the barn.\u00a0 In a few rapid strides, he was kneeling beside the body of his little brother.\u00a0 He felt for a pulse and was relieved to feel it strong and healthy.\u00a0 He checked Joe carefully for broken bones but could find none.\u00a0 His injuries appeared to be minor except for a cut and bruise on his forehead.<\/p>\n Adam knew he couldn\u2019t assume there was no other damage; he remembered as a seventeen\u2011year\u2011old viewing his stepmother\u2019s body.\u00a0 There had been no visible injuries but she had died, never\u2011the\u2011less.\u00a0 He gently rolled his brother over on to his back and attempted to revive him with water from the horse trough.\u00a0 After a few moments Joe groaned and opened his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u00bc Joe\u00bc. Look at me.\u00a0 Are you hurt anywhere?\u201d\u00a0 Adam said anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u00a0 What happened?\u201d\u00a0 Joe muttered.\u00a0 Then he remembered and glanced around him.\u00a0 The stallion now stood quietly in the opposite corner of the corral, watching the two of them.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess you got thrown from the horse,\u201d Adam said gently.\u00a0 \u201cNow stay still and tell me where you\u2019re hurting?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head and then winced at the movement.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m okay, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 He started to get up then fell back as waves of pain hit him.\u00a0 \u201cMy chest hurts a little and my arm.\u201d\u00a0 He held out his right hand and moved it experimentally.\u00a0 \u201cMy head hurts, too.\u201d\u00a0 He put his left hand up and wiped his forehead and then stared at the blood on his fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me give you a hand to get inside; then I can check you out properly.\u201d\u00a0 Adam put an arm under Joe\u2019s left side and supported him as he got to his feet.\u00a0 They moved inside, and Adam yelled for Hop Sing.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not here,\u201d Joe told his brother in a raspy voice.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why…\u201d he stopped knowing that he didn\u2019t need to explain to his older brother.<\/p>\n Adam cursed.\u00a0 Hop Sing was more experienced with injuries than he was.\u00a0 He should have known Joe would have checked that he was alone before he tried this crazy stunt.\u00a0 He rushed around gathering what he would need to doctor the bruises.\u00a0 He began by wiping away the blood from Joe\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 The cut was superficial, but the bruise was a nasty one, and as Adam cleaned it up, Joe winced and tried to move away.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat on earth were you trying to do?\u201d\u00a0 He raised a hand. \u201cNo don\u2019t answer that.\u00a0 It\u2019s perfectly obvious.\u00a0 What made you think you could do what Don couldn\u2019t?\u201d\u00a0 He sighed.<\/p>\n Joe struggled to a sitting position and pushed his brother\u2019s hand away. \u201cI\u2019d worked with him for over a week; he was getting to trust me.\u00a0 I thought he\u2019d be easier.\u201d\u00a0 He hesitated, not sure whether he wanted an answer to his next question.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam gave his brother an exasperated glance. \u201cHe\u2019s in town visiting Andrew Holloway.\u00a0 Said he\u2019d be back at supper time.\u00a0 It\u2019s pure chance that I came back when I did.\u201d\u00a0 He mentally chided himself for the delay.\u00a0 If he hadn\u2019t ridden up to the lake he would have arrived before the accident.\u00a0 \u201cYou could have been badly hurt or killed by that horse. Why the hell did you do it when there was no one around?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked at his brother as if he were half\u2011witted. \u201cWhy d\u2019you think?\u00a0 Pa\u2019d kill me if he knew.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam returned the look with a similar one. \u201cYou don\u2019t think for a moment you\u2019re<\/p>\n gonna keep this secret, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n His younger brother looked up in shock. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna tell him?\u201d he asked, horrified at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cTake a look at yourself, little brother.\u201d\u00a0 Adam waved a hand at Joe\u2019s forehead, where the bruising was now all too evident. \u201cHe\u2019s not going to believe that resulted from a gentle bump.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe gave his brother a pleading look. \u201cIf you unsaddled the stallion for me ……\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I\u2019ll do that, but it isn\u2019t going to be enough, Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s got to know,\u201d Adam said sympathetically.\u00a0 He moved over to the settee. \u201cYou\u2019d better go up to your room and lie down.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got some nasty bruises, and you need to rest.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure we shouldn\u2019t fetch the doctor to check you over.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 Help me up there and fetch me later so I can do my chores before Pa gets back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll help you upstairs, but you don\u2019t move from your room until I\u2019m sure you\u2019re okay,\u201d Adam said sympathetically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling.\u00a0 Adam had insisted that he stay here; although, he now felt much better…well, maybe a little sore and his head ached, but it wasn\u2019t enough to worry about.\u00a0 He was more worried about his father\u2019s homecoming than his injuries.\u00a0 He knew he was going to be punished for this escapade.\u00a0 He had been told not to go near the corral, and he had deliberately disobeyed less than twenty-four hours later.\u00a0 Pa was not going to be amused, particularly as he had been proven right.<\/p>\n If he could persuade Adam to let him get up, maybe he could still think of an excuse for his bruises.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t understand Adam\u2019s mood.\u00a0 He seemed to be blaming himself for the accident.\u00a0 He certainly hadn\u2019t reacted as he usually did to Joe\u2019s mischief.\u00a0 Joe had expected him to yell.\u00a0 There was no accounting for older brothers, Joe decided.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Adam made it back to the corral, the stallion was standing quietly in one corner still wearing the saddle and bridle.\u00a0 Sighing, Adam climbed over the rail and slowly approached the horse.\u00a0 Joe had got close enough to saddle him, so somehow he had to get the saddle off again.\u00a0 The horse didn\u2019t appear frightened of him.\u00a0 In fact he reached out his nose to nuzzle the outstretched hand.\u00a0 Slow and gently Adam took hold of the trailing reins and led the horse to the rail near the gate.\u00a0 He was about to tie him before unsaddling him when another idea came into his head.\u00a0 Joe had got into the saddle. True, he had been thrown, but he hadn\u2019t been trampled.\u00a0 The horse had got rid of its rider and then gone quietly to the corner and left the boy\u2019s body alone.\u00a0 He was more experienced than Joe, and had broken more horses than he cared to count.\u00a0 If he was careful and prepared, maybe he could at least sit in the saddle for a few minutes.\u00a0 He knew it was foolish, knew that he should wait for the hands to help him, but he couldn\u2019t stop himself.\u00a0 Talking softly to the horse, he pulled on his gloves and put his weight on the stirrup.\u00a0 The black stallion shuddered but made no move.\u00a0 With one swift motion he made it into the saddle.\u00a0 For what seemed like an age the horse stood still, quivering.\u00a0 Then it took off like a rocket.<\/p>\n From the front porch, Joe\u2019s eyes grew wide.\u00a0 He had decided to ignore his brother and go downstairs to try to get his chores finished.\u00a0 But as he opened the door, the sight of Adam mounting the stallion stopped him in his tracks.<\/p>\n Adam stayed with him for more than a minute until one particularly clever corkscrew move made him part company with the saddle.\u00a0 He hit the ground hard but was aware enough to roll until he was against the fence.\u00a0 For a second he saw the black towering above him, but the hooves came down safely a foot or more away from him.\u00a0 By the time he had scrambled to his feet, the horse was again standing quietly to one side.\u00a0 This time, when Adam approached, the horse trembled. \u00a0The big intelligent eyes watched him and made no move to evade him. Somewhere in those few moments there was an understanding.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay, boy. \u00a0I\u2019m not going to try again,\u201d Adam said softly.\u00a0 \u201cHe reached up and began unbuckling the bridle.\u00a0 The stallion stood perfectly still and allowed him to complete the job of untacking without bother.\u00a0 The job complete, Adam reached up and stroked the big head for a moment \u2013 but only for a moment.\u00a0 There was a head toss, and the horse trotted off to the other side of the corral.<\/p>\n Adam carried the tack inside the barn and stowed it carefully.<\/p>\n \u201cSeems like neither of us can obey too good.\u201d\u00a0 Joe spoke from the barn door.<\/p>\n Adam whirled around and then breathed again when he saw his little brother standing confidently by the door.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing out of bed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWatching you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m feeling fine now. \u00a0I couldn\u2019t have been out too long.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d\u00a0 Adam reached out and felt Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n Joe giggled. \u00a0\u201cI had a fall not a fever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well\u2026 you do look better.\u00a0 I can hardly see the cut and the bruise with your hair over it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe moved into the barn and picked up a rake. \u201cI won\u2019t tell, if you won\u2019t.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just say I bumped my head if Pa asks.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam fought with his conscience for a few seconds.\u00a0 His conscience lost. \u201cWell, maybe we won\u2019t say anything unless Pa asks.\u201d<\/p>\n Chores in the barn completed, they came out into the yard again. They stood and watched the big horse for several minutes.\u00a0 There was something majestic in the wild, untamed stallion, something that shouldn\u2019t be cowed to the will of man.\u00a0 Adam slapped his hands against his pants to remove some of the dust, and it was as if the action cleared his mind.\u00a0 He knew now what he wanted to do.\u00a0 \u201cHe shouldn\u2019t be captured.\u00a0 He was meant to run free,\u201d he said softly, almost to himself.<\/p>\n Joe glanced up at his older brother.\u00a0 This was a sentimental Adam, one the world hardly ever saw.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I can see him on a bluff protecting his harem.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam chuckled. \u00a0\u201cAs long as that harem doesn\u2019t include Pa\u2019s prize mares.\u201d<\/p>\n The mood broken, they both headed off in different directions to complete the yard chores.\u00a0 But both were still thinking about the magnificent horse and the moment when they were on his back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time Ben got home, all the chores were done.\u00a0 He had met up with Hoss, and they rode in together.\u00a0 Something about the way Adam came out to meet them alerted Ben to trouble.\u00a0 He passed Buck\u2019s reins to Hoss, ready to deal with whatever it might be.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Pa, Hoss,\u201d Adam said slowly.<\/p>\n Now Ben was sure there was a problem.\u00a0 \u201cOkay.\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked with a resigned expression.<\/p>\n Adam glanced at Hoss and raised his eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cNothing\u2019s wrong, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben kept his eyes on Adam\u2019s face.\u00a0 There was something, but it was clear that Adam wasn\u2019t about to tell him anything.\u00a0 No doubt he would find out, he usually did.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking and well\u2026\u00a0 maybe you\u2019re right.\u00a0 The stallion won\u2019t ever be tame enough to work with safely.\u00a0 Perhaps we should let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s curiosity was further tweaked.\u00a0 Adam agreeing after all he had said?\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m pleased you\u2019ve come to your senses,\u201d was all he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take him over to the other side of Carson City and let him go out near Brunswick Canyon.\u00a0 That\u2019s gotta be forty miles from the nearest ranch.\u00a0 There\u2019s good grazing.\u00a0 He\u2019ll find other wild horses for his harem and won\u2019t need to come back this way.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe took a deep breath and glanced at both father and brother, but it was to his father that he addressed his question.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be an overnight camp for Adam, Pa.\u00a0 Can I go with him?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked from one son to the other.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe.\u00a0 The horse is still dangerous\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll the more reason for Adam to have some company in case anything happens.\u201d\u00a0 Joe was quiet and concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like him along, Pa.\u201d Adam\u2019s dark eyes met his father\u2019s, and it was almost a pleading look, or at least as close to one as Ben\u2019s eldest ever came.<\/p>\n There was something here that Ben couldn\u2019t quite put his finger on: a connection between Adam and Joe that was more than Joe wanting a camping trip and a day out of school.\u00a0 Heaven knows, any connection since Adam\u2019s return from college had been tenuous and often non-existent.\u00a0 He wanted to encourage it, but he feared for their safety, too.\u00a0 \u201cIf I say yes, then I want you both to swear to me that you won\u2019t make any attempt to ride him.\u00a0 Your word\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have it, Pa.\u00a0 I give my word that I won\u2019t ride him.\u201d\u00a0 For once there were none of Joe\u2019s eager promises that were broken almost before they were out of his mouth.\u00a0 This time he was sincere.<\/p>\n Adam nodded. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ll have him on a rope halter \u2013 no bridle for him, no saddle.\u00a0 You have my word that I won\u2019t attempt to ride him, and I\u2019ll see that Joe is kept safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben expected an explosion from his youngest son at his brother\u2019s assertion that he would keep him safe, but there was none, just quiet acceptance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the Sunday right after church, Adam and Joe quietly saddled up.<\/p>\n Ben came out to check that they had everything. \u00a0\u201cBoys, be careful.\u00a0 We\u2019ll expect you back late tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 Hoss you make sure you do all our chores.\u201d \u00a0He grinned.<\/p>\n Hoss winked at his older brother. \u201cDon\u2019t I always.\u201d<\/p>\n With the black stallion on a rope halter they rode out of the yard and headed toward Brunswick Canyon.\u00a0 Darkness fell when they were still some twenty miles short of their destination, and Adam decided to make camp near the old Bunker Hill mine.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t he magnificent?\u201d\u00a0 Adam observed as the two brothers relax with bacon and beans and watched the sun setting over the Sierras.<\/p>\n \u201cSure is,\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for letting me come along.\u00a0 Why didya? \u00a0I mean you coulda told Pa you wouldn\u2019t take me, and he\u2019d have said no.\u00a0 He almost did anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged, \u201cFigured you felt the same way as me about the horse.\u00a0 We both got close to him.\u201d\u00a0 He stared into the fire for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been almost three years since I got back, and we haven\u2019t agreed on much.\u00a0 Not done much together.\u00a0 You and Hoss are friends as well as brothers.\u00a0 I kinda hoped we could\u2026 well\u2026 you know\u2026 find a common bond over him.\u201d\u00a0 He thumbed in the direction of the picket line.\u00a0 \u201cGet to know each other all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded, \u201cI ain\u2019t give you much of a chance.\u00a0 Thought you was out to boss me, and I got enough o\u2019 that with Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019m not a kid anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam chuckled, making Joe look over at him with curiosity.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll always be my kid brother; that won\u2019t change, but I guess I could try to treat you different.\u00a0 You know horses, and you\u2019re good with them.\u00a0 Gonna be better than me someday.\u201d\u00a0 He reached over and ruffled Joe\u2019s hair, knowing how it annoyed him.\u00a0 \u201cBut that day hasn\u2019t come yet, so don\u2019t go getting ideas.\u00a0 I\u2019ll try to make Pa see that you can take more responsibility with the horse side of the business if you\u2019ll try to show him that you can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe had bridled at the ruffle of his hair, but the words sounded good.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Adam.\u00a0 I guess you can\u2019t stop being a know-it-all big brother right away.\u201d \u00a0Joe scrambled to his feet and dodged out of Adam\u2019s way.\u00a0 \u201cNo good chasing me brother.\u00a0 You ain\u2019t never been able to catch me and never will.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed. \u00a0\u201cWhy use speed when I can use guile and cunning.\u00a0 You\u2019ll come back to the fire when it gets colder.\u201d\u00a0 He set down his plate and began making his bed.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, Joe crept cautiously back to the camp site and set out his bed alongside his brother\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGuess we\u2019ll always be brothers even if we don\u2019t agree all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rolled over and smiled at his young brother. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to agree, Joe.\u00a0 It\u2019s more about respect for each other, and I reckon we\u2019ve made a good start.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next morning they were away early and had reached the grazing area near the mine well before midday.\u00a0 \u201cI guess here is as good as anywhere, little brother.\u201d\u00a0 Adam dismounted and tethered Sport to a manzanita bush.<\/p>\n Joe copied his brother\u2019s actions and stood beside the stallion.\u00a0 He reached up and touched the velvet nose.\u00a0 The horse shivered but allowed the touch.\u00a0 Adam came up alongside them and did the same.\u00a0 Then he gently removed the rope halter.\u00a0 The stallion stood still for a second then tossed his head.\u00a0 He looked at the two men and then backed away very slowly.\u00a0 Both Adam and Joe stood very still, waiting.\u00a0 Suddenly, realising he was free, the horse reared up and turned toward the east.<\/p>\n Joe mounted Cochise, and Adam stood still holding Sport\u2019s reins for a moment watching the big stallion.\u00a0 The horse was revelling in its freedom: running and turning, making circles around them as if saying goodbye.<\/p>\n They watched for maybe fifteen minutes until the horse turned and ran eastwards. Then, with some regret, they headed for home.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe someday I\u2019ll have another horse like that.\u201d\u00a0 Adam spoke softly so that Joe had to lean toward him to hear.\u00a0 He leaned over and patted Sport.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, fella, but he\u2019s some horse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And maybe Adam did find a horse like the black stallion, remember Jupiter in \u201cThe Way of Aaron.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n