Summary: \u00a0\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0Hoss` ready sympathy is aroused and the brothers have a difficult cattle drive.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (10,550 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Brandsters acknowledge that the authors are the owners of their stories.\u00a0 Should an author included in this project reach out to us and indicate they do not wish their work to be archived in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library, we will remove their stories.\u00a0 We would also be happy to change contact information for any authors who wish to continue to have their stories archived in the Library.<\/p>\n
THE DRIVE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Hoss and Joe had to collect the stores from town. Adam was making final checks at the herd as the three brothers were heading out on a trail drive the following day.<\/p>\n Hoss watched his brother carry out a small packet of spices for Hop Sing as he hefted the last large sack onto the wagon. He could never work out how his little brother appeared to look busy and yet left virtually all the work to him but Joe was adept at it, years of practice.<\/p>\n Hoss decided to treat himself to some candy to take with him on the drive and headed back into the store arranging to meet Joe in the Bucket O\u2019 Blood in a few minutes. As Joe headed down to the saloon he met Sally and Hoss laid a quiet bet with himself that Joe would still be talking to the pretty young girl and he would get to the bar first and end up buying the beers.<\/p>\n As Hoss made his choice of candy, he noticed a tall skinny youngster outside watching his every move with envy written clearly on his face. The kid, who looked about 15, was dressed in dirty clothes little better than rags and didn\u2019t look as though he had had a square meal in a month. Hoss\u2019 ready sympathy was sparked and as he came out of the store he went over to the kid and offered him some candy.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t do that Mister\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure you can, I got plenty\u201d Hoss held out the bag again and this time the kid chose a large lemon drop and popped it into his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou new in town?\u201d\u00a0Hoss asked \u201cI don\u2019t remember seeing you before.I\u2019m Hoss Cartwright live on a ranch near here\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly got here last\u00a0nght, folks call me Jimmy.\u00a0Sorta\u00a0looking for work but I don\u2019t really\u00a0wanna\u00a0go down those mines.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t blame you there.\u00a0Where are your folks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t got\u00a0none\u00a0that I can remember. I can work real hard\u00a0Mister,\u00a0you need any help on your ranch? I\u2019m good with horses, worked in a stable down Carson way but the guy he sold out and the new owner didn\u2019t need me he had two sons of his own.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss wasn\u2019t at all sure what his Pa as going to say but looking at the half starved kid he couldn\u2019t turn him down and anyway Adam had been moaning that they were short handed on the drive maybe the kid could look after the\u00a0remuda. \u201cGuess we can find you something to do. Look I have to meet my brother why don\u2019t you go get your gear and meet us back here at the wagon in half an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure I\u2019ll wait here for you\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about your gear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly got what I\u2019m wearing Mister, had to sell some stuff to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss was horrified and taking the kid\u2019s arm led him back into the store \u201cNo need for the Mister. My name is Hoss and you\u2019re gonna need some duds\u00a0if\u2019n\u00a0you come with us on a drive heading out tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was surprised not to find Hoss in the saloon as he had had a nice chat with Sally but he got two beers and waited for his brother. When he had drunk both of them and Hoss still hadn\u2019t shown up Joe decided he had better go looking for his brother. As he was standing in the street wondering where to start he saw his brother come out of the store with a scrawny kid and headed over to join them.<\/p>\n Hoss rather sheepishly explained that Jimmy didn\u2019t have a job and he had decided that they needed extra help with the drive. Joe whistled softly \u201cI\u2019ll leave you to explain that to Adam big brother\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHeck Joe the kid ain\u2019t had a good meal in a month of Sundays he ain\u2019t got no folks just the clothes he\u2019s standing up in\u201d<\/p>\n Joe considered those and asked quietly \u201cI take it you just bought those?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis own were barely decent just about to fall off him\u201d Hoss said defensively and Joe just sighed too used to his soft hearted brother to argue but unsure how Adam was going to take it. He just hoped that they found Adam in a good mood.<\/p>\n If Joe could have seen his brother at that moment he would have known that was a vain hope. Adam had been doing a final check round the herd that he was taking north and had found one cow that had managed to find the only mud hole left in\u00a0Nevada\u00a0. Adam swore briefly under his breath and looked around but none of the hands were anywhere to be seen and he dismounted. Having ground tied Sport he took off his gun-belt and shirt and then deciding to at least have clean clothes to put on stripped off his pants, before sliding into the viscous mud. Twenty minutes later he finally pushed the most ornery cow that God ever gave breath too out onto the firm land, falling forward into the mud as the cow finally moved.<\/p>\n He walked over to the small stream nearby and sat in it, trying to at least get the worst of the mud off his body and out of his hair, but there wasn\u2019t very much water and he still felt filthy as he went over to put his clothes back on.Eventually he swung back on Sport and started to escort the cow back to the herd.<\/p>\n As he got close to the branding camp he saw his brothers approaching with the wagon and puzzled why they were there, instead of taking the stores back to the house, he let the cow go into the herd and pushed Sport on to find out what was going on.<\/p>\n His brothers knew from the way he sat his horse that Adam had not been having a good day and Joe said \u201cIt\u2019s your story Hoss leave me out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u00a0Dadbern\u00a0it Joe what else could I do?\u00a0You seen\u00a0what Jimmy is like, no more capable of looking after himself than a new born foal.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shrugged, he wasn\u2019t about to get on the wrong side of his eldest brother the day before they headed out with Adam as trail boss. Anyway there was no more time for discussion as Adam pulled Sport up next to the wagon. \u201cWhat are you two doing out here?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss had though about his excuse on the way from town and he was quick to reply \u201cWe thought that it would save time if we restocked the wagon here rather than have to bring it back to the house and then we can take the rest of the stores home.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged \u201cokay but you explain to Hop Sing why you\u2019re so late back with his stores.\u201d He was about to ride off when he spotted the kid sitting on the wagon and he turned back to his brothers raising his eyebrow questioningly. Joe just shrugged so Adam turned his attention to his big brother.<\/p>\n Hoss got down from the wagon \u201cCan I have a word Adam?\u00a0Sorta\u00a0in private\u201d Adam swung down from Sport and followed Hoss away from the wagon but when his big brother made no attempt to talk he said \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis name\u2019s Jimmy\u00a0I\u00a0um\u00a0, I —-\u201c Hoss stuttered to a halt. Adam considered his big brother and placed the look, somehow Hoss had made a promise which he needed his brother to back and wasn\u2019t sure how to tell Adam. He grinned slightly ruefully \u201cOut with it Hoss, what have I got to do? I\u2019m filthy and I want to get back to the house for a bath.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know it weren\u2019t my place to go hiring but you did say we were shorthanded.\u201d Hoss studied his brother waiting for the explosion but it wasn\u2019t forthcoming although Adam did sigh heavily \u201cHave I got you right Hoss you have given that kid a job on the drive?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he\u2019s all on his own ain\u2019t eaten well, no money and don\u2019t fancy the mines.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell I can understand that!.\u00a0What can he do? He doesn\u2019t look old enough to come on a drive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s real good with horses, worked at a livery until it was sold out under him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose he told you that!\u00a0And those new clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe needed something and I reckoned he\u2019d be better with us even if he\u2019s young\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell okay we could do with some help with the spare horses but he\u2019s your responsibility, just try and keep him out of trouble\u201d Adam shook his head \u201cI\u2019ll see you back at the house I want one more night in my own bed.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe came over to join Hoss \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s fine with it long as we keep Jimmy out of trouble\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow come it\u2019s we brother, all this was your idea\u201d Joe caught the look on Hoss face and slapped him on the back \u201cAlright you big galoot I\u2019m sure between us we can get him safely there and back, maybe teach him how to be a proper cowboy along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks Joe\u201d<\/p>\n Adam had filled his father in on Hoss\u2019 latest stray and if Ben was slightly concerned at the idea of a young kid going on the drive he could understand his eldest son\u2019s inability to say no to his big brother. Hoss, so seldom asked for anything and even then mostly for someone else, like now.<\/p>\n Ben couldn\u2019t help worrying about his sons, the drive was going to be hard it had been very dry recently everything turning to dust and both feed and water would be hard to find. He knew just how competent they were, no-one knew the land better than they did and, despite arguments at times, the boys would all support each other.<\/p>\n Adam could see the concern and he was glad to have an excuse to go and get a bath get the mud off, before Ben started going over all possible troubles that might hit. He sometimes felt that his father still believed he was not fully grown.<\/p>\n Hoss was quiet over the evening meal concentrating on his food. As it was the last meal he would have cooked by Hop Sing until they got back it didn\u2019t cause much surprise and he was grateful that his family weren\u2019t teasing him over his newest stray. He didn\u2019t realise that each, individually, had decided to give him a break. Hoss wouldn\u2019t be the man he was without his soft heart and none of them wanted him to change.<\/p>\n Ben rode out with his sons the next morning to see them on their way and it was with a distinct feeling of pride that he watched the herd move out. All in good condition and more than enough to\u00a0fulfill\u00a0his contract and he had great faith that his sons would deliver them in the same condition. Adam came over to say goodbye and promised to send word when they arrived in about ten\u00a0days\u00a0time. \u201cI\u2019ll look after the herd\u00a0Pa.\u00a0See you soon\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou just make sure that you and your brothers get home safe\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure Pa\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you\u2019ll do your usual excellent job, Good luck son.\u201d Ben watched until the herd disappeared, able to recognise his sons by their horses even when the riders were indistinguishable. Then he turned to go back to the house. He had a business meeting on as lumber contract the next day and needed to go over the figures he had agreed with Adam to make sure he got the best possible deal.<\/p>\n The first day out Jimmy was able to look after the spare horses and Hoss was pleased to see that, just as he had claimed, the boy was good with them. It was a hard day for all of them, the cattle loathe to move away from their home\u00a0range ,and\u00a0by the time Adam had set the night-herders out for the first shift he was tired and hungry. Hoss saw him ride in and dismount stiffly and he went over to his brother \u201cGo get something to eat Adam I\u2019ll take your horse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks brother.\u201d Adam stretched his back aching after a long day in the saddle and Joe moved over to give him coffee and then went to get him some food. Adam yawned \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0gonna be a very long couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCareful brother you\u2019re getting too old, the kid has lasted the day better than you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I could settle for staying home with Pa, nice soft bed, Hop\u00a0Sing\u2019s\u00a0cooking, lazy evening at home or trips to\u00a0Virginia City, instead of night duty riding herd to a lot of ornery cows. I swear that same cow that got stuck in the mud yesterday has had to be turned back to the herd a dozen times today and I\u2019ve done every one of them!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEat your grub brother and you\u2019ll feel more human.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a promise?\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy had made himself popular with all the men on the drive, like an overeager puppy dog, he was a little accident prone forgetting to tighten a girth, dropping a plate, stubbing his toe, falling over someone\u2019s leg but always quick to apologise and eager to learn. He was particularly intrigued by the men\u2019s guns, he wanted one of his own, a nice big forty-five, and told everyone that it would be the first thing he bought with his wages. He wanted someone to teach him how to shoot but Adam had firmly vetoed that idea. Gunfire was the last thing he needed near a restless herd.<\/p>\n Although Jimmy was able to persuade someone to do most of what he wanted, none of the drovers would go against Adam, especially when they knew he was right.<\/p>\n On the third day out Adam had had to split the herd into small groups to water them and none of the cattle had had as much water as they would really have liked. The herd was very restless and the men were tired especially with the prospect of doubling up the night shifts. Hoss was the only one of the brothers to eat a decent meal both Adam and Joe were too tired and too on edge to be hungry. The three brothers were sitting with coffee discussing the best route to take the following day when Jimmy came over proudly twirling a gun to show them his new prowess.<\/p>\n Overtired and worried Adam was furious \u201cGive that back to whichever lame-brain let you have it and don\u2019t let me see you touch a gun again until we have delivered this herd\u201d He turned to his brother \u201cHoss I told you he\u2019s your responsibility deal with it\u201d<\/p>\n With that he turned away and went over to get a fresh mount and head back out to the herd.<\/p>\n Hoss got to his feet and went to take the gun away from Jimmy but as he did so the boy fumbled it and the gun fell between them and the jolt as it landed made the gun go off. For a moment both were stunned and Joe rushed over scared that someone had been hit. Luckily the bullet had just buried itself in a tree but even as Joe realised that he felt the very ground seem to tremble and realised Adam\u2019s worst fears were about to be realised as the herd stampeded.<\/p>\n Joe yelled \u201cStampede\u201d and ran for his horse. Adam had been about to mount up when he heard the shot and he was the first to get to the herd. In that first moment of panic there was very little he could do but he tried to steer them away from the camp and the chuck-wagon.<\/p>\n At the camp all the men were frantically getting saddled up and out of the way of the herd. Hoss tried to keep an eye on Jimmy but it was all total confusion and with the dust and the darkness it was hard to see anything at all.<\/p>\n Adam raced to the head of the herd and he was hardly surprised to catch a glimpse of\u00a0Cochise\u00a0heading up the other side of the herd and he knew his brother would back his play. The ground was rough and he was scared that men or horses might be hurt to say nothing of the cows, but he had to stop them. Thanking all the gods that he had left his surefooted Sport for the night duty, after two hard days he had rested him during the day, Adam gradually eased to the front and started to try and turn the front runners. He saw Joe doing the same thing on the other side and signalled his brother, Joe waved back and then both concentrated on what they were doing as the herd gradually began to slow.<\/p>\n Despite their concentration on the herd both brothers were keeping an eye on the other and Adam saw Joe fall as\u00a0Cochise\u00a0lost his footing. Adam was on his way to his brother almost before he hit the ground. Adam had his gun out and shot in the air twice to scare the cattle away. As he reached Joe he quickly dismounted and threw his little brother up onto Sport noting with relief that\u00a0Cochise\u00a0had righted himself and moved off. Adam swung up behind Joe and tried to pull out but as he did so he felt something hit his leg hard.<\/p>\n Adam grabbed his leg and felt the blood but he hadn\u2019t time to worry about it now, Joe was barely conscious and they were in a less than comfortable position, still surrounded by cattle. He urged Sport to move and the big chestnut was all too eager to get away from the cattle pressing in on him.<\/p>\n Despite their problems the brothers had done enough to start the head of the herd milling in a circle and those coming up behind finding their way blocked slowed down and the stampede began to lose its impetus. Hoss had finally caught up with several of the hands and he began to take control of the herd, a job he\u2019d done all his life, but most of his concentration was on looking for his brothers.<\/p>\n It was more than an hour later before there was any semblance of order and then, much to Hoss\u2019 relief, Adam rode into camp with Joe in front of him on Sport and\u00a0Cochise\u00a0on a lead rein.\u00a0Hoss hurried over to his brothers and Adam said \u201cTake Joe will you, he\u2019s okay just a bit bruised\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss went to lift his little brother down but Joe sat up a bit straighter, \u201cI\u2019m okay\u201d He eased himself out of the saddle and Hoss, ignoring all protests, put his arm round his brother\u2019s waist and helped him over to the camp. The wagon had survived intact and although a lot of bed-rolls had been kicked out of the way by the cows there was very little real damage. The cook for the drive Eli had already got the fire re-lit and coffee on the go. He was busy cooking some stew but hustled over with coffee for the brothers.<\/p>\n Joe did his best to reassure his brother that he was fine, just a few bruises where he\u2019d hit the ground when\u00a0Cochise\u00a0went over,\u00a0he had just been winded\u00a0and Adam had pulled him out before there was any real damage. Even\u00a0Cochise\u00a0seemed to have survived with no more than a slight limp and should be fine in a day or so.<\/p>\n Hoss relaxed at that \u201cYou sure push your luck little brother\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss considered him carefully, he had heard that statement too often in the past and it didn\u2019t always mean what it said.\u00a0This time\u00a0he though Joe was being at least reasonably accurate. He was sure his brother would be stiff and sore the following day but that wasn\u2019t unusual and Joe would be fine in a day or so. Confident of that Hoss\u2019 attention turned to his eldest brother who still hadn\u2019t dismounted.<\/p>\n Adam had been about to get down, hoping his leg would support him, when he spotted something over on the edge of the camp. He directed Sport over to the bundle of rags and eased himself out of the saddle holding onto the saddle horn to keep on his feet. He was barely aware of the stabbing pain in his thigh as he realised that his worst fears were justified, the stampede had claimed at least one victim.<\/p>\n Adam knelt down by the body but it was obvious that he was far too late to do anything for Jimmy, the boy was dead. He sank back on his\u00a0haunches,\u00a0just a kid and he hadn\u2019t known how to protect himself when things got rough. Adam mourned for the boy himself and almost equally for his big brother. He had told Hoss that he was responsible for the boy and he knew his brother would blame himself whatever anyone else said to him.\u00a0Before he could even think what to say to Hoss that might help, his big brother had come over worried about him.<\/p>\n Hoss was concerned about Adam but then he realised what his brother was looking at. He suddenly realised that he hadn\u2019t given Jimmy a thought since the stampede started, worried first of all about stopping it and then about his brothers. Now he knew that his attempt to help the young man had ended in disaster. He had been so sure that taking Jimmy with them he could teach him how to cope, help him to a better life. Adam had told him the kid was too young for a drive and told him that Jimmy was his responsibility, a responsibility that he had soon forgotten when other problems arose.<\/p>\n Now the boy was dead and he would have been a lot better off if Hoss had left him in\u00a0Virginia City\u00a0to get a job down the mines, at least he would be alive. Hoss went over and knelt down next to Adam.<\/p>\n Adam gripped his brother\u2019s arm \u201cHe didn\u2019t stand a chance must have died almost instantly\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u00a0All my\u00a0fault\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHardly Hoss.\u00a0He started the stampede by messing around with a gun after he\u2019d been told not to. I\u2019m very sorry he got hurt but in a stampede\u00a0its\u00a0always every man for himself\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrouble is he never got a chance to be a man \u2018cos\u00a0of me he\u2019s dead while he\u2019s still a boy\u201d Hoss said bitterly and getting to his feet walked off into the dark not even realising his older brother was hurt.<\/p>\n Joe had come over more slowly and he knelt down badly shaken as he took in just what his eldest brother was looking at \u201cHell! How\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBadly shaken and blaming himself\u201d Adam looked up at his little brother \u201cNever easy to lose a hand, let alone a young kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe saw more than Adam wanted in his face and frowning he asked \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you big brother?\u201d Very well aware that Adam was hurting and trying to remember exactly what had happened.<\/p>\n Adam shrugged \u201cNothing much, just caught my leg\u201d<\/p>\n Joe moved closer to him and saw the dark blood staining his brother\u2019s pants \u201cCome back to the fire and let me have a look at that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a minute get one of the man to bring a blanket for Jimmy, we need to check to see if there\u2019s anyone to notify and then we are going to have to bury him\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay brother but there\u2019s nothing we can do for him and you\u2019re still bleeding, at least I can do something about that.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tried to get to his feet but his right leg wouldn\u2019t support his weight and if it hadn\u2019t been for Joe\u2019s support he would have fallen. Joe yelled to Hank and Dave to come and help and between them they supported Adam back over to the fire. Joe ordered Eli to get water on to boil and to bring their first aid kit while he cut his brother\u2019s pants to try and see what damage had been done. He badly needed Hoss\u2019 help but for the moment he didn\u2019t have time to go looking for him, Adam needed treatment now.<\/p>\n Joe was horrified when he revealed the damage, there was a gash nearly ten inches long down his brother\u2019s thigh and it looked to have gone quite deep at one end, he could see the muscle and in places it looked torn. It was bleeding sluggishly and looked filthy. \u201cDear God Adam why didn\u2019t you say something?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked at the mess and then rather ruefully said \u201cYou weren\u2019t exactly taking anything in and the cows weren\u2019t interested.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis needs a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrouble is little brother we are rather a long way from any Doc and I think it needs cleaning and bandaging to stop the blood loss rather immediately. Sorry to be a nuisance but you and Eli are it just at the minute. Do the best you can Joe, clean it first and then bandage it tight\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded slightly but he bit his lip knowing how much he was going to hurt his brother \u201cDo you want a slug of whiskey first? All we got that might help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you had better keep that for outside application Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gonna hurt\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know but it won\u2019t be any better for thinking about it, best get started.\u201d Adam knew just what a hard job he was handing his youngest brother but he had no choice especially with Hoss having disappeared.<\/p>\n Joe asked Hank to hold his brother\u2019s shoulders and Dave to hold his feet and then, with Adam nodding encouragingly, he gave him a piece of wood to bite down on. Joe picked up a cloth and placed it in the boiling water. Then he used his knife to lift it back out and as soon as it had cooled sufficiently he wrung out the worst of the water and began to clean the blood and dirt away from the wound. He heard Adam\u2019s quick indrawn breath as his brother fought for control and he could feel the tension in Adam\u2019s body but Joe had to ignore the pain he was causing. Joe worked steadily cleaning up round the wound before he dared tackle the open gash. He got fresh cloths and cleaned everything he\u00a0could,\u00a0worried about the blood flowing from the wound but at least it was carrying the dirt away from the wound. Eventually he sat back having done all he could.<\/p>\n Adam wrenched his arm free and took the wood from his mouth. He was gasping for breath but he knew what Joe had to do \u201cThe whiskey\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam it\u2019ll hurt like hell.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam gritted his teeth \u201cDo it\u201d and Joe knew his brother was right and poured the spirit into the open wound. Adam couldn\u2019t help screaming and he finally gave in to the lure of oblivion and passed out.<\/p>\n Hoss heard the scream of a man in agony and forgetting his own misery for a moment he ran back to the camp to find his youngest brother, chalk white, trying to tighten bloody bandages round his eldest brother\u2019s thigh. For now the important thing was to see to Adam and he took over from Joe and carefully padded and tightened the bandages to try and prevent Adam losing any more blood. Only when he had done the best he could and wrapped a blanket round Adam could he turn his attention to his younger brother. \u201cYou okay Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure I wasn\u2019t hurt, Adam saw to that and then he didn\u2019t even say he\u2019d been gored\u201d Joe said bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on Joe, Adam\u2019s been taking care of us most of his\u00a0life,\u00a0he couldn\u2019t do anything else if he tried. Anyway he\u2019s tough he\u2019ll be fine\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019ve got it clean\u201d Joe got to his feet and turned away from Hoss \u201cI had to hurt him so much\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did what you had to little brother, I\u2019m sorry I disappeared on you I should have been here to help.\u201d Hoss gripped Joe\u2019s shoulder \u201cCome on we could both do with some coffee and then we can try and see how we are gonna cope with all this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEli will you keep an eye on him for a few minutes give a yell the minute he starts to come round.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure Hoss but don\u2019t worry too much. Need more than a gash on his thigh to keep your brother down.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded and led Joe over to get coffee. As he did so Joe glanced over at the blanket wrapped body \u201cWhat a hell of a night\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere ain\u2019t much more we can do until daylight, need to get at least some of the men rested. You should try and get some\u00a0sleep,\u00a0you were pretty shaken up from that fall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve done your share I\u2019ll sit with him for now call you in a few hours.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head \u201cNot until he wakes up I need to \u2013\u201c he\u00a0fell quiet but Hoss knew what he meant somehow Joe needed to tell Adam that he hadn\u2019t meant to hurt him. However necessary it had been Joe had caused his brother pain and that was always difficult to accept.<\/p>\n Hoss couldn\u2019t argue, he never won arguments with either of his brothers anyway and once they had coffee, the brothers went to sit either side of Adam. It was nearly an hour later before he stirred and Hoss shook his head at Joe as he started to question Adam \u201cEasy let him come to in his own time\u201d<\/p>\n A couple of minutes later Adam opened his eyes and considered first one brother and then the other. He smiled at them \u201cYou two should have got some sleep\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEasier said than done\u201d Hoss said \u201cwith you taking on cows with your bare leg\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t bare until Joe ruined my new pants.\u201d Adam looked at Joe \u201cTake it easy little brother you did what you had to and my leg feels a lot better now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hurt you\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah but you had no choice just did what was needed, forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do we do now?\u201d Joe asked and despite his injury Adam took charge \u201cFor a start Joe you go and get three or four hours sleep because tomorrow morning you are gonna have to take the hands and round up as many of the cattle as you can. Hopefully they haven\u2019t spread too far. The terrain is in our favour, too steep to the east and very rough to the west. Some will have tried to turn back but most I think headed north and we have time for them to regain condition.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe hesitated but his brother was talking sense and with a quick squeeze of Adam\u2019s shoulder he went over to his bedroll and although he didn\u2019t expect to sleep he was out for the count almost as soon as he laid down. Hoss checked up on him and went back to reassure Adam that Joe was okay. \u201cWhat about you Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u00a0you\u2019re hurt I wasn\u2019t here for you or Joe and Jimmy is dead. How am I supposed to feel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone of it is your fault Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t feel that way.\u00a0If\u2019n\u00a0I\u2019d left the kid in\u00a0Virginia City, he\u2019d still be alive and you wouldn\u2019t be hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be my big brother if you didn\u2019t try and help the underdogs of life. We don\u2019t want you to ever change and you couldn\u2019t have known what would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss relaxed a little with his brother\u2019s support but he couldn\u2019t sleep although he was glad to see Adam relax into sleep again. It seemed a very long time until dawn but eventually Eli was up and Hoss was able to go and get coffee. As he sipped it he realised Adam was awake and he helped his brother to sit up and fetched him coffee.<\/p>\n Hoss asked \u201cAre you going back to the house?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a drive to complete\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam you need to go and see a doctor get that leg seen to properly Joe and I can cope with the herd, send Dave back with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be daft! We\u2019re short handed anyway\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa would lose the whole herd rather than take risks with you. You know\u00a0that as well as I do. Anyways Joe and I can\u2019t do our job if we\u2019re worrying about you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook there\u2019s a Doc in Fallon it\u2019s only half a day north, closer than\u00a0Virginia City. I\u2019ll go and see him to keep you two quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss accepted that much knowing he was lucky to get it and Adam was right that was the closest doctor. He went over to get some breakfast but Adam only wanted another cup of coffee and Hoss couldn\u2019t push him he could feel the fever in his brother\u2019s body. At least it was only low level at the moment and Hoss hoped it didn\u2019t mean there was infection in the wound.<\/p>\n Joe joined them glad to see Adam looking rather brighter and Adam made an effort for his little brother not wanting to worry him. Joe headed out to the herd as soon as he had had some food. He was stiff and sore himself from the fall and his right arm and shoulder was so stiff that it was a real effort to use it and he couldn\u2019t lift his arm more than chest high. At least it was his right hand and he managed to carry out his work.<\/p>\n By midmorning most of the cattle had been collected but then Joe found a camp site and sign of a small group of cattle being driven off. Joe got down and studied the sign but Hoss was the best tracker so he sent\u00a0Tex\u00a0back to find his brother.<\/p>\n Hoss had gone back to the camp to check on his eldest brother and had just finished changing Adam\u2019s bandages when\u00a0Tex\u00a0came rushing in to the campsite. Adam eased himself up on one elbow wondering what was wrong now. Hoss shot to his feet \u201cDadbern\u00a0it\u00a0Tex\u00a0you\u2019re throwing dust all over Adam\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry Hoss, Adam but Joe wants you quick looks like rustlers\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre they still there?\u201d demanded Adam scared for his impulsive little brother, but to his relief\u00a0Tex\u00a0shook his head \u201cNo. Long gone I reckon but Joe wants Hoss to check the sign.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u00a0be\u00a0alright here on your own Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive me a hand up Hoss I want to see for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be a fool, you got a bloody great gash in your leg,\u00a0you\u00a0can\u2019t ride.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was easing himself round to get to his feet by holding onto the wagon and Hoss moved swiftly to support him. Adam gave him a tight grin \u201cHoss I am still the trail boss and I\u2019m going to see, with you or without you, but it would be easier with your help.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss muttered under his breath but he knew his normal success rate at changing Adam\u2019s mind was about zero and, at the least, he had to keep an eye on his brother. \u201cAlright but you do exactly what I say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u00a0Tex\u00a0go\u00a0saddle up Sport for my brother will\u00a0you.\u201d Hoss eased Adam over to a rock so that it would be easier to mount \u201cYou let me help you up onto that ornery horse of yours and he\u2019d better behave\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSport will be fine. Anyway you just re-bandaged my leg it\u2019s not bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe but it won\u2019t take much to start it again you be real careful brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was very glad of Hoss help and steadying hand as he settled in the saddle but at least Sport seemed to sense his master wasn\u2019t his usual self and was remarkably peaceful. Hoss would have taken it very slow, but Adam was still concerned his youngest brother would go off on some ploy of his own if they didn\u2019t join him soon, and pushed Sport into a lope as he ordered Tex to show them just where Joe was.<\/p>\n Hoss watched anxiously but his brother wasn\u2019t showing any obvious sign of distress, not that that did much to put his mind at rest, knowing how adept his eldest brother was at hiding his feelings. At least Adam made no attempt to dismount when they reached Joe, very willing to leave it to Hoss.<\/p>\n Joe anxiously went over to his big brother \u201cWhat the hell is he doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s still the trail boss and when\u00a0have\u00a0I ever bin able to stop Adam doing what he wants? Anyways show me this sign, sooner we make up our minds what we\u2019re doing sooner he\u2019ll maybe rest.\u201d That made sense and Joe showed his brother what he\u2019d found and then moved over to Adam leaving Hoss to study the sign. He was unconsciously rubbing his sore arm and Adam asked with some concern \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a bit sore.\u00a0You shouldn\u2019t be riding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamn sight easier than the wagon out here. Do you a deal\u00a0Joe,\u00a0I won\u2019t fuss at you if you do the same for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head, sure that as usual he was getting the worst of the deal, but he could understand his brother\u2019s dislike of being fussed over. \u201cOkay deal, but you stay put on Sport and you don\u2019t do anything but ride along.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss came back over before Adam could argue and Joe changed the subject demanding to know what Hoss had found. \u201cThe same as you I guess, looks like four men camped here and when the cattle stampeded they cut out a bunch of about 15 and drove them off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d asked Adam<\/p>\n \u201cSometime last night I reckon, got maybe twelve hours head start\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen we\u2019d better get after them in a hurry\u201d Joe insisted but Adam shook his head \u201cWe can\u2019t Joe, much as I would like too. We go after those fifteen and we risk losing the other five hundred and we certainly won\u2019t make the contract date.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut those men have stolen them from us\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know but we\u2019re short handed as it is.\u201d Adam touched his sore leg \u201cand this doesn\u2019t help. All we can do is report it to the law in Fallon I\u2019m going into town anyway to see the Doc and keep Hoss quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t satisfy Joe but without his brothers\u2019 help he knew it would be foolhardy to go after the rustlers and begrudgingly he gave way. Most of the herd was collected again but they still had one job to do, a body to bury.<\/p>\n Adam accepted his brother\u2019s help to dismount at the camp, his leg was throbbing but it didn\u2019t feel like the deep pain of infection and he hoped he would get off\u00a0lightly,\u00a0still he didn\u2019t want to start it bleeding again. Using Hoss as a crutch he limped over to the wagon and then asked Hoss to get him some coffee. Not that he particularly wanted the drink but he wanted Hoss away as he looked through Jimmy\u2019s meagre possessions, his big brother was upset enough. Adam wanted to check to see if there was any indication of family someone to notify despite Jimmy\u2019s story but he found far more than he had bargained for. In a small pouch in the pocket of a very old coat there was over five hundred dollars and Adam stood looking at the money in amazement.<\/p>\n Something in his attitude brought his brothers swiftly to his side Joe asked anxiously \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam held out the money \u201cI just found this in Jimmy\u2019s pocket\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss took it and counted it \u201cFive hundred and twenty five dollars. It don\u2019t make\u00a0no\u00a0sense.\u00a0If\u2019n\u00a0he had all this why was he half starved? Wearing rags?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell no-one else has that sort of money to put in his pocket. It must have been Jimmy\u2019s. After all who would expect to find money in old rags, no wonder he didn\u2019t want to throw them away.\u201d Adam bit his lip he could make a guess at where the money had come from but he didn\u2019t want to upset Hoss any more and he diplomatically suggested \u201cMaybe he was saving for something real important to him like a stake for land. More important than eating or how he looked. Guess we\u2019ll never know. I\u2019ll turn it over to the\u00a0law,\u00a0maybe some charity in his name, there\u2019s no record of any family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said there weren\u2019t any\u201d Hoss said puzzled at his brother\u2019s checking but Joe added quietly \u201cLot\u00a0of people out here don\u2019t tell strangers all about their past. Guess all we can do for him now is to bury him deep and leave a marker\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss wanted to dig the grave himself needing to work off some of his worries and his brothers let him do it. Joe insisted that Adam come and sit down and eat some lunch but although Adam took a plate of stew he was only pushing the food around and eventually Joe took the plate and gave him some coffee, biting back the anxious questions. He was rewarded by a half smile from his brother and encouraged by that Joe asked \u201cYou don\u2019t really think he was saving up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo I guess not but I don\u2019t know any different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on Adam what do you really think?\u201d Joe pressed<\/p>\n \u201cProbably the same as you.\u00a0Jimmy got himself on the drive deliberately. Working with those four rustlers and waiting for an opportunity to stampede the herd and give them their chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded glad, but not surprised, to find his brother thinking along the same lines \u201cJust seems a strange place to choose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam shrugged \u201cI suspect the actual stampede was an accident. I would guess he would have waited until tomorrow night, after a dry drive with no water overnight. I think if the others had been ready, they would have taken more than 15 head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell Hoss\u00a0that.\u00a0It might stop him blaming himself?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really think it would help him to know he was deliberately set up and the kid was a rustler?\u201d Adam raised his eyebrow enquiringly \u201cAt the moment it\u2019s an awful accident and unless we have proof big brother is not going to accept Jimmy as some kind of outlaw.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe had to accept the truth in what Adam said but he still hated seeing his big brother blaming himself over something that wasn\u2019t his fault.<\/p>\n When the grave was ready Joe helped Adam over to the grave and once the boy was placed in it Adam said a few word asking God in his infinite mercy to forgive all Jimmy\u2019s sins and take him into his own care and then he recited the 21st psalm.<\/p>\n Then he ordered the men to move the herd on, they were a long way from the next water. He insisted Hoss help him back on Sport but to keep his brothers quiet promised to ride alongside the wagon and take things easy.<\/p>\n Despite the very late start they made reasonable progress and if not quite where Adam would have liked at least there was a campsite with feed for the cattle only about two miles short of their normal stopping place and only eight miles from Fallon.<\/p>\n Adam had slept very badly, his leg throbbing fiercely, and he could feel the heat in it that indicated some sort of infection. It was hardly surprising but he intended heading into Fallon at daybreak.<\/p>\n Joe woke himself up trying to turn over just as dawn broke and instinctively looked over to check on his eldest brother. Seeing Adam was awake he moved over to him \u201cCan I get you anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t mind a drink Joe\u201d<\/p>\n Joe checked his brother\u2019s forehead \u201cYou\u2019re burning up, best let me have a look at that leg.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was curt \u201cLeave it. I\u2019ll go in to see the Doc shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe considered arguing but decided that wasn\u2019t what was needed and instead he got Adam a drink and then went to wake Hoss. Adam wanted to protest but couldn\u2019t seem to get enough control and Hoss sat up as Joe shook him. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTime we got big brother into the\u00a0Doc,\u00a0he\u2019s running quite a fever.\u201d Joe bit his lip \u201cMaybe I\u00a0oughta\u00a0clear a place in the back of the wagon\u201d<\/p>\n Adam heard that and protested vehemently \u201cI\u2019m riding and I don\u2019t need any watchdog\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe glanced at each other and both agreed instantly but Joe left it to Hoss to tell their brother. \u201cAlright you can ride, sooner the better but Joe goes with you I think he ought to get the Doc to check his right arm and shoulder anyway, make sure it is just bruised.\u201d<\/p>\n Put like that Adam couldn\u2019t argue and, as he couldn\u2019t face food, he had some coffee while Hoss saddled up for them. The brothers were on their way to Fallon before the rest of the hands were awake to face the days work.<\/p>\n The Doc\u2019s house was on the outskirts of town and they were in luck, he was still sitting over breakfast when they arrived. Joe ordered his brother to stay put until he could get some help, uncertain that he could manage Adam\u2019s weight with a sore arm.<\/p>\n Doc willingly came out to help Adam inside and up onto the examination table as he felt the heat coming from the older man.<\/p>\n He tried to get the brother to wait outside but Joe had no intention of leaving until he knew how Adam was. Giving in to the insistent young man, Doc got Joe to hold his brother still while he\u00a0unwrapped\u00a0the bandages. The wound was very red and angry especially at one end and Doc knew he would have to open it up and re-clean the wound but he wasn\u2019t doing it with his patient still awake. He sent for his wife who was used to keeping his patients under the influence of chloroform, while he operated.<\/p>\n Once Adam was asleep, he did insist that Joe wait outside and Joe feeling guilty at not doing a sufficiently good job of cleaning his brother\u2019s leg and feeling vaguely sick went out to get some fresh air.<\/p>\n It was about forty minutes before the Doc came out. Joe hurried over the question obvious on his face. \u201cTake it easy young man your brother was very lucky, no real damage done. It is all cleaned up and I\u2019ve stitched up the wound, only slight damage to the muscle and that should heal cleanly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs he awake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet. Probably be out for another half an hour and then he should stay off his leg for the next four or five days. We can put him up\u00a0here,\u00a0it\u2019s too far to your ranch just now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks Doc but I really have to get back to help my other brother we still have a herd to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine let me have a look at your shoulder. By then your brother will probably be awake and you can let him know what is happening before you leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe accepted that and once Doc had checked and rubbed in some\u00a0linament\u00a0his shoulder did feel a bit better. He turned down a sling but did accept a supply of\u00a0linament\u00a0sure Hoss could help him. Then he went in to check on Adam and found his eldest brother just stirring. Joe gently felt his forehead and to his relief found that cleaning the wound had already had the effect of dropping Adam\u2019s fever. His touch woke Adam and for a moment Adam wasn\u2019t sure where he was. Joe lifted his head and gave him a little water \u201cEasy Adam you\u2019re going to be fine\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was feeling distinctly nauseous from the after effects of the chloroform but his leg wasn\u2019t throbbing nearly as much and he accepted Joe\u2019s comment. \u201cGive me a<\/p>\n few\u00a0minutes and I\u2019ll be ready to get back to Hoss\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a chance big brother. Doc said you stay of that leg completely for four or five days. Hoss and I can cope. You stay here and we\u2019ll pick you up on the way home.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glared at his brother but at least for now he still felt too woozy to do much about it. Joe patted him on the shoulder \u201cTake care big brother I\u2019ll see you in a week or so\u201d\u00a0With\u00a0that he headed out determined for once to have the last word. He rode back to rejoin the herd and reassure Hoss that their brother was going to be fine.<\/p>\n Hoss accepted that but he was less sure that Adam would remain meekly in Fallon until they went back to collect him. Joe shrugged \u201cWell I guess if he\u2019s well enough he can head home but if he does he\u2019ll send us word.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe, but I have this feeling we\u2019ll get to see him sooner than that.\u201d For the time being the brothers had their hands full with a dry drive and a herd, which having stampeded once was more prone to do so again, still very restless. They soon forgot about Adam, confident he was on the mend.<\/p>\n Adam was an obedient patient for one day, but then he got himself up and dressed, accepting crutches to save his leg but determined to go and see the law in town. What he learnt there made his mind\u00a0up,\u00a0he was rejoining his brothers and the herd. He was the third person to report a stampede followed by rustlers taking cattle. He had also been right on the planned area, as both the other herds were attacked a day later than his had been; and both had lost considerably more head.<\/p>\n One of the herds belonged to a man he knew quite well and was only a few days ahead of them Chances were the owner Mike Grey would spend a few days in town at the end of the drive. It was his normal habit and Adam wanted to talk to him. He was also scared that the rustlers wouldn\u2019t be content with the 15 head they already had and would try again. If so he needed to be there with his brothers, Joe had already been hurt. He knew the route the herd was taking and on horseback there was a shortcut, which should allow him to rejoin his brothers at the next waterhole. They would have to stop there and water the herd after two days dry drive.<\/p>\n His mind made up Adam went to settle up with the Doctor and thank him for his help. The man did his best to dissuade Adam but with no effect. Adam was adept at totally ignoring what he didn\u2019t want to hear. The wound was clean and showing signs of sealing when Doc changed the bandages so just ensuring Adam had fresh bandages with him and warning him to stay off the leg as much as he could Doc let him go. Adam took a cane with\u00a0him,\u00a0crutches were more likely to be dangerous on the rough terrain he was traversing. He couldn\u2019t be persuaded to stay one more night as he needed to catch up his brothers and set off after lunch.<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe had reached the watering hole late in the afternoon but even this hole was low and they had to divide the herd and water them in small groups. It was late before the whole herd was watered and settled and the men were all exhausted. Hoss took the first stint of\u00a0nightherd\u00a0himself. At least the herd seemed tired and with water and feed available were unlikely to run.<\/p>\n Joe had promised to take over after a couple of hours and he rolled up in his blankets to get some sleep, too tired to really want any food.<\/p>\n When Adam arrived in the camp everyone was asleep and Hoss out with the herd, which at least prevented arguments. Adam moved over by the wagon to ensure he had something to hold onto if his leg gave and eased himself down. Then leaning heavily on the cane he was able to water and give Sport some feed although a decent grooming was beyond him. Then aching all over, he rolled himself in a blanket and went to sleep grateful that he had survived without breaking open his wound.<\/p>\n Joe went out to relieve Hoss without even noticing Sport\u2019s reappearance and Hoss was too tired to notice so that it wasn\u2019t until the following morning that the brothers realised. Adam had been very stiff and sore, having favoured his right leg he had ridden awkwardly and his muscles were letting him know all about it. As soon as he saw Eli up and making coffee, Adam eased himself up and moved over to get a cup. He was sitting talking to the cook when Hoss woke up. Hoss\u2019 instinctive bellow of rage at his brother woke not only Joe but all the rest of the camp \u201cWhat the hell are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n It was very rare for the big man to swear and Adam knew his big brother was seriously worried and did his best to reassure Hoss that he was fine. Joe came over to get coffee and resignedly commented \u201cI should have known it was too good to be true when you didn\u2019t even argue!\u00a0How you feeling brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA great deal better than I was. My leg is healing up fine and as long as I don\u2019t walk on it much I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust what are you doing here don\u2019t you think Hoss and I can cope?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you can but I needed to fill you in on what the sheriff in Fallon said and I need to talk to Mike Gray.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe took his herd up about a fortnight ago, he\u2019s also got a contract with the army\u201d Joe said slowly \u201cDid he hit trouble too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah lost more than fifty head after a stampede\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss frowned looking from one brother to the other \u201cWhat are you two suggesting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat the same rustlers hit Mike and\u00a0us\u201d Adam said trying to avoid the real question but his brother wouldn\u2019t let it go \u201cAre you saying that stampede wasn\u2019t an accident?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was absolutely truthful as he said \u201cOh no I\u2019m perfectly sure that the stampede was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s something Joe knows and I don\u2019t. Level with me Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook Hoss, I don\u2019t know anything. Least not until I talk to Mike.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright you both suspect something. You think Jimmy had something to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Adam looked at each other and Joe said \u201cWell there is still\u00a0that\u00a0five hundred odd dollars to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you both think he was a spotter for the rustlers, picked me out as a patsy from the start?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe didn\u2019t say that\u201d Adam protested but Hoss had walked away, too angry to even want food.<\/p>\n Joe said \u201cSorry Adam I should have kept my mouth shut, as usual\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot your fault Joe. Hoss wasn\u2019t about to stop pushing until he found out and he knows us far too well. He probably had his own suspicions anyway. Let him calm down for a bit and we\u2019ll try and make him see that it isn\u2019t his fault. Meantime lets you and I get some breakfast we still have a herd to get to market.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss did his best to avoid his brothers for the rest of the day, his gullibility had led to both his brothers being hurt and he felt guilty whatever they might say. He didn\u2019t even come in for food and that worried both of them more than anything else. Eventually Adam had had enough and if Hoss wouldn\u2019t come to him he was going to Hoss. He ignored Eli\u2019s protests as he left the chuck-wagon and moved steadily over to the rear of the herd where Hoss had positioned himself riding drag most of the day.<\/p>\n Hoss saw Adam coming but he couldn\u2019t force his brother to ride further than he had to so he cantered over towards him. \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be sticking by the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine I\u2019ll do that if you come back and get some grub\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t hungry\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on Hoss none of this is your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI brought him on the drive, got you and Joe hurt,\u00a0him\u00a0killed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you I\u2019m sure the stampede was an accident. It could have happened at any time and neither of us is badly hurt. Accidents can always happen on a drive, you know\u00a0that as well as I do. You don\u2019t think Joe blames you surely and I guarantee I don\u2019t\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe not\u201d Hoss sighed heavily \u201cYeah okay I know neither of you will blame me. Ain\u2019t in you, but I can blame myself. If I wasn\u2019t such a gullible fool none of this would have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGullible?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah I fell for his poor half starved kid routine, brought him along \u201c<\/p>\n \u201cYou call it gullible, I call it compassion and Hoss, neither Joe nor I would want you any other way than our compassionate big brother.\u00a0Sure occasionally someone will take advantage of you because of it but think of all the people you have helped. Don\u2019t ever change.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss stared at his brother as though he would find the truth in his eyes and what he saw was enough to make him feel as though a ton weight had been lifted from his shoulders. For the first time that day he sat up straight and even managed a grin \u201cGuess if you put it that way maybe I am hungry\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood because so am I so why don\u2019t we head back over to the chuck-wagon.\u201d Adam signalled one of the hands to take over on drag and headed back with Hoss. Joe saw them and looked his question at Adam but the grin he got was sufficient answer so he concentrated on his own job.<\/p>\n By the time they reached town, still with more than enough cattle to\u00a0fulfill\u00a0the contract and with a day in hand, Adam was moving much more easily and Joe was just about fully recovered. His brothers were still insisting Adam did nothing but ride along and he had taken the opportunity to get down on paper details of the attack and a description and sketch of Jimmy. Although he wanted to talk to Mike without giving him any preconceived ideas before going to the law.<\/p>\n He was in luck Mike was staying at the same hotel and he came down the stairs as the brothers walked in. Mike was very willing to join them in a beer and to tell his sad story. Adam asked if there were any hands on the drive apart from his regular ones and Mike explained how he had taken along a poor kid, as an assistant to the cook and to help with the horses. He had seen him in\u00a0Carson\u00a0City\u00a0,\u00a0he\u2019d lost his job at the livery.<\/p>\n Hoss spoke up \u201cYeah it was sold to a new owner who had two sons.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike was puzzled \u201cRight but how did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam asked \u201cThe livery in\u00a0Carson\u00a0?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo Silver Springs\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss was about to protest but Adam silenced him with a look \u201cWhat was the kid\u2019s name Mike?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrankie\u201d<\/p>\n Adam asked what he had been wearing and the ripped green coat and dirty blue shirt sounded all too familiar so he got out his sketch and showed it to Mike. He wasn\u2019t the world\u2019s best artist but he was confident he had a reasonable image. Mike stared at it \u201cHow come you got a picture of Frankie?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe knew him as Jimmy. Did he have anything to do with the stampede?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell yes he was playing around with one of the guys guns, he didn\u2019t have one and it went off but he was awful sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt it.I reckon it\u00a0earnt\u00a0him at least five hundred dollars. You weren\u2019t the first herd he caused to\u00a0stampede nor\u00a0the last.\u201d Mike was intrigued and Adam had to explain exactly what they believed.<\/p>\n Adam left Hoss and Joe to deal with the formalities of handing over the herd and getting paid while he went with Mike to see the sheriff and arrange for all the local towns to be warned in case the gang got a new spotter. Having done all they could to ensure no-one else got hurt the brothers only wanted to get home.<\/p>\n Epilogue<\/p>\n Ben was pleased to see his sons home but as Adam was still limping, he demanded to know what had happened. He had taken a lot of persuading that his sons weren\u2019t seriously hurt and that Hoss had forgiven himself but eventually the drive was put behind them, until\u00a0Roy\u00a0rode out to let them know that the gang had been caught.<\/p>\n Roy\u00a0joined them for a meal, always enjoying Hop\u00a0Sing\u2019s\u00a0cooking. The warning and\u00a0sketch, that had been passed round various counties,\u00a0had born fruit. To begin with a number of sheriffs had reported similar raids on herds over the last four years, but eventually one had seen and recognised the sketch Adam had drawn.<\/p>\n \u2018Jimmy\u2019 had been identified as Richard Shaw.\u00a0He was the youngest of five brothers from a small town in\u00a0Arizona. The first time they had tried the same trick had been near their hometown. The brothers were amazed to hear that the starved waif had actually been 24 years old when he died, older than Joe.<\/p>\n There was a younger sister and the other brothers had been taken at her house, still near the same town. The brothers had attempted to take cattle from another herd without the help of an insider. It had led to a shooting match, with two dead drovers and two of the brothers injured. It wasn\u2019t the first time that they had left dead bodies behind them and they would hang.<\/p>\n He had fooled all of them over his age, but somehow Hoss found it easier to know he had deliberately set out to rob people and that he was by no means the only person to fall for his story. Remembering Adam\u2019s insistence that he didn\u2019t want his brother to change helped more than he could ever say.<\/p>\n When\u00a0Roy\u00a0left Hoss joined his eldest brother \u201cGuess some brothers just get you into trouble, glad mine aren\u2019t like that\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glanced over at Joe \u201cWell not all the time anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss saw where Adam\u2019s gaze had settled and burst out laughing. He put his arm round Adam\u2019s shoulders as they went to join Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n