{"id":63161,"date":"2002-03-11T17:29:38","date_gmt":"2002-03-11T22:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=63161"},"modified":"2026-03-11T17:32:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:32:33","slug":"working-together-by-lyn-robinson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=63161","title":{"rendered":"Working Together (by Lyn Robinson)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/b>\u00a0 Joe wants to be accepted as fully grown, but with Adam hurt, the responsiblity is all his and somehow it isn`t such an attractive idea.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (6,145 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\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

\n

WORKING TOGETHER<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Tall, dark and muscular, the man washed his upper body, glad to get rid of the sweat of a day\u2019s hard work cutting the tall ponderosa pines. He dried off and slipped his black shirt back on but didn\u2019t bother to button it, needing coffee before anything else. His seventeen year old brother was already lazing out by the fire with coffee. He grinned and called out \u201cYour turn to cook tonight Adam\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam yawned widely \u201cOne more day should see us finished Joe and then we can both eat well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon you should take lessons from Hop Sing before we come out again\u201d Joe commented but his brother just laughed \u201cAt least my effort won\u2019t be as black as your attempt was yesterday!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you I got distracted, I\u2019m sure I saw a cougar\u201d Joe grinned \u201cOkay even Hoss would have had difficulty in finishing that lot but it was only black on the edges.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne side as far as I remember\u201d Adam commented dryly but he knelt down to start heating beans and cutting pieces of bacon into the pan. The brothers had been out for six days, marking trees for the next cut by the timber crew, and now cutting a few to clear the way for the wagon road that they would need to fulfil the contract. For the first two days they had had a big pot of stew provided by Hop sing and piles of sandwiches but since then they had been relying on their own cooking. Adam was slightly the better cook but there wasn\u2019t much in it and both brothers admitted to major weaknesses in that area.<\/p>\n

Joe lent forward to get another coffee \u201cI wonder how Hoss is getting on with checking the fences. I\u2019m sure he cheated when we lit the matches. He always loses\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed \u201cI don\u2019t think either of us is in the position to complain if he wet the stick, we\u2019ve been doing it for years! Guess we were just too busy watching each other to even think about him. I must admit when you dropped yours just before me I assumed I\u2019d won but he was standing there with that broad grin and still holding the match.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBet he\u2019s finished and home eating Hop\u00a0Sing\u2019s\u00a0grub and probably planning to go to the dance tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell Joe if you want to take Bessie Sue to the dance\u00a0be\u00a0my guest. I\u2019ll even do your work tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed \u201cNot likely that big gal terrifies me. I reckon at my height I\u2019d just\u00a0about\u00a0suffocate when she pulled me close and I\u2019m not strong enough to keep away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is apart from Hoss?\u201d Adam commented dryly but he concentrated on getting the food ready. After a hard days work he was hungry enough to even eat his own cooking.<\/p>\n

The brothers were up early the following morning eager to finish their work and head home but the weather was not co-operating and the day dawned with heavy rain. The skies were barely allowing any light through and the ground underfoot was already turning to mud. Joe sighed heavily as he pulled on his slicker \u201cI was gonna suggest we did some fishing for lunch but I\u2019ve gone off the idea,\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon we finish up as fast as we can little brother and aim to get home for supper. With luck three or four hours should do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, unhappy about the prospects but unable to suggest anything better. The first tree fell easily enough but the second one they needed to remove was far more awkward and the saw broke as the two men pulled on it. The larger part whipped back and caught Adam across the thigh. Joe watched in horror as he heard his brother cry out and then collapse, but before he could react the big pine started to topple, falling in Adam\u2019s direction. Joe screamed a warning at Adam but knew even as he called out that there was not time for his brother to do anything.<\/p>\n

Joe stood stunned at the sudden catastrophe and then scrambled round on all fours to where he had last seen his brother.<\/p>\n

At first he couldn\u2019t even see his brother and then he saw Adam\u2019s hand, the long fingers stretched out as though reaching for safety. Joe felt the hand but he couldn\u2019t find a pulse though whether that was the ultimate disaster or his own ineptitude Joe didn\u2019t know. Whatever had happened, Joe knew he had to get his brother home. He just prayed that it wasn\u2019t a dead body that he had to extricate. He couldn\u2019t imagine life without his older brother to rely on. He complained frequently about his bossy eldest brother but all his life he had known he could depend on Adam to rescue him from trouble and often, after delivering his own lecture, he would cover for Joe in front of their father.<\/p>\n

Sobbing with frustration at his inability to lift the large branch that was covering his brother, Joe sat back on his haunches \u201cGot to think. What is it Adam\u2019s says \u2018Give me a long enough lever and a place to stand and I can move the world\u2019\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0it, I need something to lever that branch up\u201d<\/p>\n

Unsure if Adam was even alive, let alone able to hear him, Joe still bent as close as he could get. \u201cHold on brother I\u2019ll get you out\u201d<\/p>\n

He went over to the pile of cut timber and chose a thick strong looking green timber about ten\u00a0foot\u00a0long. Now he needed something to act as a pivot and he went to look for a small rock of the right height. At first he couldn\u2019t see anything suitable and scared for his brother Joe was cursing his own inability to find anything when he spotted a large stone with a ridged top which might just do. He frantically dug round the base of the rock until he could move it and pulled it over towards his brother.<\/p>\n

As he got it into position he realised he couldn\u2019t see Adam\u2019s hand any longer, praying that meant his brother was still alive and had moved, he knelt down and yelled \u201cAdam,\u00a0Adam\u00a0can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

He heard a slight groan and relieved at the signs that his brother had survived, Joe made his preparations to try and lever the branches of his brother with renewed energy. He edged the pole in as carefully as he could not at all sure just where his brother\u2019s body lay and scared to hurt him any further.<\/p>\n

Joe bit his lip trying to remember what he knew about levers, it was best if he had the long part of the pole and the short part was under the tree. He was sure it was that way round at least he hoped so. He could remember Adam explaining it to him but he wasn\u2019t interested, just big brother showing off his college education again, not anything that would ever be useful. Joe did remember saying almost exactly that to Hoss when he finally escaped but he cursed himself \u201cWrong again\u201d.<\/p>\n

With the pole in the best position he could manage Joe moved to the other end and put all his weight on the pole. At first there was no sign of movement and Joe let go and then swung on it again. This time he did see the branch over his brother move but he couldn\u2019t hold it up and as the branch settled back down on Adam, Joe heard the cry of pain, swiftly cut off but all too eloquent.<\/p>\n

Scared he had injured his brother Joe threw himself down by the branches hiding \u201cAdam can you hear me, I don\u2019t know what to do. Adam\u00a0please\u00a0.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had slowly been coming back to consciousness and trying to work out what was wrong with him and where he was. The panic in his brother\u2019s voice completed his return to full consciousness and he fought for control \u201cJoe\u201d<\/p>\n

His first effort was so quiet that Joe wasn\u2019t even sure that he had heard anything, but he tried again \u201cAdam\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay Joe I can hear you\u201d<\/p>\n

This time Joe heard him clearly \u201cThank God. I was scared you were dead\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot this time\u201d Adam said trying to sound cheerful but he was doing his own check on his position. On the positive side he could move his left hand reasonably easily but on the negative his right was caught under the branch which was\u00a0laying\u00a0very painfully across his pelvis. Even more worrying was the large pool of blood from his thigh, which was bleeding heavily. Adam tried to move his legs and feet and he could do so although it cost him some pain in his injured right leg and he felt the warm blood running down his leg. That was sufficient warning to keep still, he was sure he was losing too much blood already and there was no sign of the wound clotting.<\/p>\n

Joe was worried as his brother lapsed back into silence wondering if he had passed out again. \u201cAdam I don\u2019t know what to do.\u00a0Should I go for help?I don\u2019t think I\u2019m strong enough to get you out on my own\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLever?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve tried but it\u2019s too heavy I got it up a bit, but then it just fell back on you. I\u2019m scared I\u2019ll hurt you even more\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay Joe\u00a0give\u00a0me a minute\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can be back in about five hours, bring Hoss or some of the hands\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam felt the blood with his left hand now right under his body, despite his clothes soaking up much of it. He very much doubted that he could survive five hours without bleeding to death but he didn\u2019t want to terrify his brother. The seventeen year old boy might be very grown up in some ways but he was still Adam\u2019s little brother and Adam was all too aware of the edge of panic in his voice.<\/p>\n

There had to be a way out of this. He had always reckoned you could save having to use brawn if you used your brain, now with only Joe\u2019s strength to help him it was time to prove his point.<\/p>\n

For now he had to stop Joe leaving him, without telling the boy why, while he tried to think of a way out. He took a deep breath to get control and then said \u201cJust take it easy Joe. I\u2019m sure we can manage if we work together, without hauling anyone else out here. Don\u2019t want to disappoint Bessie Sue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing his brother\u2019s usual controlled tones Joe relaxed. Adam would know what to do\u00a0he\u00a0always did. Adam would have been glad to have as much faith in\u00a0himself,\u00a0he was finding it very difficult to think, wanting nothing more than to give in to the lure of oblivion. His head was swimming and his abdomen and thigh were getting increasingly painful. The urge to live was even stronger and he had to come up with a plan if Joe was to help him so he bit down and endured.<\/p>\n

He forced himself to visualise the area just before the saw had broken, there must be something they could use. If Joe didn\u2019t have the strength the horses did, not a lever but a pulley.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u00a0get\u00a0our lariats, tie them together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Back in a minute\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot going anywhere\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe ran over to their camp and pulled the ropes off their saddles and then slithered back to Adam. He had enough sense to take it a little slower. The last thing they needed was another accident. The rain was if anything even heavier and turning everything into a quagmire.<\/p>\n

Joe knelt down \u201cRight I\u2019ve got it what do you want me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam heard the voice from a long distance and for a moment it didn\u2019t make any sense but as Joe called his name anxiously Adam got a grip on himself. \u201cOkay Little Joe, make sure they are tied tight together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knew he could do that, Ben had shown all his sons how to tie a wide variety of knots, a legacy of his days at sea. \u201cOkay now what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPass one end in to me. I\u2019ll try and tie it on.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took Joe more than five minutes to pass the end within Adam\u2019s reach but eventually Adam had it. Adam forced himself to move as much as he could so he could try and loop the rope round the thick branch trapping him. He had to push against the smaller branches over the top part of his body in order to reach and cursed the fact that it was his right hand that was trapped. He became painfully aware that even the smaller branches had done damage with at least a couple of cracked ribs but he had to ignore them for now. By feeding the rope down by the side of his body Adam was able to get it under the heavy timber but for several minutes he wasn\u2019t able to find it. Eventually he had to give up and settle for tying it onto the sturdiest side branch that he could reach and hope that it would be enough.<\/p>\n

Joe was sitting waiting on tender-hooks, he could hear his brother\u2019s painful gasps as he tried to move but there wasn\u2019t anything he could do to help.<\/p>\n

Eventually Adam said \u201cOkay Joe I\u2019ve got it tied on here. Need you to try and throw it over the large branch of that tree we decided to leave and then tie it to\u00a0Cochise\u2019s\u00a0saddle.\u00a0Get him to pull the branch up while you pull me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe realised what his brother was suggesting and looking up he could see a suitable branch. For the first time he sounded fairly cheerful \u201cOkay Adam I can do that. Won\u2019t be long now and I\u2019ll have you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ten minutes later Joe was ready the rope up over the\u00a0branch,\u00a0Cochise\u00a0saddled and in position, with the rope attached to his saddle.\u00a0Cochise\u00a0would obey his master\u2019s orders as soon as Joe wanted him to pull.<\/p>\n

Joe knelt down again as close to his brother as he could get \u201cI\u2019m ready Adam\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay just one thing.Joe once you start pulling me out don\u2019t stop whatever happens, must get clear. Even if I tell you to stop, you keep pulling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise Adam.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice sounded scared to his big brother but Adam had utter faith that Joe would do what he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSooner the better Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe called to\u00a0Cochise\u00a0and the pinto backed off at his master\u2019s order. The rope went taut and Adam watched the side branch where he\u2019d tied on anxiously, but with the way the rope was being pulled, it was tightening his knot and he thought it would hold. When the whole weight came on\u00a0Cochise\u00a0he stopped but as Joe encouraged him the pinto backed away and very slowly the heavy branch was lifted off Adam.<\/p>\n

As soon as he felt the weight easing off his abdomen, Adam said \u201cRight Joe, pull.\u201d<\/p>\n

At first Joe could only reach Adam\u2019s left arm but he grabbed that and pulled as hard as he could. Adam did his best to help pushing with his left leg but he couldn\u2019t get much purchase on the slippery mud. As his injured right thigh scraped along the tree bark Adam couldn\u2019t help the cry of pain but he bit it off as fast as he could, Joe was worried enough anyway. Then his hand caught on some broken wood and as Joe pulled him the wood cut it and the sudden sharp pain lost him all hold on his senses.<\/p>\n

After a seeming eternity Joe was able to get his hands round both Adam\u2019s arms and pulled him back more easily, until finally they were both free of the tree. Joe collapsed down next to his eldest brother fighting for breath. He had really had to struggle to move Adam\u2019s dead weight through the mud.\u00a0He stared down at his brother \u201cYou should have brought Hoss. I\u2019m not strong enough\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe relaxed slightly and hurried over to release\u00a0Cochise\u00a0still patiently holding the rope taut and to collect his canteen. He lifted Adam\u2019s head to try and give him some water and then considered his brother in horror.<\/p>\n

At first he had just thought it was mud but suddenly he realised his brother\u2019s pants were sodden with blood. \u201cDear God Adam. You\u2019re covered in blood\u201d He stared down at his unconscious brother and then took a deep breath<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u00a0find\u00a0out where it\u2019s coming from then maybe a tourniquet, pressure on a wound that stops bleeding. You are not going to die on me Brother.\u201d His mind made up Joe scrambled back to their camp to get Adam\u2019s clean shirt and the other canteen. He got the rawhide strips, which held his bedroll in place from his saddle, that could make a tourniquet but first he had to get Adam onto his slicker and out of the mud before he dared look for the wound.<\/p>\n

Joe managed to edge the slicker under Adam and used a little water to clean his own hands before kneeling down by his brother. He could see a large piece of wood in Adam\u2019s right hand but it wasn\u2019t bleeding much and he decided to leave that for now. He could see the tear in the material over Adam\u2019s thigh and he pulled it away from his brother\u2019s leg. He stared at it horrified, a long ragged gash more than ten inches long and deep, pumping blood at an alarming rate. He reached for the rawhide and pulled it tight round the top of Adam\u2019s thigh. Slowly the blood flow eased and Joe started breathing again. He hadn\u2019t even realised he\u2019d been holding his breath.<\/p>\n

He sat back on his haunches \u201cOkay think. Pad the wound.\u00a0Pressure that will help.\u00a0Tourniquets, when I cut my arm Pa said he had to release it every quarter of an hour.\u00a0Must remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

He concentrated on using Adam\u2019s clean shirt to pad the wound as best he could. Then tried to think what he should do next \u201cI wish you\u2019d come round big Brother and tell me what to do.\u201d he sighed heavily. Then he decided that he was always made to drink when he had lost blood to help rebuild the blood loss, so he had to get Adam to drink. It might with luck bring Adam round. Somehow he had to get Adam home and he was scared how long it would take to make a travois and then pull it through the mud. It would be much faster if they could ride but he wasn\u2019t at all sure that he was strong enough to get his brother up on a horse while he was unconscious.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to get Adam to drink but at first the water just trickled out of his slack mouth and Joe was almost sobbing with frustration \u201cPlease Adam. Come on drink this please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was sitting over lunch, on his own. It wasn\u2019t unusual but today for some reason he found himself worrying about his sons. Hoss was fine as far as he knew, having finished the fence the previous day he had headed into\u00a0Virginia City\u00a0that morning to get some much needed stores. He was going to come home via Bessie Sue\u2019s to finalise arrangements for the dance and had been in a very good mood when he left that morning.<\/p>\n

That meant that if something was wrong, it was either his eldest or his youngest son. Ben couldn\u2019t be sure which, or even if it was both of his sons, but he was becoming increasingly sure that something was wrong. These feelings had proved correct too often in the past for him to ignore. After arguing with himself that his sons were both grown men and very capable of looking after themselves, particularly with the pair together, he rationalised it that, given the very bad weather, some extra help might prove useful.<\/p>\n

He yelled at Hop Sing to pack up some food and medical supplies while he went out to saddle up Buck. Despite the bad weather Ben felt a compulsion to push Buck dangerously hard. Logically it was stupid but he knew in his heart that his sons were in trouble and he had to find them.<\/p>\n

Joe was getting increasingly worried when suddenly he heard Adam moan softly. He returned to the task of getting his brother to drink and this time Adam swallowed willingly.<\/p>\n

Joe called to him gently \u201cAdam please wake up I need you to tell me what to do Please Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam heard his brother\u2019s voice as though from a great distance, Joe was very upset about something and needed him. He fought to open his eyes. Joe gave him a little more water and washed his face. Joe was rewarded as his brother looking up at him with recognition. Joe forced a rather tremulous smile \u201cWelcome back big Brother\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood job Joe. You got me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah but now I have to get you home and to Doc. Sooner the better that\u2019s one hell of a gash Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me a minute and then help me up. I can ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam did his best to show hide his fears, he was anything but confident. However Joe was right and, despite the great job Joe had done, he needed more help than his brother was able to give him. That meant getting back to the ranch or to town and the ranch was closer. Someone there could go fetch Doc.<\/p>\n

He gratefully accepted another drink and then, deciding that waiting wasn\u2019t going to help, he asked Joe to help him up. Joe did his very best but he wasn\u2019t really able to take his brother\u2019s weight and their first effort didn\u2019t work. As Adam lent on his brother his good leg slipped and he stumbled. His whole weight fell on Joe who collapsed. As Adam fell he caught his injured leg and he couldn\u2019t bite back the scream of agony.<\/p>\n

Joe was almost as white as his big brother as he sobbed out his apology but Adam took a deep breath and got his voice under control \u201cNot your fault Joe. I\u2019m too heavy for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have brought Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRubbish, we can work together, make it.\u201d Adam looked round desperately wondering how. He saw a low rock, if he could get on that maybe he could pull himself up on Sport. \u201cGet me a thick stick, something I can lean on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frantically hunted around and managed to find a thick straight branch just about the right length \u201cWill this do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam licked dry lips \u201cFine Joe. Can I have a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe held his brother gently against him to give support and fed Adam some water and Adam\u2019s voice sounded rather stronger as he managed a smile \u201cDoing a great job little brother. Make a good nurse out of you yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready to move again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and this time he took it very slow resting most of his weight on the stick in his left hand and with his right arm over Joe\u2019s shoulders, he limped painfully over towards the rock. It was only about ten yards but it took him nearly a quarter of an hour and by the time he was able to lean against the rock he was gasping for breath, his ribs on fire as well as his leg.<\/p>\n

Joe was terrified \u201cMaybe you ought to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Adam spoke through clenched teeth but he was very positive. \u201cEase —- tourniquet —-\u00a0Must—\u00a0get—- home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe did as he was told, scared as the blood began to soak through the bandage again but Adam just nodded at him. All the time Adam was able to tell him what to do Joe felt he could cope, but he wasn\u2019t sure how long Adam could keep going and they were many hours from help.<\/p>\n

As soon as he had tightened the tourniquet again, Joe checked that Adam was securely balanced and went to fetch Sport. He would rather have had Adam on his own trustworthy pinto than the flighty chestnut but there was no way\u00a0Cochise\u00a0could take both of them all that way and he knew he would have to ride with Adam.<\/p>\n

Sport seemed to know that his master was in trouble and to Joe\u2019s surprise he stood very still as Joe awkwardly helped Adam up onto the rock and then on to the horse.<\/p>\n

Adam made no attempt to sit up straight, leaning over to ease the pain in his chest he gripped hold of the pommel and relied on his little brother to get him home.<\/p>\n

Joe got the rest of their gear onto\u00a0Cochise\u00a0as fast as he could, not caring if he missed anything and then tied the pinto\u2019s reins up confident that his horse would stay alongside his stable mate on the way home.<\/p>\n

He led\u00a0Cochise\u00a0back over to Sport and mounted up behind his brother \u201cOkay big brother you just lean on me and take it real easy I\u2019ll get you home\u201d Joe tried to sound confident, although he felt anything but. At first as his brother rested against him trusting him to get them home Joe felt grownup and thrilled by his brother\u2019s confidence. Then he began to find the physical problems. Adam was heavy and his brother was beginning to feel really cold. Joe\u2019s arms ached from holding him and trying to keep him steady and he just didn\u2019t know what to do to warm Adam up. Joe didn\u2019t dare stop, sure that he couldn\u2019t get Adam back on Sport again and his brother had lapsed back into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

Joe suddenly realised that he had no idea how long he had been riding and he hadn\u2019t eased the tourniquet again. He pulled Sport up and was sobbing as he tried to undo the knot and failed with the rawhide slippery with blood. At first as he heard his father\u2019s voice say \u201cDear God what happened?\u201d Joe thought he was dreaming but then he looked up and saw the one person in the world that he had prayed for.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa he\u2019s so badly hurt and I don\u2019t know what to do.\u201d Joe felt the tears sliding down his cheeks but he no longer cared. He didn\u2019t want to be grown up he wanted someone else to tell him what to do.<\/p>\n

Ben was scared by the blood he could see, his heart had felt like ice ever since he had spotted his sons both on Sport five minutes earlier, especially when neither even noticed his approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tourniquet I can\u2019t undo it, it\u2019s been too long.\u201d Joe said urgently and Ben turned his attention to the first priorities \u201cOkay we\u2019ll cut it and then make a new one\u201d.Ben had dismounted from Buck and he took his son\u2019s unconscious body. He got Joe to ease Adam\u2019s leg over the saddle so he could lay his eldest son down and see what was wrong. His quick inspection showed that Joe had done all that they could without proper medical supplies. Even the package Hop Sing had prepared, wasn\u2019t sufficient for more than better pads, Adam needed Doc.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u00a0are\u00a0you up to riding to town?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded \u201cOf course I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay as soon as I have this new tourniquet on you\u00a0help\u00a0me get him on Buck and I\u2019ll take your brother home. You cut across the\u00a0Ferguson\u00a0ranch and you should be able to get Doc there almost as soon as we arrive. I just hope Doc is at home. You\u2019d better try and find your brother and let Hoss know what is happening as soon as you\u2019ve seen Doc\u201d<\/p>\n

That scared Joe \u201cAdam is gonna be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes of course he is\u201d Ben reassured his youngest son \u201cbut your big brother would be very cross, and rightly so, if we didn\u2019t let him know that Adam is hurt.\u201d He prayed that he wasn\u2019t lying to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get Doc there as soon as I can\u00a0Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful son, no more accidents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe just nodded and headed off as fast as he could at least\u00a0Cochise\u00a0was fresh. Ben settled Adam against him as close as he could, hoping his own body heat would warm his son, very worried about his pallor and the coldness he could feel. Ben pushed Buck as fast as he dared wanting his son home in a warm bed. They had already covered several miles when Adam stirred \u201cEasy son soon have you home and then we can make you more comfortable\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gone to fetch Doc\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot his fault\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know just an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf, don\u2019t\u201d Adam fought for control \u201cNot blame, self\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try and talk. You\u2019re going to be fine and I\u2019ll look after your little brother, nothing for you to worry about.\u201d Ben felt his son lean a little more into his father\u2019s arms and seemingly relax back into sleep. He smiled\u00a0grimly,\u00a0despite his own injuries it was typical of his eldest son to be worrying about his brother.\u00a0Adam had been doing it ever since Hoss was born and Ben was sure that he would continue to do so until his own death, hopefully a very long time in the future.<\/p>\n

Hoss had spent a very pleasant day in town. He had arranged for the stores and then met one of his friends Pete in the saloon and spent an hour with a couple of beers chatting generally. He wasn\u2019t going to have to head home via Bessie Sue\u2019s as she had also been in town and very willingly accepted his invitation to lunch. Pleasantly full after some great fried chicken and three pieces of apple pie, Hoss had just said goodbye to her having arranged to pick her up for the dance. He was one his way over to complete loading the stores when he saw his little brother rush into town and head for Doc Martin\u2019s. Hoss knew from the way that Joe was pushing\u00a0Cochise\u00a0that something was badly wrong and he broke into a run following his brother over to Doc\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t even aware of Hoss, his mind set on getting proper help out to Adam and he ran into the surgery yelling for Doc Martin. He was in luck Paul was in the surgery having just cleaned and bandaged a badly grazed knee\u00a0foran\u00a0eight year old girl but he looked up to shush Joe not wanting him to scare the child. \u201cThere now\u00a0Mabelle\u00a0you\u2019ll be just fine.\u201d He gave her a candy for being a brave girl and then let her mother take her out before turning his attention to Joe. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong Little\u00a0Joe\u00a0\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss had just come in and he heard his brother\u2019s answer \u201cIt\u2019s Adam, the tree fell on him and the saw cut him and he\u2019s lost so much blood, he\u2019s so cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss moved swiftly to put his arm round Joe, his little brother looked drawn and there was all too much blood on his clothes and hands. \u201cWhere is he Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe relaxed a little against his big brother \u201cPa met us he\u2019s taking Adam home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul went to collect what he needed while Joe filled a few more details in for Hoss. The self-blame was evident in his voice and he shivered as he said \u201cI wasn\u2019t strong enough if you\u2019d been there.\u201d His voice tailed off and Hoss squeezed his shoulder \u201cDon\u2019t sound like I\u00a0coulda\u00a0done anything you didn\u2019t. You got him free and you were getting him home afore Pa got there\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure, if he had been able to act faster, maybe Adam wouldn\u2019t have lost so much blood. For now he was just impatient to get back to his brother and he went out to harness up Paul\u2019s buggy. Hoss begged a lift with Paul he would get one of the hands to come and get the wagon.<\/p>\n

Joe was too impatient to wait for the buggy, knowing Doc would get there as fast as possible. He pushed\u00a0Cochise\u00a0on so that he could warn Hop Sing and get Adam\u2019s bed warmed for him.<\/p>\n

Joe was the first home but not by much, Ben had just pulled up in the yard and was considering the problem of getting his son inside when Doc\u2019s buggy pulled up and Hoss ran over. Very glad to see his big son, Ben willingly did as Hoss suggested and let Adam slide into his big brother\u2019s arms. Hoss carried him straight upstairs to his own room and Paul was on his heels concerned by his patient\u2019s pallor.<\/p>\n

Ben followed them telling Joe to stay out of the way for now and once Hoss had deposited Adam on the bed he found himself banished too. Doc contemplated sending Ben out but could see he would have a fight to do so and just\u00a0told\u00a0him to get the large scissors and they would have to cut Adam\u2019s pants off.\u00a0For the first time Ben saw the long ugly gash, very deep in places and he swallowed hard as he said \u201cWhat do you think Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeed quite a few stitches once I\u2019ve cleaned it and he\u2019ll need time to recover his strength, not quite as much blood as it looks diluted some by the rain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will be okay\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get him cleaned and stitched up Ben, Hop Sing can give me all the help I need. You go calm your youngest down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben did as he was told knowing he was leaving Adam in the best of hands but it wasn\u2019t until he was halfway down the stairs that he realised that Paul had avoided answering his question.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe were sitting side by side, close as though for mutual comfort, staring into the fire. As soon as Ben appeared they both jumped up. Ben tried to be positive \u201cPaul is sewing up the cut in his leg\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he gonna be okay?\u201d Hoss demanded<\/p>\n

\u201cTake a while to get his strength back\u201d Ben forced a smile \u201cTakes more than a cut, however long, to really hurt Adam. You know what he says, to hurt him you\u2019d have to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul was more worried by the\u00a0thready\u00a0pulse and cold emanating from his patient than he wanted to admit but with Hop\u00a0Sing\u2019s\u00a0help he began to rectify the damage. Cleaning and sewing up the cut, wrapping the broken ribs and wrapping hot blankets round Adam before turning his attention to the damaged right hand.<\/p>\n

It was more than an hour before Paul was able to sit back, having done all he could. \u201cRight Hop Sing let\u2019s try and get him to drink some water first and then if he comes round some of your best broth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing hurried out to get the broth and Paul checked his patient again. Reasonably pleased with what he found, he tucked the blankets a little tighter and went to tell the family how things were going,<\/p>\n

All three were waiting at the bottom of the stairs as they heard him coming. Paul smiled \u201cHe\u2019s warming up, all cleaned and bandaged. He may run a fever over the next couple of days and it will take time to rebuild his strength but he\u2019s a lucky young man. Another couple of hours and it might have been a different story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we see him?\u201d Hoss and Joe demanded simultaneously.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust keep it quiet he hasn\u2019t woken up yet.\u201d The two didn\u2019t need a second invitation and ran up stairs leaving Ben to speak to Paul. \u201cHe is going to be alright you didn\u2019t answer my question before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t sure before. He has lost a great deal of blood and he\u2019s going to need careful nursing for the next week at least. Make sure he\u2019s not exposed to any infection but knowing Adam he will be up and around long before I expect and your biggest problem will be stopping him from overdoing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben relaxed at that and then heard Hoss calling down \u201cHe\u2019s awake, get that broth up here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hurried up to find Adam resting against his big brother while Joe fed him some water. Adam was smiling faintly, everything hurt but he didn\u2019t care he had made it home. He looked up at his little brother \u201cGreat job, Joe\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard \u201cAs you said we can do anything if we work together.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Joe wants to be accepted as fully grown, but with Adam hurt the responsiblity is all his and somehow it isn`t such an attractive idea.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (6,145 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":41001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":73,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49277,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49277","url_meta":{"origin":63161,"position":0},"title":"The Cartwright Family (by LindaBl)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 22, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0A cute new song about the Cartwrights Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 Words:\u00a0 270","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49897,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49897","url_meta":{"origin":63161,"position":1},"title":"Hoss’ Meditation (by Katie)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"July 25, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 I think we underestimated Hoss Cartwright Rating: G\u00a0 (690 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Hoss Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Hoss Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1006"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49892,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49892","url_meta":{"origin":63161,"position":2},"title":"The Savage (WHN) (by Katie)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"August 6, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An alternate ending to the episode, The Savage Rating:\u00a0 Teen\u00a0 (775\u00a0 Words)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":60983,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=60983","url_meta":{"origin":63161,"position":3},"title":"Better After Death (by Cas008)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 2, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A ghost from Adam's past returns with memories of love. Rating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 Words:\u00a0 960","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47659,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47659","url_meta":{"origin":63161,"position":4},"title":"The Argument (by CarlaL)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"January 10, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0The two Cartwright brothers circled each other sizing up each other for the final draw, the question is: Who\u00a0really\u00a0did win? Rating:\u00a0 G Words:\u00a0 1200","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49887,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49887","url_meta":{"origin":63161,"position":5},"title":"Revenge Leaves its Scars (by Katie)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"August 8, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A trip down memory lane as Adam writes his memoirs. 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