Summary:<\/b>\u00a0 The brothers help Roy to track down the gang stealing payrolls but pay a very heavy price.
\nRating:\u00a0 R\/Mature (30,930 words)<\/p>\n
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The Cartwright Saga Series:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Lawyer <\/a><\/span> \n Thieves and Murderers<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Joe got back from Virginia City. It was already dark and instead of heading straight home went over to his brother\u2019s house first. Adam and Carole were sitting in the study reading and Carole had been about to head up to bed, when the door went, Adam went out and reappeared with his brother, who looked cold tired and hungry. Joe obviously had trouble to report and Carole quickly elicited the fact that he hadn\u2019t eaten all day. Despite Joe\u2019s protests she headed out to get him a meal while Adam poured his brother a coffee, lacing it well with brandy. As he passed it to Joe he asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI got to town to find uproar. Another attempted robbery, the California payroll. They didn\u2019t get it, Roy has his deputies guarding all the main payrolls, but Chet Morris was killed and one of the California guards, another injured. Roy was furious, one of his best men, and a good friend, killed. I joined the posse but we lost the track right here on the Ponderosa, just like before. We split up and checked all the likely spots but found precisely nothing. I still hadn\u2019t posted that derned letter so I went back to town with everyone. By the time I\u2019d posted it word was out that Roy had found a dead body up near where they tried the ambush. Guess Chet made a fight of it, I went along to find out if it helped at all and recognised him. He worked on the Ponderosa for a while a few years back, Pa fired him and another man for setting traps.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure Joe we have had a lot of hands passing through over the years?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure. He congratulated me for breaking Pa\u2019s leg before I joined you back east. I\u2019m not likely to forget him or muddle him up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sighed \u201cMay not mean anything, we\u2019ve had a lot of hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey keep losing themselves on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know, maybe you and I could do a quiet check on our own, see if someone has been around where we wouldn\u2019t expect. Not a large party, messing up any trail, just quietly see if there is any sign where they might hole up. Even if they have long gone we might be able to set a trap for next time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa won\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come by tomorrow. Pick you up and see Pa. Tell him what happened, no need to mention what we are proposing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe nodded and slowly relaxed, making a good meal before heading home, not wanting his father to get worried. He outlined what had happened and their failure to find anything, briefly mentioning that the dead man was an ex-hand but Ben didn\u2019t seem to see much significance in that and Joe, worn out, headed for bed.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben wasn\u2019t particularly surprised when Adam arrived before breakfast and outlined what he wanted to do. Ben didn\u2019t answer for several minutes, just sipping his coffee. He knew that his sons were grown men and that he couldn\u2019t stop them and he was sadly hampered by his belief that it was a job that needed doing. He was just worried that his sons might meet more than they bargained for. Eventually he asked, \u201cJust you and Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be careful Pa.\u201d Adam promised, answering the concern behind the question, written clearly on his father\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be happier if you\u2019d take Jess and a couple of hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot this time Pa, just us. We know the area, who should have been where. Less likely to cause trouble anyway with just the two of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss spoke up “Make that three. I\u2019m coming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam bit his lip, unsure that his big brother was fit enough but to his surprise his father nodded, \u201cAlright if all three of you go. Be very careful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Hoss went upstairs to collect his coat, Adam looked quizzically at his father and Ben smiled ruefully. \u201cHe\u2019s gaining strength every day and he\u2019ll only fret if he doesn\u2019t come. He might be able to help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s the best tracker we have and I\u2019m sure he can help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t be going far afield, if you think he\u2019s tired bring him on home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam grinned, \u201cI\u2019ll look after the big moose. Don\u2019t worry Pa, I shall be very surprised if we find anyone. I hope we might find sign where they hole up. Then next time we can be waiting for them. It\u2019s a long shot but we have to try Roy is at his wits end.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo many times they have ended up on the Ponderosa and that ex-hand just makes it more likely. Could be he found some hidey-hole while he was working here and if anyone else knows it, it will be one of you three. It\u2019s partly our responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam saw how seriously his father was taking it, \u201cWe\u2019ll do all we can Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know but be very careful.\u201d Ben watched his three sons ride out together, knowing whatever they found they would be better able to cope between them than any other trio, Adam had already decided to start where the posse had lost the tracks the previous day and he told Joe to lead the way there. Adam was trying to remember where Roy had lost the tracks before, Roy hadn\u2019t been too precise but as far as he could tell, it was always in about the same area. Joe led the way to an area of shale and hard rock.\u201d No tracks on this of course, we looked around but couldn\u2019t find where they left it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBy now the posse will have trampled over any traces.\u201d commented Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded \u201cThat\u2019s why we have come alone, Always a problem, nine out of ten of any posse don\u2019t know what they are looking at but they always think that they do,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cConsidering how they quartered the area, how we gonna tell what signs were left by them?\u201d Hoss asked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know. I hope Joe can give us some idea, which were the posse. We\u2019re looking for five men together. The posse will either have been a lot more or pairs once they\u2019d split up. I hope we can find sing of a hideout used over a period of time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLong shot, we\u2019ve already looked.\u201d Joe protested<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shrugged \u201cI know Joe but we didn\u2019t look everywhere personally, some places the hands or Will checked and none of them know the Ponderosa the way we know it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe acknowledged that \u201cOkay, what do we do, split up? There\u2019s a lot of ground to cover.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head \u201cNo, we stick together. Don\u2019t take any chances. I expect them to be long gone but it\u2019s just possible they\u2019re still around and these men are killers, cold-blooded murderers many times over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss agreed with his older brother and added \u201cAnyways Joe there may be things I remember and you don\u2019t or t’other way round. We don\u2019t get out to this part of the ranch too much these days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The area towards town was chiefly used for winter grazing and of recent years the brothers had been too involved with timber contracts and breaking horses to get involved with the spring roundup. All had on occasion hunted through the canyons for strays but not for some time. Adam probably knew them best as it was almost the oldest part of the ranch and at one time he had helped his father run the ranch with not more than ten hands. As a teenage boy he had organised hunts through the canyons for strays and gone out alone to shoot coyote and wolves even on occasion cougar.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam dismounted and began sketching a map of the area in the dust. His brothers squatted down next to him and helped Adam mark in where the men had disappeared. The most likely area to search was soon very evident.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mounting up the brothers began their search. They couldn\u2019t rush it looking for sign, which would have been hidden, and already more than twenty-four hours old. After three hours fruitless searching, Adam called a halt and set some coffee to brew. Hoss was leaning back against a tree, his eyes half closed, and his brothers met each other\u2019s eyes. Joe shrugged he could see that Hoss was tired but not seriously so and he doubted their ability to persuade him to go home. Adam went over and hunkered down by his brother, \u201cThere\u2019s really no need to push yourself Hoss. Long odds against us finding anything. Why don\u2019t you go on home? Joe and I can finish up,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss sat up straighter, \u201cNothing wrong with me, jest need some coffee. The reasons fer coming along ain\u2019t changed since this morning, You\u2019re the one who said they were killers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe could leave it until tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen the sign\u2019ll be forty eight hours old. You go on home if\u2019n you\u2019re tired, I\u2019ll keep looking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sighed, \u201cObstinate fool, there\u2019s no need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe giggled \u201cThat\u2019s rich coming from you Adam!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had the grace to look sheepish and them over coffee and food they mapped out the rest of the area to be searched.<\/span><\/p>\n It was about three when Joe, riding slightly ahead of his brothers, pulled Cochise up and dismounted. Adam and Hoss waited but Joe said, \u201cHave a look, see what you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The brothers examined the sign which seemed to show two horses joining together another two or three and as far as they could tell going on together. The sign was old and it was impossible to be sure of the timing. Adam sat back on his heels \u201cDid the posse come down here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA couple checked the canyon, didn\u2019t know them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam considered that, \u201cHow about before? I didn\u2019t come down this way, how about you two?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His brothers both shook their heads although Joe added, \u201cI think Will came over this way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam grinned \u201cHe doesn\u2019t know the area well enough. Can\u2019t be sure from the sign but it could well be what we are looking for, especially as it\u2019s here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss nodded in agreement but Joe looked puzzled \u201cWhat\u2019s so special about here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss said, \u201cYou may not know it Little Joe. There\u2019s a small side box canyon, about two thirds of the way along. Real easy to miss if you don\u2019t know it\u2019s there. Entrance sorta slants back behind a rock jutting out, pretty overgrown, I haven\u2019t been there in years.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded, it was what he was thinking of \u201cMe neither. There used to be a pool and I vaguely remember a way out at the far end, I chased a wolf in there once. Steep I had to lead my horse but possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe whistled \u201cLet\u2019s go have a look, I\u2019ve never seen it. I didn\u2019t know there was anywhere left on this ranch that I haven\u2019t seen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam grinned, \u201cBut you have! Still as you were only about six at the time, maybe you can be forgiven for forgetting it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n They both swung up but Hoss was thoughtful. \u201cJust hold on a minute. If they\u2019re in there, chances are they keep a lookout. Easy to defend that entrance we might just ride into trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had been so convinced the men would only use a hideout temporarily, until the posse gave up. that he hadn\u2019t thought of trouble. He still believed that was the most likely scenario but Hoss was right, even one man could cause disaster and it was possible. He hesitated. \u201cOkay we don\u2019t barge in, but there\u2019s nothing to stop us going along the main canyon, should be able to see if anyone has been using the side canyon recently. We know what we are looking for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss conceded that the men, if there, would rely on the secrecy of the box canyon, at least until they were sure that it had been breached. The brothers rode slowly along the canyon and even though he\u2019d been told exactly where the entrance was; Joe found it difficult to believe. \u201cNo wonder noone checked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss could only agree \u201cIt\u2019s a mite more overgrown than when we first found it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam as examining the ground with care and as they pulled up at the end of the canyon he asked his brothers \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss said positively, \u201cSomeone\u2019s been in there. Few broken branches, some quite old some real recent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His brothers had to agree and Adam had seen signs of horses but he pointed out that it didn\u2019t prove anything. They might have been doing the posse or Will an injustice and it had just been search parties going into the canyon. Joe shook his head \u201cI really doubt that. I\u2019m sure I wouldn\u2019t have seen it if you hadn\u2019t told me. Anyway let\u2019s go and have a look.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam hesitated, \u201cMaybe we ought to go and get some help first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome on Adam, there\u2019s three of us, anyway if that entrance is as narrow as you and Hoss say only a couple are gonna get through at a time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2019s right Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlright.\u201d Adam made up his mind. \u201cOkay let\u2019s make a fire get some coffee. Then we\u2019ll leave the horses here, move in on foot. I think I can remember the back trail, I\u2019ll cut up that way. Give me three quarters of an hour, unless you hear shooting, and then come in real careful through the main entrance. Try not to leave any sign, if noone is there we don\u2019t want to leave any trace that the place has been found.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Neither of his brothers relished the idea of Adam going in alone first but as he was the only one who knew the back way, he had to go and Joe wouldn\u2019t leave Hoss alone. Despite his protestations both brothers knew that Hoss wasn\u2019t anywhere near fully fit. Joe would have liked to go in the back instead of Adam, he didn\u2019t have so many responsibilities but not knowing the way it wasn\u2019t possible and they had to accept Adam\u2019s plan. Adam could see the concern and grinned, \u201cCheer up you two we should all reach the valley at about the same time, least that\u2019s the aim. I saw sign of someone leaving it, good chance it\u2019s empty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJest you be real careful.\u201d Hoss commented \u201cDon\u2019t feel like carrying you out and Joe ain\u2019t strong enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled, \u201cRelax, have some coffee. I\u2019ll see you in an hour.\u201d Then he cut up into the hills, trying to remember back over fifteen years to think where the back trail had brought him out. It was rough going and he was reduced to scrambling on all fours at times but his sense of direction was working well and he came out on the rim of the canyon just about where he wanted to be. He couldn\u2019t see much in the thickly wooded overgrown canyon, but there was no sign of movement. Keeping low he made his way along to the fractionally less steep corner where he\u2019d got out before. He couldn\u2019t help wonder if they were building up too much on very little foundation, whether the canyon was as deserted as it appeared. Almost at once he got confirmation that someone had been using the canyon, the trail down from the rim had been made up in places, dug into the side of the canyon and there was plenty of sign of horses, some recent, some older. Sure now that he had found what he was looking for Adam slipped down into the canyon very carefully his gun at the ready.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As he did so his brothers were coming in from the front, also taking great care. Even as they walked up to the rock, Joe found it difficult to believe that there was a way through, it looked no different from the rest of the canyon wall, with trees and scrub growing thickly wherever they could get a hold. Hoss led the way and Joe followed him and as they rounded the buttress of rock a narrow passage faced them and then passing though that the side canyon opened up in front of them. Close up there was plenty of sign that this trail had been used and without speaking both brothers had drawn their guns, keeping close into the canyon wall to cover their backs. Hoss murmured softly \u201cWe\u2019ll head over to the pool, real careful now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Very quietly keeping under cover they did so but nothing disturbed the peace of the canyon apart from the birdsong. Once there was a rustle and they froze but it was only a deer, having caught their scent he was off. There was no sign of any other human beings, not even Adam, and slowly the brothers relaxed. Hoss remembered a small cave near the pool and led the way over to investigate it but it too was empty. As they emerged Adam came out of the undergrowth and rejoined them \u201cLooks as though we have it to ourselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe had squatted down by the remains of a fire \u201cMaybe now but someone has been here recently. Probably this morning, these are still just warm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Round the pool there was plenty of sign of consistent use over a period and Adam and Joe picked out at least five distinct sets of hoof prints. As they rejoined Hoss he sat down on a rock\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBeds been made up in that cave at some stage. Six.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSeems pretty certain we\u2019ve found what we were looking for, Whoever they are, they hide up here for a day or so until the heat is off and then drift back, probably separately, into town or wherever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the back trail like?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUsed, it\u2019s even been dug out in places.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo what next?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOne of us goes into town to tell Roy. Arrange it so that next time something\u2019s pulled we can be here waiting for them. Both trails are very easily defended, it could prove very costly to get them out otherwise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go if you like \u201c Joe offered \u201cYou get Hoss home, the big moose looks whacked.\u201d He added softly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even so Hoss heard and looked up, \u201cI\u2019m okay, jest you stop fussing little brother.\u201d Then he turned his attention to Adam \u201cWill there be time for us to get here first?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had been thinking about that \u201cIt\u2019ll be tight.\u201d He admitted \u201cBut if Roy can get word to us quickly we should make it, They will have to slow down and hide sign.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCouldn\u2019t the posse come straight here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe can draw Roy a map, show him where but if the posse did that there\u2019d be plenty of sign and the thieves wouldn\u2019t walk into the trap, We\u2019d be coming in a different way and we\u2019d know what we were doing. We have to trap them, there\u2019s still not a clue as to who they are, At the worst we pin them down here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Noone had any better idea so the brothers headed back to their horses, taking care not to leave any sign, Then they rode back towards the road where they separated, Adam had ensured that Joe knew exactly what arrangements to suggest to Roy. Joe headed on into town while Adam got their big brother home. Hoss was very tired but pleased with the success of their efforts and Adam wasn\u2019t really worried about his brother. Adam stayed for half an hour, filling his father in on what they had found and what he was proposing to do, before heading home to his own family. Over the evening meal he told Carole and had barely finished when Joe rode in. Joe had decided to stop off at his brother\u2019s before going home but he refused a meal, he\u2019d get something when he got home. He told Adam about Roy\u2019s reaction, the sheriff was very grateful for their help and he had promised to have someone on his way to the ranch the minute the alarm was raised, As he talked Joe was unconsciously rubbing his sore leg. He had done more riding and walking that day than he had since the injury. Adam noticed and immediately felt guilty. He had been concerned about Hoss and totally forgotten that Joe wasn\u2019t fully fit either, he should have gone to town himself, not left it to Joe, who\u2019d had a long day the previous day too. \u201cIs your leg alright Joe? I should have gone to town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe Homecoming<\/a><\/span>
\nHome to Stay<\/a><\/span>
\nHoneymoon and Arguments<\/a><\/span>
\nJoe and Marie<\/a><\/span>
\nAdam and Carole<\/a><\/span>
\nA European Trip<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Aftermath<\/a><\/span>
\nA Busy Summer<\/a><\/span>
\nA Tree Falls<\/a><\/span>
\nSan Fracisco Trip<\/a><\/span>
\nA Stranger from the Past<\/a><\/span>
\nA Sense of Blame<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Medicine Man<\/a><\/span>
\nCourtship and Cattle Drives<\/a><\/span>
\nAngels with Red Hair?<\/a><\/span>
\nThieves and Murderers<\/a><\/span>
\nPipeline Problems<\/a><\/span>
\nGuests for Christmas<\/a><\/span>
\nA Turbulent Preacher<\/a><\/span>
\nJoe and Nita<\/a><\/span>
\nBen and Beth<\/a><\/span>
\nBanks, Pipelines, and Railroads<\/a><\/span>
\nLost<\/a><\/span>
\nA New Operation<\/a><\/span>
\nA Slow Recovery<\/a><\/span>
\nCelebrations<\/a><\/span>
\nForest Fire<\/a><\/span>
\nA Premature Birth<\/a>
\n<\/span>The Bank of California<\/a>
\nTrail Drive<\/a><\/span>
\nRobbery and Assault<\/a><\/span>
\nVirginia City on Fire<\/a><\/span>
\nRebuilding Virginia City<\/a><\/span>
\nCatching Up<\/a><\/span>
\nChristenings, Commissions, and Christmas<\/a><\/span>
\nWinter Ills<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #2 \u2013 Advance Warning<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #3 – Family Row #1<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #4 \u2013 Family Row #2<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #5 \u2013 Family Row #3<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #6 \u2013 The Spanish Land Grant #1<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #7 \u2013 The Spanish Land Grant #2 – Court Hearing<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #8 \u2013 The Spanish Land Grant #3 – Knight Errant<\/a>
\nThe Lawyer #9 – The Spanish Land Grant #4 – The Long Journey Home<\/a>
\nThe Lawyer #10 – The Spanish Land Grant #5 – Troy’s Last Stand<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n