Summary:<\/b>\u00a0Adam and all his family travel to Sacramento and the case finally comes to court.
\nRating:\u00a0 PG13\u00a0 (38,370 words)<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cartwright Saga Series:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Lawyer <\/a><\/span> \n The Court Hearing<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite sleepless nights everyone was ready early and with the children packed in two wagons and very excited at the prospect of a long trip there was almost a party atmosphere despite the underlying seriousness. Adam felt and looked much more relaxed after chance to talk and a long sleep. He was in high spirits and his confidence carried his family, with Adam so sure they could stifle their doubts and fears. Ben helped Adam pack the mass of documents he had prepared for the court and was impressed again by his son\u2019s thoroughness. Once the vital papers were all checked off and packed Ben stood looking at the mountains that he loved and for a moment fear was clear on his face, fear that by the time he returned this land would no longer be his. Adam read the look and went over to his father, gripping his shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m going to win this case Pa. Win so convincingly that noone will ever challenge our right to be here again. It\u2019s the only thing that can justify what I\u2019ve done these last weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll you did was protect us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt cost you all especially Carole. To justify that to myself, I not only had to keep everyone safe but to use the time I\u2019d won to advantage, to ensure we won this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve always been your own hardest critic.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m too old to change\u00a0Pa.\u201d Adam smiled affectionately. \u201cIt\u2019s so good to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had arranged to collect the rest of the party from Jess\u2019 on the way and Jess had everyone ready. Jamie and Dick were sharing the wagon with Liza while Jess himself and Johnny rode. As soon as Adam appeared Jess could see that all family arguments were over and as he\u2019d expected they had understood and backed Adam. He was delighted to see it but apart from a casual greeting said little to Adam. Adam was wrapped up in his excited children; they had missed him and were making the most of Daddy\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was pleased to see Jamie, very fond of the young man whom he\u2019d so nearly adopted. Jamie was happy to fill him in on the adventures and successes of his trip to\u00a0Mexico. Joe rode with Johnny, an old friend, and he cross-questioned Johnny on exactly what he had found out for them in\u00a0Europe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss found himself riding next to Jess and to his surprise Jess was ill at ease. Jess couldn\u2019t help wondering how Adam\u2019s family had taken the news that he had been in Adam\u2019s confidence while they had been fooled at every turn. Slowly as Hoss chatted he relaxed, he was still part of the extended family. They had drawn slightly ahead of the others and Hoss asked \u201cYou knew what Adam was up to?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah. I was sorta involved even before he decided to go it alone. I promised him not to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue smiled \u201cWe understand that Jess, noone is blaming you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nita added, \u201cWe know that Adam is your friend. I mean I know we all are but Adam comes first.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess smiled \u201cI\u2019m glad you know that you\u2019re all my friends but apart from Liza I guess that Adam means more to me than anyone else. I owe him so much, my life on more than one occasion and other things.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss said \u201cWay I remember it he owes you his life too. Anyways Jess I\u2019m glad that you knew. I didn\u2019t sleep too much last night after he told us what he\u2019d been up to. I guess without being there it\u2019s impossible to really understand the strain he\u2019s been under but even so I reckon I can imagine a little. He must have needed someone and he said himself that he couldn\u2019t have coped without you. I just wanted to say thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess felt himself blushing, \u201cThanks Hoss but really there was so little I could do, act as a post office and go between and occasionally be around when he needed to blow off steam. I wished there had been more.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue smiled up at him \u201cDon\u2019t underestimate what you did Jess. Just to know that there was someone he could talk to I\u2019m sure meant a great deal.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess was very grateful that they had taken his involvement that way, it meant a lot to him and he was moved that they considered it necessary to thank him. However embarrassed he dropped back to join his wife and the wagon but Ben was there and he had been looking for his opportunity to add his thanks to Jess, sure that his support and presence throughout had been vital to Adam. Ben could see that Jess was embarrassed and he kept it very simple \u201cI wanted to thank you Jess, for standing by Adam. I know your support was invaluable to him.\u201d Almost formally Ben offered his hand and Jess took it, unable to answer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The strange cavalcade made good time, reaching\u00a0Reno\u00a0with an hour to spare before the train was due to leave. Everything was catching up on Adam as he relaxed a little and he was very tired. He was grateful to leave his father to organize everything, quietly watching with Anne in his arms and Marie holding tight to his coat while the others got all the luggage together and eventually onto the train, although he held onto the precious documents. The party was too big to manage to sit together\u00a0\u00a0and were split up through three carriages. Adam had Carole and his children with Joe, Nita and the baby, Ben was sitting with Jamie and Dick while Hoss and Sue were with Johnny. Jess was quite glad to be alone with Liza; he felt he had neglected her in his concern for his best friend although she had given willing support every step of the way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam found the train\u2019s movement very soporific and after ten minutes Joe lent forward and took Anne. He could see Adam\u2019s near exhaustion, bone deep after weeks of insufficient sleep, clearer now that he had relaxed with his family\u2019s support. Adam started as Joe took the baby \u201cNo need Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStop fighting it brother, have a doze, until we get to\u00a0Sacramento. I\u2019ll look after the children, you look whacked.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA mite tired\u201d Adam admitted smiling gently at the concern he could hear in his brother\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen go to sleep, you\u2019re going to have all too much to do next week.\u201d Adam acknowledged that and rather to his amusement Joe insisted on swapping places with Carole so that he could provide a convenient pillow for his brother. Adam accepted his brother\u2019s fussing for once, having missed his brothers and relaxing against Joe he was asleep within five minutes.<\/p>\n Carole was glad to see it and she was equally glad of Joe\u2019s and Nita\u2019s help to entertain and answer questions for the three excited older children. At least the train had the same effect of the babies as it did on Adam and they slept.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was early evening when the train pulled into\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0and Joe gently woke his brother. Adam was a bit stiff from sleeping at an awkward angle but he looked and felt refreshed. He helped Joe collect their share of the luggage and the whole party congregated on the platform<\/p>\n Bill and John were both awaiting then complete with four wagons ready to transport everyone out to the ranch. Adam was busy with his father ensuring that all the luggage was there, not that he had let any of the vital documents out of his possession for any part of the journey. Hasty introductions were made but most of them knew Adam\u2019s old friends very well. Quicker than had seemed possible the wagons were loaded and they were on the final stretch out to John\u2019s ranch. It was just over ten miles from town but on good road with fresh teams they made a quick journey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ranch wasn\u2019t particularly big and John only had limited accommodation. His own crew were already camped out in three small parties to cover the boundaries of the ranch, He had made it very clear that there could be trouble but the men, a few from the ranch but mainly from his building crew, were all long time employees. He looked after his men well and they were fiercely loyal and almost looking forward to someone trying something with the prospect of a fight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the main house John had six bedrooms and he had already removed his own and Bill\u2019s things to the bunkhouse. Even so it meant one room for each family. Adam and Carole with their four children took the largest room, with Sue Hoss and Johnny next door and Joe, Nita and Adam across the hall. Jess and Liza were next to Joe.\u00a0\u00a0John insisted that Ben took one of the remaining rooms giving the last to Johnny Sutherland, an Earl a member of the British aristocracy couldn\u2019t be expected to rough it in the bunkhouse. Johnny tried arguing that he\u2019d be fine in the bunkhouse after all it was their ranch but he didn\u2019t get anywhere and Adam was no help. Adam found it very amusing, knowing that Johnny still found it more convenient to forget his rank and hadn\u2019t really changed form the exuberant undergraduate he had first known at Cambridge. Considerably younger than Adam he had made an idol of the clever older man and come to rely on Adam to extricate him from the continual scrapes he got into. Adam lonely away from his family, missing his brothers, had taken Johnny into his heart almost as another younger brother and treated him as one. Since then Johnny had matured a lot taking his place in society as the Earl of Northumberland but at times, especially when he could break away from the rigidities of Victorian society he reverted to that undergraduate, Adam was well aware that the reason Johnny loved visiting him in the western USA was the chance it gave him to relax, forget all the conventions that ruled his life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t until everyone was settled and the children tucked up in bed that Adam had the opportunity to slip out and find Bill and John. He wanted to thank them for the arrangements they\u2019d made for his family\u2019s protection. He found them over by the corral leaning on the fence and chatting. They were pleased to see him but in the moonlight studied his face intently. Eventually Bill said \u201cYou look a mite better than last time I saw you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cExhausted!\u201d John stated, \u201cCould see that when we picked you up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have been a little short on sleep.\u201d Adam admitted \u201cbut I\u2019m fine. I wanted to thank you two for all you\u2019ve arranged, I\u2019m sorry we\u2019re such a nuisance.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHell the men are enjoying it.\u201d John said \u201cSpoiling for a fight. They are gonna be most disappointed if noone makes a move.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was serious at that, \u201cUnfortunately I don\u2019t think that they\u2019ll be disappointed. Make sure they stay alert. It\u2019ll be a few days but when I start our case they are going to know they\u2019ve been duped and be out for revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust watch yourself Adam.\u201d Bill pleaded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled \u201cDon\u2019t let\u2019s get morbid; I can take care of myself. It\u2019s a beautiful night just right for a chance to relax with old friends.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a really nice brandy inside. \u201c John offered, \u201cIf you\u2019re not off brandy for life after your imitation of a drunk?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSounds good, I can still enjoy it in moderation.\u201d Adam linked arms with his old friends, \u201cYou both know just how grateful I am for all your help.\u201d He couldn\u2019t say anymore and knew that it wasn\u2019t needed, they knew how he felt and he in turn knew that help had been very willingly given. Adam went to bed fairly promptly, content to have his whole family in a safe place and happy to have Carole curled up next to him, enjoying seeing his children sleeping quietly nearby. Relaxed he slept peacefully and for once was late waking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole had whipped the children downstairs as soon as Anne stirred and left Adam in peace and it was nearly nine-thirty before Adam wandered down, looking better for a long night\u2019s sleep. He was ebullient and demanding coffee. Joe grinned at his brother very glad to see him back to his normal self but for now he just poured coffee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After breakfast Adam joined his father and brothers and spent the rest of the morning showing them exactly what information he had managed to obtain and how he proposed using it. He was back at his efficient best and they all felt much happier about the court case once he had explained what he intended. As they had so often in the past they would put their trust in Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam spent the afternoon checking up quietly on a few detailed legal points. Joe slipped in to join his brother and took over the job as a secretary as he had so often in the past. Adam was glad to have his brother\u2019s help; they had always worked well together. He was already planning to have Jamie sitting at the defence table with him but, although Jamie had earnt the right and was a qualified lawyer, he didn\u2019t have the instinctive rapport developed over so many years that Joe had. With a case that was difficult and more vital than ever before Adam badly needed that support, even if Joe wasn\u2019t a qualified lawyer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam finally packed the papers away \u201cI\u2019ll finish the presentation tomorrow, if you\u2019ll help Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know I will.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoin me on the defence table?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course if you want me to?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI need your help brother. I have the facts, the arguments and I\u2019m sure we are going to win but I guess I need some moral support. This one is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam buried his face in his hands, trembling slightly and Joe put his arm round his brother \u201cEasy Adam, it\u2019s alright. You\u2019ve done a superb job.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam couldn\u2019t find his voice so Joe said it for him, \u201cWe do understand Adam, at least in part. I can only guess how you found the strength to fight on your own but I can imagine the loneliness there must have been over the last weeks. I\u2019ve already thanked Jess for doing what he could but it wouldn\u2019t have been enough. I know what all of us mean to you, that\u2019s why none of the last weeks made any sense. You must know how grateful we are but now we\u2019re here, we can do our share and you can relax.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slowly Adam relaxed under his brother\u2019s hand until Joe was confident enough to let go and fetch his brother a brandy. Adam was glad of the drink and smiled at Joe, \u201cI am alright little brother. Just as you said lonely. The hardest part was cutting you all off from my mind, meant I couldn\u2019t relax.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust once or twice it slipped and I knew we hadn\u2019t really lost you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know when, once Hoss got to me. He\u2019s always been ale to beat down my defences, so very simple just that he cares. Thank God it\u2019s over, I couldn\u2019t have kept it up much longer. I\u2019d already told Doc a little and let slip too much to Dan. At the rate I was going everyone was going to know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou did miraculously well to keep it going as long as you did. Come on put that lot away and lets go see the kids, you\u2019ve earnt a break.\u201d That was one offer Adam wasn\u2019t about to refuse. He knew with his brother\u2019s help the final copy of his presentation for the Judge would only take a couple of hours, the main work was done.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam cleared the work quickly on Sunday morning and then the whole family combined to take his mind off the case and help him relax. Adam was very willing to go along, he knew there was nothing more he could do until the following day and worrying about it would do more harm than good.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Late on Sunday Bill had a quiet word with his friend. \u201cI\u2019ve just had word from town; a Cartwright has taken rooms at the Grand Hotel. You up to anything?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head, \u201cDidn\u2019t seem worthwhile, we are too well known.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen who?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d guess my cousin Will. Word of this case has spread widely and it would be just like him to come and try and help. He must have picked up the rumours that have been flying around.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMakes sense. I know Will. I think I\u2019ll ride into town and have a word, bring him out here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCrowded already\u201d Adam murmured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but it may not be safe for anyone called Cartwright in\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be grateful Bill, I\u2019m sorry we are being such a nuisance.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI told you before how we feel. Write me a note for your cousin, in case he doesn\u2019t remember me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure and be warned that he may well have his wife and three children with him to complicate matters.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks! So I take the wagon. If they are all there either your Pa or the Earl will get their wish and have to move into the bunkhouse.\u201d Bill just grinned and Adam relaxed knowing however many of them arrived they were welcome and would be well protected.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bill made good time into town and went straight to the Grand Hotel. Will and Laura had just settled in with their three children and in the next room Carole\u2019s cousin Meg and John were looking after their young baby. Will recognized Bill as soon as he knocked on the door but he was very surprised to see him. Bill said \u201cIt\u2019s too long a story to tell you now but I\u2019ve got a note from Adam, explains a little and it\u2019s urgent you join the others out of town. Adam\u2019s worried about your safety.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will was puzzled and Adam\u2019s note didn\u2019t add very much to what Bill had said. Laura read over his shoulder and then asked \u201cIs Adam alright? We\u2019ve heard all sorts of rumours.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s fine, been under a strain but I\u2019ll leave him to explain. The end is in sight and he\u2019ll win this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will looked at his wife, \u201cI guess we do as Adam wants, he\u2019ll have some good reason.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow about Meg and John?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bill was puzzled but Will quickly explained, \u201cCarole\u2019s cousin Meg and her husband and little daughter came with us, do you think they will be safe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bill hesitated for a minute \u201cMaybe, it\u2019s a different name.\u201d Then he shook his head \u201cI know Adam wouldn\u2019t want to take any risks and he don\u2019t need anything else to worry about, so they\u2019d better come too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an awful imposition on you.\u201d Laura hesitated but Bill just grinned, \u201cNot my ranch, its John\u2019s!\u201d Then he added more seriously \u201cYou know how much John and I owe Adam over the years, we\u2019re very glad to help out. I said he\u2019s fine and he is, now, but he\u2019s been through hell in the last few weeks. His choice I know and for a reasons that seemed sufficient but you know him well enough to imagine how much it cost him of all men to cut himself off from his family. On top of that he\u2019s got this vital case; he doesn\u2019t need any other worries. So for his sake I want you and Meg and her family safe out at the ranch. I can\u2019t offer great comfort but the company is very good and you\u2019ll be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will didn\u2019t hesitate, \u201cI\u2019ll tell Meg and John and then come and help you pack. We\u2019ll be ready in half an hour Bill.\u201d He was as good as his word and the new arrivals finally realised how real the threat was as a party of five armed guards took position round the wagon to escort them to the ranch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the journey from\u00a0San Francisco\u00a0the twins were tired and fretful so Laura had her hands full even with Peggy\u2019s help. She was thankful when the wagon pulled up in the yard. Adam was first out to greet them and lifted Laura down. She studied his face intently and despite the smile and obvious affection she knew him well enough to see signs of the strain of the past months. Adam hugged her, \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou have some explaining to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLater I promise.\u201d For a while things were chaotic but Ben and Johnny willingly vacated their rooms and joined Bill and John in the bunkhouse making room for the newcomers, safety had to be the paramount consideration. It wasn\u2019t until all the children, apart from Peggy, were asleep and their elders fed that explanations were made. Adam gave a very abbreviated account of what he\u2019d been up to and why, but enough rumours had reached\u00a0San Francisco\u00a0for them to fill in the gaps. Will gripped his cousin\u2019s arm \u201cYou sure you\u2019re okay?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFine Will. Glad to be rid of the pretence but that\u2019s not important now. It won the time we needed. I just pray I\u2019ve used it to the best advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou will win?\u201d Laura asked. \u201cYou have to, the alternative is unthinkable.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll win.\u201d Adam said and smiled \u201cHave more faith!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Laura came over to him and kissed his forehead \u201cOh I do Adam and I\u2019m going to court to see it.\u201d She looked around as though expecting an argument but the only reaction was from Bill \u201cGuess we ought to sort out exactly how many are going to need transport to town.\u201d<\/p>\n Meg said \u201cSomeone will have to look after the children. I\u2019d love to come but I think I\u2019ll be more use here although I expect very full reports.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before anyone else could react Liza offered her services, between the two of them with Peggy\u2019s help they could cope with all the children. Sue and Nita looked at each other wondering if they ought to stay but Carole knew her sisters very well. \u201cThank you Meg, Liza. I know it\u2019s an imposition, mine\u2019s the biggest I\u2019m leaving four menaces but it is our home that\u2019s at stake. We need to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meg smiled \u201cI know that and don\u2019t worry about the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss kissed her forehead; he\u2019d always been very fond of Carole\u2019s cousin, \u201cBless you Meg. The girls may need to be there but I have a feeling we may need them it\u2019s gonna be a long week.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John stood up and stretching his legs as he looked round his crowded room, \u201cSo that means Carole, Nita, Sue and Laura. Do you want to take the wagon or will you ride?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The girls looked at each other uncertain and Ben said \u201cI think we\u2019d better take the wagon John. We have a lot of paperwork and books to carry too and I don\u2019t want to leave them in town so the surrey would make life easier all round.\u201d Hoss volunteered to drive which left a party of eleven to ride in, apart from the armed guard John insisted on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The cavalcade assembled early the following morning as the court was due to sit from nine-thirty. They were noisy and excitable despite Adam\u2019s insistence that he would barely make a start today, this first day would belong to the opposition and he didn\u2019t intend revealing his own hand yet. In the end he sunk into his own thoughts, still nervous before a big case and none were any bigger than this. Jess helped Hoss organize everyone else, while Joe protected his brother from intrusion and soon everyone was on the move, leaving Adam in peace respecting his need to collect his thoughts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite it being a civil action the court was full long before the start and the large contingent from the ranch were glad they had made such a prompt start. Joe and Jamie were both on the defence table with Adam for both practical and moral support; the immediate family was in the row directly behind them with John, Bill, Jess, Johnny, Dick and Meg\u2019s husband John behind them. The rest of the court filled up with the curious, the Ponderosa was one of the best known ranches in the west, if not the best known. The rumours that had been flying around about Adam had done nothing to dampen enthusiasm either.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam watched intently but none of the principals had come to watch although he was sure that they would have several reporters amongst the crowd, briefed to give detailed reports on everything that occurred. Certainly the newspapers were very well represented, even to his astonishment Dan de Quille in person on a rare foray out of\u00a0Virginia City. Dan met his gaze and slipping out went over to Adam.\u0148 \u201cI kept my word no questions, no hints, but I couldn\u2019t help feeling the next few days might bring a number of answers so I came myself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAt least we\u2019ll get an accurate story in one paper, or should I say a biased one!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCheek! Seriously Adam, good luck, all\u00a0Virginia City\u00a0needs you to win. We\u2019d be a lot worse off without the Cartwrights on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled but his gaze was drawn to the opposing bench as the lawyers and the claimant took their seats. It was the first time Adam had actually seen them and he studied the men carefully, dismissing the claimant Sauvinet as a weakling but more interested in the two lawyers. The older man Edward Haslam was tall, distinguished looking with thick grey hair, dressed in a suit, but not nearly as formal as his eastern companion. The other man James Cullen was slightly built but very formally dressed in frock coat, waistcoat and fancy cravat. Both men looked intelligent and Adam knew he dared not underestimate them. He had collected a lot of background information on them but although their principles were suspect, everything he\u2019d learnt underlined their knowledge of the law and ability to use it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Exactly on the dot of nine-thirty Judge Harris took his seat and the general buzz of conversation ceased although an air of excited anticipation remained apparent in the room. The Judge was a small man but he dominated the room from his high chair, eyes bright with interest and an angular nose giving him a hawkish look. Adam knew he had a reputation of supporting the downtrodden and a dislike of the rich and powerful, whom he had often grouped together as corrupt and evil. In this case Adam had no doubt that without background information the Judge\u2019s sympathies would be with Sauvinet, whom he would see as the underdog. One of his jobs must be to slowly bring out that Sauvinet was just a front man and the really corrupt powerful influences were on the claimant\u2019s side. However the Judge\u2019s sympathies lay his final decision would be on the basis of the facts and he had a good reputation for honesty and fairness, few of his decisions ever overturned by a higher court, so Adam felt they could have had a far worse Judge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Clerk read out the claim and Adam carefully collected the detailed presentation with the considerable pile of legal precedent that he had prepared. In this civil case the presentation would be given to the Judge at the start although both sides would have the opportunity to hand in supplementary material after the evidence had been heard. Much of the strategy of the case was inevitably revealed in the presentation and Adam could only trust the Judge to ensure its security. He watched impassively as Haslam introduced himself and his associate James Cullen before taking forward his own presentation on behalf of the claimant Giacomo Sauvinet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then it was his turn, Adam got to his feet \u201cYour honour Adam Cartwright acting on behalf of the Cartwright family for the defence. My colleague James Hunter and my brother Joseph Cartwright acting as secretary.\u201d With Joe\u2019s help he moved the large stack of papers to the Judge\u2019s desk, \u201cThe presentation on behalf of the defendants.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was very aware of the hasty whispering between Haslam and Cullen and knew that the sheer bulk of papers he had taken forward was worrying them. To their knowledge he had only had ten days to prepare the defence and they must have been expecting a plea for a continuance. This acceptance of the hearing now and the paperwork he had ready must have given them the first hint that the case wasn\u2019t going to be as straightforward as they\u2019d hoped. Adam wanted to keep a low key approach this first day and make sure there weren\u2019t any surprises in the case he faced but this first move had been unavoidable<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The presentations made both sides had the opportunity to make opening statements. Adam had a blank pad in front of him and while Haslam talked he took detailed notes. It was very much what he expected, a plea for the righteous claimant who had been kept from his rightful claim for so long by powerful vested interests. A brief historical background of the present claimant\u2019s grandfather Julio Sauvinet, who had, according to Haslam, performed great service for the Spanish Authorities in exploring the unknown and been given the land grant in return. There was considerable legal detail on the agreements between the Mexican and United States governments when sovereignty changed hands at the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, but before the watching crowd could really get restless Haslam had switched to the heart rending struggles of his principal in fighting for the chance to bring his claim. Adam barely bothered with that but he became more interested as Haslam outlined the case he was bringing, based on the document itself, with proof of its authenticity by an acknowledged expert Henry Newton and from L\u00e9on Padilla, an archivist from Spain. Testimony from Sauvinet himself and a man Charles Vegara, whose father had been with Sauvinet\u2019s grandfather on his expeditions. The rest was predictable, witnesses from the land office who would testify to the extent and present holders of the land under dispute and legal experts on the law and treaties in question.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There were two new items to Adam but he wasn\u2019t particularly surprised and quickly wrote out two notes, one to Johnny, did he know anything about this archivist, or have a contact that he could telegraph in a hurry to check. The other was a telegram he wanted sent to Santa F\u00e9 to the lawyer that Tony Canmore had briefed on his behalf for just such an eventuality, in order to check on Vegara. Adam had taken the precaution of warning Bill and John in advance that he might need extra information fast. John was sitting on the end of a row ready to slip out at need. He took Adam\u2019s note and had a quick word with the others before slipping out. Closely followed by Johnny Sutherland, who smiled reassuringly at Adam, he could check.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam watched them go and then rose to his feet, He had no intention of doing the opposition any favours by outlining his own strategy and for a minute as he shuffled papers, he looked positively harassed, \u201cThe defence waves the right of an open statement, we just em…. I mean we have a complete answer to the claim.\u201d He sat down knowing the opposition and most of the audience were sure that his words meant the exact opposite. He could see the confidence growing on the other table and was sure that he\u2019d been right to wear his normal working clothes, that for now at least these formal lawyers were underestimating the cowboy who opposed them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although he intended a low key fight this first day Adam couldn\u2019t afford to let them have it all their own way and almost as soon as the buzz of comment on his inept start had faded away he was on his feet again, \u201cIf it please your Honour, before witnesses are called, the defence has a request for detailed documentation of the claim.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge told the two lawyers to approach the bench and Adam with Haslam did so. Adam put forward his request to inspect the original document under which the claim was being made and to be provided with an exact copy. The Judge expressed surprise that he hadn\u2019t already received an exact copy but only a summary and ruled in Adam\u2019s favour. Haslam had been prepared for the inevitable request and passed over the copy on the Judge\u2019s order. Then he ordered the principal exhibit to be passed to the defence for inspection. Adam\u2019s request for a fifteen minute recess to check it was denied, but he got the more favourable permission to retain it until court recessed for the day, provided that he did not remove it from the court. That suited Adam fine and he was well pleased with the start that he\u2019d made.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile Haslam was starting his case with the least controversial aspects. He had called an old acquaintance of the Cartwrights Mr Jenks from the land office in\u00a0Carson City. Jenks was obviously embarrassed at testifying against his old friends but Cullen handling the questioning slowly put him at ease. The basic facts were incontrovertible; the land grant covered nearly all of the area of the Ponderosa on the East side of\u00a0Lake Tahoe. Another two ranches were slightly affected and some odd pockets of the Ponderosa weren\u2019t but the basic area of the grant was that of the ranch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it was Adam\u2019s turn he didn\u2019t waste time querying the outlines of the grant but he used Jenk\u2019s presence to get on record the detailed deeds under which the Cartwrights held their land, legally obtained deeds for every square foot under the laws of the\u00a0United States. Haslam objected that the deeds were irrelevant as they post-dated both the grant and the treaty of Guadeloupe\u00a0Hidalgo\u00a0by which the Government was bound to honour previous contracts. The deeds were worthless as the Government had no right to sell the land. Adam insisted that unless Haslam wanted to start again and sue the Government then he should be grateful that the Cartwrights could prove their right to the land or the case fell by default. Thus it was in both their interest to get the facts on record. Judge Harris upheld Adam although he was assuming that the details were required to base a claim for compensation. Adam wanted them on record so that never again would anyone claim his land. Acceptance now would be an added strength to their legal claim once the grant was dismissed. He couldn\u2019t face the idea of another such fight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The dry legal arguments and detailed descriptions of each section for the record occupied the rest of the morning and much of the audience had drifted away to lunch, bored by the detail, long before the Judge took recess. Adam took the opportunity with Jamie and the two men, William Rochfort and Robert Munster, who had made the European archive searched, to study the original claim document. Rochfort was intrigued by the seal, it was wrong but he couldn\u2019t put his finger on why. He promised to think abut it and get back to Adam. The rest didn\u2019t tell Adam any more than the copy he\u2019d had from Margaret but he was satisfied that all the points he already had were valid.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Munster\u00a0said \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to place that name they said, all morning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhich one?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe archivist L\u00e9on Padilla. I know it from somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou were in\u00a0Spain?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes but it wasn\u2019t from there. That\u2019s what is puzzling me. I\u2019m a Professor of Classical Studies at\u00a0Oxford\u00a0and it was something to do with the University.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould you telegraph colleagues there, ask if they can help?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt my expense.\u201d Adam hastily added and watched the Professor leave to do as he was asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile Jamie had come up with a suggestion about the seal and he and Rochfort were carefully folding the paper up along its original lines. Jamie looked up aware that Adam was watching him \u201cIt\u2019s a great deal cleaner than most of the ones I saw.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shrugged \u201cBeen handled recently \u201c<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo I don\u2019t mean dust; I mean the actual engrained stains in the folds.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMakes sense Jamie but we\u2019ll never prove it. They\u2019ll just claim to have looked after it better or cleaned it out of respect fro the court.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d Jamie sighed and then as Rochfort finished folding the document he frowned. Rochfort was studying it too and then the pair grinned triumphantly at Adam, \u201cIt\u2019s upside down!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam studied the seal \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPositive. I unrolled dozens of these things and the seal was always pointing to the fold.\u201d<\/p>\n Rochfort concurred \u201cIn every case I saw it was the same. I knew something was wrong with that seal. It\u2019s been lifted and replaced the wrong way round. The Spanish clerks were very traditionalist they wouldn\u2019t have got that wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll need you both to testify, we can\u2019t get sufficient numbers of other original grants to prove it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut that shows it\u2019s a fake. \u201c Jamie said excitedly, \u201cWhy not just tell the Judge now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head, \u201cHaslam will just argue that mistakes occur. It\u2019s one more nail in their story but on its own it won\u2019t be enough.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jamie looked downcast and Adam punched his shoulder gently \u201cCome on cheer up, it\u2019s another thing that helps and its going to be the sheer weight of evidence on our side that wins. You\u2019ve done well, go and have some lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2019s fetching me something. I just want a chance to think.\u201d In fact Jess came back with Joe, not to fuss at Adam but just to help ensure he had a few minutes peace and quiet in safety, Adam was glad to see them and in fact ready to talk. Joe asked \u201cAnything worrying you about their case?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot really. I\u2019d like to know more about those two witnesses, as it is I\u2019ll be going in blind, but maybe Johnny or Bill will come up with something.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBill\u2019s waiting over at the Telegraph office, anything comes through he\u2019ll bring word.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded but tense he was sitting doodling and Jess said \u201cTake it easy, you said today would belong to them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled a little ruefully \u201cI know Jess I\u2019m just on edge. That pair are not stupid; they\u2019ll have covered their tracks well.\u201d Then as people began filtering back into court Adam withdrew into his shell. The first two witnesses of the afternoon were both legal experts, testifying to the agreements, which pertained to land grants, under the various treaties, firstly between Spain and Mexico and then under the Mexican cession of land to the United States. They spent some time proving the jurisdiction of the\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0court in the matter, despite Adam\u2019s acceptance of it. He barely questioned the witnesses; the law was as stated, although he did get opinions from both on the registration of land grants. Both witnesses agreed that prior to 1821 and Mexican Independence, the grants were registered in Spain and where there was Church involvement even marginally the case in the Vatican, as well as usually some local record. After 1821 the grants were registered in\u00a0Mexico City\u00a0and locally, although many local records were lost or imprecise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam asked \u201cWhat measures did the United States Government take to register such claims after 1848 and the treaty of Guadeloupe\u00a0Hidalgo?”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA central register was setup in\u00a0Washington\u00a0but although details were requested the register has remained incomplete. Too many states don\u2019t even seem to know of its existence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo there is no complete register of claims?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I said. Cases such as this would not be needed if the register was complete as the Government would not have sold the land in the first place.\u201d Adam sat down at that, not missing the delight on the face of the witness who felt he had scored a winning point and from the expressions on Haslam\u2019s and Cullen\u2019s faces they concurred.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was satisfied, he wanted to return to the register later and he had deliberately left himself open to the comment he\u2019d received wanting to lull the opposition for the time being. His apparent attitude of disgust with himself wasn\u2019t enough to deceive his family and Hoss whispered to Will, who looked rather concerned, \u201cHe was fishing for that, don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next witness was L\u00e9on Padilla and Adam studied him with interest. The man was obviously Spanish but spoke fairly good English albeit heavily accented. Adam still had no information on him and could only listen to his testimony with close attention, looking for any discrepancies. Padilla claimed to have worked In Madrid as an archivist for the Spanish Government. At that point Ben touched Joe lightly on the shoulder and passed forward a note from Johnny. Joe passed it to his brother who scanned it rapidly but he already knew the contents, the main Spanish archives dealing with the Americas were not in Madrid but in Seville and had been for more than fifty years. Adam concentrated on taking notes of Padilla\u2019s testimony as he testified to checking the Spanish record and confirmed the registration of the land grant in\u00a0Spain. Eventually Haslam had finished and Adam studied his notes as he got to his feet. \u201cYou worked as an archivist in\u00a0Madrid?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi Se\u00f1or.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA well paid occupation I assume?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh non, the civil servant as you say is not well paid anywhere, not in\u00a0Spain\u00a0especially.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYet you can afford time off and come all the way to\u00a0California?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy expenses they pay.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh I see, a nice holiday?\u201d<\/p>\n Haslam objected at Adam badgering the witness and Adam his point made withdrew the question. He went on \u201cHow did you come to check this particular grant?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was asked to check.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho by?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSe\u00f1or Cullen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe came all the way to\u00a0Madrid\u00a0to see you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I was in\u00a0New York.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thought you said that you worked in\u00a0Madrid?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Padilla licked his lips and looked to the claimant\u2019s table for assistance but Adam, apparently moving at random, took up position between them, blocking his view.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI…. I was on holiday.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFrom your ill paid job, a long trip.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI visit my daughter.\u201d Padilla said hurriedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see, you must have been grateful for the chance of another visit.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi Se\u00f1or.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen was this first visit?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBeginning of March, she have a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou must have spent a lot of time travelling.\u201d Adam frowned \u201cThis grant did it take you long to find?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo Se\u00f1or.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd yet there must be thousands of records.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi but the records they are arranged, in time order.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAny you know them well, working as you do in the archives on\u00a0Madrid.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi Se\u00f1or.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam hesitated but decided not to push further for now he didn\u2019t want to reveal his hand just yet. \u201cYour honour I would like to ask for this witness to remain available and to have permission to recall him at a later time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris looked over at the other lawyers but Cullen said \u201cWe have no objection.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge nodded \u201cMotion granted, the witness will stand down but remain available.\u201d<\/p>\n Cullen and Haslam were pleased despite the innuendo Adam hadn\u2019t really dented the credibility of their witness and they assumed his request to recall at a later time was just kite flying, that he didn\u2019t know what else to do.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was well content, with luck Johnny or\u00a0Munster\u00a0might come up with additional ammunition for him to use later and anyway he had in the record at least the implication that Padilla thought the archives were in\u00a0Madrid\u00a0and that was lying, apart from the odd behaviour of the man in hurrying back and fro across the\u00a0Atlantic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next witness was Henry Newman, who went into considerable detail about the text and presentation of the document to support his testimony that the document was authentic. Its provenance unquestioned as the original beneficiary of the claim was represented by a lineal descendent. Adam took copious notes as he listened but again he really needed the man\u2019s testimony later, when he\u2019d had the chance to introduce his own documentary evidence. He wasn\u2019t at all sure whether he could get away with asking to recall yet another witness and as he stood up to cross-examine Joe was aware that the uncertainty put on for all to see was in this case more deep rooted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam asked \u201cYou have studied a number of these land grants I presume?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve already heard why I\u2019m considered an expert.\u201d snapped the irascible witness, a man in his late seventies he had no opinion of the younger generation. Adam considered him carefully, remembering the little he had been able to discover. It seemed unlikely that this man would betray his academic expertise. He hadn\u2019t been bought he believed what he was saying in Adam\u2019s estimation and Adam decided he could only back his own judgement. If he could show this man what was wrong Adam was betting that he would swap sides. For now he had to make it sufficiently interesting that Newman wanted to stick around, if only to prove his point.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI understand that the language of the grants evolved over the centuries?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWouldn\u2019t be human nature to leave things alone, sure they changed, but mighty slow. Bureaucracy never was fast.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWas there a distinct break in the style between the Spanish grants prior to 1821 and the later Mexican ones?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot really, but that don\u2019t matter this is a Spanish one.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBear with me if you will Sir. The early Mexican grants were I believe based on the same form as the Spanish?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure, don\u2019t expect the Mexes to think up anything for themselves, got more and more debased as the copies deteriorated.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe early ones say 1821 to 1824 were reasonable copies in similar form?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah I said so; don\u2019t see what relevance it has.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou would expect to be able to tell a Mexican grant from the Spanish one twenty years earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDifferent signature boy!\u201d the old man cackled with laughter, obviously thinking that Adam was an idiot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled, \u201cI realise that Sir but suppose you just had the preamble, could you tell from the wording?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Newman considered that for a moment before slightly hesitatingly nodding. \u201cGuess so but there were only minor changes over that time span. It would depend how many others you have to compare.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see. We might need to call on your expertise further at a later date Sir. If that\u2019s not too inconvenient.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam stood up at that \u201cI object Mr Cartwright is already keeping one of my witnesses hanging around. It is unfair to keep another one, a busy man, on call without reason. If Mr Cartwright has questions he should ask them now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before the Judge could rule Newman intervened \u201cI got an interest in this case. Guess I\u2019ll be waiting for the decision anyhow so if this young fella wants my opinion he can pay for my time just as you did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge looked questioningly at Haslam who had little choice but to withdraw his objection. Adam was well satisfied, nothing in Newman\u2019s testimony argued against the position he intended to take.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cullen was on his feet with a further objection to the whole line of argument Adam had put forward which he considered to be a red herring, with talk of Mexican land grants, when testimony had already established this was Spanish on record in\u00a0Spain\u00a0and signed in the name of Ferdinand VII.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the witness had already stepped down the Judge mildly suggested that it was not a relevant objection at this stage. However he did warn both parties that he would keep a close eye on the questions of both sides as he didn\u2019t wish the case to continue all month.<\/p>\n Cullen took the hint and called his next witness, the claimant himself Giacomo Sauvinet. Adam sat forward at that making no attempt to hide his interest. Joe lent over \u201cI wouldn\u2019t trust him further than I can throw him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shushed his brother \u201cListen Joe. \u201c Jamie was ready and passed Adam the detailed papers Tony had collected in Santa F\u00e9. Adam smiled his thanks and then settled to concentrate as Cullen led Sauvinet through his story, knowing both Joe and Jamie were taking detailed notes. According to Sauvinet his family had always known of his grandfather\u2019s land grant but at the time his grandfather was not in a position to make use of the land.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He had documentary evidence of the relationship between himself and Julio Sauvinet in whose name the grant was made. Adam checked the papers but didn\u2019t query them and accepted them into the record. Sauvinet was seemingly very proud of his grandfather and he told a long involved story of the exploration trips undertaken in to\u00a0Nevada,\u00a0Utah\u00a0and\u00a0Colorado. According to Sauvinet the very first expedition was when his grandfather, just ten years old, had acted as horse boy for Padr\u00e9 Escalante in his trip exploring north for\u00a0Spain. Adam quickly made a note that that trip was in 1776 and went up the\u00a0Los Angeles\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Salt\u00a0Lake\u00a0trail to the end of the Great Salt Lake, nearly 500 miles away from\u00a0Virginia City\u00a0at its closest.<\/p>\n Adam knew all about the Escalante expedition although he doubted whether Sauvinet had been along, from all he\u2019d heard it had hardly been the place for a ten year old. The next three expeditions undertaken by Sauvinet, according to his grandson, were in 1793-1796 when he took a similar route up towards the Great Salt Lake returning by the old Spanish trail; via Santa F\u00e9. Then in 1803-1809 he explored the area east of the Sierra Nevada, finding\u00a0Lake Tahoe. Having taken back word of the great riches in beaver in the mountains, he was asked, despite his age, to undertake one further trip in 1814 when he was 46 years old. Results from that trip filtering through to the Hudson Bay Company had led to their exploration of the area with trapping teams in 1825 and according to Sauvinet, the early trips of Jedediah Smith.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam listened carefully trusting Joe to take notes. He was impressed; someone had done a neat job of tying the real history with the fabricated. He would even accept one trip round Santa F\u00e9; the man had got a land grant around there for some reason. He was quick to note that no documentary evidence of any of the supposed explorations was introduced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The history over Cullen took his man through the struggle to gain money to bring the case, his father\u2019s refusal to bother and his own fight to find the money to gain his rights in the five years since his father died and the claim had devolved on him. He was most insistent he wanted only his rights he didn\u2019t mean harm to anyone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eventually Cullen finished milking his witness and Joe lent forward as he sat down, \u201cPut that on in a theatre and there wouldn\u2019t be a dry eye in the place.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled \u201cI don\u2019t think our Judge is quite so easily convinced.\u201d Then he stood up to cross examine but to his relief the Judge decided time was already getting on and as the cross examination would inevitably take time it should be postponed until the morning. That suited Adam who didn\u2019t want to have to break off halfway, but he murmured to Joe, \u201cWhat he really means is that both sides have given him so much paperwork he wants time to do his homework.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Either way both sides were satisfied by the outcome of the first day. Adam had a shrewd idea of the strength of the case he was fighting and was thankful that there were no surprises. On the other side Adam hadn\u2019t sprung any surprises and his performance had been only competent. The only real worry was the documentation that he\u2019d passed to the Judge.<\/p>\n Keane, Huntingdon\u2019s secretary had gone straight back to his suite and given a detailed description of the day\u2019s events to him, Hearst, Troy and Grandison who were all present.<\/p>\n The two lawyers came over half an hour later having sorted out their paperwork ready for the next day. They confirmed Keane\u2019s opinion the first day had gone well. They both thought the men were overestimating Adam, most of his questioning had been very orthodox and he had looked very worried at the way their case was developing. In their opinion the case was solid and their principals were worrying over nothing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hearst was prepared to accept that all the effort expended on distracting Adam had worked but Huntingdon wasn\u2019t so sure. He knew Adam very well and would only be convinced when they had the judgement. At least for now they accepted their lawyers\u2019 opinion although Huntingdon wasn\u2019t happy about Adam\u2019s removal of all his family. Word from\u00a0Virginia City\u00a0had reached them that even the children had left the Ponderosa. So far they only knew that the whole party was staying out of town and Hearst had men following them that night to discover exactly where. Huntingdon had been worried that it meant Adam knew about the threat to his family but Hearst was sure it was no more than a convenient place for the children, insisting that it was in character for the Cartwrights to bring wives and children.<\/p>\n When word reached them late in the evening that the party was at a ranch belonging to John Chance,\u00a0Troy\u00a0was able to reassure them. Chance was a long time friend of the Cartwrights, making a fortune out of the flume that Adam had designed. It was an obvious move to dump the kids there, if they had to bring them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huntingdon wasn\u2019t taking any chances, insisting a watch be kept on the ranch, unobtrusive for now. He just wanted to know the best way in, if further persuasion was required.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the ranch Adam was relaxing, barely listening as his family talked over the day\u2019s events. He had taken a brandy and curled up on the window-seat with his youngest daughter on his lap, the twins and Marie sitting round him, while he read them a story before bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess, Johnny Sutherland and Bill had stayed in town waiting for telegrams when the others left.\u00a0Munster\u00a0had finally remembered why the name Padilla was familiar and at Johnny\u2019s request was writing out as full details as he could remember for Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dan had seen Jess and followed him over to the telegraph office, hoping that Jess might be willing to give him more details that he\u2019d managed to extricate from the Cartwrights. Jess laughed at Dan\u2019s attempts to wheedle the facts out of him, but he wasn\u2019t giving anything away. He did confirm that Adam was back on good terms with his family, just saying that the differences had always been exaggerated, but refusing to give any details. It was up to Adam or his family when they were ready to tell the press what they wanted, even such a good friend as Dan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slowly the replies they\u2019d been waiting for trickled in and with the final one from Santa F\u00e9 arriving just after eight, the three men were able to go back to the ranch. By the time they arrived the children were in bed and Adam was ready to give his full attention to the telegrams they\u2019d brought and\u00a0Munster\u2019s report. He was relaxed and fairly satisfied with his first day\u2019s efforts. He had done what he set out to do that morning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess handed Adam the telegrams and then left him in peace while joining Liza for some food. Adam was reading very intently when his father came over to join him. \u201cDoes it help Son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould do. This is from Santa F\u00e9. Tony Canmore went down there for me to check up on Sauvinet and as a safeguard he hired a lawyer on a contingency basis. This is from him, a report on this Charles Vegara.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben read the long telegram and whistled softly. \u201cIf you can get any of this introduced they\u2019ll wish that had never called him as a witness.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get it in. From the sound of this a little flattery and he\u2019ll leave himself wide open. A boastful alcoholic isn\u2019t my idea of a good witness.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy call him?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot sure Pa but I\u2019d guess they haven\u2019t done enough homework on Sauvinet and are listening too much to him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat else do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA report on this Padilla. One of Johnny\u2019s men\u00a0Munster\u00a0had some memories of him but couldn\u2019t place where. Now he\u2019s remembered. This same guy Padilla tried to get a job at\u00a0Oxford\u00a0University\u00a0where\u00a0Munster\u00a0is a professor. About four years ago, but he had forged references and had plagiarized someone else\u2019s work to buy his way in. He was caught out when someone recognized the work he\u2019d copied, knew the original. Seems he had been sacked from his job, which was in the Escorial in\u00a0Madrid\u00a0as a librarian. He was sacked for stealing and selling some old books.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben frowned \u201cThey don\u2019t seem to have chosen their witnesses very well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe weren\u2019t supposed to have time to check\u00a0Pa.\u00a0Just what were the odds of us having an academic from\u00a0Oxford\u00a0here or anyway to check facts in\u00a0Spain\u00a0for that matter?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right.\u201d Ben accepted the logic of his son\u2019s arguments. \u201cAnyway to boost a lie you have to use liars.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201dI don\u2019t think Newman is a liar. I think if I can show him the facts he will change his testimony. That\u2019s why I wanted him to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your plan for tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCross examine Sauvinet and that is going to reveal we know more than we should. He\u2019ll call Vegara and I\u2019ll question him. That will probably take the day if the Judge recesses early again. We have to be extra careful from now on. As soon as I start questioning Sauvinet they\u2019ll realise that I know more than I should. So far Sauvinet has only mentioned\u00a0San Francisco, no hint of Santa F\u00e9, but I have to get him to admit his real background and his relationships to lay the basis for our claim of his real land grant.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd you shouldn\u2019t know about Santa F\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded \u201cI\u2019ll try and bring it out from questioning, as though it\u2019s just a fluke, but at most it will buy one day. What I can\u2019t decide is whether or not to confront Hearst and the rest, let them know that any attack on us will rebound on them not on any intermediaries.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe or maybe it will prevent attacks, but what really worries me is that it might prove dangerous for Margaret or Michelle. Sooner or later they are going to know that there was a leak. I think we\u2019ve covered our tracks well but if anything\u00a0\u00a0happens to the girls I\u2019ll never forgive myself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was their decision Adam, not yours, both grown women. They knew the risks, far less than you\u2019ve taken on occasion when you felt the end justified the risks. You have no right to take the blame on yourself, that almost denies them the right of decision.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam thought about that for a moment. \u201cFunny I never thought of it that way, maybe you\u2019re right but I still can\u2019t do anything to endanger them further.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNoone is asking you to Son. For now we wait, everyone is safe here, no need to act until we see how things develop.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam relaxed thankful for his father\u2019s calm good sense, but he was keyed up for the beginning of his real fight back and found it hard to sleep. Even when he did finally doze off he was awake very early. Knowing that he wouldn\u2019t sleep again he slipped out before he disturbed Carole or the kids. He made coffee and was standing over by the window sipping it and comparing, unfavourably, the view of the flat land round Sacramento with his own view of the Sierras when Joe came down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe had heard someone moving around and, having seen the tension growing in his brother the previous evening, guessed that it was probably Adam. He wandered over to join his brother having poured himself some coffee \u201cYou\u2019re up real early, anything wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot really Joe. I\u2019m just on edge, by this evening they are going to know it won\u2019t be a walkover, maybe guess that I\u2019ve been fooling them, had inside information.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat has to happen eventually!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know that Joe, just scared in case they try to retaliate.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJohn and Bill have this place tied up tighter than a drum and we make a very impressive party in transit, even without our armed guards.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf they guess who told me….\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou said yourself the girls were sure they would never come under suspicion, mere females to be discounted.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSuppose they\u2019re wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStill real dangerous to harm a woman, even all their money wouldn\u2019t buy safety if that became public knowledge. I think that crowd have too much respect for their own skins to do anything to physically hurt a woman even if they should guess. At worst they get thrown out which from the sound of things would be welcome and we can help financially.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam relaxed a little, his brother made sense and both Margaret and Michelle were too publicly tied to Hearst for him to avoid involvement in their affairs. \u201cYou do me good little brother, I\u2019ve missed your common sense these last weeks, good at killing my bogeymen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat you\u2019ve missed is far too many hours of sleep and getting up at five won\u2019t help anything.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust too wide awake to settle, today I really make a start at a fight back. I\u2019ve been waiting a long time for the chance Joe, sometimes it seemed like forever.\u201d Joe could understand that the long weeks of argument, worrying over his brother, had seemed to last forever to him too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was glad when it was time to leave for town and as before John and Bill insisted on an advance guard to check their route, not taking any chances even though the Cartwrights, Will and Jess were very capable of looking after themselves. Adam took his place at the defence table and ignored the people filling up the court as he reread all the information Tony Canmore had collected for him on Sauvinet and his family. His first aim before springing that on the witness was to get on record that he knew of only one land grant in the family. Adam had his fingers crossed that noone in the opposing camp had had the wit to see what he would try and admit to more than one grant because that would create havoc with the way he wanted to handle the presentation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had sufficient respect for the opposition to be on edge as the clerk called the court to order. The Judge reminded Sauvinet that he was still under oath and Adam stood up to begin his cross-examination. Only his immediate family, Jess and Laura, all of whom in their own way loved him, could see the tension and strain in him. To the casual observer he appeared perfectly relaxed and his opening questions were almost conversational as he asked where Sauvinet came from.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSan Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow long have you known about this land grant?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll my life. In my family it is muy importante. It is the cause of many arguments and the papers they are guarded so very carefully. We know that one day they make us rich.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe one item of family wealth?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi our most valuable possession.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust this one land grant?\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi, just the one valuable land grant. We are not rich, that is why it took so long to get money to bring this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To Joe his brother visibly relaxed at that but a glance at Haslam and Cullen revealed no sign that they realised the trap Sauvinet had walked into. Joe consoled himself that few people could read Adam as his family could, giving an ironic smile at the thought that even they had done a lousy job of it over the last weeks. Then he concentrated on his job of noting the questions and answers for his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said \u201cI am a little confused over your Grandfather\u2019s various trips, perhaps you can help me. This first one with Padr\u00e9 Escalante, he was very young?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes only ten he was taken along to tend the animals.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cInvaluable experience. How did he come to be chosen?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe was an orphan at the mission; the Padr\u00e9 was like a father to him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see. Where was this mission?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAt\u00a0El Paso.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour Grandfather lived there?\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMost of his life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese expeditions were sanctioned by\u00a0Spain\u00a0I presume?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWith a land grant as a reward, your Grandfather made full reports?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi but they were sent to\u00a0Spain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho to? The council of the\u00a0Indies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t leave any documentary evidence of his journeys?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have his diary of his second trip up to\u00a0Salt\u00a0Lake\u00a0and back to Santa F\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat was in 1793?\u201d Adam checked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam asked the Judge to have the diary placed in evidence and Haslam concurred although he said that he couldn\u2019t see what relevance it had to the case in question. Adam didn\u2019t argue the point, he\u2019d got his own way and Haslam promised to bring it to court that afternoon.<\/p>\n Adam consulted his papers, \u201cIn 1793 if my history is correct Charles IV was King of Spain and I presume the Council of the\u00a0Indies\u00a0sanctioned the expedition in his name?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have any documents from then?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo I told you just the diary and much later the land grant.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlright let\u2019s move onto the third expedition. According to you that was from 1807 to 1809 and reached\u00a0Lake Tahoe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have any documents from this trip, not even a diary?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo it was all sent to\u00a0Spain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am puzzled by this expedition. Who sanctioned it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sauvinet had followed some of Adam\u2019s questions so he said fairly confidently \u201cThe Council of the\u00a0Indies.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so, not at that time. According to my information the Council had been suspended because of arguments between the King and his son.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam took the two books Jamie passed him and an affidavit from a historian at Harvard, an expert on\u00a0Spain, and he passed a book and the affidavit to the Judge. \u201cI\u2019d like these entered as defence exhibit 1.\u201d He read from his own copy. \u201cIn 1806 the eldest son of Charles IV, Ferdinand, rebelled against his father. He claimed that his Mother\u2019s lover Godoy was actually running the country. Most of the normal administrative duties were suspended, in particular anything pertaining to the Colonies. This situation continued for more than two years eventually leading to the forced abdication of both Charles and Ferdinand by NapoL\u00e9on Buonaparte and the assumption of the throne by his brother Joseph in 1808.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam stood up, \u201cObjection This history lesson is all very interesting but totally irrelevant to events in the\u00a0United States.”<\/p>\n The Judge looked enquiringly at Adam \u201cI can\u2019t agree your honour. The grant under which Mr Sauvinet is claiming is a Spanish Land Grant and from the testimony elicited on direct questioning we are led to assume that it was in payment for services in exploring the areas now part of\u00a0Nevada\u00a0and\u00a0Utah. I think I have the right to consider both documentary and historical data which might throw light on the likelihood or otherwise of those claimed expeditions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sauvinet sat looking confused but the Judge wasn\u2019t and to Adam\u2019s relief said \u201cObjection overruled. Continue Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned back to the witness \u201cWe have already established that you have no documentary evidence for the third expedition, how about the fourth one from 1814?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo I told you just the diary from the second trip and the grant. The rest he send to\u00a0Spain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn 1814 Ferdinand eventually regained the throne but it was near the end of the year and, although he attempted to re-establish Spanish rule in the\u00a0Americas, the Council of the\u00a0Indies\u00a0was not reconstituted until the following year. So as with the last expedition we have the problem of who sanctioned the trip?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sauvinet just looked blankly at Adam and the Judge said \u201cPerhaps you could keep your speeches for later and ask direct questions Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam accepted the rebuke, knowing that he had made his point where it was needed, with the Judge. \u201cMr Sauvinet who authorized this fourth trip?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Sauvinet said angrily, sure that somehow Adam had been talking down to him. \u201cIt don\u2019t matter anyways. My Grandfather he make the trips and we get the land grant. That I do have documentary evidence, so you can get off my land.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled \u201cThat\u2019s for the court to decide,\u201d but Sauvinet just glared at him and the Judge decided to take an early lunch and let tempers cool.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over lunch Ben congratulated his son, he had watched the Judge and Newman carefully. Whatever the restlessness of the audience, unused to civil courts, Adam\u2019s points had gone home where it mattered. Adam wasn\u2019t really hungry, anxious to get on with the case.<\/p>\n Haslam and Cullen were both rather worried. They had also noticed the effect Adam had on the Judge. His whole line of questioning was unpredictable and he seemed to have more facts at his fingertips than they had. They were annoyed, Hearst and Huntingdon had assured them the Cartwrights had only had ten days to produce the defence and they couldn\u2019t work out how Adam had found out so much so quickly. The report was taken to Huntingdon and he read it carefully, annoyed at Adam\u2019s ability to present the defence so adeptly. He sent orders to his men to try and find a way through to the children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the lunch break Sauvinet had to take the stand again, much to his disgust. Adam left history and turned to Sauvinet himself. \u201cYour Grandfather lived in\u00a0El Paso\u00a0when he first started making these trips?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI told you that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould you explain how you moved from\u00a0El Paso\u00a0to\u00a0San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI never lived in\u00a0El Paso.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. When did your Grandfather move and where to?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn 1821 he moved to Santa F\u00e9. It was opening up then and with independence seemed time to move.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere were you born?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSanta F\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo your Grandfather stayed there?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes but I don\u2019t see what it matters.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge said \u201cI am inclined to agree Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll try and come to the point your honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned back to Sauvinet \u201cWhen did you leave Santa F\u00e9?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sauvinet looked over at his lawyers but they couldn\u2019t help and the Judge ordered him to answer, \u201cI left two years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo for more than thirty years you lived in Santa F\u00e9?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow did you earn a living?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam stood up \u201cI object to this prying into my client\u2019s private life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said \u201cYou introduced the topic with details of this poor family fighting for the opportunity to get their chance at law.\u201d He bit his lip, knowing he\u2019d let too much scorn sound in his voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Luckily the judge was interested and overruled the objection. Sauvinet said \u201cOdd jobs, sometimes as a cowboy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you own any land, a house, anything in Santa F\u00e9?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA little. I sold it all to get money to bring this case get my rights. I don\u2019t own anything now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat else did you do to get money?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI worked.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you ever have any trouble with the law?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHave you ever been convicted in a court of law?\u201d<\/p>\n Haslam was up again \u201cI object.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge called both lawyers forward \u201cMr Cartwright you have evidence?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes your honour,\u201d Adam showed him the affidavit, notarized, a copy of the conviction for fraud in Santa F\u00e9. \u201cThis is not a criminal court your Honour. The case depends to a large extent on this man\u2019s testimony and surely his background is relevant.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam said \u201cWe have documentary evidence. There is no relevance in one mistake by a young man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam came back \u201cThen you shouldn\u2019t worry about it coming out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge said \u201cI\u2019ll allow this line of questioning but I want you to keep it to the point.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gave a sigh of relief and went back to his questioning of Sauvinet. Sauvinet folded when he realised that Adam knew exactly what he had done, although claming to be very young at the time. A claim that fell rather flat as Adam pointed out he had actually been 26. He admitted that he had been convicted of fraud and sentenced to two years in the State Penitentiary, although only serving eight months. That caused an immense buzz round the court and Sauvinet glared at Adam but he was released from the stand, much to his relief.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam and Cullen were deep in conversation knowing that Sauvinet\u2019s testimony had been nearly disastrous to their case and that Adam knew far more than they had been led to believe. They were worried about the other witness Vegara that Sauvinet had produced but having mentioned him in the introductory statement they had little choice but to call him.<\/p>\n Cullen took over the questioning. Vegara could only speak of his father, who had according to Vegara been on the expeditions with Sauvinet in both 1807 and 1814. Worried Cullen kept it very brief and rather begrudgingly handed over to Adam for cross-examination.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam checked first that there was no documentary evidence for Vegara\u2019s story. Then he began asking just how well Vegara knew Sauvinet, flattering him that his support must be invaluable to his friend. Vegara visibly relaxed, this wasn\u2019t nearly as alarming as he had been warned over lunch. Adam talked almost conversationally with Vegara and learnt of his drinking bouts with Sauvinet. He smiled \u201cI see you are very close friends.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure are Mister.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo when he suggested as a game that you tell a story about your Father you didn\u2019t mind?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot doing any harm. These rich men can afford to lose a bit of land.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cProbably.\u201d Adam said \u201cAnd your Father?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHell nearest he ever got to a desert was when he ran out of money for a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cullen was on his feet \u201cObjection.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sat down \u201cNo more questions your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge frowned. \u201cDo you have any more witnesses Mr Haslam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo Sir, our case remains based on the documentary evidence itself. Over enthusiasm by friends of the claimant is unfortunate but irrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris said \u201cYou will have plenty of time to present your closing statements at the appropriate time. Just now I think it is time to recess, Mr Cartwright be ready to present your<\/p>\n case tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes your Honour.\u201d Adam began collecting his papers glad to start fresh the following morning. He felt thoroughly drained, tired out and worried, knowing that he had revealed to Hearst and Huntingdon that they had more of a fight than they expected. He was scared that some move against his family would follow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam hustled everyone out barely acknowledging anything that was said to him, just wanting to get out of town, his children and wife safe. Slowly he realised that everyone was delighted at the outcome of the day\u2019s events and although Ben and Joe knew enough to know that there was still a long fight ahead, the others all seemed nearly convinced that the fight was won.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole wasn\u2019t really worried about the case but she was worried about her husband, he was so obviously worn out and tense. Adam snapped at Hoss and Will who were laughingly discussing the case as though it was won. \u201cDon\u2019t be fools we have a long way to go. The case doesn\u2019t depend in those witnesses but that document, I haven\u2019t touched that yet.\u201d There was real anger in his voice and his brother and cousin looked guilty. Adam rubbed his aching eyes, \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss smiled, “Easy old son, nothing to be sorry about, you\u2019re worn out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA mite tired\u201d Adam admitted. Then realising he was the centre of attention he forced a smile \u201cI\u2019m okay don\u2019t look so worried. It\u2019s just that we still have a long way to go before we win this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben said \u201cWe do know that Adam. The document has to be proved a fraud, not just the man and I also realise that you revealed enough today for them to get worried.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John said \u201cThe place is sealed up tight. Noone is going to get near your family Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d feel happier if the girls stayed there.\u201d Adam said but Carole shook her head \u201cSorry Darling. I\u2019ll do an awful lot for you but I can\u2019t stay away from this. I need to know what\u2019s happening. And I\u2019m very sure Nita and Sue feel the same.\u201d Adam knew exactly how much chance he stood of changing their minds, but he couldn\u2019t help worrying.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was too restless to settle, barely touching his food and not even the kids could get to him. Joe went over and asked quietly \u201cAnything in particular worrying you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head, \u201cNo, just that it\u2019s so important and I\u2019m scared I\u2019ll mess it up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t.\u201d Joe said with confidence. \u201cYou\u2019ve already done a lot, that Judge is more than interested in you, wondering what you are going to pull out next.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe, I don\u2019t know.\u201d Adam turned away, \u201cJust let me be Joe, I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d Joe bit his lip but he could only do as Adam wanted. Half an hour later he saw one of John\u2019s men come in and talk very earnestly to John and Bill. As they turned away Joe went over \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing Joe, just an advanced warning that somebody has been sniffing around. We\u2019re doubling up all round and noone will get through. I promise you\u2019ll be safe here, all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe relaxed, \u201cThanks Bill. Do me one more favour, don\u2019t mention this to Adam. He\u2019s got enough on his plate at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John answered for them both \u201cSure Joe. He is alright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah just tired and worried. This case is more of a strain on him, both over the last weeks and with the job in court.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe did a hell of a job today.\u201d John grinned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sighed \u201cI know but being Adam he\u2019s never satisfied and now he\u2019s worrying about tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John wasn\u2019t the only one to consider that Adam had done a hell of a job; the two lawyers couldn\u2019t hide their concern when they reported back. They were less concerned about Vegara failing to come up to proof than by the number of facts Adam had at his disposal. Affidavits from Santa F\u00e9 and historical evidence backed by experts, all of which he shouldn\u2019t have had time to obtain if the plans had worked correctly. Only ten days to produce a defence should have eliminated such things and for the first time Haslam put forward the suggestion that there had been a leak and that the Cartwrights had had much longer than ten days. He added \u201cThat would explain why they made no try for an adjournment.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hearst was very insistent that there couldn\u2019t have been a leak but Huntingdon was less certain. He had had cause before to regret the number of contacts the Cartwrights had in strange places. He wasn\u2019t prepared to take any chances and decided to order his men to move in and to cause an accident, preferably to one of Adam\u2019s twin sons. The others were prepared to go along, but scared of it being brought home to them they were insistent it must appear to be an accident.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michelle heard all about it from an alarmed husband, who was facing for the first time the thought that they might not win the case. It had been made very clear to him that night that in the event of failure Sauvinet and his friend Vegara were too dangerous and might bring the law down on the real actors in the case. The only way to buy safety was to eliminate the two front men and Grandison was finally having to face the idea of murder. He didn\u2019t object in principle but was scared for his own skin. Michelle waited until he had drunk himself to sleep and then wrote out all that she had learnt, determined to pass it on to Liza Campbell, the contact Adam had given her. This surely counted as an emergency. With her husband in a drunken stupor Michelle risked slipping out and easily found Liza\u2019s house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Liza had gone to bed and disturbed from a deep sleep she only opened the door a crack, looking very worried at the strange woman standing there. Her alarm was replaced by amazement as Michelle said, \u201cWe have never met but we have a mutual friend Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Liza immediately stepped back and invited Michelle in. Michelle said \u201cI can\u2019t stay I might be missed. You know about this court case?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes of course. I think everyone in town does and as you said Adam and I are old friends.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe said that in an emergency you could get a message to him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I can reach him in court no doubt. Must it be Adam, or will any of the family do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAny of them by now. It is urgent a new threat to his twins. You know the threats made?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes a little. Of course I will get it to them first thing in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michelle handed over the note she\u2019d written \u201cIf I learn anymore can you help again?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAny time. I owe Adam a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michelle thanked her and slipped back unseen to her room glad to find her husband still out cold. At least she had done what she could; the rest was up to the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was still very restless and up early. He was sitting with coffee, Marie on his lap while he noted the order he intended calling his witnesses when his father came in. Ben joined him \u201cAre you alright Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure Pa, don\u2019t worry about me. I\u2019m just a bit on edge, I\u2019ll be glad when this is over.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe all will.\u201d Ben said dryly \u201cBut the strain has been far worse for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe but then my shoulders are broad. It\u2019s far easier now with the support of my family. Funny how you take such things for granted until you have to do without.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gripped his son shoulder, \u201cYou\u2019ve always done more than your share Son, just don\u2019t forget there are four of us. Your shoulders aren\u2019t as broad as all that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled up at his Father, \u201cI know Pa, maybe I shouldn\u2019t have taken it all on myself but….\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben interrupted \u201cWe all told you that we not only understood but were very grateful. You took one hell of a burden to protect the girls and the children. Just as you have in the past but this time at even greater cost.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt worked Pa that\u2019s all that matters. That and the fact that I could come home, have come home.\u201d Adam turned to his papers \u201cMarie my love will you get down now I want to show Grandpa something.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The little girl put her arms round his neck and hugged him before scrambling down to go find her brothers. She had missed Daddy, especially when she was unwell and was glad to have him back. Adam turned to business \u201cI intend to call you first Pa, get our claim firmly on record. Get the historical facts in, although they may not accept the Indian testimony. Get the fact that there is no record of any land grant in\u00a0Nevada. Then call Johnny Rey and Steve Fallon to show nothing is on record in\u00a0California, John for the record in Washington, Jamie for\u00a0Mexico\u00a0and finally Johnny and his two men for\u00a0Europe. Then call back Padilla to prove he\u2019s a liar and finally Newman to disprove that document.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben thought about that for a moment and then smiled \u201cSounds excellent Son, we\u2019ll win.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure\u00a0Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was deep in thought as they rode into town trusting his family to ensure their safety. He had all his papers with him and was glad to settle down in court with a few minutes to sort himself out and plan in detail what he intended doing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Liza slipped into court Adam was deep in conversation with Joe and Jamie, telling them exactly what he planned and what he wanted them to do. Liza didn\u2019t like to interrupt them and seeing Hoss, she went over to him. \u201cHoss do you remember me, Liza Campbell?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell sure I do, nice to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook I wouldn\u2019t interrupt but I have this note for Adam and he\u2019s busy. From a friend of his, she dropped it in last night.\u201d She dropped her voice \u201cA girl Michelle. Didn\u2019t dare be seen talking to him direct.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss took the note \u201cI\u2019ll see he gets it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss I know its none of my business but he looks tired and under pressure. He won\u2019t be able to get away in any case. I think you ought to read it, not tell Adam until later.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Puzzled Hoss undid the note and read it. He forced a smile \u201cThank you Liza. I think everything is safe but with this we\u2019ll double check and you\u2019re right Adam don\u2019t need this just now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Liza slipped away, however interesting the case was she had a job to go to. Hoss read the note through again and wondered how to handle it. Ben had gone forward to join his other sons for a last minute discussion so Hoss couldn\u2019t even ask his father\u2019s advice. Eventually Hoss called Bill, John and Will over and showed them the note. Bill and John were sure they had a place tied uptight but agreed another check was needed with this overt threat. Since Adam might be calling John the men decided that Bill and Will would head back to ensure the kids were safe, hopefully getting back before lunch so that Adam wouldn\u2019t even miss them. All agreed that for now Adam had no need to know. The two men slipped out just as the clerk called the court to order for Judge Harris.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge called on Adam to open his case and Adam knew that this time he had no choice but to make an introductory statement but he deliberately kept it vague. \u201cYour Honour, we shall be introducing testimony to refute the claim of expeditions into\u00a0Central Nevada\u00a0prior to 1825. We shall establish the legal claim of the Cartwrights to the land known as the Ponderosa and the right of the United States Government to sell that land as no prior claim was registered anywhere pertaining to the land. Finally we shall discuss discrepancies within the document before the court.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was aware of Haslam and Cullen in heated discussion but he ignored them and called his first witness. Ben took the stand and Adam led him rapidly through the uncontroversial part, restating for the record their cast iron claim to the land since 1846. The opposition didn\u2019t bother to query it, hardly even listening apparently. Adam was content to get it written into the record. Then he turned to the historical evidence. \u201cIn 1846 when you first reached\u00a0Nevada\u00a0were there many white men living in the area that was one day to become the State of\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs far as I know only Miles Goodyear at Ogden Hole had a permanent farm. There were a few trappers and some parties of emigrants passing through to\u00a0California.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow much do you know of the early explorations?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know the journeys of Jedediah Smith and the later trips by Pike and Fremont authorized by the United States Government. I also know that various men did traverse the region, not looking for geographical facts, just animal skins. How many trappers there were can only be conjecture.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho would have better knowledge of the early expeditions?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThose who were already living in\u00a0Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam go to his feet, \u201cObjection The witness had already claimed to have been the second person to settle in the area, so who are these mythical settlers?\u201d He looked round with scorn on his face, obviously convinced he\u2019s scored a point. Joe could see the anger on Adam\u2019s face at the way Haslam had spoken of their Father and reached over to grip his brother\u2019s arm \u201cEasy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam knew his brother was right; he could only lose the initiative if he lost his temper and he gave himself a moment by taking a drink of water before answering. \u201cTo take your points in order Mr Haslam, my father does not claim to have been the second settler he was and is the longest permanent resident of\u00a0Nevada. A fact that was publicly acknowledged in\u00a0Carson City\u00a0not so long since when a day honouring his services to the state was held, in an attempt to get him to stand as Governor. Your second point about previous residents is unfortunately all too typical of our Country. My father was the second white man; the Indians had lived in the area for centuries.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam protested \u201cIndian tales aren\u2019t evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge frowned \u201cI\u2019ll let you continue Mr Cartwright but remember folklore and hearsay are not evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you your Honour.\u201d Adam turned back to his Father, \u201cIn those early days what were your relations like with the Indians.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cVery good luckily. They taught me a great deal. In that area there were two tribes, the Washoe and the larger Paiute tribe. In those days white men were still a novelty and in particular white children.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you learn of earlier visits by white men?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was lucky one of the Paiute women had learnt some English from a trapper and she in turn taught me enough Paiute to converse.\u201d Ben looked at his son remembering how much more fluent his young son had been. Adam raised an eyebrow and Ben carried on \u201cOther than that trapper they spoke of one other trapper and an expedition which carried a giant gun. That can only have been\u00a0Fremont\u2019s expedition; the gun is still in\u00a0Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey were the only white visitors prior to 1846?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam bounced up again \u201cObjection this is hearsay.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge nodded \u201cI must up hold the objection Mr Cartwright unless you have direct evidence?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have here an affidavit signed by Chief\u00a0Wahome of the Paiutes in the presence of Lt Everard Wells, aide to General Sheridan, The Chief will attend this court if required but he is an old man and requests that this affidavit is accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge nodded \u201cContinue Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam asked \u201cYou spoke to Wahome personally?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI did, he has always lived on the edge of the Ponderosa and he is now over 70 years old. He remembers the first white trapper to visit them after strange rumours of white men. The man came to his village when Wahome was just turned twenty which would mean in 1825. Noone had ever seen a man like this although during the summer and two years earlier rumours had come of such beings from further south. Rumours that noone had believed as they seemed so strange,\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you suggest that earlier expeditions had reached\u00a0Lake Tahoe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled reminiscently, \u201cI did and was firmly told not to be a fool. Wahome himself would only have been a child but the medicine man Chalco is ten years older and he was very cross at the idea such a thing could have happened without him knowing or that he might have forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said \u201chis affidavit also duly witnessed is here your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He passed a copy to Haslam who threw it down with obvious contempt and then in a very audible aside to Cullen said, \u201cDesperation when they need the tame Indian.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam ignored him \u201cTo the best of your knowledge is there any real evidence to support early explorations of the area round Tahoe, other than that given by Mr Sauvinet?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t find any.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow about evidence for the land grant?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as this writ was served I began to check every repository for deeds in the area with the help of my son Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cExactly what did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe checked court and land office records in\u00a0Reno,\u00a0Virginia\u00a0City,\u00a0Carson City,\u00a0Genoa\u00a0and\u00a0Dayton. All of which have at times been principal towns in\u00a0Nevada. There is no record in any of these places that a land grant has ever been registered anywhere in\u00a0Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam handed over eight different notarized statements of record from the various offices to prove the lack of success in that search. \u201cJust to get it quite clear, not only was this particular grant not on record, but no other Spanish or Mexican grant had ever been registered in Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s correct the records show no attempt had ever been made to register a land grant.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam flipped through his papers but he had made the points that he had needed. \u201cNo more questions, your witness.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat down but he was on edge even though he knew his father could look after himself, he just couldn\u2019t help worrying. Joe whispered \u201cRelax\u00a0Pa\u00a0can cope. I\u2019ll take the note; you got everything into the record.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded and sat back to listen. Haslam was handling the cross-examination. \u201cYou have built up your ranch over a number of years?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust over thirty.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI imagine that it means a lot to you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo you wouldn\u2019t describe yourself as an unbiased witness?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, but neither was Mr Sauvinet.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour Honour will you tell the witness to keep his answers to yes or no.\u201d Haslam requested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMr Cartwright as a witness you must not comment on other witnesses, leave all comment to your lawyer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam went on, \u201cYou have helped the Indians over the years, given them food?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOn occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNegotiated for them?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI would have said negotiated with them. Usually for the Army.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey must feel grateful for your help?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHelp has been mutual over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLike now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand the question.\u201d Ben said straight faced much to his sons\u2019 amusement, all three could read him like a book.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam hid his annoyance with an effort, \u201cThis testimony by….\u201d he ostentatiously checked his notes, \u201cChief Wahome and the eh….medicine man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cChief Wahome and Chalco.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it, the two affidavits signed to be helpful?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shrugged \u201cSigned by two honourable men asked for an account of the past.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMemories of so long ago.\u201d Haslam shook his head sadly, \u201cThese two me, two Indians, what debts do they owe you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI consider we owe the Indians.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow maybe you do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was on his feet \u201cObjection. If Mr Haslam is insinuating that this testimony was improperly obtained let him produce the evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge looked questioningly at Haslam, who quickly said, \u201cI wasn\u2019t implying any wrong doing on the part of Mr Cartwright. Simple wondering if after all his help and care over so many years, two Indians might not have rather selective memories to repay that debt. After all their standards are hardly our standards.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was furious \u201cI\u2019d agree with your last statement. It\u2019s easy to see you know nothing of Indians. To men like Wahome their word is their bond and they would never lie, unlike all too many of the so called civilized whites.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust kill as they are now up in the\u00a0Dakotas.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause as usual the white man has broken his solemn oath to the Indian as soon as it becomes inconvenient to keep it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge intervened \u201cGentlemen keep arguments for outside court. Mr Haslam please withdraw your last comment. Clerk strike it from the record.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam pushed on for more than half an hour, labouring the point that the old men could have faulty memories and an exploring trip might have made little lasting impression but eventually he conceded he wasn\u2019t getting anywhere. \u201cYou said you found no record of the land grant registered in\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s correct.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy should you expect to? If the grant had been registered you could never have bought the land.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI would have expected some local registration somewhere as I understand it that was normal practice.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTrue but in this case, as you have said yourself, there was nowhere in\u00a0Nevada\u00a0at that time where it could be registered. Isn\u2019t that right?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo further questions.\u201d As Adam had no redirect, Ben was released from the stand. Then Adam called Johnny Rey. His testimony was similar to Ben\u2019s a check of all the land offices and court records in\u00a0Northern California\u00a0for local registration. Again he had notarized statements to back up his claim of failure. Adam led him through his journey from\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0to\u00a0San Francisco,\u00a0Monterey,\u00a0San Jos\u00e9\u00a0and the various missions\u00a0Carmel,\u00a0San Luis Obispo\u00a0down to\u00a0Los Angeles. The results were quickly outlined apart from two grants in the Sacramento valley itself, both still held by the original claimants, all other grants had been for land in a strip not more than twenty miles from the coast. Nothing closer to the Sierra Nevada than\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0and nothing at all to the east of the mountains. Adam entered the various statements as exhibits, passing copies to Haslam and Cullen.<\/p>\n The two lawyers were beginning to look very worried and Cullen stood up to cross-examine. \u201cWhat is your relationship to the Cartwrights?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Johnny Rey smiled \u201cI was their lawyer in\u00a0California\u00a0for years before Adam there qualified. I was just about to retire then anyways but when he asked for my help on this I was happy to oblige. Retirement gets a mite boring.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou must have travelled long distances to get all of these.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure did I won\u2019t be sorry to take it easy for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAn impressive feat at your age, in what ten days?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rey laughed, \u201cDon\u2019t be daft noone could have done all that in ten days! Been busy more like ten weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The tension in the courtroom was almost visible at that statement, as all Hearst\u2019s men listened to this blunt proof of how wrong things had gone. Joe looked at his brother, very worried, but Adam smiled faintly \u201cHad to come out sometime today Joe, they aren\u2019t fools.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cullen took a minute to collect his thoughts but his subsequent questioning was perfunctory and Rey was released.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam called Steve Fallon and brought out his job as Deputy US Marshall. He made it clear that as long time friends Steve had volunteered to use his own holiday and check the land registers in the South. Steve gave evidence of his checks in\u00a0San Diego, Santa F\u00e9 and\u00a0El Paso, all without success and yet more notarized documents joined the growing pile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cullen\u2019s questions were very low key although he did point out that as noone had claimed to have registered the claim locally; it wasn\u2019t surprising that no registration was found. He hadn\u2019t even noticed that in the pile of papers Adam had by courtesy given him, there was no copy of the statement for Santa F\u00e9. It had been \u2018inadvertently\u2019 omitted although the court had it and Adam saw Judge Harris reading it with interest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was glad when Steve was released, half expecting the Judge to start premature questioning himself as he was obviously intrigued. At that point the Judge recessed for lunch. Cullen and Haslam both hurried out with Huntingdon\u2019s secretary Keane and the Cartwrights didn\u2019t have to be mind readers to know where they were going. Johnny Rey\u2019s news would be passed to Hearst and Huntingdon at the first opportunity and as Hoss said \u201cThat\u2019s gonna ruffle some feathers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam laughed \u201cHad to come out.\u00a0\u00a0I think on the whole it was a successful morning and I\u2019m hungry.\u201d Jamie promised to stay and look after the papers and Adam joined his family for lunch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In fact news from court was not the first bad news to reach the would-be land grabbers as the Cartwrights learnt over lunch. Will had come back from the ranch although Bill had stayed to keep watch. Their warning hadn\u2019t been needed the security Bill and John had set up was working well and by the time the two men reached the ranch Huntingdon\u2019s men had been captured, all but one. That one had run back to town with his story of disaster, the other three were tied up. Will with two men had brought them into jail and preferred charges. The men were too scared of Huntingdon and weren\u2019t talking; claiming it was just an attempted robbery and for now Will had gone along with that.<\/p>\n For the first time Adam and Joe learnt of the renewed threat and Michelle\u2019s warning but Will was able to reassure them everyone was safe and the guards on high alert. Adam accepted his cousin\u2019s reassurance and with the enemy on the run in court and out he relaxed and enjoyed his lunch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the hotel noone was enjoying food. First came the news of the disastrous attempt on the children leaving three in jail and with everyone alerted the stringent security precautions were unlikely to be penetrated again. Then Haslam arrived with firm news that the Cartwrights had been preparing their defence for ten weeks or more. There had been a leak and Adam\u2019s behaviour must have been an act to fool them. Hearst was furious and threatening mass murder to get the ranch while Grandison wanted nothing more than to break away and go and hide. Only he was as scared of Hearst and Huntingdon as he was of the Cartwrights and the law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huntingdon ignored them both while he went into a consultation with his two lawyers and Keane to try and assess just how damaging this was, what could be salvaged or at the worst how he could walk away without any personal involvement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n None of them even noticed\u00a0Troy\u00a0leave, he was just a hanger on and of no account.\u00a0Troy\u00a0was well aware that Huntingdon and his entourage had that opinion of him; just Hearst\u2019s lackey but\u00a0Troy\u00a0had been fighting the Cartwrights on his own for far longer than any of the others. During that time he\u2019d been bested and humiliated by them once too often, his very freedom donated by them, almost derisively, as though they couldn\u2019t be bothered to have him put away. Over the years he had developed a pathological hatred of Adam, whom he saw as the root cause of all his failures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Along with his hatred was a fear of Adam\u2019s ability, which had led him to bring two killers with him to\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0unsure that Adam was as distracted as he appeared. Now he had been proved right he was going to act, without even discussing it with the others. He was sure they would be grateful when he solved all their problems for them and to\u00a0Troy\u2019s mind only one thing would do that, the elimination of Adam Cartwright.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Troy\u00a0headed out to the small guest house where his men were waiting and gave them their orders. Adam wasn\u2019t to make it back into the courthouse. The two men Tuvey and Clark knew exactly what that entailed and already had a spot picked out, the balcony of a saloon opposite the court house with escape routes out the back of the saloon into back alleys. They had rifles and knew exactly what their target looked like. Between them with one placed at either end of the balcony they should be able to get a clear shot even in a crowd.\u00a0Troy\u00a0ordered them to go ahead now; he didn\u2019t want Adam to reach court that afternoon. The two men headed out eagerly a successful hit was worth $5000 a piece for them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam having finished lunch was running through what he intended to ask with John who was to be his next witness. It was quite a cheerful group who made their way back to the courthouse. Joe had just moved up next to his brother as they reached the steps going up to the court. Behind them Hoss and Jess were still extricating the last details about the morning\u2019s events from Will. Then Ben followed chatting to Sue and Nita while Carole and Laura talked to Johnny Sutherland.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first any of them knew of trouble was the sound of shots as Adam Joe and John moved up the steps. All three went down and there was blood but noone had a chance to see who was hit. Hoss and Jess were the first to react, quickly followed by Will and four of John Chance\u2019s men. Jess had spotted where the shots had come from and the two killers didn\u2019t try any more after the first fusillade as all too accurate shots came at them. Indeed one bullet took Tuvey in the leg and as he hobbled away he was leaving a blood trail.\u00a0Clark\u00a0didn\u2019t care as he ran, whatever the payoff he wouldn\u2019t have got involved if he had realised what a hornet\u2019s nest he would start.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben had reacted swiftly pulling the girls into cover round the corner with Johnny\u2019s help but not before he\u2019d seen blood. Someone was shot and he could only pray that it wasn\u2019t one of his sons and that whoever it was the wound wasn\u2019t serious. For now he had his gun out to protect his daughters and could only wait until it was safe to go and find out with fear like an ice cold grip around his heart.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole was almost sure she had seen Adam hit and was fighting for control, he had gone through so much to protect his family and his ranch. She couldn\u2019t bear to think that now he was close to winning he would pay again, maybe with his life. Nita wasn\u2019t much better scared for her own husband and for the man they both loved. Ben did his best to reassure the girls that noone was dead or he\u2019d know, it might not be as bad as it looked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess had led John Chance\u2019s men across the street in pursuit of the killer. He found the blood trail but let the others go on the hunt with the sheriff who had just arrived. From the balcony he yelled that it was safe and then ran back over as eager as anyone to discover just who was hurt and how badly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss had gone to his brothers as soon as the shooting stopped, leaving others to take up the chase. He found Joe just pulling himself to his feet, holding his right arm which was bleeding quite badly but almost oblivious of it in his concern for his eldest brother. The gunmen had been accurate and had hit their principle target twice. Adam was lying face down with two ominous bloodstains growing, one on his right shoulder blade and the other on his left side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John stunned by the sudden attack and a little dazed where Adam had knocked him down as he fell was otherwise unhurt and doing his best to stem the flow of blood. Hoss didn\u2019t know how many men were out to get his brother and having checked Adam\u2019s pulse which was fairly strong he very gently lifted him up. \u201cLet\u2019s get inside Joe, ain\u2019t safe out here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss pushed his way in through crowds, who safe inside were trying to see what they were missing, and went through to the Judge\u2019s chambers at the back of the court. Noone was there and he barricaded the door. \u201cJohn can you get a pad on Joe\u2019s arm, stop that bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While John did that Hoss carefully cut away his elder brother\u2019s coat and shirt to reveal two ugly wounds. One along his side was a mess but at least the bullet was out and although painful and weakening with the loss of blood Hoss was fairly confident it had done no real <\/p>\n Adam had been stunned by the fall as much as anything and as Hoss padded his wound he slowly came round \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss held him still, giving him a little brandy from the Judge\u2019s decanter \u201cEasy Adam don\u2019t try and talk you\u2019re gonna be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe? John?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe moved over close to him \u201cRight here Adam we\u2019re fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s gaze fell on Joe\u2019s roughly bandaged right arm and Joe forced a grin \u201cNot serious, rest easy we\u2019ll get a Doc in just a minute.\u201d He turned away not wanting Adam to read the fear on his face and then to his relief he heard his father\u2019s voice calling for them and hammering on the door. Plenty of people in the court were all too willing to tell Ben where his sons were, with lots of gory details.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John went and opened the door and Ben came over swiftly to kneel by Adam, the question obvious on his face as he glanced at his big son. Hoss said briefly \u201cHe\u2019s taken two bullets Pa, ones made a mess of his side, but not too deep, messy and sore but superficial, the other is in by his shoulder blade, bullet still in.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded \u201cJohnny has gone for the Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe men who did this?\u201d Joe asked<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know the Sheriff and some of John\u2019s men are after them, they don\u2019t matter. Hired killers, it\u2019s the men who hired them that I want.\u201d Ben said, sounding ice cold, old testament.<\/p>\n Adam had noticed his wife and took her hand, \u201cEasy love nothing serious.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole fought for control and Hoss put his arm round her leaving his efficient wife to maintain the pressure and stop the bleeding. Nita had gone to Joe who was trying without much success to convince her that he was fine. As he was very pale both from loss of blood and the shock of the wound to say nothing of worry about Adam, it wasn\u2019t very easy. Ben went over to his youngest son \u201cHow bad is it Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBullet went straight through, bone not touched, my arm still works and it\u2019s even my right arm, no problem.\u201d He dropped his voice, \u201cIt was Adam they were after and the bastards got him. Where the hell\u2019s that Doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Doctor and the Judge arrived at the same time but noone was worrying about apologies for using the Judge\u2019s room, only interested in the Doctor. In fact it was Adam who raised his head slightly \u201cI\u2019m sorry Judge Harris. It was an emergency; we\u2019ll be out of your way as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTake it easy Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI may be a little late in court.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe will recess until the Doctor has had a chance to see to you. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d The Judge nodded to the others and backed out, this case was the strangest he had ever heard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Doctor had no intention of examining patients with so many people around and he firmly threw everyone out apart from his two patients and Sue as she was a nurse. He allowed Carole and Nita to stay over in the corner as wives and when Adam asked let Ben and Hoss stay to look after the two wives, as long as they stayed out of the way in the corner.<\/p>\n Doc had Sue remove the pressure pads in Adam\u2019s side and tut-tutted as he inspected the torn flesh and splintered bone. \u201cMessy but not too serious, pad that again for now, it can wait.\u201d<\/p>\n Sue did so and then Doc had a look at the second wound. \u201cBullets still in. I don\u2019t want to move him just in case. Here will do as well as anywhere. I\u2019ve got my things and I assume you can administer chloroform?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo one\u2019s putting me out!\u201d Adam protested but the Doc virtually ignored him as he washed his instruments in disinfectant. \u201cI\u2019m not probing in there with a conscious patient threshing around, probably kill you.\u201d Doc passed the chloroform and the mask to Sue, \u201cPut him under.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue knelt down \u201cPlease Adam don\u2019t fight it, let Doc patch you up, he knows what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe land grant?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt can wait.\u201d Ben said firmly \u201cNo nonsense Adam, your health comes first.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam submitted unwillingly and within a couple of minutes he was deeply unconscious. Sue passed the cap over to her husband sure that he could cope and moved to help Doc as he probed for the bullet. The bullet had entered at an angle which had probably saved Adam\u2019s life. It had scraped along the shoulder blade ending up wedged in muscle. The Doc kept up a running commentary as he worked \u201cGone a long way this one, good thing it was heading down, miracle the bone ain\u2019t broken. Ah there it is I can see it.\u201d That was said triumphantly followed by a caustic order to Sue to keep the blood sponged away so he could get at it. While she did so he spared a moment for the anxious bystanders, \u201cNot as close to the spine as I feared. He was lucky. Looks tough, he should make it.\u201d Then he again bent to his task, but for the next five minutes he ignored the women and filled the room with some very colourful swearing as the bullet was firmly wedged in muscle. Sue fought hard to keep his view clear, very worried by the amount of blood Adam was losing and Carole buried her head on her father-in-law\u2019s shoulder, unable to watch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It seemed to take forever before with a triumphant \u201cGot you.\u201d the Doc threw the bullet into the waiting basin. He spent ten minutes patching up the damage as best he could before sowing up the wound and then turning his attention to the mess the other bullet had made. As he began scraping the tiny splinters of bone from Adam\u2019s rib the noise seemed to go right through Carole and she became so white that Ben was scared she would faint. He forced her to put her head down between her knees and Joe poured another healthy slug of the Judge\u2019s brandy and slowly Ben forced her to drink it. Carole sat up a little straighter but she could only cling to Ben and pray.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eventually Doc told Hoss to remove the cap, Adam would remain under long enough for the final tidying up and in fact he was tying the bandage off when Adam first showed signs of coming round. He moaned slightly and Carole swiftly moved over to kneel by him \u201cDon\u2019t try and talk darling, everything is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doc stood back, \u201cVery lucky. He\u2019ll be fine, needs a couple of weeks in bed, couple of months convalescence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben thanked him for his efforts and asked him to see to Joe\u2019s arm. While Ben and Sue helped the Doc to see to Joe Hoss kept his arm round Nita although much of his attention was on his eldest brother. Adam\u2019s eye had flickered open but for the moment he could barely focus and was content to feel his wife\u2019s hand on his, and hear her reassuring words as she promised him everything would be fine. He was slowly getting a grip on himself and remembering what the situation was.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gradually he became aware that Doc was working on his youngest brother and he moved too fast as he heard the sharp indrawn breath as Doc cleaned Joe\u2019s arm. Joe had flatly refused to be put out, it was only a straight forward through and through. Ben held his son\u2019s arm still while Sue passed Doc what he needed. Nita bit her lip as she watched, all too aware that however much Joe tried to hide it, he was in considerable pain. She was grateful for Hoss\u2019 warm strength and Doc was working quickly. Having cleaned the wound, he sealed off the damaged blood vessels and did what he could for the muscles before sowing up and bandaging the wound. To Joe\u2019s indignation he then produced a sling and said that Joe was to use it for at least the next three days. Ben said \u201cHe\u2019ll wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having finished with Joe, Doc went back to his more seriously hurt patient, \u201cI see you\u2019re back with us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Doc, feels much better.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLiar. I\u2019m sure that both your back and your side feel as though they are on fire. You will feel better in about a week. Rest for now and then let your brother carry you to bed. He looks big enough to cope.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss grinned, \u201cSure can.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben moved forward and asked \u201cWhat do you advise Doc? We\u2019ve been staying out of town, but I imagine the journey will be too much for him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCertainly is. The furthest he goes is from here to bed and then stay put for at least two weeks. By some miracle he seems to be pulling out of the shock of the operation but it wouldn\u2019t take much for him to slip back into shock.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll make sure.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet me know where you are staying and I\u2019ll come and check him over later this afternoon, just to be on the safe side.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded, \u201cLet me have your bill as well and many thanks for coming so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam waited until the Doctor had gone; knowing full well that what he was planning was going to cause trouble. He had firm control of himself now and he knew that he could cope, but his first problem was to convince his family. Slowly he tried to sit up and Hoss was quick to come over and hold him still \u201cJust rest Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHelp me sit up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben protested \u201cYou need to stay still.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sitting up.\u201d Adam said and Hoss gave a sigh, knowing his brother\u2019s sheer obstinacy, he very carefully helped Adam to sit and then stayed close to support his brother. Adam took a moment to get control and Carole gently wiped his face. He forced a smile \u201cI\u2019m alright darling. Joe how\u2019s your arm?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cClean hole, it\u2019ll soon heal, just this daft sling.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJamie will have to take notes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head and then straightened his shoulders, \u201cRest for a few minutes, we\u2019ll find somewhere safe and comfortable and we\u2019ll tie it up so tight that noone will get close, I promise you will be able to recover in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa I\u2019m fine, not serious. Just need some coffee, throw off the last effects of this damned chloroform.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole stared at him in horror as she realised before anyone else what he was planning, \u201cAdam you can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam ignored everyone and the pain in his back and reached for her hand, \u201cDarling you know better than anyone what this has cost. I won\u2019t let them win now, I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss and Joe met each other\u2019s eye, resignation and worry so clear, both knew their elder brother. Hoss said \u201cYou have to go to bed Adam.\u201d but his voice acknowledged that it was an argument he wasn\u2019t about to win.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben realised what his sons and Carole believed and he gently took Adam\u2019s hand \u201cWe all know just how much you have put into this Son but I won\u2019t let you risk your life. You heard Doc at least two weeks in bed. You\u2019re very lucky to have pulled out of shock but you must rest or you\u2019ll slip into it yet.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not aiming to do anything strenuous\u00a0Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou intend continuing with the case?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam you have been worn out by the strains over the last few days even while you were fit. You can\u2019t cope.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa I can, I\u2019ve put too much into this I have to keep going. I\u2019m winning now you know I am. If we give them two, three weeks maybe they\u2019ll find a way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was breathing harshly and Ben said \u201cI do understand why you want to Adam but even talking this much and you\u2019re exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa I can cope. I can\u2019t rest with this case, two days at most and we\u2019ll be …. \u201cAdam looked up pleadingly \u201cI have to do this, I\u2019m not a child and if necessary I\u2019ll do it alone but it would be easier with your help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben frowned, torn in two, knowing his son\u2019s innate strength, but worried by what the Doc had said. Carole kissed her husband feeling the fever in him and although all she wanted was to persuade him to rest she found strength from the same source that allowed her to support his charade, \u201cPa it has to be Adam\u2019s decision.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at his younger sons. Hoss just shrugged and Joe, although looking very worried, said, \u201cYou know we won\u2019t change his mind when he looks like that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben turned to Sue, \u201cYou\u2019re the nurse, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen Adam do things too often which would kill most men. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll cope and we must all help to make it as easy as possible.\u201d Adam smiled at Sue with very genuine affection and gratitude that she had, as so often in the past, given him her support.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head \u201cI don\u2019t like it. You\u2019re a little feverish now, overdo it and it\u2019ll be far worse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll stay in town Pa and I\u2019m only going to be sitting in court. If I do get worse you\u2019ll be there and you can step in.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed \u201cAlright have it your own way as usual, but on three conditions. First you rest for a while now. It\u2019ll take time for the Judge to organize things to be ready to go on. Second I take over from Joe taking the note, he isn\u2019t fit to do it anyway and Jamie will be a witness. Thirdly Sue moves in immediately behind us and if she feels the necessity I will ask for a continuance.\u201d He looked round to see Sue and Joe nodding in agreement, what Ben was suggesting was sensible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam accepted that having basically got his own way. He relaxed back against his big brother knowing he needed a few minutes rest despite his brave words. Carole brought him some coffee and Sue said \u201cIf you\u2019re determined to stay on your feet let me get you a sling, support your right arm.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t hurt my arm.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo but you do have badly damaged shoulder muscles and your arm will inevitable put a strain on them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grinned \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to this sling Adam.\u201d The tension eased a little as everyone grinned all well aware of the dislike the brothers shared for any visible sign of weakness such as slings. Sue brusquely told Joe to sit down; he needed his bed near as much as his brother and then fixed a sling for Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had to admit it did feel easier with the support but Sue shook her head doubtfully. He was still as white as a sheet, even to his lips and she knew just how much blood he had lost and the pain he\u2019d undergone. She couldn\u2019t help wondering if she was right to sanction this move, knowing she would find it very hard to forgive herself if he pushed so hard he ended up in shock. Hoss saw her worry and gently squeezed her hand, \u201cRelax darling. In this mood noone could stop him whatever we said.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben straightened up \u201cRest easy Son I\u2019ll go and find the Judge get things set up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe said \u201cI\u2019ll come with you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben frowned \u201cYou ought to rest Joseph, just as much as your brother. You lost a lot of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa we have a lot of good friends out there. They know Adam is alive but they must be anxious just how bad he is. I just want to go and fill them in.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nita took her husband\u2019s good arm \u201cJoe\u2019s right\u00a0Pa.\u00a0I\u2019ll see he doesn\u2019t over do it but Will and Jess and the others must be worried sick.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled \u201cYou\u2019re right of course, come on then you two. We\u2019ll leave Hoss and Sue to look after Adam, and Carole to keep them all in order.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben couldn\u2019t help worrying about his sons, although he knew their strength but he had a job to do and went in search of the Judge. Joe and Nita joined Jess, Will and the others who were sitting with Jamie waiting for news. Will had spoken to the Doctor when he emerged and learnt the basic facts and that the bullets were all out wounds cleaned and bandaged and his cousins recovering. Adam resting for now until he was well enough to be moved to a bed. Jess was the first to notice Joe approaching and he hurried over \u201cCome and sit down, are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine just a clean wound.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe smiled \u201cTake it easy Jess he\u2019ll be fine too.\u201d He didn\u2019t go into any more detail until the whole party had gathered, Then he told them exactly how bad the wounds were but reassured them that with everything cleaned up Adam was already looking better. He went on \u201cAdam will need to stay in town for the moment, that journey would be too much for him just now. John can you recommend somewhere where he can be comfortable and safe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure I\u2019ll go and arrange it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHold on John it\u2019s not quite that simple. If you can tell Will, maybe he can arrange it.\u201d That was met by very suspicious looks; something in Joe\u2019s whole attitude gave them all cause to think. Will knew his young cousin very well and he frowned, \u201cJust what does that mean Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe need John here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess came to his feet in instinctive protest as he realised what Joe was avoiding saying, \u201cHe can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slowly the others began to guess what Jess was suggesting. John Chance said \u201cYou can\u2019t be serious Joe you\u2019re not carrying on with the case today?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have the choice John.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou can get a recess or whatever it\u2019s called for a couple of weeks. Who is going to take over, you\u2019re not qualified or is it Rey?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess spoke up almost bitterly \u201cDon\u2019t be silly John, noone is taking over. Adam\u2019s carrying on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Johnny protested \u201cHe can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess stared at Joe, \u201cBut he is, isn\u2019t he Joe? This case means too much to him to let anyone else handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJess is right.\u201d Joe said mildly \u201cAnd before you start lecturing me Jess, we all did our best to persuade him to rest but when he is in his stubborn mood we can\u2019t stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Johnny stared in amazement \u201cAre you trying to tell me he intends carrying on this afternoon as though nothing has happened?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa has gone to see Judge Harris to arrange it.\u201d Joe met Jess\u2019 eye \u201cWe can\u2019t stop him so the best we can do is to help him as much as possible. He won\u2019t really rest to recover until he has finished this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess smiled, he knew his friend very well, better since this started than he ever had before. He was fond of Joe too and could see he was more badly hurt than he was pretending. \u201cI do understand Joe. Over these last few weeks I\u2019ve finally come to realise just how stubborn that brother of your\u2019s is. I\u2019ll help Will arrange a safe bed for both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was very grateful for Jess\u2019 support and Jess stopped the others fussing at Joe, sure he wasn\u2019t really well enough. He headed out with Will, once John had made a couple of suggestions, wanting to know if the would be killers had been found. The two men headed over to the sheriff\u2019s office first and found that one man was in custody. At the moment he wasn\u2019t talking, scared of both his employer and his partner. The man Tuvey had had the bullet removed from his leg and he was in no position to deny his attempt on Adam\u2019s life. His answer was to say nothing at all and like the others Jess and Will failed to make any impression on him. Eventually they gave up and joined the sheriff, Will asked \u201cThere was another man, any sign of him?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you can describe him for me?\u201d The sheriff asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will shook his head \u201cNot really I only saw his back view running away, about 5\u2019 10\u2019\u2019, dark hair, thin.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFair enough. It actually fits well. We have found this one\u2019s room at one of the guest houses, he shared with another man. The other one\u2019s description fits with yours. They had a visitor immediately before leaving to ambush your sons and I reckon he\u2019s involved too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d Will asked but the sheriff shook his head, \u201cI have a name but I think I\u2019ll keep it to myself until I\u2019ve talked to him. Don\u2019t want anyone going off half-cocked.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will considered pushing but decided it would be a waste of time and at least the sheriff was doing his job and from his standpoint it must look like a risk that the Cartwright party would try for revenge outside the law. Instead of pushing he thanked the sheriff for moving so fast and promised on behalf of his Uncle any assistance that the sheriff could require, within the law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then reasonably satisfied that not only the gunman but his employer would answer for their attempted murder the two men went off to arrange beds for several people for that night and the next couple. Adam obviously couldn\u2019t travel and they assumed his father and brothers would stay with him. Jess and Will intended staying too and planned to keep John\u2019s men for protection. John had already told them that he would return to his ranch and take the girls; sure Adam would be easier in his mind if he knew they and the children were safe. They made all the arrangements and then headed back to the court. As they passed a saloon Will said, \u201cI don\u2019t know about you Jess but I could sure use a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou might be right; it\u2019s been one hell of a day.\u201d They went into the bar and Will got two whiskies. Jess sipped his \u201cHow much longer do you reckon this case will go?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will shrugged \u201cNot sure but I think Adam was expecting to finish tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hope it does, he ain\u2019t gonna rest until its over.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll cope, he\u2019s strong. You know he\u2019s done it before.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know but he\u2019s already been under a hell of a strain, worn out by all that has happened these last weeks. I just hope he don\u2019t push himself too far.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will smiled, \u201cEasy Jess, Adam knows how far he can push himself. Don\u2019t worry too much.\u201d<\/p>\n The two men finished their drinks and headed back to court where things were gradually coming back into order. The Judge had settled in the clerk\u2019s room as the Cartwright were using his room and he was surprised to hear Ben\u2019s request for the trial to continue that day<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a new lawyer?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo your Honour, my son will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs he fit enough?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll cope or we\u2019ll get a replacement, either way we want to continue with this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat is your right Mr Cartwright. In fact as far as the Court is concerned, it will make things easier but I don\u2019t want your son to make himself worse just for the convenience of the Court.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy son wants this case finished. He has put a great deal of time and effort into it, more than I could explain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge agreed to convene the court at three o\u2019clock and word was sent to the claimant\u2019s lawyers to tell them. The two men were still in the hotel with Huntingdon, his secretary Keane and Hearst. They had been discussing the morning events and the attack on Adam. Huntingdon had been furious about the attack; it was dangerous anyway and didn\u2019t even have the virtue of being successful. At the moment they weren\u2019t entirely sure who had been responsible but with\u00a0Troy\u00a0missing, they could make a shrewd guess. Huntingdon had Keane go and find one of his men Collins and give him the job of bringing\u00a0Troy\u00a0in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two lawyers headed over to the court surprised at the news of the case\u2019s continuation that day and they assumed that someone else was taking over. Haslam suggested that Johnny Rey might well take over, the kid James Hunter was far too inexperienced. Either way it would be a much easier job than handling Adam and, although paying lip service to condemnation of the attack, both were relieved and felt their chances of winning the case were greatly enhanced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slowly the court began to settle down and Adam went back to his elder sons. \u201cWe can still delay it Adam, just for a day or so. You only have to say the word; you lost too much blood and have undergone an operation. You ought to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa you know how I feel.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes Son but any time you can\u2019t go on just say.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStop worrying, nothing important touched. I was lucky only superficial.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben met Hoss\u2019 eye at that, they had both seen the wounds and heard Doc\u2019s concern, but there seemed little point in saying anything. The positions of the wounds made it virtually impossible for Hoss to give his brother any real support. He could only let Adam make his own way towards the courtroom, just leaning a little of his weight on his brother\u2019s arm to steady himself. Will had collected a new coat and shirt for his cousin and Sue had helped him dress. Despite all her care she couldn\u2019t help hurting him at least partially because of Adam\u2019s insistence that he was wearing them properly, placing his right arm into the sleeves, even if conceding that Sue was right a sling did help. In comparison to getting dressed Adam found the short walk into court easy.<\/p>\n As he walked into the courtroom Adam gave up even the limited support Hoss had been able to give him and with his head high and his back straight, he made his way to the chair next to his Father. He hid the way he felt and the pain he was in with considerable difficulty but he was determined not to show Cullen and Haslam how badly he was hurt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They were amazed to see him at all but all his efforts couldn\u2019t disguise his extreme pallor heightened by an unhealthy feverish blush on his cheekbones, nor the sling that he was wearing. If they still had to face Adam at least it seemed it was a weakened man against them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was a considerable buzz of talk from all the spectators in court. Many of them had seen Adam carried through earlier bloody and unconscious. The last thing they had expected was to see him on his feet again that day. The clerk of the court had grave difficulty in obtaining silence but eventually he got some approximation of it and Judge Harris took his seat. Haslam was on his feet as soon as the court was convened, \u201cOn behalf of my colleague and my clients I would like to express our outrage at what has occurred and our profound hope that Mr Cartwright and his brother will recover rapidly. I hope that it is not necessary to say that we have no connection at all with what has occurred. I would also like to offer the unconditional assistance of the claimant in any way that helps Mr Cartwright to complete his case, such as a continuance until he recovers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam sat down and Adam started to force himself to his feet but the Judge intervened. \u201cUnder the circumstances Mr Cartwright it will be perfectly acceptable for you to address the court from your seat.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam accepted that condition gratefully, it was very painful to get up and he knew he was already taxing his strength to the limit, however cogent the arguments he had used for his Father. \u201cThank you your Honour.\u201d He sank back down into his seat, biting his lip momentarily as the pain knifed through his back. Ben watched him in growing concern but Adam was in control and he had promised his son full support. Adam forced a smile as he acknowledged Haslam\u2019s comment. \u201cI am grateful for Mr Haslam\u2019s sympathy and offer of help. I accept that Mr Sauvinet was in no way involved in what occurred and hope that the Court can forget about the unfortunate incident. I hope that I will not have to inconvenience the Court in anyway. Thankfully the injuries my brother and I received were only superficial.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben met his youngest son\u2019s indignant gaze and murmured \u201cWhat did you expect Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile Adam was returning to the job in hand and he called John Chance to the stand. He took advantage of the Judge\u2019s concession to remain seated as he questioned John. He might need to get up if he was making an objection but it would be more effective then, apart from his need to conserve his strength. Once John was sworn in Joe passed over the notes Adam had made earlier covering the main points and the evidence he needed to introduce to back John\u2019s testimony. For a moment as he looked at the page he found the words blurring and he couldn\u2019t focus. The whole room felt as though it was swaying and he had the alarming feeling that he was going to faint. He swallowed hard, if he fainted now at the beginning there was no way his family would let him continue and a two week break might give the opposition time to plug the holes in their case. By sheer effort of will Adam got control and gratefully accepted the weak brandy and water his Father passed him. Ben couldn\u2019t hide his growing concern, he hadn\u2019t missed just how close Adam had been to passing out and they\u2019d only been in court a few minutes. He murmured \u201cLet Jamie take John through the preliminaries.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Adam forced himself to sit up and took John thorough their relationship and the reason for John\u2019s involvement. He went on \u201cAt my request you went to\u00a0Washington?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you explain to the Court exactly what you did in\u00a0Washington?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI had two main jobs. Firstly to see the Chief Justice Wendell Holmes and to ask for his assistance in checking the law involved in land grants and secondly to check the main register of land grants in\u00a0Washington.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you find in the register?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere are no grants in the area north of the Arkansas River or East of the\u00a0Sierra Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded to Jamie who took the notarized documents forward to be marked as defence exhibits. Then he went on \u201cTo be perfectly clear there were no land grants on register for\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, none at all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHad\u00a0Nevada\u00a0complied with requests from the Federal Government for a search for such grants?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes on two separate occasions, firstly in the early 1850\u2019s when still part of\u00a0Utah\u00a0territory and again in 1866 after Statehood as an individual state,\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said \u201cYour Honour copies of the two returns are with the notarized document just passed forward.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge found the documents and nodded while Jamie passed copies to Haslam. Adam went on \u201cDid you discuss these findings with the Chief Justice?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould you tell the court what he had to say?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam got to his feet \u201cObjection this is hearsay.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said \u201cI have here an affidavit from the Chief Justice covering the points made in this conversation but for the convenience of the Court verbal testimony of the conversation might help to make matters clearer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge nodded \u201cOverruled, continue Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam repeated the question and John said \u201cThe Chief Justice felt that in the absence of any prior registration of any grant within the area and no evidence of Spanish of Mexican exploration of the area that the validity of the grant must be questionable ….\u201d<\/p>\n Haslam was up again \u201cI must object your Honour. However eminent Chief Justice Holmes is as a lawyer his opinion on such matters in the absence of all the facts has no place in a court of law.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cObjection sustained. Personal opinions even of eminent jurists have no weight in law.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said \u201cYour Honour if the witness could be allowed to complete his testimony I believe you will see that we are not claiming any undue weight for Chief Justice Holmes\u2019 opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge frowned, normally he would have asked both council to approach the bench but he wasn\u2019t at all sure Adam was physically capable of so doing. Adam made a shrewd guess as to the Judge\u2019s predicament and to the surprise of his family he levered himself a little unsteadily to his feet. The Judge noticed and with a wry smile at being so well read, said \u201cWill council approach the bench.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam moved slowly but without obvious difficulty and Haslam joined him.\u00a0\u00a0The Judge asked \u201cJust what do you expect this witness to say Mr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOnly what\u2019s in the affidavit. Chief Justice Holmes went on to warn us that the records were far from complete and absence of an entry in the central record was not prime facie evidence against the existence of a grant. He emphasized the law and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo by which the\u00a0United States\u00a0promised to uphold grants duly given and registered either by\u00a0Spain\u00a0or\u00a0Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam was frowning by the time Adam finished speaking, if Adam was being accurate the testimony was more helpful to the claimant than the defence. The Judge said \u201cThat seems in order to me Mr Haslam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes your Honour, I withdraw the objection.\u201d Haslam returned to his seat very puzzled wondering what Adam hoped to gain from such testimony. Adam returned to his seat more slowly and Ben able to see his growing weakness, ignored protocol, moved out to help him back to his seat as gently as possible. He could feel the increased fever in his son and would have given a great deal to call if off now but he had given Adam his word.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam ignored his father and turned back to John, \u201cWill you please continue.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell as I said Chief Justice Holmes thought the grant questionable but he pointed out that by the treaties signed with\u00a0Mexico\u00a0when the\u00a0United States\u00a0took over the area involved, prior land grants were to be honoured as long as they were properly registered in\u00a0Mexico\u00a0or for the earlier ones in\u00a0Spain. He said that\u00a0Mexico\u00a0had by treaty to honour ones the Spanish had granted when it got independence and the\u00a0United States\u00a0took over that duty.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTo be quite clear there was no requirement for local registration?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo although in most cases they were registered, had to be if the land was made use of.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere was no time limit on the claims?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe sole requirement was proof of original registration in\u00a0Spain\u00a0or in\u00a0Mexico?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat was the position as I understood it from Chief Justice Holmes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid either the Chief Justice or the land registry have knowledge of cases where no notification of local registration was found by the State and yet subsequent claims were upheld?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTwo cases we could find. One in\u00a0Texas\u00a0where the land office locally had burnt down during the Texas War for\u00a0Independence. The other was in\u00a0San Diego\u00a0where no local registration had been found.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam asked \u201cDo you know the exact area involved in the\u00a0San Diego\u00a0case?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam signalled Jamie to take forward one of the documents earlier entered by the defence, \u201cWill you examine the notarized copy of the register at the Carmel Mission in\u00a0Monterey. I draw your attention to an entry made in 1823.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John knew exactly what it said but he waited as Adam had told him while the Judge and Haslam searched through their copies. Once both men had apparently found the relevant section John said \u201cThe area in this grant is the same and in the same name as the\u00a0San Diego\u00a0case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo for the two cases successfully brought where there was no apparent local registration, one there had been registration, but the whereabouts had not been remembered or found. In the other local registration may have taken place and been destroyed by fire.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s correct.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo more questions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam got to his feet, still a little worried as to why Adam had called John but determined to use him to hammer home his own points. Adam was on edge as he listened hoping Haslam would take up the invitation he had offered. Almost with his first question it was obvious that Haslam intended doing so and Adam relaxed a little and whispered \u201cPa can I have a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben passed him a weak brandy and water which Adam sipped gratefully, trying to ignore the tendency of the voices to boom at him and then fade as he concentrated on the words. Joe said anxiously \u201cPa he shouldn\u2019t have alcohol he\u2019s running quite a fever.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben felt Joe\u2019s wrist \u201cSo are you Son. Just take it easy only another hour at most and we\u2019ll get you both to bed. Until then a mild stimulus might help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe could only accept and try to concentrate on what was happening. His Father and Jamie were both taking notes and it was all fairly non-controversial as Haslam kept on about the legal requirements being fulfilled by the registration in\u00a0Spain\u00a0already in evidence. Joe knew that was what Adam wanted, then the removal of that lynchpin by defence evidence should make the case for fraud so much easier to prove. John wasn\u2019t in any need of assistance and Joe relaxed. He was all too aware of his arm which was on fire and he was feeling weak and ill even if he wouldn\u2019t admit it to anyone else. Joe could only marvel that his older brother was keeping going with much heavier responsibility on his shoulders and far worse injuries.<\/p>\n Adam was content to let Haslam hammer away at the point that no local registration was required and the legal requirements had been satisfied. Eventually Haslam was satisfied and as Adam had no more questions John was released from the stand. The Judge considered his watch \u201cMr Cartwright will your next witness be a long time on the stand?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA fair time your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen I think we will recess until 9 a.m. tomorrow. I would like to finish hearing testimony tomorrow if possible with an early start.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both sides nodded and the Judge said \u201cWith one proviso I shall sympathetically consider any application for continuance if Mr Cartwright is not fit enough to continue.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be here.\u201d Adam said with emphasis, more for his own family than for the Judge. The Judge took all his papers and headed for his own room, finally vacated by the Cartwrights. Adam made no attempt to move as the rest of the court slowly began to empty. Ben turned to his nephew \u201cHave you arranged rooms?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes. We\u2019ve taken over a complete guesthouse, only about 200 yards away. Paid for the three guests to go to a hotel. Room enough for you four and Jess and I, plus four of John\u2019s men for protection. The sheriff already knows about it and he and his men will keep an eye on it too. Easy to protect, it\u2019s not overlooked, no balconies or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFine. Thanks Will, give it five minutes for people to clear and then we\u2019ll get him over there, both he and Joe need their beds.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow about the girls?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben went over to Carole who was bending over Adam, \u201cTake it easy he\u2019ll cope.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know Pa but…..\u201d Ben put his arm round her knowing she hated Adam being hurt just as much as he did. \u201cWhat do you want to do Carole? Will has arranged rooms close by for us and I\u2019ll get Adam to bed in a just a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole frowned, unsure what to do, hating to leave her husband but knowing that there was very little she could do to help him, he really needed to sleep. While at the strange ranch the children might pick up something from the adults and get worried or upset especially in the absence of both parents. She was torn, hating equally leaving Adam and not being with her children. Ben wasn\u2019t aware that Adam was even listening; his son appeared to be virtually out. Adam felt as though everything was happening a long way away but he had heard every word and seeing the worry and confusion on Carole\u2019s face, he forced himself to sit up a little straighter and reached out for her hand. \u201cI\u2019m alright my love, just very tired. I\u2019ll sleep like a log and Pa can get me anything I need. You let the Johns take you to the ranch, the kids will be worried if none of us come.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe moved forward \u201cAdam\u2019s right Carole. Nita is going too, the kids need you. Sue will stay in town; trust you two to look after Johnny. She can change any dressings that are needed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole accepted that \u201cAlright but only on condition John brings us back very early in the morning before court resumes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam held her hand tightly \u201cPlease don\u2019t worry I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure you will my love, sleep well.\u201d She turned away but not before Adam saw the sheen of tears in her eyes as she had to leave him so weak and ill. Adam called to Laura and she came over and kissed his forehead, alarmed at the high fever. \u201cDon\u2019t worry Adam I\u2019ll look after Carole for you, stop her fretting and you get a good night\u2019s sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMind reader.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She smiled \u201cI\u2019ve known you a long time. Come on we\u2019ll see you settled first and then we\u2019ll go back to the children.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss came over \u201cThe crowds have gone Pa, time to make a move.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed, knowing the distance involved wasn\u2019t great but still too far for a weak injured man. The position of the wounds made it very hard to give Adam adequate support and Ben suggested \u201cWe need a stretcher.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa I am not going out of here on a stretcher!\u201d Adam protested, indignation giving his voice more power than it had had all afternoon. \u201cIf Jess will give me support I can walk.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess came forward, shorter than Ben or Hoss; he could support Adam without straining the injured shoulder muscles. Hoss moved up close the other side for protection and ready to steady his brother if needed. Will moved in close to his youngest cousin, unsure that Joe was very much better off than his brother. Ben and John went ahead to clear a passage and the rest of the party moved in close to ensure that nobody could get at Adam or Joe, either intentionally or accidentally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess took as much of Adam\u2019s weight as he could, alarmed by the fever he could feel. He let Adam make his own pace, thankful that Hoss was there if he was needed. For the first few minutes Adam coped fairly well but then his strength seemed to ebb and the whole scene floated round him. He felt hot and dizzy, the sky tending to go black. Jess felt his increased weakness and began murmuring reassuringly to his friend encouraging him to keep going. It brought back vivid memories of that terrible night after the forest fire when he had to persuade Adam to walk to cover. Hoss let Jess cajole Adam a little further and then as Adam\u2019s head slumped forward down onto his chest, he moved swiftly to steady his brother. \u201cLet me have him Jess.\u201d He very gently picked Adam up with great care for his injuries. Hoss needed every ounce of his huge strength to carry Adam along the street to the small guesthouse. Will was supporting Joe by the time they reached the guesthouse and ignoring Joe\u2019s protests, he followed Hoss\u2019 example and lifting Joe up carried him upstairs to the large bedroom where Hoss was gently depositing his unconscious burden on the bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole very worried knelt down by him but Ben gripped her shoulder, \u201cEasy Carole he\u2019s just overdone it, needs to rest. He will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know\u00a0Pa.\u201d She began very carefully to ease off his clothes with Hoss help and had him tucked up in bed before Adam began to stir. At least he hadn\u2019t broken open his wounds; there was no fresh blood on the bandages.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile Ben and Nita bullied Joe into the other bed in the room, totally ignoring his protests that he didn\u2019t need to go to bed and was quite well enough to go for food in the normal way. His protest didn\u2019t even really convince himself and he was glad to be able to relax in the bed. He was less concerned about himself than his brother and was glad when Ben asked John to go and ask the Doctor to come and check Adam over.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then as Adam stirred Ben sat down by his son and gave him a drink of water. \u201cJust rest Adam, no need to do anything but sleep for the next few hours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry\u00a0Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNothing to be sorry about, you did very well to cope in court. Just rest now. Do you want anything to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo. Just thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould you manage some milk?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded and Will got to his feet \u201cI\u2019ll go and arrange for some.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John came over \u201cI\u2019ll take the girls home. I give you my word Adam they and your children will be safe and well, see you in the morning. You rest and I hope you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Carole kissed her husband, \u201cSleep well sweetheart I\u2019ll see you before court tomorrow.\u201d Ben went out with the departing group and reassured them that he would have Doc check Adam and if he\u2019d done any harm wouldn\u2019t let his son continue in the morning. In return John promised to look after the rest of the family.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Soon after they\u2019d left and Adam had finished his milk, the Doc bustled in. \u201cWhat\u2019s this I hear round town, your son had been continuing his case?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam decided it was time to speak up for himself and with a chance to lie still and have a drink he was back in control. \u201cDoctor I am very grateful for the job you did earlier but you know better than anyone no vital parts were touched. All I did was sit in a chair and ask a few questions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Doc wasn\u2019t taking this cheek from his patient and he said firmly, \u201cYou\u2019re a fool. Now lay back and let me see what damage you have done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled freely seeing the twinkle I the Doctor\u2019s eye but it quickly faded as with Ben\u2019s help Doc undid the bandages an checked the wounds. He had left the bad wound in Adam\u2019s back free to drain and he spent five minutes cleaning it up. Adam bit down hard and endured. Hoss wiped his face and did his best to reassure his brother, \u201cNot long now Adam easy brother easy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Doc moved quickly and in less than ten minutes he had finished and re-bandaged Adam Then he examined his patient\u2019s overall condition and took his temperature and pulse, \u201cWell by some miracle you haven\u2019t pushed yourself into shock but you\u2019ve got a high fever. You need rest; make up all that blood you\u2019ve lost. Just what are you planning to do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll rest Doc.\u201d Adam prevaricated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doc snorted \u201cI\u2019m sure you will for now. In your current condition you wouldn\u2019t make the door of this room. What I want to know is just what you\u2019re planning to do when you\u2019ve had a few hours sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled \u201cAlright I admit Doc I intend to go back to court tomorrow. It should finish tomorrow, then I\u2019ll have plenty of time to relax.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou are not fit enough to leave bed for at least a week,\u201d Doc said firmly and turned to Ben \u201cYour son was very lucky that those bullets hit him at an angle, but he has two bad wounds. He must rest or you run the risk that he\u2019ll collapse.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam intervened, anger clear in his voice, \u201cI am not a child and I am capable of making my own decisions. I will not take any risks but I can manage to sit quietly in court and conduct a case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Doc wouldn\u2019t accept that \u201cYou cannot manage, you\u2019ll end up killing yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was tensing up as he found himself in an argument and Ben realised that and broke in \u201cDoc there is a great deal of background to this case which I can\u2019t explain. It is very important to all of us, but especially to my son. He has literally given up everything, including several months of his life for it. If we try and stop him now, with just one day to go, I know him well enough to be positive that he will fret himself into a far worse state than if he is allowed to do as he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doc frowned but he could see agreement on the faces of all the other men in the room and he could only assume that they knew his patient far better than he did. He still felt that Adam was far too weak to successfully do a job in a court of law but that was their decision and he gave way. \u201cIf you\u2019re that determined you\u2019d better get some sleep now. I\u2019ll leave some laudanum in case the pain gets any worse. What time does court convene in the morning?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben said \u201cNine o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlright I\u2019ll come back about eight, check him over and make sure he gets to court safely.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe would be very grateful.\u201d Ben said but the Doc rather grumpily said \u201cDon\u2019t worry you\u2019ll pay for it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had relaxed having got his own way and as he did so his bodily weakness removed any risk of worrying about the next day. Hoss helped him to settle on his right side with pillows to support him and protect his injured back and side. Almost before Adam had managed to say thank you he was asleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe wasn\u2019t very much better off, fighting to keep his eyes open and Ben pulled the blanket round his shoulders, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you give in Joe get some sleep, we\u2019re all a mite short of it. I\u2019ll get you some food later.\u201d That made sense to Joe and he followed Adam\u2019s example and dozed off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at the other three, \u201cI\u2019ll keep an eye on the boys for now, you go and eat and then you can spell me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Will said \u201cI\u2019m not that hungry at the minute, I\u2019ll hang around too. Send two of John\u2019s men now and then when Hoss and Jess come back we can go.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded \u201cAlright that makes sense, thanks Will. I think if we leave the connecting door open we can make ourselves comfortable next door, soon hear if either of them want anything.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked down at his brothers sombrely \u201cDon\u2019t know about Joe but Adam looks as though he needs to sleep for a month. I wish I could be sure we\u2019re doing the right thing letting him carry on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess spoke up, \u201cI know it\u2019s not my business but I\u2019ve seen perhaps more than most just what Adam has put into these last weeks. Your Pa was right when he told the Doc, you try to stop him and he\u2019ll really fret himself into a fever.\u201d Jess bit his lip at his own temerity, explaining Adam to his family.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben saw and smiled, \u201cIt\u2019s alright Jess you have every right to say what you think. We know Adam means a lot to you and caring buys you those rights.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue saw Joe stir uneasily and hustled everyone into the next room. She would keep an eye on her patients; all the men had to do was ensure their safety. Hoss kissed her gently and then went off to get a meal, promising to bring her something back, content to entrust his brothers to his wife\u2019s expert care.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss and Jess left the hotel with two of John\u2019s men but the two pairs split up, the men far too impressed with the Cartwright name to be comfortable eating with Hoss. In his present mood that suited the big man and over the meal he questioned Jess about those missing weeks when Adam withdrew from the family. Jess didn\u2019t really want to talk about them but seeing the concern in Hoss\u2019 eyes he gave in. He kept it brief but told Hoss a little of the times that Adam had come to him, restless, upset, needing to talk occasionally physically sick as he forced arguments and fights with those he loved to protect the weaker members of their family. Hoss was glad of a large brandy and eventually he offered Jess his hand formally, \u201cI always knew Adam had a good friend in you but until now I don\u2019t think I knew quite how good. Anything we can ever do Jess, there ain\u2019t no way on Earth to begin to repay you for what you\u2019ve done these last months.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess embarrassed could only shake and he accepted a brandy too, \u201cGuess it\u2019s time we got back relieved your Pa and Will.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRelax enjoy your drink. Pa won\u2019t move until Joe wakes up and wants food and I reckon that\u2019s gonna be a few hours.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow bad was Joe\u2019s arm?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cClean wound, bone not touched but with all the chaos and Adam badly hurt it was too long before we got it padded and he lost too much blood. Despite all the fights Joe\u2019s been real worried about Adam and he ain\u2019t had too much sleep recently.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s been hard on all of you. Hell even I\u2019ve lost some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause as Pa said you care, come on let\u2019s go back I still have to get Sue some food.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Soon after they returned Joe stirred and sitting up pronounced he was starving. Hoss pushed pillows behind him \u201cTake it easy and quieten down Adam\u2019s asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFever\u2019s dropped a little since he gave in and dozed off. Don\u2019t worry about Adam he\u2019s recovered from far worse. What do you fancy to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA nice large steak.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked over at Sue but she just shrugged, \u201cLet him have what he wants, he just need to replace the blood he\u2019s lost but Joe you need plenty to drink.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBeer?\u201d Joe said hopefully.<\/p>\n Sue grinned but firmly said \u201cMilk.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe felt better once he\u2019d eaten and levered himself up on his pillows, gesturing at Adam. \u201cHe was murmuring while you were out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue confirmed that \u201cHe was a little delirious, not really surprising with that fever.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss wiped his brother\u2019s face and put on a fresh cold compress on his forehead \u201cSue can he cope? I mean in court you need your wits about you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue carefully tucked the blankets round Adam \u201cDon\u2019t worry Hoss, he\u2019s had more than twelve hours to sleep, his fever will drop off with the rest. This delirium is only because he\u2019s given in for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked up in alarm \u201cGiven in?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t take it so hard darling. He\u2019s been badly hurt and he\u2019s weak, especially after the hard time he\u2019s had these last weeks. I just mean that for a few minutes there is nothing he can usefully do and he knows you\u2019re all here to protect him, so his mind has relaxed its hold for once. Let his bodily weakness take over.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss relaxed \u201cYou reckon he\u2019ll be alright in the morning?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be back in control, hiding his weakness and doing a good job but once he\u2019s finished this case then maybe he\u2019ll collapse. Just make sure you\u2019re on hand then.\u201d Sue looked very solemn as she spoke and Hoss knew her well enough to see the deep worry she felt, \u201cYou said he\u2019d be okay?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019m still sure he will. Certainly there\u2019s a strong possibility he\u2019ll collapse and need a fortnight in bed but he needs that anyway. He won\u2019t make himself any worse maybe just take a little longer to recover and for once we\u2019ll actually be able to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss held her close glad of her calm good sense, \u201cWe let him do as he wants?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue pulled away to look at him \u201cHoss I love you very much and I have a great deal of faith in your ability in many ways, but when it comes to dissuading Adam, from doing exactly what he wants, I\u2019m afraid I have no faith at all!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe giggled, \u201cYou must admit she\u2019s right there Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss sighed, \u201cThe family\u2019s combined efforts don\u2019t do so good either.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue said \u201cI had noticed! Come on Joe settle down again, you need some rest too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this a conspiracy? Can\u2019t control Adam so you start bullying me?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJest one finger will just about do it!\u201d Hoss said, rubbing it in. Joe allowed Hoss to help him settle back down, he felt better for some food but he was still feeling weak and knew Sue was right he needed some sleep. It didn\u2019t take very long for Joe to go back to sleep and Hoss watched him in concern. He knew his young brother must be worse hurt than he pretended if he was giving in so easily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue said reassuringly \u201cJoe\u2019s going to be fine in a few days, he\u2019s just being sensible catching up on his sleep while he can.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss was only half joking when he murmured \u201cThat\u2019s what worries me, Joe being sensible.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben insisted Hoss take Sue to bed a little later; he would sit with his sons and call if he needed help. With both of them sleeping peacefully Ben was able to doze a little and then at about 2.30 a.m. Jess came in. Jess had managed a reasonable sleep and he said, “Mr Cartwright you\u2019re going to have a long day and Adam is going to need your help, so why don\u2019t you go and get some sleep. I\u2019ll look after them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was touched by the offer and he knew Jess was making sense so rather to his own surprise he got to his feet without argument. \u201cThank you Jess.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess was warmed by the trust the older man showed, he\u2019d been a close friend of Adam\u2019s for a long time and since becoming Anne\u2019s Godfather he had become almost an adopted member of the extended family. Somehow this trust shown by Ben was another step forward to complete acceptance to a family life so different from anything he\u2019d known before he came to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess sat by his friend\u2019s bed and renewed the cold compress, at least Adam was a lot less feverish than he had been when Jess helped him over from court and he was resting quietly.<\/p>\n The time seemed to pass very quickly and Adam stirred before anyone else came in. It was not long after seven but with fourteen hours sleep behind him Adam felt much better. He showed no surprise at seeing Jess with him, just asking for assistance to sit up and then sending Jess in search of coffee, needing something to clear his thick head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time Jess got back with it Joe was awake too and fed up with bed he was getting dressed. He grinned as Jess came in \u201cYou\u2019re a lifesaver, I have a hangover or at least it\u00a0\u00a0feels like one. Which is a mite unfair given I didn\u2019t have the fun of earning it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess poured out three coffees \u201cHow about you Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh I feel much better for a long sleep. I wanted to get dressed too but Joe said the Doc is coming so I guess I\u2019d better wait.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jess passed over the coffee \u201cYou look as though you have a headache too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust the effects of chloroform I never did like being put to sleep; nothing that coffee won\u2019t cure.\u201d Two cups of coffee later when the rest of the family came in Adam was sufficiently in control to hide how he felt and certainly his fever was considerably lower than it had been.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The party from John\u2019s ranch arrived just before the Doctor. They were able to reassure the brothers that the kids were fine and the security tight round the ranch. In return Ben reassured Carole and Nita that their husbands had both slept well and had reasonable breakfasts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Doc arrived he quickly checked Adam\u2019s injuries and then spent five minutes checking his overall condition. \u201cBetter for some rest, be better still if you\u2019d stay put.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thought we made it clear yesterday that I don\u2019t have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlright.\u201d Doc gave way \u201cEveryone out except you young lady, he signalled to Sue.\u201d Carole shook her head \u201che\u2019s my husband I\u2019m staying,\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben put his arm round her shoulder \u201cNo Carole, come on leave him in peace.\u201d Adam showed his relief as Ben led Carole out. The Doc with Sue\u2019s help redressed the wounds and then very carefully eased Adam into his shirt and coat. Once they were on Sue made no attempt to do them up just supporting Adam\u2019s head on her shoulder as he fought for control of his breathing. Slowly Adam won control and as he sat up the doctor fed him some laudanum. Adam was grateful for it and asked \u201cGive me five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTake your time young man. We won\u2019t let anyone in until you\u2019re ready.\u201d Adam slowly won back control and a little colour came back to his lips. Only then did Sue gently do up the buttons and help him on with his boots, fixing the sling for his arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doc asked \u201cYou\u2019re still determined to go through with this?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have to, it should be finished today, all I can do anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlright but you\u2019re not fit enough to walk to the courthouse, you\u2019ll be back in a high fever if you try.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI will not go on a stretcher and even my brother can\u2019t carry me, not with these wounds.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI realise that but this is\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0and amongst our many weird acquisitions in recent years, we have a large Chinese population.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked totally confused and the Doc went on. \u201cI think that there might be certain panache in arriving in court in a sedan chair and if your brother helps I think it should be reasonably comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam grinned, \u201cDoc you\u2019re a genius.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI might even come along for the day and see just what is so important to you. My partner can manage the colds and bump of\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0for today.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was touched, knowing why the Doc had this sudden interest in law but he protested \u201cI\u2019ll be fine, just sitting quietly in court.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doc said very innocently \u201cI\u2019m not suggesting you won\u2019t but I\u2019ve earnt a peaceful day and I\u2019m as free as anyone else to watch a court case on my day off.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam grinned \u201cYou\u2019re very welcome, I hope I can make it interesting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sue let the others back in and they were pleasurably surprised to see Adam apparently relaxed and cheerful. Adam explained Doc\u2019s suggestion and Ben smiled \u201cThat\u2019s inspired. John can you arrange it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure. When?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as you like\u201d Adam said \u201cI want to have a word with Jamie before he takes the stand.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The chair was fairly comfortable and Ben was relieved to find the Doc intended staying in court, just in case. Adam made it into court without any visible sign of distress although Jess felt a growing weakness as he helped his friend to his seat. He didn\u2019t say anything, just keeping everyone away with Hoss\u2019 help until Adam showed signs of recovering and asked to speak to Jamie. Once he had run over what he wanted from Jamie, he called Johnny over. He would have to give evidence of the arrangements he had made and then Rochford and\u00a0Munster\u00a0would have to give their evidence. Johnny reassured his friend they were ready and Joe had all the paperwork organized. Adam hoped to get through that in the morning and then with luck he could finish the case he wanted to present during the afternoon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge was there prompt at nine and called the court to order. To Adam\u2019s relief Judge Harris made no comment on his injuries. Adam continued to take advantage of his permission to address the court from his seat. He called Jamie, \u201cYou are James Hunter, qualified lawyer domiciled in\u00a0Sacramento?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you explain to the court you\u2019re relationship with the Cartwrights?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFor several years in my teens I lived with them and Ben Cartwright applied for formal adoption but my Grandfather came forward and the adoption did not proceed. However I have always considered myself part of the family.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSome weeks ago did I visit you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you explain to the court what I asked you to do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou asked me to go to Mexico to contact a friend of yours Ramon Diaz, who would act as my interpreter, and then to check all the land grants registered in Mexico for any part of the Western States of the United States, the land passed over to the US by the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou accepted my offer, my request.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course. I headed straight for\u00a0Mexico.\u201d Jamie went on to explain in detail the men had had contacted in\u00a0Mexico\u00a0who had opened all the doors he needed and the land grants he had found on register. Adam had thought hard about the best strategy but he couldn\u2019t force Sauvinet to leave the court as he hoped to do with Padilla so once again he made no mention of the Sauvinet grant and omitted the copy from the pile of papers passed over to Haslam and Cullen, although not from those for the official record. Adam banked on the Judge checking them in detail as the evidence continued. \u201cI hope with Mr Newman\u2019s assistance to return to these later your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust to keep things clear Mr Hunter, there weren\u2019t any land grants for the area of\u00a0Nevada\u00a0in\u00a0Mexico?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo none at all. The local historical society has no record of any expedition or involvement with the area. Professor de Sanya, the Professor at the\u00a0University\u00a0of\u00a0Mexico, expert in their\u00a0US\u00a0involvement, know nothing of any such expedition and there is an affidavit from him to that effect. No record of any trips to\u00a0Nevada\u00a0exist in the Mexican archives, with three assistants he made a complete check.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam checked over his papers and looked questioningly at his brother, scared he\u2019d forgotten something. Joe lent over, \u201cits okay Adam, you\u2019ve got all you need and Jamie can cope with cross examination.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded \u201cNo more questions.\u201d He tried to relax, Joe was right Jamie would cope and he had the damming evidence of the record, ready for him to use later.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cullen stood up to cross examine, a little wary for all his obvious youth Jamie was a qualified lawyer. \u201cYou went to\u00a0Mexico\u00a0at a moment\u2019s notice?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I owe the Cartwrights a great deal and I have only just qualified. I\u2019m not exactly overrun with work.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll the doors in\u00a0Mexico\u00a0miraculously opened for you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright has many friends and contacts in this country and abroad, He gave me letters of introduction.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow long did you spend in\u00a0Mexico?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbout two months.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo you knew about this case well in advance?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFrom Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow did he know?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know I didn\u2019t ask.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge had been expecting Adam to object but he realised the witness wasn\u2019t in need of protection. Cullen decided he wasn\u2019t getting anywhere on that and went onto the detail of what Jamie had found in\u00a0Mexico. He laughed at the idea that the Mexican Archives would have full details of early Spanish expeditions and almost commiserated with Jamie for wasting his time in\u00a0Mexico\u00a0when the land grant in question was Spanish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Jamie was released Adam caused consternation in the court as he called his next witness, \u201cI call the Earl of Northumberland.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Johnny took the stand and Adam asked for his full name, \u201cJohn Edward Charles Sutherland, Earl of Northumberland.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou normally live in\u00a0England?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I have a country estate In Northumberland and a hunting estate in Leicestershire. I also have a house in\u00a0London\u00a0where I attend the House of Lords.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou are a qualified lawyer?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I qualified at\u00a0Cambridge\u00a0University\u00a0and at\u00a0Lincoln\u2019s Inn in\u00a0London.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe became acquainted at\u00a0Cambridge?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRather more than acquainted, good friends. I have made several visits to the Ponderosa and you visited me in\u00a0London\u00a0with your wife and children and your brother Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid I contact you earlier this year?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I had several long telegrams and a covering letter from you. You asked me to arrange for checks in the Spanish archives and those of the\u00a0Vatican\u00a0for a possible land grant covering the area of the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWere you able to make those arrangements?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes. My younger brother is Ambassador at the\u00a0Spanish Court\u00a0and was easily able to arrange access for Robert Munster to make the search. Mr\u00a0Munster\u00a0is a Professor of Classical Studies at\u00a0Oxford\u00a0and an old friend of my family. Another old friend William Rochfort, Professor of Theology at\u00a0Cambridge\u00a0agreed to do the searches in the\u00a0Vatican. He had close friend within the College of Cardinals from his professional work and they arranged access to the records in the\u00a0Vatican.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo more questions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam and Cullen had a quick chat but decided that there was little point in trying to impugn the integrity of a member of the British Aristocracy. He would not be involved in offering bribes even for a friend and any attempt to persuade the court of this possibility might well backfire. So Cullen stood up \u201cNo questions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Johnny got down Adam eased himself to his feet, \u201cMay I approach the bench?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris nodded and Adam moved slowly forward \u201cYour honour I asked permission to recall the witness Padilla and I intend to do so after the next two witnesses. While the court hears their testimony I would ask that Padilla be held incommunicado.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want him to hear their testimony?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo your Honour. I feel there may be a case of perjury at the end of this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge called Haslam and Cullen over and put Adam\u2019s request to them. Much as they disliked the idea they had to put a brave face on and pretend that it was perfectly acceptable anything else would look as though they had something to hide. Adam knew why they had given in but it was enough that he had his own way. He kept his back straight and shook his head at his father, who would have come to help. Adam made it back to his seat unaided but he was very thankful to sit down. Jamie glanced at Ben as Padilla was led out and Ben gave Adam a weak brandy and water. Joe said \u201cGo on Jamie call Rochfort first and take him through his qualifications. Give Adam a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jamie did exactly that rather to Adam\u2019s surprise but it gave him a much needed few minutes to win control and Jamie was perfectly competent. Jamie took Rochfort through his qualifications and Johnny\u2019s approach to him to check the Vatican Archives and then glanced over at Adam. Adam looked a lot better and signalled that he would take over. \u201cExactly what were you asked to check?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll land grants for the area of the Mexican cession but in particular anything anywhere within the current state of\u00a0Nevada. I don\u2019t mind admitting that my first task was to find a good map so I knew the area involved.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow many of the Spanish grants are on record in the\u00a0Vatican?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOnly those with church involvement although the best estimate from the archivist was that this includes some two thirds of all the land grants.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou heard Mr Sauvinet\u2019s testimony in court?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid it appear to you that there was any church involvement in this case?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo but sometimes the involvement was very peripheral. Sponsorship by a priest for instance and according to Mr Sauvinet, his grandfather first became involved with Padr\u00e9 Escalante.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWould that be sufficient to warrant recording in the\u00a0Vatican\u00a0archives?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat first trip was on record.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you have a copy?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe pulled it out and Jamie passed the copies round, not that the copies were going to be immediately helpful, written in formal Church Latin. Adam smiled at the frowns of the Judge and the other lawyers. \u201cPerhaps you can help me Mr Rochfort, my Latin is not exactly fluent. I assume your own is of a higher standard.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI spend a lot of my life reading church documents in Latin.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think we will have to rely on your expertise here, although I am sure translations can be obtained.\u201d Adam looked questioningly at the Judge who nodded. Adam went on \u201cCould you tell us what the documents include?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA description of the trip mainly in diary form and maps of the area travelled. Then details of the people found and the attempted and successful conversions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs there any mention of a young boy or the name Sauvinet?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo there is not.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAny description of the personnel involved in the trip?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes at the starts what appears to be considerable detail of their ages, occupations and particular expertise leading to their inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe youngest?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe youngest mentioned is 23 years of age.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI assume there is nothing to say whether or not the list is totally inclusive?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan we pass onto the record of grants? Did you find many in the\u00a0Vatican\u00a0archives?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cQuite a lot but mainly much further south. For the area ceded to the\u00a0United States\u00a0by\u00a0Mexico\u00a0we eventually found 22.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere were they situated?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA scattering along the Californian coast, mainly associated with the Missions and the rest near the border with\u00a0Mexico\u00a0apart from two near Santa F\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNone of these grants was in the name of Sauvinet?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNone of them in\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNone at all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou have copies of all the grants?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes and a sworn statement from the Archivist of the College of Cardinals to the effect that this is the complete list of grants on record in the\u00a0Vatican.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo more questions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam stood up to cross-examine more than a little out of his depth with this Professor of Theology. Adam had rather stolen his points anyway but he went over them again. The lack of mention of a young orphan boy only along to help with the horses was surely not particularly surprising in an important document for the church. His inclusion would have been far more surprising. His other main point was that as Sauvinet himself was not involved with the church in anyway it was hardly surprising that his expeditions and the land grant weren\u2019t registered in the\u00a0Vatican. Rochfort didn\u2019t argue about that and after little more than ten minutes Haslam sat down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was in two minds he didn\u2019t want to mention the seal yet but could hardly ask to recall his own witness later. Eventually he decided to let Rochfort go, he would rely on the Judge\u2019s interest and fairness to consult the experts at the right time. Adam was very tense as they came to the crux of the case where he had to destroy every vestige of credibility of the Sauvinet grant. He felt the need for a minute to sort out his thoughts and signalled Jamie to call\u00a0Munster\u00a0and again lead him through the preliminaries. Jamie did so and then Adam took over. \u201cThe British Ambassador to\u00a0Spain\u00a0arranged access to the Spanish Archives?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes he did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn\u00a0Madrid?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n A buzz went round the courtroom at that blank statement, quite a lot of the evidence was confusing to all except the lawyers but most of them had heard Padilla\u2019s evidence and been reminded of it by his earlier removal from court. Adam waited for silence \u201cWhere are the archives?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201dThere are several sets, certainly domestic documents are held in Madrid, either in the Archive House or in the Library of the Escorial Palace, but all documents related to the colonies are kept in the General Archives of the Indies which is in Seville.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow long has this been the case?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSince the Council of the\u00a0Indies\u00a0was established to be responsible for the colonies in1524 by Charles V.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo when you wished to check land grants you went to\u00a0Seville?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan you describe the building which houses these archives?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLike many of the buildings in\u00a0Seville\u00a0it is in the Mudejar style, a mixture of Western and Muslim architecture. Highly ornate outside but inside almost plain, long gloomy corridors with small rooms leading off. Each one filled with stacks of documents leaving just room to stand between the rows. The rooms were filled in chronological order, each one finished before the next one was touched. Within the whole complex different geographical areas were separated so it wasn\u2019t too big a job to locate all documentation pertaining to the\u00a0Western United States.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat assistance did you have in your search?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Chief Archivist of the General Archives assisted me personally plus three of his assistants. He has worked in the Archives in\u00a0Seville\u00a0for over forty years and I got the impression he virtually knew the contents of each and every document under his control.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam passed Jamie an affidavit to take forward. \u201cThis is an affidavit signed by the Chief Archivist to say that to the best of his knowledge we have copies of every land grant that passed from\u00a0Spain\u00a0via\u00a0Mexico\u00a0to the\u00a0United States.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned back to\u00a0Munster\u00a0\u201cDid you find any record of expeditions into\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust the one, that by Padr\u00e9 Escalante.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo later expeditions?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow much documentation was associated with the Padr\u00e9\u2019s trip?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA considerable amount spread over about seven years, from the original suggestion to the general acceptance of principle, demand for details of plans, request for changes and then final authorisation. After the trip there was the report, request for more details on part of that report and then several more letters haggling over payment of money.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWas that unusual for such a trip?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo it seemed perfectly standard.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYet for the three trips Mr Sauvinet claims his Grandfather made at the instigation of\u00a0Spain\u00a0there is no documentation?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what I said.\u201d For a moment Adam was taken aback, wondering what had gone wrong and Joe whispered \u201cAsk him to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded \u201cI\u2019m sorry Mr\u00a0Munster\u00a0could you explain what you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou asked if there were any other expeditions to\u00a0Nevada\u00a0and there weren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam bounced up \u201cObjection.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam back on course said \u201cYou mean there were no documents pertaining to any expeditions in\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes. Neither were there any documents pertaining to any expedition led by a man called Sauvinet. However his name did arise in a few of the documents and the final report of an expedition to Santa F\u00e9 in 1794-1786, led by a man called Sanchez.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou have copies of these documents.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes with a translation attached.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat sort of reward was granted to Sanchez and members of his expedition?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot enough according to them. Sanchez had been promised a land grant and from his diary it appears that he thought it would be big enough to give land to all of his men and that he had recruited them on that basis.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t get his land?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo because Sanchez died in 1798 while the reports were still being written. There are a number of letters from a man called de Alvarez who had been the second in command. The letters get more and more demanding of his rights. He wanted the land grant promised to Sanchez which he felt now devolved on him. In these letters Sauvinet is also named as a claimant.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam took one of the letters and gave it to Jamie to pass to\u00a0Munster, \u201cYour honour if you will look at Defence exhibit 321c. Mr\u00a0Munster\u00a0will you read out the translation.\u201d<\/p>\n Munster\u00a0did so, it was one of the letters he had spoken about demanding their rights to land that they had been promised. Land that they had explored and where a thriving town was now established. Adam asked \u201cWhat date was that letter?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c1813\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWas there any answer?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo at that stage\u00a0Spain\u00a0was in chaos and the Council of the\u00a0Indies\u00a0had been disbanded. No administrative duties pertaining to the Colonies were being carried out. There were still three men looking after the Archives in\u00a0Seville\u00a0who continued to file incoming mail.\u00a0Spain\u00a0has always been very conscious of its place in history.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn 1813 the town spoken of in the letter could not have been in\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo it means Santa F\u00e9. All the correspondence makes it clear that it is land around Santa F\u00e9 that is being requested.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWas the request granted?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot to my knowledge the matter was still unsettled in 1821 when the area became part of an independent\u00a0Mexico\u00a0by the Treaty of Cordoba.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cApart from those expedition reports you were looking for details of land grants in the area of the Mexican cession, did you find any?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes I found record of 31 grants that were given and 5 more records of grants that were requested but eventually refused.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you have occasion to compare the results of your researches with Mr Rochfort?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWith what result?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI had copies of all his grants plus nine others.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo nothing in your researches contradicted what Mr Rochfort found or vice versa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s correct.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe nine new ones and the five which were refused, what areas did they cover?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMainly near the border, two in\u00a0California.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAny in\u00a0Nevada?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou heard Mr Padilla\u2019s evidence?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe claimed to have checked the registration document in\u00a0Madrid. Is that possible?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo. I told you the Archives for all matters about the colonies are in\u00a0Seville.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHave you met Mr Padilla previously?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you tell the Court where and under what circumstances?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam was on his feet \u201cObjection This witness is impugning the integrity of my witness.\u201d<\/p>\n Judge Harris said \u201cI understand that Mr Cartwright intends recalling Mr Padilla next so he will have ample opportunity to rebut these allegations and you can test them on cross examination. Objection overruled. The witness will answer the question.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Munster\u00a0said \u201cI met Padilla in\u00a0Oxford\u00a0where I am a Professor. He was seeking admission to my college as an academic lecturer and researcher.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid he gain admission?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo the work he submitted for consideration was plagiarized and the original author was recognized.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam sensed from the blank looks round the court that most people didn\u2019t have a clue what\u00a0Munster\u00a0meant so he said \u201cYou mean Padilla had copied someone else\u2019s work and presented it as his own in an attempt to accepted at\u00a0Oxford?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy should he take such a risk?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe college checked back on his references and found they were forged. He had worked as a librarian at the\u00a0Escorial\u00a0Palace\u00a0in\u00a0Madrid\u00a0for several years but he had been sacked for stealing and selling valuable old books.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo more questions.\u201d Adam was being buoyed up by the adrenaline for now. He knew that his points were getting through to the Judge, who was very interested in the case he was building and giving him considerable leeway. The opposition was in disarray as facts they didn\u2019t even know were being established against them and although fighting a rearguard action Adam sensed that Haslam and Cullen already knew that they had lost. He was confident that\u00a0Munster\u00a0could look after himself on cross examination and was able to relax.<\/p>\n From somewhere Hoss had miraculously come up with some hot coffee and he had laced two with brandy and passed them forward to his injured brothers. Adam was very grateful, weak he felt cold despite the growing fever and the hot coffee tasted marvellous. Ben was well aware his son\u2019s fever was up again but with only a couple of recalled witnesses to go he still felt confident that Adam could cope. Anyway he knew there was noway his son would rest and concentrate on getting better until the case was completed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam took the cross examination but he wasn\u2019t getting anywhere.\u00a0Munster\u00a0was firm, all archives for the colonies were in\u00a0Seville\u00a0not\u00a0Madrid\u00a0and the Spanish Civil Service never threw anything away so absence of any documentation about a trip meant that it took place without the knowledge or consent of\u00a0Spain. He insisted that in the conditions of the time a trip of more than two men, or over any great distance, had to have the consent of the Authorities for provision of stores if for nothing else and would have been documented. Haslam tried everyway he could but came up to a brick wall each time and after about twenty minutes sat down having failed to make any dent in the credibility of the witness.<\/p>\n By now it was nearly quarter to twelve and Adam bit his lip anxiously as the Judge looked at his watch. Adam hoped the Judge wasn\u2019t going to recess for an early lunch as they had started early. He wanted to call Padilla while\u00a0Munster\u2019s testimony was clear in everyone\u2019s mind. To his relief the Judge said \u201cWe\u2019ll take one more witness before lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said \u201cAt this point I\u2019d like to recall L\u00e9on Padilla.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge signalled to the deputy at the back of the court and had Padilla brought in. Padilla was very nervous, worried about what had been said in his absence. As he took the stand Judge Harris reminded him that he was still under oath and off his own bat he lectured Padilla on the crime and penalties of perjury. By the time he\u2019d finished and Padilla faced Adam he was already a nervous wreck. This time Adam did get to his feet, he didn\u2019t want Padilla looking for and perhaps receiving coaching from his lawyers, Adam positioned himself do he blocked any signals and the\u00a0\u00a0he asked \u201cYou stated in your main evidence that you were an archivist working in Madrid. Can you be a little more precise?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI worked in the Escorial Palace Library.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI understand that you left that job some time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI….I don\u2019t know what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Judge has just reminded you of the penalties for perjury. Were you or were you not sacked from the Library at the\u00a0Escorial\u00a0for stealing books?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Padilla looked desperately round the court but there was no help and Adam asked \u201cYou Honour will you please order the witness to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris looked down at the scared man \u201cMr Padilla you must answer the question.\u201d<\/p>\n Padilla looked down, shuffling his feet, \u201cSi Se\u00f1or.\u201d It was said so low that even Adam could barely hear and the Judge ordered him to speak up and he repeated \u201cSi Se\u00f1or.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Padilla made one last attempt to defend himself \u201cEven when not working the Archives they are open to research and I know them very well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe archives at the\u00a0Escorial?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf you know them so well you must know they cover purely domestic matters. Is that correct?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMainly.\u201d Padilla admitted begrudgingly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere are the archives for the colonies kept?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn\u00a0Seville.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know those too no doubt?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Padilla recognized a lifeline and perked up a little. \u201cSi Se\u00f1or we are based in one archive but have business in all. It was in\u00a0Seville\u00a0I had to check the land grants.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d Adam said \u201cIt must have taken a long time in that enormously long room. Perhaps you can tell us about it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is badly lit as you say very long with rows of documents off the centre corridor, but they are in order of time so it doesn\u2019t take too long when you know the date.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou just walk down the centre aisle and check the dates in a row every so often. Is that it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven easier the dates are marked on the centre column for the two rows back to back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs the room full?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNon Se\u00f1or about three quarters filled. It is very long but not so wide, maybe ten feet each side of the centre corridor.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDark?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is badly lit, you need a lantern. Few windows but that is better, for the papers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam frowned \u201cI\u2019m a little confused, That description seems very accurate for the Archives at the Escorial but in Seville a different system is used, consisting of many small rooms not one large one. You have never been to\u00a0Seville\u00a0have you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut yes many times.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDescribe where the Archive is with respect to the cathedral?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Padilla looked round in obvious panic and then with a sigh he gave in \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had Jamie pass a map forward \u201cYour Honour if you look at the map of\u00a0Seville\u00a0you will see that the Archives are directly opposite the Cathedral in the main square.\u201d He turned back to Padilla \u201cYou have never been to\u00a0Seville?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t check the registration of this land grant?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen were you last in\u00a0Spain?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMore than four years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris intervened, \u201cMr Padilla you realise that you are admitting to perjuring yourself in this court?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDeputy take this man to my chambers and hold him in custody until I can come. Mr Cullen and Mr Haslam approach the bench.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They did so and Adam slowly made his way back to his own seat, with his Father\u2019s help, but he wasn\u2019t even aware of his own aches and pains as he strained to hear what was happening at the bench. That was facilitated by everyone else\u2019s equal curiosity and a pin could have been heard to drop in the court.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge made it very clear that he was considering their involvement in at least condoning, if not procuring perjury, but Cullen was emphatic they had been fooled as much as the court. They had paid all his expenses plus a considerable sum for his services and had believed that he had indeed been to\u00a0Spain\u00a0and checked the grant for them. Haslam said \u201cNot being historians or experts on\u00a0Spain\u00a0we had no idea that the Archives weren\u2019t in\u00a0Madrid\u00a0as he claimed. He was introduced to us as an expert and we could only accept him as such.\u201d<\/p>\n The Judge accepted their defence for now but he was scathing in his comments about the preparation of their case. To their relief he dismissed them and adjourned the court for lunch. He sent his clerk to offer the use of his chambers to the Cartwrights if they would just give him five minutes to deal with Padilla.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben accepted that offer gratefully, Adam was in no condition to move far. He sent Hoss and Will to collect food for the main party and then sat down by Adam \u201cJust a couple of minutes Son and you can lie down for an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m alright\u00a0Pa.\u201d Adam insisted and he was confident he could cope; a familiar brittle strength that he knew from experience would keep him going while there was something useful he could do. Only then would he give in and the way he felt now, sleep for a fortnight.<\/p>\n Jess helped Adam through as the Judge emerged and Doc followed to check on his patient before the others came in. He was surprised how well Adam had stood up to the morning, certainly he was more feverish and his pulse rate up but after all the concentration and effort expended during the morning Doc had expected to find him far worse. For the first time he began to understand that this man was something special and to see why his family would entrust a vital case to him even though he was badly hurt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge had stopped for a word with Ben \u201cYour son seems to be managing remarkably well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll keep up until this is over, it means a great deal to him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf there is any need for a recess do ask. It doesn\u2019t have to come from him, any of you on the table can do it, qualified lawyer or not. It will be considered very sympathetically.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m grateful your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m only interested in seeing justice done Mr Cartwright.\u201d The Judge said no more but headed for lunch. He had offered Padilla the opportunity of pleading guilty to perjury in return for a fine. Padilla had done so and meekly paid the $5000 fine. The Judge had tried to find out if anyone had suggested perjury to him but Padilla had continued to deny it. It had seemed easy money and he hadn\u2019t expected anyone out west to be able to prove him a liar so he had taken Cullen\u2019s money and told him what he wanted to hear. The Judge knew men fairly well and he was convinced Padilla was far more scared of whoever had given him orders than he was of the law so the Judge fined him and let him go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris was very tempted just to end the case after lunch. The claimants had made much play on the fact that the only legal requirement was registration in\u00a0Spain\u00a0and that lynchpin of their case had been disproved, so as far as he was concerned the whole case fell. Certainly if the Cartwrights made any such request he would uphold it. He didn\u2019t quite see what else Adam hoped to do but he was interested enough to let him have his head and see what else the cowboy came up with. Adam might not dress formally as Haslam and Cullen did but Judge Harris had no doubt who was the better lawyer. In all respects, but particularly in the preparation of his case, Adam was in a different class. Despite Haslam and Cullen both being known nationally as lawyers while few members of the legal profession would recognize Adam\u2019s name. The Judge enjoyed his meal and relaxed with a brandy thinking in pleasurable anticipation of the afternoon session. It was rare to have a case so well presented and so clear cut, especially when he had originally entered the courtroom with his sympathies firmly on the side of the claimant.<\/p>\n Adam was glad to rest but he couldn\u2019t face food just asking for more coffee. He did let Sue lift his legs up and make him as comfortable as she could on the sofa. He sipped half his coffee and then put it down and shut his eyes. The others were glad of food but they discussed the morning\u2019s events in muted voices. Without any conscious thought they all gravitated to the other end of the room leaving Carole with her husband. They spoke almost in whispers hoping that Adam might sleep. Even through the low voices the thread of excitement sounded, they all knew that morning had been decisively theirs and had gone a long way to demolishing the case against them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eventually Ben fell silent and stood watching his eldest son, the lines of pain very clear on Adam\u2019s face as he relaxed a little. Joe saw the worry equally clear on his Father\u2019s face \u201cTake it easy Pa. Just another couple of hours and he\u2019ll be able to rest properly.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe looks so drawn almost old.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa I can only imagine how much these last weeks have cost but I saw those wounds and the struggle Doc had to remove the bullet. The real miracle is that he\u2019s on his feet at all. A few weeks peace and quiet back home with us all and he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben forced himself to cheer up, knowing his youngest son was by no means fit \u201cSure he will and at least he\u2019s resting.\u201d He was taken aback as Adam opened his eyes and grinned \u201cResting but not asleep. Stop worrying Pa I\u2019ll be fine and for all of us and the Ponderosa to be safe will act like rejuvenation drug.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou just take it easy in court this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust two witnesses Pa. Newman and maybe Jamie and Rochfort for one question each and finally Sauvinet. Then we\u2019re home and dry. They don\u2019t have any answers, you saw the confusion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes Son and I saw the contempt on Judge Harris face, he hasn\u2019t missed a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben wasn\u2019t the only one to see that contempt. Keane had headed straight back to his boss as the court recessed for lunch and he didn\u2019t mince his words. They had lost there was noway the Judge was going to find for them and there was no chance to sneak an appeal. They would be lucky to slide out from under without facing charges of attempt to defraud and conspiracy. When they finally arrived Haslam and Cullen could only agree, they were scared for their own skins, just at the moment they would be lucky to keep their licences to practise. The only good news they had was that Padilla had had the sense to keep his mouth shut, take all the blame and pay his fine. Huntingdon told Keane to collect $10 000 of untraceable cash to pay Padilla. Enough to cover his fine and for him to leave the country fast before any other officers of the court decided to question him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huntingdon was in a cold fury \u201cI want that whore. She must have known.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hearst shook his head \u201cI\u2019m sure Lady Dinah did not know. If Adam fooled us why shouldn\u2019t he have fooled her?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hearst shrugged \u201cI think he was playing a lone hand. I can\u2019t believe they were all acting. I think he even fooled his own family and that was why it was so convincing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere is she?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOn her way back to\u00a0Europe\u00a0and I don\u2019t know where. We can\u2019t do anything or we\u2019ll leave a trail a mile wide straight back to us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you understand yet? Adam knows exactly who is behind it, they all do by now. They must do he\u2019s had men working on this for months. Someone had sold us out!\u201d As he said it Huntingdon glared round the room.\u00a0Troy\u00a0was still in hiding after his abortive attempt on Adam and neither the law nor his erstwhile colleagues had managed to find him. In the room were Keane, Hallam, Cullen, Hearst and Margaret, Grandison and Michelle and three other men with more minor shares. Each man tried hard not to look uncomfortable as Huntingdon stared at them but found it hard under his icy glare. Huntingdon didn\u2019t really consider the women at all, except as useful appendages, and barely looked at either of the real culprits.<\/p>\n Eventually to break the tension Hearst said \u201cKnowing is one thing, proving it that\u2019s something else.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huntingdon accepted that, \u201cDoes anyone still feel its worth pushing for a win?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone shook their heads, even before today\u2019s events most had been well aware that what had looked like an impregnable case was falling apart around their ears. Huntingdon went on, \u201cRight we cut our losses. We\u2019ll choose a different time and place to get our own back on those damned Cartwrights. For now we need to disassociate ourselves from this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hearst asked tentatively \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStop being so mealy mouthed. You know as well as I do. We eliminate the weak links, Sauvinet and his alcoholic friend Vegara and after his crass stupidity\u00a0Troy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michelle bit down hard on the automatic protest that came to her lips but as she gripped her husband\u2019s arm Grandison found himself protesting, \u201cYou can\u2019t mean to kill them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? Or are you safe because you\u2019ve been feeding Cartwright information?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201dNo, no it\u2019s not me. It\u2019s just, I mean murder….\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huntingdon laughed \u201cThink of it as extermination of a rat\u2019s nest. Your neck or theirs? Which is it to be?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grandison couldn\u2019t answer but he seemed to shrink back into his chair and his real opinion was obvious to everyone. Huntingdon was scathing \u201cMr Grandison wants what you all want, safety, but he doesn\u2019t have the stomach to act. So he\u2019ll leave it for someone else to act for him and salve his conscience that way. No wonder you\u2019re a small time operator out in the middle of nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huntingdon knew noone there really wanted anything different but they would leave him to make the arrangements and he ordered them all to get out of his sight, apart from Keane. Keane was well used to handling such things for his Master and needed only very brief orders. He would act as soon as the case was finished, or earlier if it appeared necessary and proved possible. Keane had several men on call who knew exactly what to do, very much more experienced and proficient than the gunmen\u00a0Troy\u00a0had bought.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the court reconvened Judge Harris gave a broad hint that he would favourably consider a motion but Adam didn\u2019t take him up on it. \u201cYour honour at this stage I would like to recall Mr Newman.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge had Newman called and he came forward to take the stand with the Judge\u2019s reminder that he was still under oath. Newman sat down and Adam gave Jamie the original document under which the claim had been made to pass to Newman. \u201cMr Newman earlier in the week you testified that in your opinion this document was a genuine land grant issued by\u00a0Spain. Have you heard anything since to alter your opinion?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been following the evidence pretty closely. Obviously if it\u2019s genuine it should have been on record in\u00a0Spain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou accept it isn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t up to me young man but yes I accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn that case perhaps we could look more closely at the document itself. To make thing quite clear, have I or any representative of mine approached you since your testimony?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould you fold up the document along the original folds?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Newman did so \u201cThere you are, so what?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs that the original seal?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure looks like it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs there anyway the seal could be lifted intact and replaced?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEasy. Just need a very sharp hot knife, but there ain\u2019t no point. The document had been opened round it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere may be a point if the seal has been moved from one document to another.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That suggestion caused a total hush in the court, broken only by Sauvinet\u2019s uneasy shuffling.<\/p>\n Newman considered Adam with growing interest. \u201cThat would be a good reason but how are you gonna prove it Son. These here.\u201d He gestured at the piles of documents \u201cThey are only copies, no seals.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow many sealed copies have you seen?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis one here makes five, all the rest just copies and not as many as you have in this court room.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan you remember which way the seal is placed?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Newman frowned and stared at the document in his hand \u201cIt\u2019s no good Son I can\u2019t be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned to the Judge \u201cYour honour may I recall Mr Rochfort and Mr Hunter for one question each?\u201d<\/p>\n Judge Harris nodded \u201cMr Newman you just remain seated, Mr Rochfort and Mr Hunter please come forward,\u201d They did so and the Judge said \u201cYou are still under oath. Mr Rochfort can you state which way the seal was applied?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo that it is the right way up with the fold opening close to you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge took the document and studied it and then asked \u201cMr Hunter which way was the seal?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs Mr Rochfort described.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge considered the room and then said \u201cMr\u00a0Munster\u00a0will you come forward. You handled several of these grants?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe seal?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI agree with Mr Rochfort.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you three gentlemen consider this seal?\u201d They did so and Rochfort speaking for them all said \u201cIt\u2019s upside down compared to normal.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris turned to Mr Newman \u201cHow unusual would it be for a mistake to occur?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cVery unusual the Spanish clerks were very pedantic about such things.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see. Continue Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow about the Mexican clerks?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSlightly more variable especially in the later days but this is Spanish.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf I remember correctly we agreed before that it was difficult to tell from the actual document apart from the signature?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe early Mexican ones were very similar to the Spanish.\u201d Newman conceded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam motioned to Jamie and tensed up as he came to the crux of his case. Joe saw and hastily poured his brother a neat brandy \u201cPa give him this.\u201d Adam sipped it gratefully. Then he got to his feet and taking two documents he moved forward, leaving Jamie to belatedly deliver the claimant\u2019s a copy. \u201cMr Newman will you examine these documents, defence exhibits 103b and 402c, Two copies of the same document a land grant issued to a man called Sauvinet in 1822 by the Mexican Government for land near Santa F\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Adam finished speaking a burst of noise hit the court room as everyone reacted in surprise. Sauvinet looked round at the door almost longingly but the deputy was standing there. It took Judge Harris nearly five minutes and recourse to threats to clear the court before he could obtain quiet. Adam was barely aware of it as Newman studied the new document and compared it with the claim document. Adam was too close to collapse to be able to read the expression of the older man\u2019s face. He could only wait and pray. Weak and feverish this man\u2019s testimony loomed as being the one vital point which would win him the case. Others might think he\u2019d already won but to Adam it felt as though he still had a long fight on his hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slowly the room fell silent and for most people the rest was anticlimax as Adam took Newman through the two documents almost line by line, showing where one was an exact copy and the clever changes of the geographical location and time, along with the signature. Newman was convinced long before Adam finished as Adam used other grants to show statement supposedly used in the Spanish grant were out of place but would have been normal in the Mexican one. Eventually with all the points he wanted written into the record Adam asked \u201cCould you tell the court your opinion of the original document claiming land in\u00a0Nevada\u00a0now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s obvious I got taken by a clever forgery based on this Mexican grant and using the seal from it. I apologize for misleading the Court. All I can say in my own defence….\u201d He broke off as Adam weak with relief swayed close to fainting and would have fallen if Hoss hadn\u2019t hurried out to his brother and lifted him back to his seat. Ben fed him a little brandy while the Doc tut-tutted \u201cHe\u2019s about had it, fever\u2019s way up. He must go to bed\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam pushed him away \u201cNo just a few more minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge asked \u201cDo you wish for a recess?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe got to his feet \u201cNo thank you your Honour. We have no more questions for this witness.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge looked over at Haslam and Cullen but with Newman glaring furiously at them, hating to have to admit that he\u2019d been fooled it was very obvious that any attempt to salvage anything from his testimony was going to be counter productive. Haslam just said \u201cNo questions.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben very worried as Adam fought for control of his breathing, feeling the high fever in him said \u201cYou can\u2019t carry on Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can and will!\u201d Adam forced himself to sit up straight \u201cJoe call Sauvinet again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe got Jamie to request it and the Judge was perfectly willing, unlike Sauvinet himself. Cullen made it very clear to his client that he had no choice and took the opportunity to point out how dangerous it could be to his health to say too much. Sauvinet took the stand and Adam from sheer willpower gained control of his breathing and his voice \u201cAlright let me be.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris asked \u201cAre you well enough to continue Mr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes your Honour I apologize to the court for disrupting proceedings.\u201d Then Adam turned his attention to Sauvinet, \u201cYou heard the evidence from Mr Newman?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill you examine this document?\u201d Adam got Jamie to pass Sauvinet the Santa F\u00e9 grant, \u201cHave you ever seen this before?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sauvinet wouldn\u2019t answer and Judge Harris said \u201cYou must answer the question unless you have reason to believe the answer might incriminate you when the Fifth Amendment allows you to remain silent. Is that the case?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt might be.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe record will show that Mr Sauvinet refused to answer on the grounds that it might tend to incriminate him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam continues \u201cIn your earlier testimony you stated that you had, as a family, only one land grant?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suggest that this is the one land grant your family had.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI refuse to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge intervened again \u201cLet the record show refusal under the fifth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou gave evidence earlier of some land that you sold in Santa F\u00e9. Was that part of this land grant?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI refuse to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had made the points he wanted and he said \u201cNo more questions, He had relaxed a little knowing he had virtually finished and his voice was barely audible to even his father and brothers. Judge Harris looked questioningly at them, and Joe repeated \u201cNo more questions your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam and Cullen had given in and Cullen said \u201cNo questions.\u201d But as Sauvinet was about to step down Judge Harris ordered him to stay put. He had some questions of his own. The Judge was convinced that the rather pathetic young man hadn\u2019t been capable of putting together such an elaborate attempted fraud all on his own and he was trying to find out who was behind Sauvinet. He was getting nowhere Sauvinet had discovered the magic words, \u201cI refuse to answer of the grounds it might tend to incriminate me\u201d and he hid behind them. He was far more scared of Huntingdon and Hearst than he was of the law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was barely even aware of what the Judge was doing, having his work cut out to retain his senses. Ben picked up the final statement Adam had drafted out, \u201cOne of us is going to have to read this out, Adam can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was watching the Judge \u201cI may be wrong Pa but I\u2019m inclined to doubt it will be necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss stayed by his brother, ignoring protocol as he wiped Adam\u2019s face, and when Will came back slowly fed Adam some black coffee. Adam fought off the blackness of unconsciousness which threatened and began to take in what was happening.<\/p>\n Judge Harris let Sauvinet go, warning him not to attempt to leave the court. Then he considered the defence table, now with all four Cartwrights present. Ben and Hoss totally absorbed in looking after Adam and only Joe apparently paying any attention to the Court. He asked \u201cMr Hunter did you plan to call any more witnesses?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo your Honour, the defence rests.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge banged for order in the court and Adam pushed his father away \u201cI\u2019m okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Judge Harris said \u201cNormally at this stage both claimant and defence would have the opportunity to present their closing statements and any additional written evidence. In the circumstances I propose waiving final arguments unless either side wishes to proceed?\u201d<\/p>\n Haslam and Cullen had a quick chat but all they really wanted was to get as far away from the case as possible and legally the Judge was within his rights, provided he offered the opportunity for statements. Haslam stood up \u201cWe concur your Honour but would request the opportunity to make personal statements after the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat will be in order. Mr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe whispered to his brother and then stood up \u201cThe defence is content to let the evidence speak for us your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Judge Harris considered the two sides for a moment. \u201cMy full written judgement will be available tomorrow but I feel it is unnecessary to make everyone wait for my decision. I find for the defendants and I congratulate Mr Cartwright for his lucid presentation of the case, proving beyond all probable doubt that the document before the court was a forgery backed up by a tissue of lies. The forgery based on an original land grant given to the Sauvinet family near Santa F\u00e9 and wasted in the interim. I order the arrest of Mr Sauvinet on charges of fraud and perjury.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Haslam stood up \u201cYour Honour on behalf of myself and Mr Cullen I should like to apologize to the court. Like Mr Newman we were duped by this plausible young man and presented the case he gave us in good faith.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As he sat down Judge Harris considered them coldly \u201cFor two such eminent lawyers you seem to have been strangely gullible. I propose to take no further action personally but I shall send a report on this case to the Law Society of California in your case Mr Haslam and of New York in your\u2019s Mr Cullen.\u201d With that he ended the court hearing, his main written judgement would be available the next day, but that would only dot the \u2018i\u2019s\u2019 and cross the \u2018t\u2019s\u2019, his decision was made.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As he stood up Adam finally took in that it was over. He had barely been able to make any sense out of the last hour or so and wasn\u2019t even totally sure if he had won or lost. He just knew there was nothing more that he could do and finally gave in and passed out. He slipped sideways and would have fallen but Hoss was watching closely and steadied him. Ben anxiously felt for his pulse but Hoss said \u201cEasy\u00a0Pa\u00a0he\u2019s just fainted, finally given in because it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked up \u201cDoc what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Doctor checked his patient over carefully and then stood up smiling, \u201cI think your Son had just about summed it up Mr Cartwright. Sheer will power has carried him through this far but having won he\u2019s relaxed and nature has had its way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben frowned \u201cCould he take a 12 mile wagon trip on reasonable roads?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt would take him to a place of safety where he could recover in comfort?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes it would.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cProvided you can wrap him up warmly and take it slowly I don\u2019t think it would do any harm. With luck you can get him to bed before he comes round and I\u2019ll ride along to make sure you\u2019re not pushing too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t ask that of you Doc.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t ask me I offered. Your son is quite a lawyer. I have had a most entertaining day. I think I\u2019ll tag along.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe are very grateful.\u201d Ben said.\u00a0\u00a0Then he turned to Will \u201cCan you lay on the wagon?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFive minutes, straw blankets everything will be ready.\u201d Will asked John and Jess to come and give him a hand and the three men slipped out. Carole had moved into support her husband\u2019s head on her lap and Hoss was looking after them with Sue hovering, there if needed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sauvinet had been taken off to jail and the two lawyers had left, wanting to get out of town as soon as possible. They went straight to see Huntingdon and he was just as eager for them to get away before anyone started asking questions. He promised that Keane would arrange a lawyer for Sauvinet and told the two men to separate and go home. Reminding them that lawyer confidentiality was very necessary if they expected to retain their licences. Haslam and Cullen were on the way to the station before the Cartwrights had left the courthouse.<\/p>\n Judge Harris came over as Adam fainted and stood by anxiously as the Doc stood up he asked \u201cIs Mr Cartwright going to be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doc smiled \u201cHe will be, just weak from pain and loss of blood and unless I miss my guess suffering from complete physical and mental exhaustion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSounds serious.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot too bad, a fortnight in bed will work wonders. From the look of him now he\u2019s given in he\u2019ll more than sleep the clock round, be much better when he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge nodded \u201cI hope so; he has done a very remarkable job.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sighed heavily \u201cYou don\u2019t know the half of it your Honour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI would like to know rather more young man. I shall be in\u00a0Sacramento\u00a0for the next two weeks and I would be honoured if your brother could spare me an hour for a social visit. I\u2019m more than a little curious about some aspects of this case.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll certainly pass on your message Sir and I am sure my brother would be delighted.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d The Judge was about to leave when Joe noticed the papers still all over the claimant\u2019s table. \u201cYour honour could you spare me a moment?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCertainly young man.\u201d The Judge looked at Joe with some concern, \u201cYou look as though you need your bed near as much as your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay Sir and Adam will be soon, but if he were conscious now I think he would ask you a favour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge frowned, he had grown to respect the Cartwrights over the last few days and hoped that the youngest member of the family wasn\u2019t going to ask for something illegal. Joe smiled \u201cThose papers on the desk. The copies of our defence exhibits. Who do they belong to?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA courtesy from the defence, a second copy. The court doesn\u2019t need two copies and I don\u2019t think Mr Sauvinet or his lawyer\u2019s want them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat will happen to them?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI imagine they will be thrown away under court seal.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI would like to request that the copies be given to Mr Newman. They have historical interest and I think he would make the best use of them. I\u2019m sure my brother would like him to have them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge smiled at Ben who had come over. \u201cYour sons never fail to surprise me Mr Cartwright! Your request is granted, it seems the most reasonable use of valuable historical data.\u201d He called Newman over and to his very obvious delight passed over the spare copies of all the documents from\u00a0Mexico,\u00a0Spain, the\u00a0Vatican\u00a0as well as the more local ones.<\/p>\n Newman didn\u2019t quite know what to say he was so thrilled. Ben took pity on him, \u201cMy son is right you\u2019ll make far better use of them than anyone else we know. It would be a waste to throw them away.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo are we. There aren\u2019t that many experts who having made up their minds are open-minded enough to consider new evidence and if necessary change their minds.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss joined his brother and father \u201cSeems to me we were very lucky with the calibre of our Judge as well as expert.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Judge smiled but he was touched \u201cAs I said once before all I was interested in was justice. I think you should be grateful for the calibre of your lawyer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked over at his unconscious brother and there was obvious affection and pride in his voice, as well as concern, as he said \u201cWe know just how good he is Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/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
\ndamage. For now he padded it to try and stop the bleeding, leaving it for a doctor. He was more worried by the second wound the bullet still in but again all he could do was try and minimise the loss of blood.<\/p>\n