{"id":6522,"date":"2014-05-04T12:25:26","date_gmt":"2014-05-04T16:25:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6522"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:12:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:12:24","slug":"half-brothers-half-truths-whole-hearts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6522","title":{"rendered":"Half-Brothers, Half-Truths: Whole Hearts (by MissJudy)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Adam has\u00a0been home\u00a0home from school for a short time\u00a0when he witnesses 11 year-old Joe “stealing” from a store in town.\u00a0After finding out that\u00a0his brother\u00a0had been pressured into doing this by\u00a0two\u00a0brothers who are new to the area, he tries to help.\u00a0His assistance\u00a0is met\u00a0by\u00a0Joe’s anger, resentment, and profession that Adam means nothing to him anymore.\u00a0Adam still\u00a0promises that he will protect Joe from these boys…or die trying. His words\u00a0prove prophetic.<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong> K+ \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Word Count:<\/strong> 21,463<\/p>\n

Half-Brothers, Half-Truths: Whole Hearts<\/strong><\/p>\n

One<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Boston to the Ponderosa \u2013 Fitting in Again<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam glanced over at Little Joe and noted that the boy\u2019s surly mood had not improved during the first half of the trip home. The child was sitting as far away from him as possible, nearly hanging off the edge of the wagon seat, and hadn\u2019t said a word since they\u2019d come out of Hansen\u2019s General Store thirty minutes earlier. From the tense set of Little Joe\u2019s face, Adam was pretty sure the kid wasn\u2019t in the mood for conversation either.<\/p>\n

He returned his attention to the road and grinned as he wondered what would happen if he actually did say something to his brother. As angry as Little Joe appeared, Adam figured that fire might shoot from the boy\u2019s eyes and singe the tails on the horses pulling the buckboard.<\/p>\n

The two of them did need to talk before they made it home, but Adam also knew that this was not the time. He encouraged the team with a light slap of the reins, and checked once more on his passenger.<\/p>\n

Little Joe rolled his eyes and snarled, \u201cStop looking at me. You tied my horse to the wagon and made me ride with you, but I don\u2019t have to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some opportunities were just too much fun to pass up, and Adam knew he should leave it alone\u2026but he couldn\u2019t. He stared straight ahead as he smiled devilishly. \u201cYour logic is flawed, Joe. You said you don\u2019t have to talk to me, but you just did. That negates your argument\u00a0against<\/em>\u00a0talking to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The youngster lashed out. \u201cDammit, Adam! Why do you always have to be such a smart-aleck?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes widened with the curse. He knew there was something going on with the boy, but he also knew that Ben Cartwright didn\u2019t allow coarse language. Their father might voice a string of oaths when he hammered his thumb instead of a nail, but he never resorted to swearing or cursing when dealing with others. The head of the Cartwright clan used well-chosen words and strength of character\u2014along with his large frame and steely stare\u2014to get his points across. It was something Adam had always admired and chose to emulate. He turned toward Little Joe; the grin was gone. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky I\u2019m the one with you right now. Pa would have you eating soap for supper tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

The anger in Joe\u2019s eyes bored through his brother. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s right, Adam. You ain\u2019t my pa, and don\u2019t you forget that. You\u2019re always telling me what to do and how to act. I\u2019m sick to death of you, and you\u2019ve only been home a couple of months.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam dropped his head and sighed as he thought about what Joe had said. He\u2019d been home from college since June, and there had been some rough patches as he\u2019d fallen back into the family\u2019s rhythm. But the bristly episodes hadn\u2019t been with his brothers\u2014at least not until today. In the first weeks, he and his father had knocked horns over everything from how to fix a fence to the best way to cut and sell timber. It had been a tale as old as time: the classic case of a young man home from school with new idea that he\u2019d learned in books, while his father remained a proponent of his own hard-knocks-learn-by-doing method of education.<\/p>\n

The war of wills had worked itself out as the two men stopped grumbling at each other and started talking. Adam admitted that he had returned home intent on proving that the cost of his education had been worth the expense. Once he stopped pushing so hard to change things, he realized how much change had actually been implemented in his absence. The gratifying part was that almost every improvement had been something he and his father had talked about before he\u2019d left, or that they\u2019d considered in their letters to each other while he was away.<\/p>\n

His father had begun to adjust to having another adult in the house too, and had given his eldest son far more responsibility in ranch affairs. He\u2019d also started taking Adam along on business trips, and had recently admitted\u2014with great pride\u2014that his son had a keen mind for negotiations.<\/p>\n

Some of Adam\u2019s pre-college responsibilities had returned too, including being in charge of the household when Ben was away. There was far less \u201cwatching\u201d his brothers as there had been before. Now he felt more like the referee\u2026or the asylum administrator when Joe was in one of his zany moods. At first Adam had worried that Hoss would be upset that he wasn\u2019t in charge any more, but his father had confided to him that the household usually fell into chaos when he left the middle son at the helm, because he couldn\u2019t say no to Little Joe.<\/p>\n

To Adam\u2019s relief, Hoss had laughed when he had asked his brother how he felt about not being in command. \u201cYou can\u2019t take away what I never wanted in the first place. Just let me to them animals out there, and you keep a rein on Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

What had surprised him most in returning home was seeing how much his brothers had grown up while he\u2019d been away.<\/p>\n

Hoss had grown from a good-sized, almost-teenager, to a giant of a young man. At 17, he was 6\u20193\u201d and still stretching skyward. He\u2019d finished as much school as was now offered in Virginia City, and he was committed to being a full-time rancher. His easy way and gentle spirit made him a favorite with the ranch hands,\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em>an easy target for his younger brother\u2019s schemes.<\/p>\n

Adam had been 17 when he\u2019d left for school, and he couldn\u2019t help but compare what he\u2019d been like then to what Hoss was like now. Hoss was as sure about what he wanted from life as Adam had been. The young man loved the Ponderosa and had no intention of leaving. He had a special interest in the livestock, and while professing disdain for furthering his formal education, he was always studying up on the newest methods of caring for his \u201ccritters\u201d and the land.<\/p>\n

Little Joe had changed in different ways. He\u2019d been a smart, six-going-on-twenty-year-old when Adam had left, and had plotted his schemes with the wiliness of a child. But now Little Joe was a wiry 11-year-old with a flair for drama, and a passion for intrigue. He was smart, likeable, witty, and fun to be around most of the time. His conspiracies were more thought out now\u2026more cunning, and he was able to convince others to join in.<\/p>\n

Yet even though Joe\u2019s\u00a0plans<\/em>\u00a0were better, his execution still had room for improvement. It seemed that the youngest Cartwright was always on the verge of catastrophe, with Hoss following him blindly into the fray. None of Joe\u2019s undertakings were mean-spirited though, and when they went awry, the consequences affected him more than anyone else. He accepted his punishment in those instances, and moved on to his next big scheme.<\/p>\n

Adam knew that he\u2019d grown up with an entirely different Ben Cartwright. His father had been so concentrated on building a legacy that there had been no patience for misbehavior from his first child. Once success had visited the Ponderosa, his father had begun to show more leniency toward Hoss and Little Joe than had ever been afforded him. He didn\u2019t feel resentful about it. The concentration, drive and work ethic he\u2019d come by in those early years had made it possible to fulfill his dream of going back East for school. And it wasn\u2019t that his brothers weren\u2019t held to the high Cartwright standards. His father might be easier going in some things, but there was no tolerance for anyone bringing shame to the family name.<\/p>\n

Something that he noticed since his return was that even with the relaxed results for tomfoolery, Little Joe\u00a0still<\/em>\u00a0pushed at his father\u2019s limits, and Adam could often see the man\u2019s jaw working as he considered how to handle his youngest son\u2019s lapses of good judgment. He suspected that what worried his father most was that Joe could be an easy target for those who might try to corrupt the boy\u2019s free spirit. And what was worrying Adam\u00a0now<\/em>, was that he was pretty sure he had witnessed something along those lines at Hansen\u2019s store. The confrontation over what\u2019d he\u2019d seen, was the cause for the youngster\u2019s surliness and refusal to talk.<\/p>\n

Adam was jarred back into the present when the wagon hit a hole in the road, causing it to shudder and sway. Looking over at Little Joe, he finally responded, \u201cI don\u2019t have to be your father to know that what you did in Hansen\u2019s was wrong. \u00a0As your\u00a0brother<\/em>, I had to do something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe laughed. \u201cYou ain\u2019t really my brother. So you got no call telling me anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know something I don\u2019t?\u201d Adam asked with mock disbelief, and then grinned, trying to lighten the tension. \u201cDid Pa confess to finding me under a cabbage plant? Because if he didn\u2019t, then I\u2019m pretty sure I\u2019m still your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just half my brother. Jimmy and Pete Miller told me that don\u2019t count for much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what being half-brothers means, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged and gave another exasperated eye-roll.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just means we have different mothers. You, Hoss and I all have the same father; we\u2019re all Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Adam. Since you\u2019re only my half-brother, I figure I only need to listen to half of what you say. And right now I don\u2019t care about either half of you enough to waste my time listening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blew his breath from clenched teeth. \u201cI\u2019ll be quiet, but we\u2019re going to talk about what happened before we get home. Finish your sulking, because I\u2019m stopping in the meadow that\u2019s a couple miles ahead and we\u2019re not leaving there until you tell me what\u2019s going on. Consider it a rehearsal for what you\u2019ll tell Pa when we get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

An Hour Earlier \u2013 What Started the Brotherly Impasse<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHiya, Adam!\u201d Seth Hansen called across the store as the eldest Cartwright son entered, and set the bell attached to the door frame jingling. \u201cWhat can I do for you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had spent the entire morning doing an inventory of the Ponderosa feed and trail supplies, and then had headed to town, figuring he had enough time to pick up what they needed, and still make it home before sunset. The Cartwright family used Cass\u2019s General Store for their food staples, but Seth Hansen had opened up a general merchandise that carried more tools and equipment.<\/p>\n

After returning the shopkeeper\u2019s greeting, Adam held up a sheet of paper. \u201cI\u2019ve got a list, Seth. I figure you have most of this in stock, but there\u2019s one thing you\u2019ll need to order. Hop Sing saw a spade in a catalogue and he wants to have it for next spring\u2019s gardening. I figure you can get it faster than we can order it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth grinned. \u201cWhat\u2019s so special about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea, but if Hop Sing wants one, I won\u2019t argue.\u201d Adam made his way to the counter and handed over the list as well as the catalogue page with the rendering and description of the implement. \u201cI can\u2019t see any difference between this and the three we already have, but it\u2019s a small price to keep Hop Sing happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

After scanning the list, Seth nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re right; I have most of this. Are you taking on a bigger crew this fall? It seems like you need a lot of camp supplies.\u201d He read from the sheet: \u201cTwo dozen plates and cups; cooking pots; wooden spoons, forks, knives, spoons, and blankets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cWe\u2019ve got two new men riding in next week, but you know how it goes with trail gear. Some of it\u2019s starting to show its age. But a lot of it gets left behind or appropriated for other purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n

One eyebrow arched on the shop owner\u2019s forehead. \u201cWhat does it get \u2018appropriated\u2019 for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen the long-handled wooden spoons used as shoehorns when some drover gets new boots. The plates are used for shaving basins, and then get tucked into saddle bags to be handy for the next time they get the chance to spruce up. Cups get taken at night for a nip of chill-chasing spirits\u2026and when those spirits get a little too \u2018chased,\u2019 cups go flying into the fire or the bushes with final tributes before hitting the bedrolls.\u201d Adam laughed as he admitted, \u201cSince I\u2019ve been the initiator of some of those toasts and cup tosses, I can\u2019t criticize anyone else. Knives, forks and spoons become poker chips or tools, and I don\u2019t want to know what some of it gets used for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right about that!\u201d Seth pulled a catalogue from under the counter and began paging through. Turning it for Adam to see he pointed at a column and said, \u201cYou were right, I can order the spade from Earl Mitchell. He\u2019s the salesman for Ames Manufacturing, and he\u2019s due in next week. Earl does claim that an Ames shovel is better than all the rest. It\u2019ll take a couple months for it to come in, but you\u2019ll have it by spring.\u201d He looked up at his customer. \u201cCould you keep an eye on things while I\u2019m in the storehouse getting your supplies? Just holler out the back if anyone needs me.\u201d Seth turned in the doorway to add, \u201cI almost forgot. A school teacher turned miner, came through town last week and traded a few books for some supplies. They\u2019re on the shelf, so have a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, I\u2019ll do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth Hansen was several years older than Adam, but the two men had a common love: they were both bibliophiles. The shopkeeper had so many books that he\u2019d built two open shelves in the back corner of the store to hold them all. It seemed incongruous to have a small library of decent fiction, history and science in a store specializing in hardware, camping gear, timbering tools, and mining supplies, but it suited Adam just fine. He slipped between the shelves and pulled out a heavy text called, A\u00a0History of England<\/em>. Leaning back against the wall, he began to thumb through the ornately decorated pages, and became so absorbed in an illustrated map that he jumped when the bell jingled, indicating a new arrival.<\/p>\n

Adam peered through a gap between the books and the shelf, and was surprised to see Little Joe standing there. He was about to say something when he noted that his brother made a furtive visual sweep of the store, and then ran up to the counter, hoisting himself on top to look behind it and peer into the back room. Giving another look around, the boy moved quickly to the displays, grabbing a number of small things that he shoved in his pockets. From Adam\u2019s vantage point, he saw that one item was a jackknife, but he wasn\u2019t sure about the rest. The older brother\u2019s eyebrows narrowed over a puzzled frown as he considered what he\u2019d just witnessed. When Little Joe headed for the door, Adam stepped from his shelter, and said, \u201cStop right there!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s face paled as he turned. \u201cWhere were you hiding?\u201d he asked with as much bravado as he could muster.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t hiding, I was reading while Seth went out to his storage shed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s color began to return. \u201cWell, I didn\u2019t see you there. You musta had your nose in that book real good.\u201d Joe gave a tight chuckle as he reached for the door knob. \u201cI didn\u2019t see the buckboard or your horse outside. How\u2019d you get here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wagon is at the feed store. They\u2019re loading it, so I came here to finish up.\u201d One eye dipped as his cheek rose to meet it. \u201cWhat\u2019s your hurry, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wiped his palms against his pants. \u201cI gotta head for home, same as you. I just wanted to check again on the knife I\u2019ve been saving for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam kept moving toward the youngster while they talked, and finally took Joe\u2019s shoulder and gave him a shove toward the back of the store.<\/p>\n

What are you doin\u2019, Adam?\u201d the boy spat angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpty your pockets.\u201d When his request didn\u2019t get results, Adam added a loud, \u201cNow!\u201d Little Joe stood like a statue while casting furtive looks toward the windows. \u201cWho\u2019s out there, Joe?\u201d Adam asked as he began pulling the pilfered items from his brother\u2019s jacket and setting them on the counter.<\/p>\n

When confronted with the pile of goods Adam had removed, the boy hung his head and said quietly. \u201cIt\u2019s not what you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I think is that you were going to walk out without paying for this merchandise. You came in here, checked to see if anyone was around, pocketed this stuff, and were headed for the door when I stopped you. There isn\u2019t a lot of room for interpretation in that, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe pointed to the display where the knife had been. \u201cI left money to pay for everything I took. I just wanted it to\u00a0look<\/em>\u00a0like I was taking it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head and sighed deeply. \u201cSo you were just\u00a0pretending<\/em>\u00a0to be a thief? May I ask why?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no reply. Adam finished returning the items to their places just as Seth returned with a sack that hang down to his ankles and rattled like a snare drum with each step.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had everything on your list, Adam.\u201d Noticing Little Joe, Seth welcomed him and invited him to take a peppermint stick on the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe doesn\u2019t want to spoil his supper\u2026does he?\u201d Adam cast a steely stare at his brother. He laid Joes coins next to the cash box and pointed to them. \u201cMy brother found these in the store, Seth.\u201d He watched as Joe\u2019s look changed from frightened to hateful as he gave the boy a nudge toward the door. \u201cWe best be getting home now. I didn\u2019t have time to go through the books, but the titles do look interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Truths\u00a0<\/strong>in the Meadow<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Adam pulled the wagon to a stop in the grassy lea as he\u2019d promised he would, and turned to face Little Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0The younger brother remained mute as he raised his foot to the seat and began buffing his boot with his shirt cuff.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get things started. You knew that what you were doing was wrong or you wouldn\u2019t have left money. So what possessed you to pretend to be a thief?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes were slits as he finally looked at his brother. \u201cIt was just a dare. It wouldn\u2019t have hurt anyone and it would be over now, except that you had to interfere.\u201d<\/p>\n

His laugh rang out on the breeze. \u201cSo it\u2019s my fault? Let me tell you about a proverb. It says that a man who brings shame to his family inherits the wind.\u201d1<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s eyes rolled as he shook his head. \u201cWhat is that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means that it\u2019s only\u00a0because<\/em>\u00a0I was the one to see it that you get a second chance on this.\u201d Adam\u2019s jaw tightened as his brother snorted. \u201cYou think this was nothing more than a harmless prank, but suppose it had been someone else behind that bookcase today\u2026someone who watched you, and\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0figure out that you were \u2018pretending\u2019 to steal. By the time you\u2019d cleared the town limits, that person would have been at the Bucket of Blood telling everyone with ears that he saw \u2018Ben Cartwright\u2019s\u2019 boy stealing from Hansen\u2019s store. That would have started a whirlwind of speculation about this family. The next time any one of us \u2018Cartwright boys\u2019 walked into a store; we\u2019d be watched very closely. And those who do any sort of business with Pa would start checking their figures to make sure he was more honest than his kids. Any discrepancy would solidify the idea that the whole family was a bunch of thieves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another snort from Little Joe made Adam reach for the boy\u2019s jacket and tug him closer until they were nearly nose-to-nose. \u201cOne stupid, thoughtless act by you\u2026a bit of pretending\u2026could have started a lot of suspicion and rumor. All Pa\u2019s work would be for nothing if that had happened. Do you get it now? You\u2019re a Cartwright, Little Joe. That\u2019s not always easy, but it doesn\u2019t have to be hard either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to do it.\u201d He spoke quietly as his eyes pooled with tears.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s tone softened as he let go of the jackets and sat back. \u201cThen why did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe sniffed, and then wiped his nose along the length of his coat sleeve. \u201cThere\u2019s these two brothers; they\u2019re new in school this year. I think they moved here from Arizona with their ma, and live with Mrs. Westfield. She\u2019s their aunt, I think. At first they were funny, and I liked hangin\u2019 around with them. But lately, they\u2019ve gotten mean. They say awful things to the other kids; call them names and push them around. And then they said I had to steal something to show that I wasn\u2019t a baby like the rest of the kids in school. I said I wouldn\u2019t, but they were pretty clear that if I didn\u2019t do it, they\u2019d steal something and make sure people thought I was the one who did it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI noticed that you kept checking the window when you were in the store. Were they outside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026so they must know that I didn\u2019t get what they wanted.\u201d The boy blanched.<\/p>\n

Adam slid closer on the wooden seat again, but this time he rubbed Joe\u2019s back. \u201cYou should have told Pa about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have, except that the part about stealing just happened today. They said they\u2019d skin me alive if I told anyone or didn\u2019t go through with it. I had the money along that I\u2019ve been saving up, thinking I\u2019d check on the knife today to see if I had enough. So I figured I could leave that at Hansen\u2019s to pay for the stuff I took. That way I\u2019d get it over with so they\u2019d leave me alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a big problem in your reasoning. Doing what they want usually doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019ll leave you alone. If you\u2019d given them those things, they\u2019d want something else tomorrow, or maybe they\u2019d expect you to help with something worse. It sounds like these two have some experience in getting what they want from people.\u201d Adam thought for a second. \u201cChances are that you\u2019re not the first kid they\u2019ve threatened or the first mischief they\u2019ve planned. I think we need to talk to Sheriff Coffee about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pushed at Adam as he screamed. \u201cNo, Adam! They\u2019ll kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey won\u2019t kill you.\u201d The older son smiled reassuringly. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Pa about this. We can send a note tomorrow for Miss Jones, asking that she keep you inside for recess and lunch.\u201d He ruffled his brother\u2019s hair. \u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019s kept you in plenty of times before, so this won\u2019t seem unusual. Pa\u2019s got business in Carson City tomorrow, so if he agrees, I\u2019ll ride in to talk to Roy in the afternoon and find out if these boys are making other trouble in town. Then I\u2019ll pick you up from school and we\u2019ll tell Miss Jones what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam flipped the reins and started the team moving again. \u201cAre these the boys you mentioned earlier: Jimmy and Pete Miller?\u201d<\/p>\n

A quick nod confirmed the names, and then Little Joe drifted back into silence for the remainder of the trip.<\/p>\n

As they neared the house, Adam said, \u201cYou go on in and talk to Pa while I store the supplies and take care of the team. Tell him what you did at Seth\u2019s store, and about these Miller boys. He\u2019ll be upset, but he\u2019ll understand. Pa\u2019s had to deal with bullies too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0When Half-brothers Tell Half Truths<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Little Joe and Ben were on the settee when Adam entered the house. His father\u2019s arm was wrapped around the boy, making Adam assume that his brother\u2019s explanation had gone well. But he began to sense that something was amiss when his father turned and gave him a sour look.<\/p>\n

After dismissing Little Joe to get ready for supper, Ben motioned Adam to join him. As the older son made his way over, Ben began, \u201cYour brother informs me that there was a misunderstanding at Hansen\u2019s today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyebrows rose as he frowned. He took a seat on the low table across from his father. \u201cWhat did he tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that he went to the store to pick up the pocket knife he\u2019s been saving for. He waited, but when Mr. Hansen didn\u2019t come out from the back, he finally took the knife and left the money. That\u2019s when you stepped out from where you were watching him, and accused him of stealing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cThat\u2019s what he said?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s very upset that you accused him of theft, but he figures you couldn\u2019t see what he was doing well enough to understand the circumstances, and you jumped to the wrong conclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, isn\u2019t that generous of him!\u201d Adam shook his head as his jaw set in a perturbed scowl. \u201cHis account has some truth in it, but he conveniently left out a few important things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch as?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that I pulled more than a knife from his pockets, and he admitted that he wanted it to look like he was stealing so the boys outside watching him would think he was actually doing just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The father\u2019s shoulder\u2019s sagged. \u201cIs it possible that you misunderstood the situation?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa. We talked about what happened during the ride home. Little Joe is being bullied and threatened by a couple of kids at school. They\u2019re new to Virginia City and I suspect they\u2019ve settled on tormenting Joe…probably because he seems more daring than the other kids.\u201d He saw his father\u2019s face shade to gray. \u201cLook, Pa, Joe\u2019s a good kid. He\u2019s full of crazy ideas, but he\u2019s not a thief. I know that. He\u2019s got himself into something he\u2019s a little scared about, and he thinks he knows how to handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Father and son\u2019s eyes met as Ben\u2019s voice grew deep and sad, \u201cSo what you\u2019re saying is that he\u2019s probably more afraid of these boys than he is of me right now. I can\u2019t imagine Little Joe lying to my face. He had to know that you\u2019d tell me the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pulled at his ear as he sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe he thought I\u2019d cover for him out of half-brotherly loyalty.\u201d He saw the puzzled twitch of his father\u2019s eyes and lips, and explained. \u201cI think these boys have put some doubt into Joe\u2019s head about how he fits in with Hoss and me too. They must have heard from someone that we\u2019re not \u2018full\u2019 brothers like they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s always known that you all had different mothers,\u201d Ben stated firmly. \u201cThat shouldn\u2019t have come as a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true, Pa. But we don\u2019t normally think of each other that way. When the Millers made a big thing about it, Little Joe probably began to question it. Kids don\u2019t like to be different.\u201d He crossed his arms and leaned forward. \u201cAs to why he didn\u2019t tell you the whole truth\u2026I think he wants to solve this on his own, and he\u2019s afraid that we\u2019ll make it worse if we intervene. I know you have to go away tomorrow, so here\u2019s what I was thinking we could do\u2026\u201d Adam went on to tell Ben of his plan to enlist help from Miss Jones and Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to have you wait until I\u2019m back, son, but I have to get to the bank tomorrow, and I suppose this should be dealt with immediately. Maybe Roy can speak to the mother and the boys.\u201d He added after a moment, \u201cWho are these troublemakers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe said they\u2019re Pete and Jimmy Miller. I heard talk about Anna Westfield\u2019s sister moving into her place with a couple of sons. It must be them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben scrubbed at his face. \u201cI\u2019ll go have a talk with your brother now. I need to remind him that lies, even when camouflaged in a little truth, do not work in this house. I\u2019ll also tell him that you\u2019ll give him a hand tomorrow and maybe we can end this before it gets worse. He started to walk toward the stairs and turned back. \u201cYou don\u2019t think they\u2019d really hurt Little Joe, do you? They\u2019re probably just acting tough because they\u2019re new in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam knew his father\u2019s heart was pinned to his sleeve where his sons were concerned\u2014and more so with the youngest one. Joe was feisty and brave, but he was also impulsive and even reckless at times. He wasn\u2019t sure how big a problem Little Joe was up against, but he knew that he\u2019d protect his brother no matter what it took, just as his father would. \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine, Pa.\u201d Adam chuckled as he winked. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of him\u2026or die trying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0In the Light of Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Ben had already left for Carson City by the time Adam and Little Joe came down for breakfast. Since Hoss had already left as well to help the hands cull the herd for market cattle, the oldest and youngest brothers were the only two at the table.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Adam slid an envelope over to his brother, and said, \u201cGive that to Miss Jones when you get to school, and then stay inside. Keep away from the Miller kids today and I\u2019ll be there before you go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The angry child from the previous day reemerged as Little Joe hissed, \u201cWhy can\u2019t you stay out of it, Adam. You\u2019re just gonna make things worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt that\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou told on me to Pa last night and that made things a lot worse for me. I\u2019ll be doin\u2019 extra chores until I\u2019m a hundred because of you! Sticking your nose into this will be just as bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou probably won\u2019t believe this, but I told Pa what you did only because I was worried about you. You seemed pretty upset yesterday and I thought Pa had the right to know what was really going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe jumped up and waved his arms for emphasis. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of it myself. They\u2019ll leave me alone if I stand up to them, and if I get a black eye, that\u2019s my business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down and finish eating.\u201d Adam commanded as he drummed his fingers on the table. \u201cIf these were kids we knew, Pa might let you sort it out. But we don\u2019t know them. In fact, I heard someone at the Bucket telling about a mother and her sons moving to this area because they caused so much trouble in Arizona that they had to leave. I\u2019m pretty sure this is the family you\u2019re dealing with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just saying that.\u201d Joe sat and exhaled loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m saying that because it\u2019s true. I told you yesterday that things don\u2019t stay secret in a town. It passes from person to person like hot embers in a dry field. If these are the boys I\u2019ve been hearing about, they may be more trouble than you can deal with.\u201d He gave his brother a quick grin. \u201cI may be completely wrong here and if that\u2019s true, I\u2019ll admit it, and you can have at \u2018em.\u201d When Little Joe rolled his eyes and set his mouth in an angry pout, Adam added, \u201cYou may consider me as just your half-brother, but I don\u2019t think of\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0that way. I care about all of you, Joe. I always have and I always will. I\u2019m sorry if you feel that\u2019s a burden, but it\u2019s the way it is. I promised Pa that I\u2019d help you with this, so it doesn\u2019t matter whether or not you agree.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy shoved the last of his bacon in his mouth and drained his milk. He snatched the envelope from the table and pushed his chair back so hard it fell over. \u201cI\u2019m leavin\u2019 now,\u201d he said as he righted the chair, and then pled, \u201cPlease don\u2019t show up at school, Adam.\u201d He grabbed his books from the credenza and looked back at his brother. \u201cOr at least wait out back until everyone leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam waited for his brother to turn away before he smiled at the small concession. He remembered what it was like to be young and indestructible. Joe\u2019s bravado made him stare the world down, hoping to convince it that he could handle everything on his own. But every now and then, Little Joe blinked.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0When All Else Fails, Blame Adam\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Little Joe tied his mare in the grassy area next to the school, and was only a few steps from making it inside when the Miller brothers rose up from behind the bushes growing next to the building, and blocked his path.<\/p>\n

Pete was the older of the two, and he was almost a head taller than Little Joe. He squared his stance and stood with his hands on his hips, making himself look even bigger. \u201cWhere\u2019s the stuff we wanted?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe stretched as much as his small frame allowed and tried to disguise the fact that his stomach was leaning toward to emptying itself onto his boots. \u201cYou saw what happened. My brother was in the store and caught me. There was no end to his lecturing me about it, and then he squealed on me to my pa, so then I got lectured to some more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw your brother at the store. He\u2019s the one my aunt says is so smart, right? She goes on and on about your family until I want to stuff a sock in her mouth.\u201d It was Jimmy this time. He was shorter than his brother, but still towered over the smaller boy.<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded. \u201cHe went to college and reads a lot. But he seems more a smart-aleck, than \u2018smart\u2019 to me. He\u2019s got a big brain\u2026and a big mouth to go with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two brothers laughed at Joe\u2019s comments and Pete said, \u201cRemember, he\u2019s only your half-brother, so you ain\u2019t gotta listen to anything he tells you.\u201d He gave Jimmy a knowing smile. \u201cBesides, you can go get our stuff tonight. Mr. Smarty-pants won\u2019t expect you to try it again after all the trouble you got into yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes began to sting with the first inklings of angry tears as he recalled what Adam had said about these boys never leaving him alone. He hoped his voice wouldn\u2019t let on that he was getting really scared. \u201cI can\u2019t do it tonight. My brother\u2019s coming to town again, and he\u2019s getting me from school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pete pushed the smaller boy, making him fall on his backside. \u201cWhat a baby. You should have told him to mind his own business.\u201d He nudged his brother. \u201cI told you this kid was all mouth. He\u2019s too big a chicken to be any good to us. It\u2019s time we teach him a lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n

While sitting in the dirt staring up at the two larger boys, Little Joe recalled more of Adam\u2019s warnings from breakfast. There was no way of knowing how far these Miller brothers would go to prove their point. He reckoned he could put up a scrapping fight against one of them for a few minutes, but there was no chance against them both.<\/p>\n

The skirmish and raised voices had attracted other kids curious to see what was happening. But as Joe looked up at the faces of his friends, he saw their fear and knew that none of them would help him in a tussle against these two behemoths. The child\u2019s mind raced as he determined what he needed to do.<\/p>\n

He stood and tried to appear unafraid as he casually brushed the dust from his pants. It took every ounce of courage he had, but he steeled his spine, and locked the two boys in a mocking stare. \u201cMaybe if you want that knife and those other things so bad, you should save up and go buy them like the rest of us would.\u201d His words stunned the Miller boys for a minute and he walked around them intent on reaching the safety of the building. Pete\u2019s long arm stopped his progress. He grabbed Little Joe\u2019s shirt and pulled him back into a shoulder-hold, dragging him toward the shrubs he and his brother had hidden behind a few minutes earlier.<\/p>\n

While Pete held Little Joe, Jimmy grabbed the boy\u2019s face and growled, \u201cNobody talks to us like that. You\u2019ll do what we tell you to do, or else.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young Cartwright\u2019s legs were shaking so badly that he was having trouble remaining upright, but he managed to unleash the only weapon he had left: his smart-aleck, half-brother. \u201cAdam says everyone in town is talking about how you two had to move here because you got kicked out of Arizona. He\u2019s gonna stop by the Sheriff this afternoon and find out if you\u2019ve been up to no good here too, and tell him what you did to me. Then he\u2019s comin\u2019 to school to see Miss Jones. You\u2019ll probably get kicked out of Virginia City too by the time he\u2019s through with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pete released his grip and stood next to Jimmy. Joe saw a wave of fear wash over both boys\u2019 faces for an instant, and he used their moment of indecision to get away and join the group of children.<\/p>\n

The Millers moved a few steps away while talking quietly to each other, and then approached Little Joe while flashing big smiles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen is this brother of yours coming to town?\u201d Pete was the spokesman.<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s forehead wrinkled along with his nose. \u201cWhat\u2019s it to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d like to tell him we\u2019re sorry for makin\u2019 him think you was gonna steal somethin\u2019 for us.\u201d Jimmy continued his toothy smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe was funnin\u2019 with you,\u201d Pete added, \u201cand want him to know we won\u2019t bother you no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Little Joe stammered. \u201cHe won\u2019t come in until this afternoon, but you can just talk to him after school if you want to.\u201d The youngster entered school with a swagger in his step, feeling he\u2019d handled things just as he\u2019d told his brother he would. He couldn\u2019t wait for Adam to show up later so he could tell him what had happened, and then bask in the glow of his success.<\/p>\n

Although he didn\u2019t think he was still scared, Little Joe realized he was relieved when there was no response to Miss Jones\u2019 call for James or Peter Miller during attendance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I saw the Miller boys outside before class. Did they have to leave?\u201d The teacher\u2019s question was addressed to the group.<\/p>\n

Nancy, one of the older girls in the one-room school, responded. \u201cI saw them leave, Miss Jones. They were very rude and asked what I was looking at. Then they said I should give you the message that they had more important things to do than \u2018listen to you yammer away all day.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Jones blushed to crimson, but thanked Nancy and hurried along with the remainder of the roll.<\/p>\n

While the youngest Cartwright relaxed some, he still had a queasy feeling in his stomach that something wasn\u2019t right. There wasn\u2019t any time to worry about it as Miss Jones called on him to come forward and work an arithmetic problem on the board.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Six<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The Clothesline Effect<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0It had been a good day for the eldest Cartwright son. Adam accomplished everything he\u2019d planned to do during the morning, and then ate an early lunch before heading to town. He was anxious to speak to Roy and hoped to get back to Hansen\u2019s store to take a better look at Seth\u2019s new books before meeting Little Joe at school.<\/p>\n

Sport was moving at a steady pace as they covered the distance to Virginia City and he used the time to plan what he would share with the Sheriff and Abigail Jones about Little Joe\u2019s encounter with the Millers. He didn\u2019t want to\u00a0make<\/em>\u00a0trouble for the brothers, but he had a niggling fear that these two\u00a0were<\/em>\u00a0trouble, and he didn\u2019t want Little Joe getting snagged in the undertow of problems they might create.<\/p>\n

He looked ahead and could see the \u2018Twins\u2019 in the distance, indicating he was about 20 minutes from town. He\u2019d given the name to the narrow pass because the outcroppings atop the rocky walls on both side of the road had an almost identical growth of trees and brush. Nearing the Twins meant that he\u2019d need to slow Sport because the scree at the base of the walls could create a slipping hazard for a horse that was moving too fast.<\/p>\n

This part of the road to town was still on the Ponderosa, and it was usually deserted, so when Adam saw something lying on the ground just beyond the pass, he sprang to attention. He brought Sport to a stop and stood in his stirrups, craning forward while trying to figure out what it was. It looked like a man curled up on his side, facing away from him. He supposed that someone might have been thrown from their horse or they may have been attacked and left there. Yet he felt that something wasn\u2019t right about the scene.<\/p>\n

It was an odd place to stage a robbery because there\u2019d be no way of knowing whether anyone would be traveling this stretch of road on a given day. Yet he reasoned that a thief might not consider that fact. He didn\u2019t want to ride headlong into an ambush, so he did a little long-distance inquiry. Pulling his rifle from its sheath, he took aim, and fired near enough to the still form to roust a man who might be playing possum. The noise and impact brought no response. Taking aim again, he fired a second, and then a third shot. This time there was action, but only from a horse that let out a loud scream as it came flying out from behind the rocks, and ran off down the road with its empty stirrups flapping.<\/p>\n

That was enough to convince Adam that whoever was on the ground probably did need help. He put his heels to Sport\u2019s sides, bringing him to a gallop despite the loose gravel ahead. The fine horse was straining forward in full stride as they breached the entrance to the pass.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Adam blinked several times as he regained consciousness. He was flat on his back, looking up at the rock canopy created by the Twins\u2019 ledges. He wasn\u2019t sure how long he\u2019d been out, but his thoughts were foggy, and he felt disoriented. When his stupor gave way to increasing alertness, he realized that every part of him was throbbing in pain. That wasn\u2019t the essential problem, though. What was causing him to panic was that he couldn\u2019t breathe normally. It felt like something was pressing against his neck. The more he struggled for a breath, the tighter it squeezed\u2014suffocating him. He reached up and moved his hand along his neck. His touch produced pain, but he couldn\u2019t feel any object that would account for the sensation he was experiencing.<\/p>\n

He closed his eyes, and tried to stem his rising fear by concentrating on how he\u2019d ended up where he was. His efforts brought back an image from when he\u2019d entered the pass. He\u2019d glanced up when something had slid into his field of vision, but there had been no time to figure out what it was\u2026or to react. Whatever it had been, it had dropped down from the outcroppings above him, impacting him at shoulder level, riding up his neck until caught his chin. He\u2019d been yanked off Sport as the horse kept going forward, and he\u2019d landed flat on his back in the loose gravel.<\/p>\n

His memories did nothing to assist in his struggle to exchange air, but he was heartened when he heard the sound of footsteps coming his way. Opening his eyes again, he saw two faces peering down at him. Adam tried to speak\u2014to ask for help\u2014but he couldn\u2019t force enough air out to produce any volume.<\/p>\n

The faces above him belonged to teenagers, not men, and the one Adam judged to be older, poked the other in the arm and laughed. \u201cHe don\u2019t look so smart\u00a0now<\/em>, does he Jimmy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The younger one answered with an ugly chuckle. \u201cNope he don\u2019t at that. It also don\u2019t look like he\u2019ll be finishing his trip into town to tell anyone about us neither.\u201d He looked down at Adam and spit next to his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know as that you\u2019re gonna recover from this\u00a0accident<\/em>,\u00a0Mr. Cartwright<\/em>, but in case you do, we\u2019d be right grateful if you not mention that we\u2019re the ones who contributed to it. Consider this your payment for interfering in our plans yesterday\u2026and a warning to keep your mouth shut if you do live long enough to use it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam moved his hand toward his side. He had a pretty good idea who these two boys were, and hoped that even if he couldn\u2019t put up a physical fight, he might be able to make them leave if he could draw his gun. His fingers closed around air in the space where his Colt normally rested. He recalled removing the hammer strap on the holster before he\u2019d ridden to help the downed man.\u00a0 The impact of the fall must have sent the pistol flying. It might be within a reach or halfway down the pass; it didn\u2019t matter. He didn\u2019t have the strength to look for it, and any movement of his head made breathing harder.<\/p>\n

The two boys cackled as they realized what their prey was trying to do. The older one spoke. \u201cMissin\u2019 somethin\u2019, Mr. Cartwright? Don\u2019t feel bad. With the shape you\u2019re in, we\u2019d have gotten that gun from ya before you\u2019d been able to use it.\u201d His comments produced more cackling, until they had to wipe their eyes on their sleeves. The same boy spoke again. \u201cI s\u2019pose we ought to get back to what we was talking about before you gave us that good laugh. You might be wondering what your incentive would be to keep things quiet-like. It\u2019s simple: say anything and we\u2019ll do somethin\u2019 worse to your kid brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jimmy was giggling as he added, \u201cDon\u2019t you mean his half-kid-brother? Hey, Pete, maybe we\u2019ll just beat up half\u2019a him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pete slapped his knee as he giggled. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure we made sure this guy can\u2019t talk no more so maybe we\u2019ll do the same to Little Joe. These two talk too much anyway.\u201d He punctuated his comment with a kick to Adam\u2019s ribs and another howl of laughter. \u201cWe\u2019ll be leavin\u2019 you now. A pleasure to meet you\u2026Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boot tip striking his rib would have made Adam holler if he\u2019d been able to. The encounter with Pete and Jimmy Miller left his heart pounding erratically, and he could now hear a high-pitched whistle each time he drew a shallow breath. He knew that if he didn\u2019t control his fear and rage, he wouldn\u2019t live long enough for anyone else to find him. A sense of relief did flood over him when he heard the boys\u2019 boots crunching on the gravel as they walked away. That emotion was followed by pure gratitude when he heard them ride off. The only hope he had now was in keeping a rein on his panic, and praying that someone would ride through soon enough to help. Exchanging a breath was still no easier, but he found that panting allowed a little air into his lungs, and maybe that would be enough.<\/p>\n

As he lay there, Adam had to attack one last fear; the threat to Little Joe. The Miller brothers wouldn\u2019t have been out here waiting for him unless they had found out that he was coming to town, and he figured that Little Joe must have told them. He knew that his brother had nothing to do with this; he\u2019d probably just told them about it while trying to get the pair to leave him alone.<\/p>\n

What he couldn\u2019t understand was why they hadn\u2019t just taken a shot at him as he rode along instead of setting up this elaborate trap. Yet the answer was probably very simple: they didn\u2019t have a gun. So they had done the most damage with the resources they had at hand. Adam shuddered as he considered the mindset needed to plan something like this\u2014especially in boys as young as these. At most, the oldest was fourteen; the other a year or so younger. They must have had some inkling that yanking a person off a speeding horse by the neck would cause severe injury or death. Apparently that hadn\u2019t mattered. Maybe they hadn\u2019t reached the point yet where they had enough guts to finish him off when they found out he was still alive, but he had no doubt that their killing instinct would come along just fine with a little more practice. Adam began to understand the confusion and anger his brother must have been feeling when he\u2019d been so upset the day before. He\u2019d discounted Little Joe\u2019s fear of them doing great harm, but now Adam had the feeling that the boy had sensed that the Miller boys were capable of it.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heartbeat was returning to a more normal beat as he forced himself to calm down. That changed abruptly when he heard the footfalls of a single horse approaching. He imagined that the Millers had talked it over, deciding it was foolish to leave a witness, and one of them had returned to complete the job they\u2019d started. The fear dissolved again when he forced himself to open his eyes, and saw Sport standing over him. The big horse lowered his head and pushed at his master\u2019s shoulder. Adam reached up and stroked the soft muzzle; grateful for the company, and for the fact that the animal had not been harmed. Sport bent lower to nuzzle Adam\u2019s cheek, nickering softly as the exhausted young man drifted back into darkness.<\/p>\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben sensed something was off as soon as he rode up to his house. It was early evening, a quiet time on the Ponderosa, but it seemed too quiet. In fact, Ben would have described the place as feeling deserted. He dismounted and led Buck to the barn, but stopped short as he saw the empty stalls where the boys\u2019 horses should have been. Before he had time to consider why his sons weren\u2019t home yet, he heard Hop Sing hollering while he ran across the yard. \u201cMissa Cartwright, you go town right now! I help change horse. Then you go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face settled into deep lines of worry and nearly shouted, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d as he flipped a stirrup onto Buck\u2019s back and began unbuckling the cinch while Hop Sing brought a horse from the corral.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff send man out. Say son hurt bad and you hurry to Doc Martin\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

The father\u2019s eyes darkened as his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. \u201cWhich son? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing led Ben\u2019s big buckskin to its stall. \u201cNo say. Only say hurry.\u201d The small man put his hand to his forehead as he settled down enough to think. \u201cIt not Missa Hoss. He come home safe from cattle, and leave for town when I tell him same message.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing ran to the house while Ben finished securing his saddle on the fresh horse. The cook came back out carrying a sandwich and canteen and handed them up after Ben swung up onto the animal. \u201cYou eat on way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shouted his thanks over his shoulder as he rode away. His hands were shaking so badly, and his throat was so dry that he tossed the sandwich away after a bite, and kicked his horse to a swifter pace, hoping to cover the distance to Virginia City in record time.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

During the time Ben rode to town, he tried to imagine what was waiting for him there. The possibility that bothered him most was that Adam was right about the Miller boys being ruffians. \u00a0Maybe they had hurt Little Joe because he hadn\u2019t done as they\u2019d wanted.<\/p>\n

He took a deep breath as he dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post in front of Paul Martin\u2019s house. Anxiety churned his gut as he climbed the steps to the porch and stood in front of the door. He took a moment to settle himself, praying that whatever was going on inside would not send the world crashing down on his family again.<\/p>\n

The relieved father almost shouted halleluiah when he entered Paul\u2019s sitting room and saw Little Joe curled up on the settee, sound asleep with his head on Hoss\u2019s lap. He looked heavenward and smiled, and then made his way to Hoss and quietly asked, \u201cYour brother looks fine. Can we take him home now or does Paul need him here yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss had been drifting off even though his eyes were half-open, and he jerked awake when he heard his father\u2019s voice. \u201cOh! Hi, Pa. Gees, you scared me.\u201d He rubbed at his eyes. \u201cWhat\u2019d you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled. \u201cHop Sing led me to believe that Little Joe had been seriously injured, but I\u2019m glad to see that he\u2019s none the worse for wear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe is fine, Pa,\u201d the middle son replied as he yawned. \u201cBut, he ain\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin interrupted Hoss as he exited his examination room. \u201cI\u2019m glad you made it, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s with trying to scare the wits out of me, Paul? The message Hop Sing got was that my son was in serious trouble. Either Little Joe wasn\u2019t hurt as badly as you thought or you\u2019re a miracle worker.\u201d He smiled and went to shake his friend\u2019s hand. As the two men gripped palms, Ben noticed the worried look in the doctor\u2019s eyes, and did his mental arithmetic to come up with the other possible answer. His smile dropped to a pained grimace as he sighed. \u201cIt\u2019s Adam, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome with me.\u201d Paul led the way into the other room.<\/p>\n

Ben cringed when he saw how gray his son looked lying on the exam room cot. The young man\u2019s neck was arched back with his head pressing into the pillow while a whistling noise accompanied each shallow gasp. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d He asked as he knelt at Adam\u2019s side. \u201cHe was fine this morning and now he looks as though he\u2019s…\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul gave him a knowing nod, and lifted a compress of ice-filled towels from around Adam\u2019s neck, exposing a large swath of reddened flesh that ran from his collar bone up to his chin. This was bordered at the top by a wide, bluish bruise just beneath his jaw line.<\/p>\n

Ben gaped at the damage and struggled to hold onto his emotions. His voice trembled as he asked, \u201cIt looks like he was hung!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s an accurate description except that the trauma is only on the front of his neck, not the all the way to the back like a noose would cause. When we found him, he was breathing a little better than this, but I\u2019m afraid the damaged tissue in his neck is swelling. I had Hoss and Little Joe get ice from hotel, and so far that seems to be keeping it from getting worse. He brought a chair over and made Ben sit while he replaced the ice on his patient. \u201cYou better stay there for a little bit. You\u2019re not looking too good yourself right now.<\/p>\n

Ben dismissed Paul\u2019s concern for him with a grunt, asking, \u201cHow soon until he\u2019s better,\u201d and then watched as Paul pursed his lips and closed his eyes while saying nothing. The pitch in his voice rose as he tried again. \u201cHe will get better, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul blew his breath out in a long sigh. \u201cAs bad as those rope burns look on his neck, I\u2019d say they\u2019ll heal quickly. But I can\u2019t see what damage may have been done\u00a0inside\u00a0<\/em>of Adam\u2019s trachea.\u201d He noticed Ben\u2019s raised eyebrow. \u201cHis windpipe, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut with it, Paul!\u201d Ben looked down at his son as he laid his hand gently on Adam\u2019s head. \u201cYou\u2019re talking around the problem like you do when you don\u2019t know how to tell me bad news.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul gave a nervous chuckle. \u201cYou can hear how hard it is for Adam to breathe. He did rouse a little when we first got him here, but he became so agitated that I sedated him with morphine. That slows respiration and knocks him out so it reduces his need for oxygen. I\u2019m hoping that resting, along with applying ice, will be enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens if it isn\u2019t\u2026enough?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul paced the room trying to put his fears into words. \u201cAdam is barely breathing now. If it gets any worse, he won\u2019t exchange air at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying that we\u2019ll watch him suffocate then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded slowly, and then walked over to his medicine cabinet to begin inspecting vials and moving things around on the shelves. With his back towards Ben, he said, \u201cWe\u2019ll have to wait this out and see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cIf you won\u2019t look at me, then I know there\u2019s still more bad news. What haven\u2019t you told me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor came over and sat next to his friend. \u201cThe worst of the trauma seems pretty high up on Adam\u2019s neck. That\u2019s a direct line to the larynx, the cartilage that protects his vocal chords. You\u2019ve probably heard it called a \u2018voice box.\u2019 If that\u2019s been fractured, or if his vocal chords are damaged\u2026then even if he is able to breathe again, he may not speak or his voice could be greatly different than it used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben remained silent as his thoughts crashed in his minds like hurricane seas.\u00a0My son may not live, and if he does, he may not be able to speak!\u00a0<\/em>A shiver shook his body as he forced himself to move past what \u201cmight\u201d happen. His own voice was an angry whisper as he growled, \u201cWho did this to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know. You probably knew that Adam was planning to pick Little Joe up at school today, but he wasn\u2019t there when class ended. Little Joe told Roy that he waited for a while, and finally headed home alone. He found Adam in that narrow pass near town, and he rode back here for help. Roy came for me and we went out to get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cWas Adam able to tell you anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t time to question him in those few minutes he was awake. I thought it more important to get him stabilized than to push him for details. Roy stayed out where it happened to investigate, and he has a pretty good idea what went on. He stopped by when he got back and said he found the end of a rope on the ground near where we found Adam. The other end of it was still attached to a tree on top of the of the west side of the pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid<\/em>\u00a0they try to hang him? Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy figures someone tied it on one end and tossed the free end across to the other side. Then they hid in the brush up there and waited for Adam to come along. As he rode into the pass, they dropped the rope down enough to snag Adam\u2019s head. He probably didn\u2019t even see it coming until it cut into him and snapped him off his horse. It\u2019s fortunate that they had to let that rope droop a few feet into the gap instead of being able to get it taut or they could have severed Adam\u2019s\u2026\u201d A groan from Ben stopped further explanation.<\/p>\n

When Ben could finally push the image Paul was describing aside, he asked, \u201cYou said \u2018they\u2019 set it up. There was more than one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy found two sets of footprints\u2014one set a little larger than the other. There were two horses too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cWe always slow down for that pass. I did it tonight, even though I was rushing to get here.\u201d He cradled his forehead in his hands. \u201cIf he\u2019d have slowed, wouldn\u2019t he have seen the rope and been able to stop?\u201d He rose and began to walk around the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy and I talked about that and we think we know what happened.\u201d Paul led Ben back to the chair and ordered him to stay put. \u201cWhoever did this created a diversion. They put something in the road beyond the pass from the direction Adam was coming. He would have spotted it from some ways off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a distance, it looked like a man lying there. It was just brush and grass stuffed into pants and a shirt with a hat propped on the head end, but I\u2019ll admit that it fooled us until we got close. I imagine that when Adam saw someone he thought needed help, he hurried through that pass, and didn\u2019t even notice what was going on above him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas it a robbery?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul shrugged. \u201cAdam still had a few dollars in his pants pocket. We don\u2019t know if he was carrying more, but he\u2019s got an expensive saddle, rifle and pistol that weren\u2019t taken. If it was a robbery, they went to a lot of trouble and then left the best behind.\u201d Paul pointed to a coiled rope hanging on the coat rack. \u201cRoy brought that back. He wants you to have a look at it before he takes it in as evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s forehead wrinkled. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s leaning toward this being retaliation against the Cartwrights. That rope\u2019s been whipped at the ends with a colored cord that makes it unique. Roy wants to know if you might have seen it before. Maybe one of your former drovers used a rope like that\u2014someone who holds a grudge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neither man had noticed that the door had opened a crack while they\u2019d been talking. Little Joe entered after Paul mentioned the rope, and walked over to the rack to examine it. \u201cI think I\u2019m the one who got Adam hurt,\u201d he confessed sadly as he moved toward his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about, Joseph?\u201d Ben stood and took his son by the shoulders.<\/p>\n

Little Joe sniffed. \u201cI know who did it. I saw that rope at school today hanging on Pete Miller\u2019s saddle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that one of the boys who told you to take the knife yesterday?\u201d Little Joe nodded. \u201cAdam was worried that they\u2019d hurt\u00a0you<\/em>. Do you think that they went after him instead?\u201d His grip tightened as his youngest nodded again. \u201cDo you know why they\u2019d do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe shrugged before his shoulders slumped forward. \u201cThey were pushing me around before school, saying that I was a chicken and a baby. I got scared and told \u2018em it was Adam\u2019s fault, not mine. He was the one who wouldn\u2019t let me take what they wanted me to, and then he got me in trouble with you, because he\u2019s such a smart-aleck.\u201d The child looked at his father as his face distorted with the fear and horror of realizing what his words might have led to. He stood up straighter and forced himself to tell the rest. \u201cThey didn\u2019t let up and they said I had to go back and steal stuff today or they\u2019d do something awful to me. After they pushed me around, I told them that Adam was coming to town to tell the sheriff about them and they\u2019d better watch out because my brother would make their lives miserable if they didn\u2019t stop pickin\u2019 on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears were running down the boy\u2019s cheeks as he finished his declaration of complicity. \u201cThey got all nice then, Pa, saying they\u2019d tell Adam they were only kidding around with me. I thought maybe they were telling the truth about that, so when they asked when Adam was coming to town, I told them.\u201d He looked down at his feet. \u201cThey left school after that, and all day long I was thinkin\u2019 that I\u2019d stood up to them and they ran home \u2018cuz they were scared of me. But they were just off were planning to do\u2026this.\u201d He sniffed and then blurted out in a sob, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled the boy to him. \u201cI think you owe Adam an apology for saying some of those things, but I know that you had nothing to do with this. Your brother was worried for you. I guess he was right to be concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss entered the room and joined his family at Adam\u2019s bedside. \u201cIs he gonna be all right, Pa? He sure does sound awful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Considering all he\u2019d just heard about Adam\u2019s condition and the possible outcomes, Ben wasn\u2019t sure what might happen. His oldest son could die, or he could live and be mute, but he decided to hold those fears in his own heart, and replied, \u201cHe\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ben nearly toppled from his chair, when Adam grabbed at his arm. The weary father had dozed off while keeping vigil at his son\u2019s side. When his eyes focused, he saw the panic in Adam\u2019s face as the young man struggled to breathe. \u201cRelax, son,\u201d he urged as he shifted onto the bed and grasped Adam\u2019s hands to keep him from pulling at the iced towels around his neck.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lips moved without sound as he mouthed, \u201cI can\u2019t breathe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Adam. Calm yourself if you can, and it will get a little easier. There\u2019s a cold compress on your neck. That\u2019s helping, so don\u2019t try to take it off. Do you remember what happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d was mouthed silently. But even that small effort took a toll as the wheezing increased. His eyes darted around the room before his lips moved again. \u201cPaul\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was closer than our house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave a slight nod. The tightness in his jaw and the lines in his face began to ease as he held tight to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good.\u201d Ben encouraged his son\u2019s efforts to regain control. \u201cPaul says there\u2019s swelling in your throat that has to go down before you\u2019ll be able to breathe normally again. Until then, it\u2019s best to move as little as possible and stay calm.\u201d<\/p>\n

A wry smile accompanied his whispered, \u201cEasy for you to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul had fallen asleep on a chair in the corner of the room, but had awakened when he\u2019d heard Ben talking. He could hear the increased labor in Adam\u2019s breathing, and knew it wouldn\u2019t take much for him to lapse into severe respiratory distress\u2014the first step to not being able to breathe at all. Shaking off his sleepiness, he quickly filled a syringe with morphine and wet cotton batting with alcohol. While scrubbing Adam\u2019s shoulder before the injection, he said sternly, \u201cI\u2019m giving you this to make you sleep again. Don\u2019t either of you even think about arguing with me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d the young man whispered as loudly as he could. \u201cMillers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know.\u201d Ben gripped Adam\u2019s hands tighter as the needle slid into his son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cLittle Joe recognized the rope they used.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026not hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the one who found you and went for help. Hoss and Little Joe are sleeping in the next room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee them?\u201d Adam\u2019s pled even as his eyes began to glaze over with the morphine\u2019s sedative effect.<\/p>\n

Ben hurried out to wake Hoss and Little Joe, and got them to the bedside as Adam was nodding off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d he whispered to them as he struggled to keep his eyes open.<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled shyly. \u201cYer welcome, Adam, but all I done was get ice from the hotel. Little Joe found ya and got you safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled back at Hoss, and then looked at Little Joe. He asked his little brother a question, but his voice was too soft to be heard. Little Joe squatted next to him and leaned in. \u00a0\u201cThey hurt you?\u201d he asked again between wheezy breaths.<\/p>\n

The youngest Cartwright shook his head. \u201cPushed me down and roughed me up a little.\u201d He wrapped his brother in a hug as tears began to trickle down his cheeks. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam,\u201d he professed as he released his hold and sniffed loudly. \u201cYou gotta believe I didn\u2019t want nothin\u2019 to happen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

One eyebrow rose as Adam looked up at his father. Bringing his attention back to Little Joe, he reached out to wipe away the tears on the boy\u2019s face as he whispered, \u201cI know.\u201d He heard his father saying that they\u2019d explain everything later as he drifted to sleep.<\/p>\n

Seven<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Attempts at Justice<\/strong><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee arrived at Paul Martin\u2019s house just as Hop Sing was setting breakfast on the table. He took a chair at the table with the doctor and three of the four Cartwrights. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect to see your cook here, Ben, but knowing Hop Sing, it makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laid his fork down and passed Roy the coffee pot. \u201cHe said that when we didn\u2019t come home last night, he figured we\u2019d appreciate a good meal this morning\u2026especially Hoss, who never got supper before he headed to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff smiled at the young man. \u201cThat true, Hoss? You must care a lot about your brother to miss a meal for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed as he loaded more fried potatoes onto his plate. \u201cAdam\u2019s worth missing a week of suppers for, but Seein\u2019 Hop Sing walk through that kitchen door this morning, trailing the scent of fresh-baked bread, made me plumb happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy chuckled as he accepted the plate that Hop Sing brought over with the encouragement to, \u201cEat,\u201d and slid two sunny-side-up eggs onto it. He buttered a slice of bread before addressing Ben. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I wasn\u2019t around when you stopped at the house last night, Ben. I had to ride out to the Thompson place in the evening. That one hand they have got drunk again, and holed up in the barn with a pistol taking potshots at anyone who got close. I got him back to the jail around two A.M. and managed to catch a few hours of shuteye there before heading over here. How\u2019s Adam doing?<\/p>\n

Paul gave the update. \u201cHe\u2019s had some rough patches during the night, Roy, but I think the swelling has stopped. Now we have to wait for it to reverse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I talk to him yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ve got him sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben picked up the narrative. \u201cHe woke for a little while last night and confirmed what Little Joe told us when he saw the rope you left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWha was thad?\u201d Roy\u2019s question came out muffled as he bit the corner off his slice of homemade bread.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was the only one at the table who wasn\u2019t clearing his plate. He was huddled into himself, and his eyes were red-rimmed and framed in dark circles, giving him the waiflike appearance of a character from a Dickens\u2019 novel. He stopped pushing his food around with his fork and looked at Roy. \u201cIt was the Miller brothers. I saw them with that rope at school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy licked the butter from his lips and shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ve been hearin\u2019 a lot about those boys lately. Miss Jones told me she\u2019s afraid of them, and several shop owners complained about missing expensive items after the two of them stopped in their stores. I had my own encounter with them when they went after Mack Halstead the other day. He\u2019d won a big poker hand at the Bucket and had celebrated so much that he had trouble walking when he headed home. That\u2019s when these Millers showed up and started pushing him around. I was a block away when I saw it happening, and they ran off when I got a closer. After Mack sobered up a bit, he came to the jail and told me that his money from the poker game was gone. Said he\u2019d felt those boys diggin\u2019 through his pockets as they shoved him back and forth between them.\u201d He took a sip of coffee and asked, \u201cWhat kind of beef did they have with Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

A nod from Ben to his youngest son prompted Little Joe to tell Roy the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s some tale, Little Joe.\u201d The sheriff let out a long breath. \u201cYou did the right thing in refusing to be a party to any more of their nonsense.\u201d He noted the boy\u2019s haunted look and continued, \u201cYou\u2019re not responsible for what they did to Adam, son. I\u2019m sure your pa already told you that, but I can see it\u2019s layin\u2019 heavy on you. When kids that age are capable of doing what they did to your brother, they\u2019re already on a bad road, and nothing anyone says is likely to change that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul had been listening quietly. \u201cI can\u2019t understand what they\u2019d prove by keeping Adam from getting to town? And then they left enough evidence behind to point to them, so they were bound to get caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy stroked his chin. \u201cI\u2019m not so sure this was about stopping Adam from arriving in town as it was to send him a message. I\u2019d say they\u2019re criminals in the\u00a0making<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben asked, \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis behavior has probably been developing with time and practice. But remember that while they\u2019re doing some mighty grown up things, they\u2019re still kids. When I think about that decoy and the location they picked\u2026they did a pretty fair amount of plannin\u2019 and setup in a short amount of time. Yet they can\u2019t reason these things through all the way. They didn\u2019t think ahead to make it look like a robbery or even to take away the rope and cover their footprints. Their intention was to prove a point\u2014to put Adam in his place, and once that was done, they just left.\u201d He looked at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ve seen some of the same behavior in your boys.\u201d Roy blushed as he thought about what he\u2019d said. \u201cI don\u2019t mean the bad part of this, but they probably start projects just fine; put a lot of thought and planning into something, and then don\u2019t take the time to consider how it will end or to clean up when they\u2019re done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and Joe do it all the time, especially when they do something together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good thought too.\u201d Roy pointed at the Cartwright boys. \u201cIt\u2019s always easier to plan mischief when the two of you do it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss blushed and grinned, while Little Joe slipped further down in the chair, almost disappearing under the table.<\/p>\n

Paul interjected, \u201cI think what you\u2019re saying is that these Miller boys are learning from each thing they do\u2026becoming more capable, and maybe more deadly. If they could leave Adam on the road without showing any concern for what they\u2019d done, by the time they\u2019re adults, they\u2019ll probably be hardened criminals\u2026or dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy didn\u2019t have to answer. Paul\u2019s conclusion was enough to send chills through all of those sitting around the table.<\/p>\n

Ben finally broke the silence. \u201cAre you going to arrest them?\u201d<\/p>\n

A firm nod accented Roy\u2019s conclusion. \u201cThey may be kids, but what they did was attempted murder from my point of view. They planned it, executed it, and left Adam without knowing whether someone would get there in time to help him. I don\u2019t know how to charge them just yet, but I\u2019ll bring them in and the circuit judge can help me decide what to do.\u201d He gave Paul a questioning glance. \u201cIs Adam stable enough that I can take Ben along out to pick up the Miller boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s holding his own; resting easier now, and I\u2019ve got Hop Sing and the boys with me, so we\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy addressed Ben. \u201cThe boys and their mother are staying with Anna Westfield. I know she\u2019s got nothin\u2019 to do with this but it\u2019s hard when it\u2019s your family in trouble. You know Anna pretty well, so having you with me might make it easier for her.\u201d Ben rose and went for his coat as Roy cautioned, \u201cJust one thing, Ben. You can\u2019t take your anger out on those kids, no matter how much you\u2019d like to. If you don\u2019t think you can control your temper, then I\u2019ll ask that you not come.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Anna Westfield was standing on her porch as Ben and Roy rode up. She placed her hand above her eyes to dampen the glare from the morning sun as she called, \u201cI figured I\u2019d be seeing you, Sheriff.\u201d She waited as they dismounted and headed towards the steps. \u201cWelcome, Ben,\u201d she added as she motioned them toward the house. \u201cYou might as well come inside for a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know why we\u2019re here?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo arrest my nephews I \u2018spect. But they\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n

The two men followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table. Neither of them wanted coffee, but they allowed her the dignity of being hospitable<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the boys?\u201d Roy began.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Believe me, I\u2019d tell you if I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Roy spoke, Ben noticed that Anna\u2019s hair was a mess, her dress was wrinkled and smudged with dirt, and she looked exhausted. This was so unlike the very proper woman who\u2019d run this farm single-handedly since her husband had died that he sent Roy a cautioning look and took the woman\u2019s hand. \u201cMaybe you should just tell us what happened, Anna.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sat back in her chair, looking towards the ceiling while gathering her thoughts. \u201cIn early August, I got a wire from my sister saying she was on her way here because she needed a place to stay with her two boys.\u201d She leaned forward again to share the next details. \u201cShe married a no-account crook who was always in trouble of one sort or another. He lived with Frieda and the boys in Arizona when he wasn\u2019t in jail, but he\u2019d always go back to lookin\u2019 for easy money. When I got her telegram, I figured he was in trouble again, and that she was penniless, so I didn\u2019t object.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen they got here, I was happy to see two such good-sized boys, and hoped they could help on the farm.\u201d She looked at Ben while she wrapped her arms around her as if she was feeling a chill. \u201cYou know how hard it\u2019s been for me since Gus passed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I do,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYou\u2019ve done a very good job.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded. \u201cFrieda helped me around the house and with the cookin\u2019, but them boys of hers\u2026well they was worthless. They barely helped at all; spent most of their time scheming and messin\u2019 things up. They played tricks on me, set little fires around the place just to scare me, and did mean things to the dog and cats. I never seen such behavior before. It made me sit my sister down and force her tell me what was goin\u2019 on with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cTurned out that them boys had been spending a lot of time with their father. In fact they\u2019d been helping him in his unlawful activities.\u201d Her eyes widened before darkening. \u201cWhat my sister told me that day makes the hair on my arms and neck stand up on end now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s interest was piqued. \u201cWhat did they do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHer husband, Nate, cheated at cards, robbed banks and stages, and ran confidence games, but that wasn\u2019t news to me. He was arrested again for somethin\u2019 more serious, and he did it when he had Jimmy and Pete with him.\u201d She rose and began walking around the table as she talked. \u201cNate had been playing cards with a man who accused him of cheating. That must have worried him because he knew he\u2019d go straight back to prison if he got\u00a0caught<\/em>\u00a0again. Nate left the saloon after this other player made noise about talking to the sheriff, and went home to get Pete and Jimmy. By the time the other man headed home that night, Nate and his sons had set a trap.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA trap?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey strung a rope between two trees across the road that went to this man\u2019s place. Then they waited until the man came along in the dark, and yanked the rope up tight across the road just before he passed. His horse was moving fast enough that the man\u2019s head was nearly torn off.<\/p>\n

Ben gasped while Roy smacked the table with his fist<\/p>\n

Annabelle began to cry. \u201cIt made me sick when I heard the story that day, but I felt sorry for the boys, thinking they\u2019d been forced to help with such a thing. But then\u2026yesterday, I heard Jimmy and Pete talking in the barn about how they\u2019d tried the same sort of thing with your son, Ben. They didn\u2019t know I was there so I stayed quiet and listened. I knew your boy hadn\u2019t died because they laughed about how he was sucking for air like a fish outta water when they left him.\u201d She grabbed a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t know why they would do such a thing\u2026knowing what harm it could cause. They must be animals!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey thought Adam was going to town to see Roy.\u201d Ben told her. \u201cIt seems like they took a lesson from their father in handling things they couldn\u2019t control. Paul Martin said the only reason Adam is alive is because the rope wasn\u2019t taut\u2026like it must have been in the other case.<\/p>\n

Anna asked softly, \u201cIs your son going to be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cHe was badly hurt and we won\u2019t be sure for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you come get me once you knew what they\u2019d done?\u201d Roy asked as a tone of annoyance slipped into his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to, but then I made the mistake of telling my sister what I heard, and who they\u2019d hurt.\u201d She looked intently at Ben. \u201cI\u2019d talked to her about the Cartwright family before, but this time I explained how you\u2019d helped us when Gus and I first got here; how you\u2019d sold us some land at the edge of the Ponderosa for a reasonable price, and how you\u2019d paid off the last of what we owed when he died so I could live here without worrying none. Then I told her she\u2019d be better off turning her boys in instead of waiting for a posse, and she agreed to go with me to get the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anna blew her nose and wiped away more tears. When she raised her head, she looked fierce, and her voice strengthened with anger as she continued. \u201cI went inside to get ready, and next thing I know\u2019d those boys were standing behind me. They grabbed me and tied me to the bed. My sister carried on about how her boys weren\u2019t really bad, and wailed that it was their pa\u2019s fault that they didn\u2019t know better. She even apologized for leaving me tied up and all, but said she couldn\u2019t let her boys be arrested because she thought they were already wanted back in Apache Junction for helping their father.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took a deep breath to calm herself and sat down at the table where the tears started again. \u201cIt was like she thought I should understand why she had to hurt me to protect them. After that she stole my cash-money from the jar in the cupboard, grabbed their things, took my wagon, and left.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you get free, Anna?\u201d Roy asked as he walked over the bed and examined the rope hanging there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked on that knot all night long. It was dark, but I just kept picking at it and managed to loosen it around dawn.\u201d She gave a humorless laugh. \u201cI was so tired that I decided to sit in the rocker for just a second\u2026and woke up about 30 minutes ago. I put coffee and water on so I could have a bite to eat and get cleaned up before going to town. Luckily you came and saved me a trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben stood behind her chair and held her shoulders. \u201cYou\u2019ve been through a lot too. Maybe you should come back and see Dr. Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached up and patted his hand. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Ben. Thanks for the concern. I\u2019m wondering now that I think on it, did those boys do something to more than one of you sons? It seemed like they were talking about an older one and a younger one.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThey bullied Little Joe at school and tried to make him steal things for them. Adam found out about it. That\u2019s why he wanted to speak with Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t that just tragic.\u201d She shook her head slowly. \u201cMy sister told me she wanted to come here to give the boys a chance at a normal life. She wanted them in school, but\u2026\u201d Her voice faded away<\/p>\n

\u201cShe probably thought a change in location could do more than a change in parenting,\u201d Ben offered.<\/p>\n

Anna patted Ben\u2019s hand. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what Frieda is like. I imagine she\u2019ll continue making excuses for them and taking their side until she\u2019s standing at the side of their grave.<\/p>\n

Roy joined Anna and Ben again. \u201cAny idea where they headed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff prodded further. \u201cAre there other relatives she might go to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone close by, and none further away that she\u2019d really even know well enough to go to.\u201d She sighed deeply. \u201cWhat will you do now?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll follow their trail a bit and see if we can figure out where they headed. But you say they have some cash so they\u2019ll probably ditch the wagon and take a stage or the train. If we don\u2019t find them, I\u2019ll get a warrant issued in case they\u2019re spotted in some nearby town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anna walked the men to the door and gave Ben a quick hug. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry for what my kin done to your boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben returned the embrace as he asked, \u201cWill you be safe here alone? You could stay with us for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

She struck a pose with her hands on her hips as she laughed. \u201cI can use a shotgun just fine and I\u2019ll keep it nearby. My sister knows there\u2019s nothing more to get from me, so she won\u2019t be back.\u201d Her mood became serious again. \u201cIt all comes down to that verse in Job, don\u2019t it:\u00a0Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.\u201d2<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Eight<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>From Toad to Timbre<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPass me that pail, would ya, Hoss?\u201d Adam indicated the bucket of grease that was just beyond his reach.<\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled into his shoulder at hearing Adam\u2019s voice and grinned. \u201cWhat\u2019d you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wrestled the bulky wheel from the axle, propped it against the corner of the wagon, and then reached for the axle grease as he sent a scathing scowl towards the younger man. \u201cYou heard me just fine\u2026\u201d The remainder of his comment was lost in a growling mumble.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam,\u201d Hoss offered as his chuckling became a full-out laugh. \u201cIt\u2019s just your voice. I\u2019d say you sound like a frog, but since frogs live in the water, I keep thinkin\u2019 of you as a toad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice,\u201d Adam groused. \u201cI\u2019ll remember how kind you\u2019ve been and return the favor next time something happens to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee\u2026\u201d the big man laughed harder. \u201cSee how you sort of croaked out that last part. It probably ain\u2019t all that funny for you, but it\u2019s a hoot to those listening to ya.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ben was watching his two sons through the windows above his desk, and shook his head at Hoss\u2019s seemingly heartless comments. But he knew the boy well enough to understand that there was no malice in his laughter. In fact, maybe teasing Adam was a whole lot better than trying to pretend that everything was normal.<\/p>\n

He thought back to the incident that almost took his eldest son just three weeks ago. The swelling in Adam\u2019s neck had subsided within a few days allowing him to breathe without problems, but Paul\u2019s fears about damage to his vocal chords seemed to be valid. Adam\u2019s voice had returned in a hoarse whisper once he was able to exchange air better, but it had never strengthened to anything more than this odd croakiness. When he spoke, the raspy quality of his voice had the odd effect of making everyone else in the house clear their throat. At first this response had made them all laugh, but Ben had seen the exasperation in his son\u2019s eyes deepen as the next two weeks had brought no improvement. And in addition to the quality of his voice, there was the problem of maintaining even the raspiness for more than a few words before it would drift to hoarseness, and finally quiet completely.<\/p>\n

As the problem persisted, Ben, Hoss and Little Joe began responding by pretending everything was fine. No one mentioned it, and conversations with the Adam were kept to a minimum of words.<\/p>\n

Ben was pretty sure that Adam was feeling isolated. There were still family discussions around the table or fireplace where Adam listened quietly, adding his comments with a few words or nods. But more often, he\u2019d leave the group and go to his room when his attempts to join in left him speechless. Ben was beginning to think that it would be better admit the problem and say, \u201cIt\u2019s all right, son. We all know your voice has changed, but you haven\u2019t, and that\u2019s all we care about.\u201d He also suspected that Hoss had come to the same conclusion, and had decided to do something about it.<\/p>\n

Earlier that morning, Ben had noticed his oldest son pacing around the living area, looking like a caged puma. He would sit and read a few pages of a book, and then pop up to resume his laps, stopping at the windows to stare out. It was late October cool outside, and Ben wasn\u2019t sure Adam should be out in the chilly, damp air. But Paul had said that his patient could return to normal activities over time. After he\u2019d watched his son\u2019s unfocused, tortuous activity after breakfast, Ben had decided it\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0time.<\/p>\n

With Little Joe off to school, he\u2019d told Adam and Hoss that the wheels of the buckboard had been grinding loudly when he\u2019d taken it to town, and the entire thing seemed a little wobbly when hitting ruts. He \u201csuggested\u201d that the two of them grease the axles, and then check the hinges, pins and bolts. There had been no doubt in Ben\u2019s mind that they\u2019d both seen through the plan to get Adam out of the house, but they\u2019d agreed and had taken on the chore with gusto. After a quick inspection, they actually found several things that needed upkeep, and got to work.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled with relief now as he saw the effects of fresh air on his eldest. Adam was grinning in spite of his grousing and seemed to have no problem with the physical activity.\u00a0 Returning to his desk, Ben picked up a copy of a warrant Roy had given him. It had been issued against Pete and Jimmy Miller for their role in battering Adam. He pulled a sheet from behind the first one\u2014another warrant\u2014this one issued for the Miller boys in Arizona in connection with abetting their father in the death of the man from the saloon. Roy had also brought the news that Nate Miller had been hung for that murder, and there\u2019d been no sight of Frieda or her boys in Arizona.<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes and held his breath for a moment as he considered how close his son had come to being a murder victim as well.<\/p>\n

Roy had sent Ben back to be with Adam after they\u2019d spoken to Anna Westfield on the day after the attack, and the sheriff had gathered a small posse to follow the wagon tracks. A fall thunderstorm had ended their efforts the second day, when it washed away all evidence of the trail. Roy\u2019s next step had been to telegraph inquiries to surrounding towns. He\u2019d gotten one response saying Anna Westfield\u2019s wagon had been brought to a livery in Placerville. But it had been found abandoned on the road, and no one in the town remembered seeing a woman with two sons.<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s best guess was that Frieda Miller had left the wagon behind and talked someone into taking them along. His conclusion had been that she could be anywhere\u2014maybe even Mexico.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights weren\u2019t angry about not getting \u201cjustice.\u201d Ben was satisfied for now in that Adam had recovered. Paul held hope that Adam\u2019s voice could still improve, but if it didn\u2019t, the father knew that his son would deal with it, just as he had dealt with all the unexpected events in his life.<\/p>\n

Ben sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers as his thoughts turned to his youngest son. Little Joe had remained unusually quiet since the incident too. He avoided his older brother, finding an excuse to leave whenever Adam tried to talk with him. Ben wasn\u2019t worried just yet. He knew Little Joe carried a weight of responsibility that he hadn\u2019t quite worked out in his 11-year-old mind.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t hold his brother responsible in any way; Ben was sure of that. In fact, Adam had said more than once that he was thankful the Miller boys took their bile out on him rather than on Little Joe. Ben also figured that his youngest boy was still too young to comprehend that one family member would so willingly give his life to ensure that another would remain safe\u2014especially if that person was your \u201chalf-brother.<\/p>\n

It was true that there was much for Little Joe to learn from what had happened, but Ben was encouraged that things were heading down a healing path for the youngster. This his knew because of an incident he\u2019d observed the night before. Ben had heard voices when he\u2019d walked past Adam\u2019s open bedroom door the night before. As a rule, the head of the Ponderosa household abhorred eavesdropping, but his fatherly interest had been alerted as he\u2019d glanced inside the room, and he\u2019d seen his eldest and youngest sons together. Little Joe had barely spoken to Adam since he\u2019d come home from Paul\u2019s, and he certainly hadn\u2019t sought a private audience with his brother. This fact had made Ben stop and busy himself with checking the contents of a drawer in the hallway table outside his eldest son\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

He grinned, thinking now that it had come as a real bonus the way \u00a0his efforts at organization had played well into his curiosity at what had been about to transpire. In fact, he\u2019d even managed a clandestine peak or two into the room as the boys had talked.<\/p>\n

He sat back to replay the scene in his mind as a contented smile settled on his lips:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up squirt?\u201d Adam asked in his croaky voice, acknowledging Little Joe\u2019s arrival.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s soft, child\u2019s voice was almost inaudible. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam laid his book aside on his desk, and turned toward his little brother with a smile. \u201cYou\u2019ve apologized enough about this. The best way to show me how you feel is to just go on being the great kid you are…minus those little lapses of judgment in your choice of friends.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not about that, Adam,\u201d Little Joe said impatiently, \u201cit\u2019s about that other thing I said\u2026about you being only half my brother and that I didn\u2019t care none about you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew you were upset.\u201d He took hold of Joe\u2019s thin shoulders. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to worry about saying it. I\u2019m sure that each of us brothers wonders about how we fit into our family from time-to-time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

There was a lull in the conversation until Adam asked, \u201cJust?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat day I found you on the road and you were barely breathing; I figured something out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have lost just half of you. I\u2019d have lost all of you if you\u2019d died. What scared me most was that I thought maybe you\u2019d\u2026um\u2026 go\u2026away, thinking that you didn\u2019t matter to me\u2026that I didn\u2019t care if you weren\u2019t around anymore. So, I just want you to know that\u2026I\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam spoke softly, his voice shrouded in a thick hoarseness. \u201cI know, Little Joe. I feel the same way about you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

It had remained quiet then, and Ben remembered that he had stepped silently toward the open door to see what was going on. Adam had remained seated, but had pulled Little Joe to him and was resting his forehead against the boy\u2019s shoulder while the child\u2019s arms were wrapped tightly around his brother\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

As a father, Ben had wanted to enter the room and tell them how proud he was, but he\u2019d decided it was best to let the moment remain between the two of them.<\/p>\n

He shook off the memory and listened. All he could hear were thumps, hammering and the creaking of wood as the two brothers serviced the wagon. He moved back to the window and saw that Adam was working on the last wheel, while Hoss was underneath tightening bolts and oiling the hinges on the tongue. Ben continued watching, his jaw dropping when the scene outside suddenly went from sedately industrious to all-out crazy\u2026<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

As Adam slid the wheel back onto the axle, he pinched his fingers, and hollered a string of oaths while blowing on the injured digits.<\/p>\n

Laughter drifted up from under the wagon.<\/p>\n

Still cradling his injured hand, the older brother bent over to address the younger. \u201cYou find that amusing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss puckered his lips and let out a loud froglike croak. \u201cYou sound even funnier when you\u2019re hollerin\u2019. I think I\u2019ll call you, Toad, \u2018stead of Adam. That has a catchy ring to it, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head and sent Hoss a narrow-eyed glare while reaching down to grab the grease-laden paddle from the bucket. Once his brother slipped out from below and stood, Adam said calmly, \u201cHey, Hoss, you\u2019ve got something on your face.\u201d<\/p>\n

The big man reached up and felt around. \u201cWhere d\u2019ya mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

The glob of axle goo was sent flying with a smart flick of Adam\u2019s wrist, landing exactly where he\u2019d intended\u2014square on Hoss\u2019s cheek. \u201cRight there,\u201d he pointed as he chuckled deep and slow.<\/p>\n

Hoss scraped off the blob with his fingers as his face reddened. \u201cWhat call you got to do that?\u201d he asked as he began moving toward Adam with solid, deliberate steps.<\/p>\n

Instead of running, Adam flicked the paddle again, this time sending the goo onto his brother\u2019s forehead. When his greasy offense didn\u2019t stop the oncoming giant, Adam began moving backwards, trying to clear the end of the wagon before escaping to the house. His plan would have worked except that he\u2019d forgotten the tools he\u2019d left sitting on the ground. He tripped, falling on flat on his back, and looked up to see Hoss\u2019s angry face looming above him.<\/p>\n

The larger man easily pinned his brother by sitting on Adam\u2019s legs and leaning on his shoulders with one arm, while smearing the axle grease he removed from his own face onto his prey with his free hand. His blue eyes began to twinkle as he finished by wiping the remainder of the sticky goo onto Adam\u2019s shirt. \u201cYou know I been sayin\u2019 that you sound like a toad, but I think maybe that croakin\u2019 you do is more like a frog after all, and I should return you to where you\u2019d feel most at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes rounded as he tried to push free of Hoss\u2019s grip. Instead of admitting defeat, he waved a verbal red cape in his brother\u2019s face. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t I?\u201d Hoss asked with a smirk. \u201cSeems like you\u2019re sorta covered in grease and in need a bath anyway, and the water in that horse trough should be a little sun-warmed by this time. All I\u2019ll need to add is a lily pad and you\u2019ll feel right to home.\u201d Adding further insult, he said, \u201cMaybe you can even\u00a0croak<\/em>\u00a0out a little tune while you\u2019re in there.\u201d He stood while continuing to pin Adam\u2019s torso, and had no problem hoisting his older brother up over his shoulder to make his way across the yard.<\/p>\n

As Hoss neared the trough, Adam began pounding on his back, saying breathlessly, \u201cWait\u2026Hoss\u2026I\u2026can\u2019t breathe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss paled as he set his brother down. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam. I didn\u2019t mean to hurt ya none.\u201d His grimace turned to a look of panic as he saw his brother lean forward with his hands on his knees gasping, trying to catch his breath. \u201cI was foolin\u2019 around just like I thought you was.\u201d He patted Adam\u2019s back, as he asked, \u201cYou gonna be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The sneaky grin on the older brother\u2019s face was unobserved as he leaned even farther forward and coughed dramatically. But as Adam stood, he angled himself for maximum pushing strength, using his shoulder to give Hoss a mighty shove that set him off balance. The big man couldn\u2019t right himself in time, and he toppled backward like a mighty pine barreling down a sluice\u2026into the trough. The displacement of water caused by Hoss\u2019s bulky frame dropping into the tub soaked Adam to the skin, but he claimed victory anyway, leaning over his brother to say. \u201cNow who needs a lily pad?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a big guy, Hoss was fast. He had the front of Adam\u2019s shirt in a grip and tugged him into the water to join him before there was time to react.<\/p>\n

The two men made an attempt to fight it out in the narrow confines of the wooden vessel, but they finally ended up sitting at opposite ends in the waist high water\u2014each voicing their outrage at the \u201cother\u201d brother\u2019s treachery.<\/p>\n

But then Adam started to laugh. Instead of his voice weakening as it had been doing any time he spoke, it now strengthened as he continued to roar. He laughed so hard he had trouble standing or breathing, and dropped repeatedly back onto his knees in the water as he tried to climb out. Hoss was laughing too as he gave his brother an assist up with a little too much oomph, and sent Adam toppling over the side and down into the mud that had begun to form at the base of the trough.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ben had watched the scene unfold with concern for Adam\u2019s welfare. His heart had skipped a beat when he believed as Hoss did, that Adam was truly in distress. But then he\u2019d witnessed the devilment in the older boy\u2019s eyes, and had relaxed to enjoy the humor in the antics of his own flesh and blood. As he\u2019d seen them out there, covered in mud and axle grease, laughing so hard they could barely stand up straight, he\u2019d realized that what had just happened between Hoss and Adam had been just as important in restoring normalcy as Little Joe\u2019s confession had been the night before. They\u2019d all been walking on eggshells since the accident, but that could end now. Adam had proven to himself and Hoss that he was up to the roughhousing side of brotherly love, just as he\u2019d accepted the unspoken and tender avowal of the same emotion from his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

Ben pretended to be engrossed in work when his soggy, muck-covered sons entered the house. He barely glanced up as he tried to hold back a smile while grumbling, \u201cYou get mud and grease in this house and Hop Sing won\u2019t be fit to live with the rest of the day.\u201d He shook his head as he finally took a good look at the pair, and ordered, \u201cGrab blankets from the credenza and get yourselves to the bath house. Scrub hard, because I\u2019ll check behind your ears.\u201d He laughed at the wide-eyed, dropped jaw expressions on his sons\u2019 faces. \u201cWell\u2026if you\u2019re going to act like little boys, I\u2019ll treat you accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The first light snow of winter had blanketed the road to town during the cold December Saturday night, but the Cartwrights had still headed into town on horseback the next morning for worship services.<\/p>\n

The four men usually sat toward the back of the church\u2014not for the usual reasons of making a quick getaway when the last word of the final hymn was sung, or to be less noticeable when they nodded off during the sermon\u2014but because the large frames of Hoss, Ben, and Adam, tended to block the view for anyone sitting behind them.<\/p>\n

It was the normal procedure for Adam to enter the pew first, followed by Ben, then Little Joe, and Hoss. Adam had requested this arrangement when he\u2019d gotten back from school, explaining in great detail that it would ensure his attention remained on the service instead of on the fidgeting of his younger brothers. Little Joe grew antsy after a few minutes of sitting anywhere, and even at 17 Hoss still had trouble sitting still for the hour-long service, but a stern glance from Ben to the sons on his right side was usually enough to settle them back down for a few minutes.<\/p>\n

The warmth in the building following the chilly ride in was having a sedating effect on the entire family as the minister expounded on the Sermon on the Mount. A simultaneous jump occurred along the line of Cartwrights as the homily came to an end with the preacher pounding his fist on the pulpit to bring home the message of promised blessings for living a Godly life. The family stood with sheepish grins and red glows illuminating their cheeks as the congregation was encouraged to join in a litany from Psalm 65.<\/p>\n

Ben was still helping Little Joe find the Psalm in his Bible as he heard Adam reciting,\u00a0\u201cPraise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>It struck him strongly that Paul\u2019s prediction about Adam\u2019s voice had come true: it hadn\u2019t returned to \u201cnormal.\u201d Yet Ben smiled and sent thanks heavenward because Adam\u2019s voice was now better than it had ever been. If his eldest got upset and spoke rapidly, his vocal pitch still rose into the octave it had once been, but Adam\u2019s speaking voice had lost its rasp to become deeper, richer\u2026warmer than it had been.<\/p>\n

He often wondered if this was due to the injury to his son\u2019s vocal chords, or whether it was something that would have happened as he aged anyway. Whatever the reason, Ben was noticing that others heard the difference too\u2026especially women, who\u2019d listen in rapt attention to anything the young man had to say.<\/p>\n

By the time Ben finally had his youngest settled as to where they were in the Psalm, the congregation was saying, \u201cThe pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.\u201d With the last words uttered, the organist hit the introductory chords of\u00a0Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.3\u00a0<\/em>Ben\u2019s head snapped to his left as he heard Adam begin singing. Although his son\u2019s voice had begun changing to its current mellowness right after the trough incident with Hoss, he hadn\u2019t yet sung\u2014or at least not that his father had heard.<\/p>\n

Adam was singing the first stanza of the second verse, \u201cBreathe or breathe thy loving Spirit, into every troubled heart,\u201d when Ben realized that Adam\u2019s troubled heart had indeed had been visited by a healing spirit. With his son\u2019s ability to sing restored, Adam was truly healed.<\/p>\n

Noticing his father\u2019s raised-eyebrow, Adam smiled widely as he sang out in a strong, perfectly pitched baritone.<\/p>\n

Once the doxology and sending prayer were completed and parishioners began filing towards the door, Ben touched his son\u2019s shoulder and asked, \u201cHow long have you been able to sing again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince the beginning of that song,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cI\u2019ve been humming the last week or so, but that was all.\u201d Adam sat in the pew and motioned his father to do the same. Little Joe and Hoss were already on their way out the door, allowing him to speak freely. \u201cI thought I\u2019d probably try singing soon, but this morning when Mrs. Law started playing that last song, something just made me open my mouth and hear what would come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cYou sound good.\u201d He patted Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cAre you able to hear that your voice is different now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s deeper and a little more resonant to me. Is that what you hear too?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded again. \u201cThat\u2019s true of your singing voice too. I know you had some tense times when you weren\u2019t sure how things would work out, but it does appear that all is well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked toward the altar and leaned on pew in front of him. The church had emptied and the quiet wrapped both men in their private thoughts until the son inquired, \u201cDo you think we ever really get to know why things happen to us, Pa?\u00a0 What\u2019s the lesson I\u2019m supposed to learn from the Miller brothers?\u201d<\/p>\n

A chuckle preceded Ben\u2019s shrug. \u201cI\u2019ve asked myself the same sort of question many times. There\u2019s always something to be taken from the bad events, but there\u2019s seldom a revelation. More often it\u2019s just a change of heart, or the realization that you are stronger for the experience. I think it might be more important to appreciate the good things that happen, son. Many times there\u2019s a lot of good embedded in the bad. If you don\u2019t see that, you miss so many opportunities to be a better man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou remind us of that pretty often.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gripped his son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI wish you hadn\u2019t gone through that ordeal, but if there\u2019s good to be found, it\u2019s that it made you three brothers remember how much you care about one other, and you\u2019re none the worse for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s words were cut short as a blast of cold air blew in from the opening door. Hoss stuck his head inside and whispered loudly, \u201cC\u2019mon you two. It\u2019s past noon already. You promised we\u2019d get lunch before headin\u2019 back home, Pa, and them clouds up there are promisin\u2019 another round of flurries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re coming, Hoss. I can hear your stomach growling way over here.\u201d Ben glanced at his eldest and winked before turning back to Hoss. \u201cYou and Little Joe go get a table at Maggie\u2019s and we\u2019ll be there in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was out the door and hollering for his brother to wait up while the two men still inside the church tied their neck scarves and buttoned their coats against the winter weather outside. As they neared the door, Adam stopped and said, \u201cI think the Cartwright sons can be good brothers because we have a good father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Epilogue<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a01861 – Five Years Later<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d Hoss glanced over at his father while waiting for Little Joe to make a move in their checker game. \u201cYou look like you don\u2019t feel so good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s comment brought everyone\u2019s attention to Ben who put his paper down and sighed. \u201cI found an article in the Sacramento Bee just now that will interest all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laid his book on his lap and sat up straighter. \u201cIs it bad news? Hoss is right, Pa, you do look a little poleaxed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and turned toward his eldest. \u201cDo you remember Lawson Hill? He was that young rancher from Calaveras County, near Stockton.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa. I met him in Sacramento a few years back at a cattlemen\u2019s event. He told me that he\u2019d moved to Stockton in the \u201850s and had been having problems getting his spread going, so you and I took a few head of breeding stock over there to help him get his herd stronger. Adam\u2019s face puckered in thought. I can\u2019t remember his wife\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEuphemia,\u201d Ben replied as he folded the newspaper into a square that was easier to handle. \u201cThey had a nice 1000 acre parcel with a good water supply.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. They had a couple of kids and a lot of faith that things would work out.\u201d Adam\u2019s eyebrows met at the bridge of his nose. \u201cDid something happen to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLawson was murdered a few months back. There must have been news of it when it happened, but I didn\u2019t see it. This article is about the trial and hanging of the man who killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a darn shame,\u201d Hoss offered. \u201cI didn\u2019t know the feller but I feel bad for his wife and youngens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben passed the newspaper to Adam who scanned the first paragraph of the article while Hoss spoke. He looked up, shaking his head slowly. \u201cLawson was only 35, and it sounds like Euphemia will have her hands full with four children under age 12.\u201d His sad look was replaced by a puzzled, angry one. \u201cWhy would anyone want to kill Lawson? I remember him as being pretty mild-mannered: a salt-of-the-earth kind of man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe joined in. \u201cDo you two remember this Euphemia well enough to know if she\u2019ll be able to handle the ranch alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

His father answered. \u201cShe\u2019s still very young, but when we met them, they were both committed to making things work. I remember her as being a small woman with big dreams and a lot of grit.4 I\u2019ll write to her and offer her any assistance she might need, but somehow I believe she\u2019ll be fine.\u201d He nodded toward Adam. \u201cKeep reading, son. In fact, you might want to read the next part aloud so your brothers can hear.<\/p>\n

Adam leaned in closer to the lamp and straightened the paper while finding his place again.\u00a0\u201cMrs. Hill was the state\u2019s witness to the events on the day of her husband\u2019s murder. She testified that the family had returned from Stockton toward evening on the eighteenth of April, and were startled to see horses tied by the house. On hearing the sounds of breaking glass coming from their home, Lawson told her to take their children to hide in the woods, before he continued on to investigate.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Hill reported that while she was hiding, she heard hollering, and then her husband screaming for his life, followed by quiet. She left the children with the oldest son, and hurried to help, but made it to the edge of the woods only in time to see two men riding away.\u00a0 She found Lawson hanging by the neck in the porch rafters. It was too late to render assistance as he was already dead.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff Ingram, from Stockton, testified that he formed a posse to look for the two men who left behind a rope that was finished at the ends with bright green cording.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam looked up, first at Little Joe and then to his father as he blew out a deep breath. \u201cIs this article headed where I think it is, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cKeep reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rope was identified as a kind used by James and Peter Miller, brothers who worked at the ranch next to the Hill property. The two had bragged where they worked that their mother always finished their ropes that way so no one could steal them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cI admit I wondered why they had that fancy rope back when they used it on you, Adam. Looks like it was mama\u2019s way of showing her boys she loved them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat is kind\u2019a funny considering how tough them boys tried to be,\u201d Hoss said with conviction. \u201cMaybe their mamma should have tied\u00a0them<\/em>\u00a0up instead of that rope.\u201c He laughed at his own comment and then asked, \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ll all stop interrupting, I\u2019ll finish the article,\u201d Adam responded with a half-smile toward his younger brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Sheriff said they found the Millers hiding at their mother\u2019s house. A gunfight ensued and Jimmy Miller, as he was commonly known, was mortally wounded in the exchange. Peter Miller was apprehended.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIn his own defense, Miller admitted to helping his brother hang Lawson Hill after the failed robbery. He claimed that what they did to Hill was the man\u2019s own fault because he tried to stop them. His reasoning was that he and his brother were fed up with people standing in the way of their plans. All they\u2019d wanted was the cash, but when Hill stood up to them, they had to teach him to mind his own business.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt took the jury just ten minutes to hand down a guilty verdict and recommend hanging. Peter Miller was executed Tuesday at dawn. Eyewitnesses said he was laughing as the trap door dropped out from under him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Although Little Joe was 17 now, he had the wide-eyed stare of the boy he\u2019d been back when his path had crossed with the Millers. \u201cI wonder why the Stockton sheriff didn\u2019t contact Roy about what they did to you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Statute of Limitations was up on the battery case from Virginia City, so I doubt there was any connection to what they did here.\u201d Adam set the paper aside as he rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least you have the satisfaction of knowing that they got what was due them,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

Adam moved toward the door without answering his brother, and muttered, \u201cAh\u2026I left something in my saddlebags.\u201d He was outside before anyone could respond.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I say somethin\u2019 wrong?\u201d Hoss\u2019s blushed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son. I should have known that article would open some old wounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s that, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou and I might feel relieved to hear that the people who\u2019d tried to kill us were apprehended, and wouldn\u2019t be coming back, but we\u2019re not Adam. I doubt he feels any satisfaction about what happened.\u201d Ben sighed deeply as he closed his eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll go talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe stood. \u201cLet me go, Pa. I might have some idea what he\u2019s thinking right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Little Joe, of course you do. Adam wasn\u2019t the only one who dealt with the Millers.\u201d Ben met his youngest in the center of the room and took his shoulder. \u201cAre you all right with what you just heard?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded, and then shrugged. \u201cI\u2019m sorry another family had to be hurt, but there is good in knowing it can\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Little Joe found Adam sitting on an overturned pail at the front of Sport\u2019s stall stroking the animal\u2019s long, white blaze, while the horse kept pressing against his hand for more. The younger man asked, \u201cFind what you were looking for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI must have taken it in earlier,\u201d he replied without looking up, and then snorted. \u201cDid you draw the short matchstick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Joe\u2019s nose wrinkled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI figure Pa wanted someone to come out and find me, and I assume you got the job by default.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. I volunteered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded but remained silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes your foot hurt?\u201d When Adam sent him a questioning look, Little Joe continued, \u201cI figure you\u2019ve been kicking yourself since you finished reading that article.\u201d<\/p>\n

The older brother chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s lots of things about you I don\u2019t understand, Adam, like how much you like reading and studying, and how hard you worked to be able to go East to school; how you dog stuff until you find an answer or understand what it means\u2026and push at Hoss and me any time you catch us having fun instead of working; you\u2019re a granite-headed Yankee, and…\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam interrupted. \u201cI get it; I\u2019m different than you. Were you going to make a point?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe giggled. \u201cThe point is that while we\u2019re different, I figure I\u2019ve got a good idea what you\u2019re thinking right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre\u00a0you\u00a0<\/em>thinking that\u00a0I\u2019m<\/em>\u00a0thinking I\u2019d like to be alone?\u201d Adam\u2019s words were terse but more teasing than sarcastic. He sighed and offered, \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d as he looked up and gave his brother a quick, half-hearted smile. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t fair. I know you\u2019re all trying to figure out why I wasn\u2019t jumping for joy at hearing of the demise of the Millers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The younger man sat near his brother and grabbed a piece of straw that he chewed on a bit before speaking. \u201cI was young when we knew the Millers and sure didn\u2019t get why you were so hell-bent on helping me with them. At first I thought you were just sticking your nose in my business, but I found out back then that you would have done anything for me. It\u2019s the kind of man you are, and the kind I think I\u2019ve become too. So it isn\u2019t a big jump to figure out that now you\u2019re wondering why\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0lived, while a good man with a family died. You think that if you hadn\u2019t recovered, the Millers would have been caught sooner, and then they couldn\u2019t have destroyed the Hill family.\u201d He watched as the smile his brother had tried a minute earlier returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you\u2019re smarter than I give you credit for,\u201d Adam joked, but then his voice turned serious again. \u201cI don\u2019t think we really ever talked over what happened, did we? I came to my conclusions, and it seems you\u2019ve done some pretty deep thinking about this too. How did you figure out what I was thinking today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, I thank you for recognizing my intelligence. I know how much that must hurt.\u201d Joe laughed as he leaned forward and punched his brother in the arm. \u201cAs to how I know what you\u2019re feeling\u2026don\u2019t you suppose I felt the same way when I walked into Paul\u2019s office and saw that rope hanging there? I was only 11, but knew right off who\u2019d done that to you, and as I watched you struggling to breathe, all I could think was that it shoulda been me lying there. I was the one who got mixed up with the Millers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been able to move past that, haven\u2019t you?\u201d Adam\u2019s interest was genuine as he shifted on his bucket to face Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes the best lessons come from the worst situations. The fact that you could have died from something that I started made me feel like such weasel, especially since I\u2019d been such a rat to you after you caught me taking that stuff. I think I told you that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI recall.\u201d Adam grinned. \u201cI didn\u2019t think you were quite the rodent you make yourself out to be, but your admission of caring about me is one of the nicer memories from that time.\u201d He reached up to scratch Sport\u2019s chin. \u201cI think it\u2019s one of the first things you forgot about once I got better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe squinted at his brother and shook his head, but didn\u2019t comment. He continued, \u201cThe second thing took longer, but was just as important. I wasn\u2019t responsible for what those two did to you any more than you\u2019re responsible for what they did to Lawson Hill. But I expect you know that too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, but reading that article makes a person realize what a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWaste?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded slowly. \u201cSince we hadn\u2019t heard anything about the Millers for some years, I\u2019d thought that maybe what happened here might have made Mrs. Miller take a firmer hand with them. I\u2019d hoped to hear one day that those two had made something of their lives. That wasn\u2019t the case though, and I think\u2026well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat what happened to you made no difference. They weren\u2019t stopped because of it, and nothing changed for the better either.\u201d Little Joe saw his brother\u2019s cheek flush pink as he dealt with the truth of those words. \u201cI suspect that\u2019s because their mother didn\u2019t want to see the truth of what they were capable of doing. She probably just kept moving every time Jimmy and Pete got into trouble again. I remember Roy saying that they\u2019d keep improving their methods until they murdered someday. Lawson Hill just got in their way on\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0day.\u201d Little Joe slumped back against the barn wall.<\/p>\n

The older brother looked at the younger with admiration. \u201cIt does give you plenty to think about.\u201d Sport dipped his head and nudged Adam\u2019s cheek, making his master continue to scratch the bristly whiskers. \u201cYou and I were lucky, Joe. Pa led us by his example, as well as with discipline. I didn\u2019t always understand why he was so strict, but I appreciate it now. \u00a0The Miller brothers could have turned out differently if their parents had been more like Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded as he stood, and he reached down to help Adam up from the bucket. \u201cC\u2019mon. Let\u2019s go inside and let Pa know that all those \u2018necessary talks\u2019 he had with our backsides as kids may have paid off in the\u00a0end<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men were still chuckling as they made their way across the yard. The younger brother stopped as they neared the house. Looking down at his feet, he said, \u201cI didn\u2019t forget what I told you back then, and I\u2019m sorry if you think I did.\u201d He looked up at Adam as he finished. \u201cFact is that I\u2026do\u2026ah\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laid his hand on his brother\u2019s back and gave him a nudge toward the front door. \u201cI know you do. I feel the same way about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1Proverb 11:29<\/em><\/p>\n

2Job 4:8<\/em><\/p>\n

3Words by Charles Wesley 1747<\/em><\/p>\n

4 Lawson and Euphemia Hill are considered the prosperous family that the Barkleys of The Big Valley were modeled after. The Hills had a 1000 acre ranch near Stockton in Calaveras County, south of Sacramento. (This may have been considered a large estate, but nothing compared to the Ponderosa at 640,000 acres or 1000 sq. miles, or the much larger ranch and mines fictionally owned by the Barkleys.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Lawson was murdered in 1861 leaving behind his 30 year old wife and four children: a daughter and three sons. Euphemia was able to run the ranch and made it prosper by making a deal with Milco Chemicals to produce Buhach, an insect repellant made from the chrysanthemum turreanum that she cultivated on their acreage. I was unable to find out how Lawson was murdered. The Hill\u2019s celebrity comes only because of their association with the Big Valley television show, and Euphemia being one of the strong women of the west to operate a ranch alone. The Hill Ranch was in operation from 1855 to 1932. The site no longer exists. It was flooded to make Lake Camanche.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Big Valley series covered a time period around the 1870s, so at the time of Bonanza (1859\u2026), Jarod, Heath, Audra and Nick would have been youngsters, much like the Hill children were in 1861. Anyway\u2026I thought it would be fun to connect Adam\u2019s event with a person of history that became the basis for another wonderful old series.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Adam has\u00a0been home\u00a0home from school for a short time\u00a0when he witnesses 11 year-old Joe “stealing” from a store in town.\u00a0After finding out that\u00a0his brother\u00a0had been pressured into doing this by\u00a0two\u00a0brothers who are new to the area, he tries to help.\u00a0His assistance\u00a0is met\u00a0by\u00a0Joe’s anger, resentment, and profession that Adam means nothing to him anymore.\u00a0Adam still\u00a0promises that he will protect Joe from these boys…or die trying. His words\u00a0prove prophetic. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rating: K+ \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Word Count: 21,463<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":9517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1091,23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-joe","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-1091-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3059,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/brothers.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13179,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13179","url_meta":{"origin":6522,"position":0},"title":"Half Brothers (by No1ButJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"July 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe asks Adam the meaning of the words \u201chalf brother\u201d. 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Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0(11,000 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48239,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48239","url_meta":{"origin":6522,"position":4},"title":"BTR Sourdough Starters #14 – June 2019 (by BZTrailriders)","author":"BZTrailRiders","date":"June 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Rodeo Roundup - The theme this month revolves around a roundup, cattle drive, or rodeo. Use \"Mustang Sally\", \"Cotton-eyed Joe\" for your OC inspiration. Rating: G, Word Count: 2159","rel":"","context":"In "Sourdough Starter"","block_context":{"text":"Sourdough Starter","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1323"},"img":{"alt_text":"Preserving Their Legacy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BTR.png?fit=442%2C255&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3845,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3845","url_meta":{"origin":6522,"position":5},"title":"Truths Behind Unexplained Adam Mess-ups (by OyNebach42)","author":"OyNebach42","date":"April 26, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Just what the title says, why Adam does things that seem... illogical. The shooting in my brother's keeper, the hayburner race, and Adam's leaving the Ponderosa explained. 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