Summary: As Adam and Joe lock horns, Adam finds ‘humble pie’ is on the menu again and again.<\/p>\n
Rated: K+ \u00a0WC 19,000<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Humble Pie<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay big brother you asked for it,\u201d<\/strong> Joe growled as he confronted Adam just outside the barn. Hoss, ever the peacemaker, tried to intervene.\u00a0 From past experience he didn\u2019t see the point in trying to calm down Little Joe; his hackles were up and the red mist had descended, so he turned to his elder brother and began coaxing.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave him to cool off Adam, you know he don\u2019t mean half the things he says.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was in no mind to be persuaded.\u00a0 With legs spread akimbo and arms folded across his chest, he smirked at the youngest Cartwright opposite him.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Hoss, the kid\u2019s been asking for it.\u201d\u00a0 Then goading his adversary even more he added, \u201cIf he thinks he\u2019s man enough to take me on, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw Adam you can\u2019t do this, he\u2019s only a kid. Leave Pa to deal with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou keep out of this Hoss.\u00a0 This is between me and older brother here,\u201d Joe shouted, trying hard, but not succeeding to push his middle brother out of the way. Seeing as he was unable to stop the inevitable, Hoss moved to one side and resigned himself to picking up the pieces of his younger brother after Adam had finished with him.<\/p>\n This whole episode had all started the Wednesday before \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n ********<\/p>\n Adam had had a frustrating morning.\u00a0 He had been sitting with their family lawyer, Hiram Wood, for almost three hours; proof reading a timber contract to make sure there were no loopholes in the agreement.\u00a0 On a previous occasion the Cartwrights\u2019 had lost out financially when Ben had signed a contract in good faith, which turned out to have an onerous clause attached to it with regard to timing deadlines.\u00a0 Since then, both Hiram and Adam made a point of evaluating each contract, word by word, to ensure that everything was in order.<\/p>\n As his aching head started to throb even more, Adam stood up to stretch his cramped legs and grab another cup of coffee.\u00a0 Glancing through the window to the other side of the street, he was surprised to see Little Joe nonchalantly make his way past the hotel and stores and disappear into the Bucket of Blood saloon.\u00a0 Already on a short fuse that morning\u00a0 his temper rose immediately because Little Joe should have been working in the South pasture with Hoss, and he had no reason to be in town.<\/p>\n At the first opportunity Adam took his leave.\u00a0 \u201cHiram I\u2019ll be back in a few minutes; there\u2019s just a little \u2018irritation\u2019 I need to deal with!\u201d he called over his shoulder as he made his way out of the office and across the street.\u00a0 He was furious with Joe and was just in the right mood to let him know exactly what he thought of him.\u00a0 Stopping at the saloon door, Adam\u2019s eyes scanned the room until they fell upon his brother.\u00a0 Joe was sat at a table, leaning back with his chair balanced precariously on two legs, drinking the last dregs of his beer.\u00a0 Smacking his lips together and wiping the back of his hand across his mouth, Joe let the chair fall to rest on four legs once more, before rising slowly and sauntering over to the bar.<\/p>\n \u201cThink I\u2019ll have time for another one,\u201d he called to Sam, unaware of his eldest brother glaring at him from just a few feet away.<\/p>\n Placing the empty glass on the counter in front of him, Joe almost jumped out of his skin, when Adam\u2019s low snarl spat out at him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face flushed guilty as he turned towards his eldest brother and stammered, \u201cA-A-Adam, phew you almost scared the living daylights out of me.\u201d\u00a0 The smile that started to spread across Joe\u2019s lips stopped before it began when Adam grabbed his brother by the arm and pulled him outside.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I give you an order I expect you to obey me.\u00a0 Why aren\u2019t you in the South pasture with Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe extricated himself from his brother\u2019s vice like grip and rubbed the top of his arm. From past experience he would no doubt have bruises; such was Adam\u2019s strength when he worked himself up.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll just let me explain,\u201d Joe whined. \u201cWe ran out of wood and I volunteered to come into town and get what we needed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I just bet you did,\u201d Adam sneered, leaning back and placing his hands on his hips.\u00a0 \u201cAnd since when did collecting supplies also include a trip to the saloon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m trying to tell you,\u201d Joe retaliated, his voice rising to match that of his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you raise your voice to me boy,\u201d Adam said menacingly, poking Little Joe in the chest.\u00a0 \u201cI suggest you get the supplies loaded onto the buckboard and get back to the job you get paid for.\u00a0 If you were one of the hands I would have fired you long before now!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face was a mask of anger, but on seeing the number of curious glances turned in his direction, he bit back his angry retort and let the sparks shooting from his eyes and his flaring nostrils say it all.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be speaking to you about this tonight,\u201d Adam added, making sure he had the last word.<\/p>\n \u201cOh you can bet on that one elder brother,\u201d Joe hissed under his breath as he walked away.<\/p>\n Taking a moment to calm himself down, Adam looked pointedly round at the gawping faces. \u201cShows over folks!\u201d he said, whereupon a few\u00a0 of the townsfolk had the good grace to look embarrassed while others just laughed and turned away.<\/p>\n With a heavy sigh Adam returned to Hiram\u2019s office to complete his business.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe doesn\u2019t know how lucky he is,\u201d Adam bemoaned to himself as he entered the dingy office once more.\u00a0 \u201cThat kid never has to take responsibility for the business side of the ranch and I can\u2019t even trust him to put up fences.\u00a0 When is he ever going to grow up?\u201d<\/p>\n It was almost 2pm when Adam finally left Hiram\u2019s office and set off for home.\u00a0 As he passed the timber yard on the outskirts of town, Jake the owner shouted out to him.\u00a0 \u201cHow you doing Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n Leaning over and resting his elbows on the front of his saddle Adam called back, \u201cI\u2019ve had better days Jake.\u00a0 How about you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBusiness is doing really well at the moment so I mustn\u2019t complain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeh,\u201d Adam scowled.\u00a0 \u201cGather you had my little brother in here earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n Jake began to chuckle, \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 Boy he\u2019s as lively as a jackrabbit that one.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised an eyebrow, but didn\u2019t comment.\u00a0 He was willing to bet Joe was just about \u2018hopping\u2019 when he left town.<\/p>\n Unaware of the brothers\u2019 earlier confrontation Jake didn\u2019t pick up on Adam\u2019s countenance.\u00a0 \u201cThe boy came riding in here so fast I thought he\u2019d never stop that team of his before it hit the shed.\u00a0 Gave me quite a turn, I can tell you, seeing as I was inside the shed at the time.\u201d\u00a0 As if remembering the event, Jake raised his arm and, using his sleeve, wiped the sweat from his brow.<\/p>\n \u201cI shouted at him, but that young fellow just takes no notice,\u201d Jake continued with a shake of his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe jumps down off the wagon as if nothing happened and starts hollering that he has work to do and needs wood cutting straight away so he can get back to his job.\u00a0 But like I told him, just because he\u2019s a Cartwright, doesn\u2019t mean he can jump the queue.\u00a0 Told him to go and get himself a couple of beers and come back after I finished cutting the wood for Mr Jessup; after all he got here first.\u00a0 Joe was going to make a fuss but he must have thought better of it \u2018cause he went in the end.\u201d\u00a0 Jake winked in Adam\u2019s direction.\u00a0 \u201cI never thought I would see the day when Little Joe was in a hurry to get back to work!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised a weary hand to his aching head.\u00a0 Closing his eyes and biting on his top lip he castigated himself for jumping to the wrong conclusion.<\/p>\n \u201cYou all right Adam?\u201d Jake asked, looking at Adam with concern.\u00a0 \u201cYou look a little peaky.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust an upset stomach,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat you been eating?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh it\u2019s not what I\u2019ve eaten, more like what I\u2019m going to eat,\u201d Adam groaned thinking about all that \u2018humble pie\u2019 he would soon have to consume.<\/p>\n Jake looked at him in confusion and shook his head. \u201cAnd he\u2019s supposed to be the bright one!\u201d he mumbled as he walked away.<\/p>\n ********<\/p>\n When Little Joe and Hoss returned to the Ponderosa that evening, Joe was still smarting from the injustice of Adam\u2019s angry words to him that morning.\u00a0 Poor Hoss had been forced to listen to his little brother ranting all afternoon and was looking to find a way to get away from him.<\/p>\n As they stabled their horses, Joe kept on and on until Hoss lost patience.\u00a0 \u201cGive it a rest Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you have to admit Hoss, that older brother of ours is a real pain in the \u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo little brother, I don\u2019t have to admit anything,\u201d Hoss retaliated.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sick and tired of being caught in the middle between you two.\u00a0 In future keep your arguments to yourselves, \u2018cause frankly I don\u2019t want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was almost knocked off his feet as Hoss pushed past him and strode into the house.\u00a0 As Hoss entered, Adam was just leaving to go and find his little brother, but his timing couldn\u2019t have been worse!\u00a0\u00a0 Adam entered the barn, his hand outstretched towards Joe in a concilliary manner; he was taken aback however by his brother\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cCome to have another go have we big brother?\u201d Joe growled, choosing to ignore Adam\u2019s gesture.\u00a0 \u201cWell guess what, you\u2019ve nothing to say that I want to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually Joe, I came here to\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo what?\u00a0 To remind me how just how shiftless and lazy I am and if I wasn\u2019t your brother you would fire me!\u201d\u00a0 Not giving Adam a chance to respond he added.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t let us being brothers worry you in future Adam; from now on as far as I\u2019m concerned you\u2019re no brother of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stood open mouthed, completely at a loss for words, as Joe walked away without even giving him a second glance.\u00a0 Chosing to ignore the fact that his brother\u2019s behaviour was very similar to his own that morning, Adam chuntered away to himself \u201cWell have it your own way kid.\u00a0 If you want to be childish you can stew for all I care!\u201d<\/p>\n Supper was a sombre affair and Ben could sense that something was wrong between his sons.\u00a0 Adam and Joe were barely civil to one another and Hoss ignored the pair of them completely.<\/p>\n Not one to suffer disharmony in the home, Ben demanded to know what was going on, but Adam and Joe refused to comment and Hoss stuck to his earlier resolution that in future he would have no part of his brothers\u2019 arguments.<\/p>\n As soon as the meal was over Joe excused himself and went to his room.\u00a0 Adam breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 Granted he had been at fault, but he had tried to make amends and he wasn\u2019t to blame if Joe chose to be petulant.\u00a0 After all Adam reasoned, he may have been wrong about Joe that morning, but how many times in the past had the kid got away with doing just the thing that Adam had accused him of?\u00a0 In the scheme of things the balance probably erred in Joe\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n It was only 8pm and Hoss was bored.\u00a0 It was a Wednesday night and normally he would be having a game of checkers with Joe before going to bed.\u00a0 Adam as usual was sat with his nose in a book and made no attempt to have any conversation with his middle brother.\u00a0 Hoss had half heartedly asked him if he wanted a game but Adam had shaken his head without even looking up.\u00a0 Ben sat dozing in his chair, his now cold pipe lying forgotten in his lap.<\/p>\n Hoss paced the floor, occasionally stopping to tap his fingers on the table.\u00a0 He thought about reading a book, but dismissed the idea and finally gave up and, with a last look in Adam\u2019s direction; he climbed the stairs and went to bed.<\/p>\n Shortly afterwards Ben opened his eyes and looked round.\u00a0 \u201cHoss gone to bed?\u201d he asked, putting down his pipe and standing up to stretch his legs.<\/p>\n With effort Adam tore himself away from his book and scanned the room.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I guess he must have,\u201d he replied, burying his head once more.<\/p>\n Leaving his eldest son on his own, Ben called a weary, \u201cGoodnight,\u201d and headed up the stairs himself.<\/p>\n It was quite late when Adam finally put his book down and extinguished the lights in the great room in preparation for bed.\u00a0 As he walked along the landing he felt a pang of guilt with regards to his little brother.\u00a0 Adam wondered if Joe was still awake and, if he was, whether he would be more receptive to his apology.\u00a0 Quietly opening the bedroom door, he just allowed enough light from the lamp he was holding to chase the shadows from the room.\u00a0 It took a moment for it to register, but there was no mistake, Joe\u2019s bed was empty.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s lips pulled tight in anger.\u00a0 He had no doubt that Little Joe had only pretended to go to bed when in actual fact he planned to go into town.\u00a0 Glad that he hadn\u2019t apologised to his brother after all, Adam stomped off to his own room and with great restraint managed to close his own bedroom door without slamming it off its hinges.<\/p>\n ********<\/p>\n The following morning Little Joe was last down to breakfast, but that wasn\u2019t unusual.\u00a0 Adam eyed his brother over the top of his coffee cup.\u00a0 Joe certainly looked tired; there were dark circles under his eyes and judging by the amount of breakfast he \u2018didn\u2019t\u2019 eat, Adam was pretty certain that his stomach was feeling a little queasy.<\/p>\n Rather than give Joe away to his father, Adam decided he would keep quiet.\u00a0 Maybe there was a better way to make Joe suffer for his deceit, and if there was, Adam was determined to find it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat have you got planned for today Adam?\u201d Ben asked as he finished his second coffee of the morning.\u00a0 Most days he left it to Adam to plan the work roster for the day to day running of the ranch, but he still liked to be kept abreast as to how things were progressing.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought Joe and I would start breaking those new horses Pa,\u201d Adam responded, trying hard to keep the smirk from his face.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head shot up and he glared at his older brother.\u00a0 Trying to appear unconcerned Joe commented. \u201cThought we were riding fence today? There\u2019s still a lot to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I\u2019m sure Hoss and Charlie can finish off the fencing Joe.\u00a0 You and I need to get those horses ready for the army before the end of the month, so why not make an early start?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe just shrugged his shoulders but inside he was groaning.\u00a0 His trip to town last night had seemed like a good idea at the time but now he was well and truly paying for it.\u00a0 He had been so angry with Adam the day before that he decided if he was going to be branded lazy and shiftless and only interested in enjoying himself, he might as well play the part and have some fun.<\/p>\n His intention had been to ride into town, see if any friends were around, have a couple of beers and head home. Unfortunately things hadn\u2019t quite worked out that way.<\/p>\n It was almost 9.30pm when Joe had entered the Bucket of Blood saloon, the place\u00a0 nearly empty for not many people made the trip into town on a Wednesday evening.\u00a0\u00a0 Feeling unusually tipsy after his third beer, he decided to ride home; he really didn\u2019t like drinking alone.\u00a0 Just as he stood up three men entered the bar, laughing and joking, having obviously partaken of a few drinks already.\u00a0 Ordering a bottle of whisky they sat down and called to Sam, the bartender, to bring the cards for a game of poker.<\/em> \u201cEr, what was that Adam?\u201d Joe responded half-heartedly.\u00a0 His head was now pounding and the little breakfast he had eaten was threatening to resurface.<\/p>\n \u201cI said the black is ready for you little brother.\u00a0 Come on look lively, we haven\u2019t got all day.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe gave his brother a withering look before climbing into the corral and slowly making his way over to the skittish colt.\u00a0 Although not yet nineteen, Joe was an expert rider and most of the men on the ranch deferred to his knowledge when it came to horses.<\/p>\n Never one to rush things when it came to breaking in a new mount, Joe reached out with his hand and allowed the black to come to him.\u00a0 Horses were strongly influenced by their sense of smell and Joe wanted it to become re-accustomed with his own aroma once more before he tried to mount the saddle.\u00a0 At first some of the more experienced horse breakers had laughed at the amount of time Joe spent preparing a horse before actually trying to ride it, but their jibes had been silenced over the last year when they witnessed for themselves the results that came with Joe\u2019s methods.<\/p>\n Adam noticed Joe\u2019s pallor as he passed by and just for an instant he was tempted to let him off the hook, but then his brother\u2019s deceit of the night before came to mind and any misgivings he had were soon forgotten.<\/p>\n Joe took his time but eventually he very gingerly climbed onto the horse\u2019s back and instructed Matt Dawson to release the bridle.\u00a0 Every move a rider makes must be synchronized with the movement of the horse, but Joe didn\u2019t need to be reminded, for when he sat upon a horse it was as if it became part of his very soul.\u00a0 His mind closed to everything else and his whole body reacted automatically to the thrashing beast below him.<\/p>\n Even Adam stood back and watched his brother\u2019s riding with admiration.\u00a0 Joe may be slight of stature but that belied the great strength he possessed, for to sit a bucking bronco the way he did would have beaten many a lesser man.<\/p>\n Several times it looked as if the black would get the better of its rider as it kicked his rear legs high into the air, but each time Joe pressed his knees in tightly and leaned back just enough not to be unseated.\u00a0 After several unsuccessful attempts the black then tried a different tactic and Joe had to use every bit of his skill to outsmart it.<\/p>\n It was just crossing Adam\u2019s mind that maybe the horse had had enough and they should give it a rest for that day, when the animal became subdued and stopped dead in the centre of the corral.\u00a0 Matt quickly rushed over and took hold of the bridle allowing Joe to slide smoothly from the saddle.<\/p>\n The strain of the exhausting ride showed on Joe\u2019s face as he slowly walked back to where his brother was leaning on the fence.\u00a0 Adam had to admit, \u201cGreat ride Joe, thought he had you for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Without a word Joe just nodded to his brother, climbed out of the corral and headed towards the back of the barn.\u00a0 After a few minutes Adam followed, but he actually heard his brother before he saw him.\u00a0 The vigorous ride had been too much for Joe\u2019s tender stomach and the beers that went down so coolly the night before now burnt like acid in his throat as they resurrected.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head as he walked away, silently musing why Joe always had to learn the hard way.\u00a0 Ten minutes later, still visibly pale, Joe rejoined his brother and they carried on as if nothing had happened<\/p>\n That night Joe was hardly able to stay awake long enough to eat his supper.\u00a0 As he left the table he looked up to see his eldest brother trying to hide the smirk on his face and in that moment Joe realised Adam was aware of his late night escapade and had deliberately chosen to bring the horse breaking forward because of it.\u00a0 This only hardened Joe\u2019s resolve not to conform to Adam\u2019s rules and regulations.<\/p>\n ******** \u201cJoe I would rather you waited for your brothers before going into town.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe bristled at the inference but held his tongue in check.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ready now Pa.\u00a0 The way they are dallying about it\u2019ll be time to come home before we even leave.\u201d\u00a0 As the scowl deepened on Ben\u2019s face, Joe added reassuringly, \u201cI won\u2019t get in any trouble Pa, so what difference will an hour or so make?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben still thought about insisting Joe wait for Hoss and Adam, but then decided against it.\u00a0 Joe was a grown man and he couldn\u2019t keep treating him as a child.\u00a0 Seeing his father\u2019s resolve soften, Joe was quick to sweep past him and down the stairs, grabbing his gun belt, hat and jacket and hastily making his way out of the door and across to the barn.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss were still busy grooming their horses when Joe arrived.<\/p>\n \u201cWell lookie here Adam,\u201d Hoss teased.\u00a0 \u201cLittle brother is all dressed up to the nines and spruced up like a peacock.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeh,\u201d Adam replied, giving Joe the once over.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s certainly out to woo the female population this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of us has to make an effort,\u201d Joe declared, turning up his nose at the unwashed men in front of him and starting to saddle his horse.\u00a0 The differences between him and Adam\u00a0 forgotten; family squabbles never lasted long.<\/p>\n \u201cHow come you\u2019re going into town so early young\u2019un\u2019,\u201d Hoss queried.\u00a0 \u201cDance doesn\u2019t start until 8 o\u2019clock?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I just made arrangements to meet with some friends first.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you two later.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Adam could raise any objections, Joe leapt onto Cochise\u2019s back and with a parting grin at his brothers; he rode out of the yard and headed towards town.<\/p>\n Just as prearranged, Duke and his friends were sitting in the Bucket of Blood when Joe arrived.\u00a0 Duke shouted over to Joe to come and join them and instructed one of the saloon girls to bring over a bottle of whisky and another glass.<\/p>\n \u201cJust make mine a beer please Molly,\u201d Joe instructed as he went to take his seat.<\/p>\n As he sat down, Joe noted that his companions were already quite drunk, their words slurred and they were loud and rambunctious.\u00a0 When first meeting them on Wednesday night he had not been sober himself and now in the cold light of day, he found their behaviour a little embarrassing and their treatment of the girls in the saloon to be offensive.<\/p>\n Joe stayed and had a couple of beers but really he couldn\u2019t wait to get away and join his brothers and his latest romantic attraction, and he only hoped Duke and his cronies weren\u2019t planning to go to the dance.<\/p>\n At a far table in the corner sat a lonely unkempt man, sipping his way through a bottle of whisky.\u00a0 Dirk Maitland had arrived in Virginia City two months previously and taken up residence in a dilapidated homestead a few miles out of town.\u00a0 He had become a regular and unwelcome figure, usually drunk, and more often than not a bottle of gut rot in his hands.<\/p>\n Just as Joe was preparing to take his leave, Maitland rose from his seat and on unsteady legs made for the door.\u00a0 As he passed by Joe\u2019s table he stumbled and fell onto Duke Lane\u2019s lap, and in the process spilled the remains of his whisky down the young man\u2019s clothes.<\/p>\n Duke was furious.\u00a0 Pushing the drunk to the floor he drew back his foot and kicked the older man several times, egged on viciously by his friends.\u00a0 Joe was quick to intervene and tried to pull Duke away from the helpless man on the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on Duke; leave the man alone, he\u2019s drunk he didn\u2019t know what he was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Much to Joe\u2019s surprise, Duke and his friends turned their angry attention on him.\u00a0 As the other two men grabbed hold of Joe\u2019s arms, Duke had no compunction about punching Joe in the stomach several times.\u00a0 As Joe fell to his knees they all started laughing and Duke raised his foot to kick Joe to the ground.<\/p>\n They had obviously thought Joe was an easy target, but they were very wrong!\u00a0 From the time he could walk, Adam and Hoss had schooled him well in the art of fighting and he was a quick learner.\u00a0 Growing up he had been small for his age and many a school bully had tried to intimidate him.\u00a0 Countless were the nights he arrived home with a black eye or a bloody nose, but no one bullied Little Joe Cartwright; big or small he fought them all with tenacity..\u00a0 Joe may not have been big enough to win by sheer brute strength but with the same tenacious spirit, every time he was knocked down he got back up and continued fighting.<\/p>\n Duke\u2019s foot didn\u2019t reach its target.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s hand shot out and grabbing hold of the other man\u2019s leg he pushed it high into the air causing Duke to fall backwards over the table.\u00a0 Pandemonium broke out and it wasn\u2019t long before Sheriff Coffee arrived on the scene. Roy Coffee quickly broke up the melee and demanded an explanation.\u00a0 Sam the barman was quick to jump to Joe\u2019s defence and pointed to Duke as the instigator.<\/p>\n The Sheriff shook his head and pondered what to do; the night was still young and if he started locking people up now, his cells would be full to overflowing by Sunday morning.<\/p>\n Grabbing Dirk Maitland by the arm he pulled the inebriated man to his feet and then grabbed hold of Little Joe.\u00a0 Turning to Duke and his friends he warned,<\/p>\n \u201cYou three better sober up and quick.\u00a0 If I have any more trouble out of you this evening you will find yourselves behind bars.\u201d<\/p>\n With that he led Maitland and Little Joe out of the saloon and towards the jailhouse.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, what\u2019s going on?\u201d Joe demanded.\u00a0 \u201cThat wasn\u2019t my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo ones saying it was Little Joe,\u201d Roy placated, \u201cbut you need to let that temper of yours cool down and you also need to rest up with a cold compress and see if we can get that nose of yours to stop bleeding.\u00a0 And Maitland here needs to sleep off some of that whisky.\u201d<\/p>\n The blood was still gushing from Joe\u2019s nose and he grudgingly had to see the logic of the Sheriff\u2019s words.\u00a0 From being a small child, Joe\u2019s nose was apt to bleed profusely with the least provocation and the only chance of stopping it would be to stay as still as possible for at least an hour or so.\u00a0 There had been many occasions when Roy Coffee had carried the small schoolboy into his office and laid him on a cell bunk to recover,\u00a0 bloody noses and black eyes being Little Joe Cartwright\u2019s trademark as a child.<\/p>\n Deputy Clem Foster was sat at the desk and looked on with resignation as Sheriff Coffee escorted Joe and Maitland into his office.\u00a0 \u201cCartwright kid has been fighting again\u201d he thought, \u201cnothing new there then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you mind getting an ice pack for Little Joe\u2019s nose Clem?\u201d Roy asked as he helped Joe and Maitland into one of the cells.\u00a0 As Clem left the office the Sheriff laid Maitland on one of the bunks and Joe sat down on the other.\u00a0 Returning to his office he came back a few seconds later with a bowl of water and a cloth.\u00a0 With a gentle hand he proceeded to clean Joe\u2019s face just as he had done so many times before.\u00a0 By the time Clem returned with the ice pack Joe was fast asleep and, once Roy was satisfied that the bleeding to Joe\u2019s nose had stopped, he decided to let the boy slumber.<\/p>\n \u201cLet him sleep it off Clem, he can go when he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem nodded, mistakenly thinking Roy meant the alcohol and not the nosebleed.<\/p>\n Without feeling the need to give Clem any further explanation as to what had happened, Roy left the jailhouse and continued with his rounds.\u00a0 He would return in a couple of hours to check on Joe.\u00a0 If the boy woke up sooner, the cell door was not locked and Joe could leave whenever he wanted.<\/p>\n ********<\/p>\n Shortly after 8.30pm Adam and Hoss arrived in town and headed to the dance.\u00a0 The brothers had hardly set foot inside the door before a young lady by the name of Jayne Willows accosted them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d she asked accusingly.\u00a0 \u201cHe was supposed to meet me here before 8 o\u2019clock and I haven\u2019t seen hide nor hair of him.\u201d<\/p>\n Alarm bells rang in Adam\u2019s ears.\u00a0 There was no way Little Joe would miss the dance, especially if he had this pretty little girl waiting for him.\u00a0 Turning to Hoss he whispered under his breath, \u201cLook after little Jayne whatshername, I\u2019m going to find out where our younger brother is.\u201d<\/p>\n Momentarily wondering where Joe would most likely be, Adam headed directly to the Bucket of Blood, and as he entered, Sam the bartender called out a welcome.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you seen Little Joe?\u201d Adam asked, not wanting to hang around any longer than he needed to.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a bit of an upset,\u201d Sam began, \u201cand the Sheriff took Joe over to the jailhouse.\u201d\u00a0 Sam had intended filling Adam in on the circumstances surrounding the skirmish, but the saloon doors were already swinging closed as Adam turned on one heel and made his way across the street.<\/p>\n Clem was sat dozing in the chair when the jailhouse door opened with a bang.\u00a0 He sprang awake and looked up to see Adam towering over him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he?\u201d Adam asked simply.\u00a0 Clem didn\u2019t need an explanation.<\/p>\n Pointing towards the cells, Clem couldn\u2019t help his lips from twitching upwards.\u00a0 Adam looked fit to burst; Little Joe had more than a bloody nose to worry about.<\/p>\n Joe had just awoken and was sat on the edge of the bunk running his hand through his hair.<\/p>\n Adam took in his brother\u2019s unkempt clothes, bloody nose and dazed look.<\/p>\n \u201cHi Adam,\u201d Joe called out, \u201cI suppose Sheriff Coffee told you what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI really don\u2019t need to hear it Joe.\u00a0 Quite frankly I\u2019ve heard it all before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Adam, you don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Joe, I do understand,\u201d Adam responded in exasperation.\u00a0 \u201cI understand perfectly.\u00a0 But the way I see it, you\u2019ve made your bed, so you can lie on it.\u00a0 I\u2019m not about to let you spoil the evening for Hoss and me.\u201d\u00a0 With that Adam turned his back and walked away.<\/p>\n Joe was dumbfounded; as usual Adam had tried and convicted him without a hearing.\u00a0 Lying back down on the bunk he closed his eyes and counted to ten.\u00a0 He really did need to get his temper under control for fear he might do something he would regret later.\u00a0 But he could always dream, and as his imagination conjured up his fist making contact with Adam\u2019s chin a slow smile spread across his face.<\/p>\n Later that evening Roy arrived back at the jail and was surprised to see Joe still in the cell.<\/p>\n \u201cThought you would have high tailed it off home by now Little Joe,\u201d Roy chided.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess I might as well,\u201d Joe replied forlornly, looking at his bloody shirt and jacket.\u00a0 \u201cI can hardly go to the dance looking like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Just as he was about to leave, Dirk Maitland woke up on the bunk opposite and groaned out his pain as he wrapped his arms round his bruised ribs.<\/p>\n \u201cNow what am I going to do with you?\u201d Roy moaned.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t have time to play nursemaid to the town drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see he gets home if you like,\u201d Joe offered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s on my way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d appreciate that Joe,\u201d Roy responded.\u00a0 \u201cThese cells are likely to be bursting at the seams before the night is out.\u00a0 One less to look after is always a bonus.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe left and retrieved Maitland\u2019s and his own horse from outside the saloon.\u00a0 Without too much effort he had the man mounted and they were on their way.\u00a0 Keeping the horses at a slow gait, Joe took his time in getting to the derelict cabin where Maitland was living.<\/p>\n The man didn\u2019t put up much protest as Joe pulled him from his horse and escorted him into his home.\u00a0 Upon entering the cabin, Joe could hardly believe his eyes.\u00a0 It may have looked dilapidated from the outside but inside it was even worse.\u00a0 The man was living in complete squalor.<\/p>\n Joe just wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible, but his conscience wouldn\u2019t let him abandon the man is such dire circumstances.\u00a0 He helped Maitland over to the filthy bed and laid him down, and then taking off his own jacket he threw it over the nearest chair.\u00a0 Rolling up his sleeves he prepared to start work.\u00a0 With a fleeting thought of pretty Jayne Willows waiting for him at the dance, Joe smiled sardonically at the way his evening had turned out.<\/p>\n Two hours later Joe rolled his sleeves back down and donned his jacket.\u00a0 Looking round the room he was satisfied to see that he had made a small but significant dent in the chaos.\u00a0 At least it was now possible to use the stove and water pump that had previously been swamped with rubbish.\u00a0 The table in the middle of the floor was now clean and could be used to eat off for probably for the first time in weeks.<\/p>\n Joe had found some coffee in one of the cupboards, but other than that there was nothing in the cabin to either eat or drink.\u00a0\u00a0 Looking over at Maitland, who was now snoring softly in the corner, Joe reasoned that the man would probably sleep until morning, by which time Joe could hopefully return with some provisions.<\/p>\n As he was about to leave, Joe took one last look at Maitland lying on the bed.\u00a0 As he looked down at him, the man regained consciousness and gazed at Joe with unseeing eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that you Freddie?\u201d the man cried in an anguished voice.\u00a0 \u201cYour Mama\u2019s dead Freddie.\u00a0 It\u2019s all my fault, I should have saved her.\u00a0 I should have saved her.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland fell back into a troubled sleep and Joe was left wondering.\u00a0 Who was Freddie and what had happened to his mother?<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come back in the morning,\u201d Joe promised, as he picked up his hat and left.<\/p>\n ******** <\/em><\/p>\n Adam\u2019s bad mood had not lasted long and he and Hoss had spent a very pleasant evening at the dance.\u00a0 As they prepared to leave Jayne Willows stepped up to them and said,<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell that brother of yours not to bother coming calling for me ever again.\u201d\u00a0 And with that she turned her back and flounced off arm in arm with Mitch Devlin.<\/p>\n Hoss chuckled, \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s not gonna be too pleased when he realises that young Mitch there has stolen his gal.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam had no sympathy.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe it will teach our little brother to keep his fists to himself in future.\u00a0 But somehow I doubt it,\u201d he added mordantly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe young\u2019uns just high spirited Adam.\u00a0 A few more years on him will cure that,\u201d Hoss declared; always ready to jump to Joe\u2019s defence.\u00a0 As they moved out into the street, Hoss looked over towards the jailhouse.\u00a0 \u201cWe gonna pick the kid up now?\u00a0 It\u2019ll save one of us coming back for him in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m inclined to leave him to stew,\u201d Adam responded.\u00a0 \u201cBut if it\u2019s okay with Roy I suppose we might as well take him.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t want to be in his boots when Pa gets hold of him.\u201d<\/p>\n The two brothers were laughing and joking as they entered the jail and Roy looked up in surprise when they appeared in front of his desk.<\/p>\n \u201cWondered if it was possible to take Little Joe home tonight Roy?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe went home hours ago Adam,\u201d Roy replied.\u00a0 \u201cIt was just a nosebleed, he weren\u2019t hurt that bad,\u201d he added, thinking they had come to escort an injured Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean you just let him out?\u00a0 You\u2019re not charging him or anything?\u201d Hoss asked in puzzlement, knowing Roy usually set a high bail price for the youngest Cartwright, in the hope of deterring him from getting into more trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would I charge him?\u201d Roy declared with a shrug of his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cThe boy ain\u2019t in any trouble.\u00a0 He stopped three fellows from beating up on Dirk Maitland and I just thought it would be better if he cooled off a little over here at the jailhouse while his nose stopped bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n All eyes turned on Adam as a low groan escaped his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong Adam?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n Adam just shook his head, his upset stomach was back.\u00a0 Humble pie was again on the menu.<\/p>\n ********<\/em><\/p>\n It was quite late when Joe finally made it home.\u00a0 He entered the house as quietly as he could, but he need not have bothered.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright was sitting in his red leather chair in front of the fire enjoying a glass of brandy and a good book, a look of puzzlement on his face at his youngest son\u2019s earlier than expected return.<\/p>\n Joe sheepishly took off his hat, gun belt and jacket and with an air of resignation made his way over to sit opposite his father and prepare himself for the inevitable inquisition.<\/p>\n Ben could not help but take in the dishevelled appearance of his young son, nor the bloody shirt and bruised cheek, but he knew from experience that it was best not to jump to conclusions.\u00a0 Picking his words carefully he asked,<\/p>\n \u201cSomething happen in town son?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe raised his eyes and met those of his father.\u00a0 He was relieved to see that his Pa was at least prepared to listen to his side of the story and not condemn him outright, unlike another member of his family.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know Dirk Maitland Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought for a moment and then replied.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t he the man who moved into the old Carter homestead on the outskirts of town?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeh that\u2019s him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHas he got something to do with what happened?\u201d Ben prompted.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a way, yes.\u00a0 I was in the saloon with three friends I met the other night.\u201d\u00a0 Joe almost bit his tongue off.\u00a0 His father was not aware of his trip to town on Wednesday and would be sure to ask just \u2018when and where\u2019 he had met these new friends.\u00a0 When the questions didn\u2019t immediately come, Joe continued.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were having a drink when Mr Maitland got up to leave.\u00a0 He\u2019d had a few too many and he fell on top of Duke.\u00a0 He\u2019s one of the men I was with.\u00a0 Well Duke got real angry and starting kicking into Mr Maitland when he was on the ground.\u00a0 I tried to get him to stop and that\u2019s when the other two joined in.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben had not failed to pick up on Joe\u2019s reference to the Wednesday evening, but he decided he would save that conversation for another time.<\/p>\n \u201cSo how did it all turn out?\u201d Ben asked, although just looking at the state of the boy, he knew Joe hadn\u2019t faired well.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy\u2026.. Sorry, Sheriff Coffee arrived and broke it up.\u00a0 He told Duke and his friends to sober up and stay out of trouble.\u00a0 Mr Maitland and me went over to the jailhouse.\u00a0 He needed to sleep off the whisky and the Sheriff insisted I lie down until my nose stopped bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that where you\u2019ve been until now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo sir, I made sure Mr Maitland got home okay first.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben didn\u2019t need to question his son further; he had no doubt that Joe was telling the truth.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like the sound of Joe\u2019s new acquaintances, but rightly deduced that tonight\u2019s events would put an end to any budding friendships.<\/p>\n Joe half expected his Pa to want further explanation and when it didn\u2019t come he breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 Rising from his chair he made his way towards the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m quite tired Pa, I think I\u2019ll head up to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight Son.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was halfway up the stairs when he stopped and turned around.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d he began.\u00a0 \u201cDo you know anything about Mr Maitland\u2019s background?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought hard about the man in question.\u00a0 Maitland had only been in Virginia City a couple of months and in that time Ben didn\u2019t think he had seen him sober.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think anyone\u2019s ever mentioned where he comes from Joe.\u00a0 Why do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh just something he said.\u00a0 Night Pa.\u201d \u00a0And before Ben could say anymore, Joe sprinted up the rest of the stairs and into his room.<\/p>\n *******<\/p>\n The following morning Joe was up bright and early for once and sneaked down the stairs hoping not to disturb the rest of the family.\u00a0 He made his way into the kitchen and after locating an empty box in the corner; he proceeded to fill it with supplies.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s hand was stuck firmly in the cookie jar when he felt a hard swat on his posterior.\u00a0 Yelping with surprise he turned to find Hop Sing standing behind him brandishing a wooden spoon and getting ready to strike again.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat boy doing in Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen?\u201d Hop Sing demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cJust getting a few supplies,\u201d Joe whispered, hoping to calm the little Chinaman down before he woke up the whole household.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy Little Joe steal cookies?\u00a0 He not going anywhere,\u201d Hop Sing asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s this man lives just outside Virginia City, Hop Sing.\u00a0 He got beaten up and I took him back to his cabin last night.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t believe the state of it, made my skin crawl just being in there.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have a thing in his cupboards to eat, so I thought I would take him some supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing listened intently.\u00a0 To outsiders he always appeared loud and angry, but to the Cartwrights he was one of the family and to Little Joe he was another surrogate father figure, and one on which he had depended and trusted all of his life.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy he live like that?\u201d Hop Sing asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know Hop Sing, but there\u2019s something real sad about him.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing continued to complain, but all the time he did so, he filled the box until it was full and then handed it to Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cIf boy wants to find out what wrong with man, then boy needs to listen.\u00a0 Little Joe talk too much.\u00a0 Chatter chatter all time.\u00a0 Perhaps Hop Sing should put powder in box for when man has headache.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe laughed and lifted the box onto his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry Hop Sing, I\u2019ll be a good boy and hardly say a word.\u201d\u00a0 And with a mischievous glint in his eye, he reached over and stole another of Hop Sing\u2019s cookies.<\/p>\n Hop Sing lifted his wooden spoon once more and Joe quickly made his getaway, stifling his giggles and almost choking as he stuffed the whole cookie into his mouth.<\/p>\n Joe and Cochise had hardly left the yard before the rest of the family made their way downstairs for breakfast.<\/p>\n \u201cWas that Joe I heard leaving?\u201d Adam queried as he walked over to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing says Joe had business to attend to, but you know Hop Sing, he ain\u2019t prepared to say anything more,\u201d Hoss responded as he dug his fork into a plate of freshly made pancakes.<\/p>\n Adam scowled.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted to speak to him about last night.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was unaware of any incident between the brothers the night before.\u00a0 \u201cWhat was it you wanted to speak to him about Adam?\u201d He asked curiously.<\/p>\n Adam looked away from him father\u2019s probing eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOh it\u2019ll keep until later Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Truth be known the humble pie wasn\u2019t resting easy on his stomach.<\/p>\n *******<\/p>\n There was no sign of life when Joe arrived at the Maitland cabin.\u00a0 With the box still in his hand he dismounting from his horse and slowly walked up to the front door and prepared to knock.\u00a0 He had only just raised his hand when the door swung open and Dirk Maitland was stood there, dressed only in his pants, his gun cocked and ready to fire.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u00a0 What do you want?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cI-I-It\u2019s me Joe Cartwright,\u201d Joe stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know you boy,\u201d Maitland replied guardedly.<\/p>\n \u201cI brought you home last night,\u201d Joe quickly explained, still feeling more than a little nervous with a Colt 42 being waived in front of his face.<\/p>\n Dirk Maitland dropped the gun to his side and ran his other hand wearily through his hair.<\/p>\n Joe breathed a sigh of relief and let the breath that he was holding slowly expel from his lungs.\u00a0 As he took in the man\u2019s appearance for the first time, he was shocked to see that Maitland\u2019s upper torso was covered in horrific burn scars.<\/p>\n \u201cYou looking at something?\u201d Maitland growled, staring right back at him.<\/p>\n \u201cN-N-No Sir,\u201d Joe hastily replied, his face flushing with embarrassment.<\/p>\n Maitland continued to stare and Joe squirmed miserably.\u00a0 In the hope of breaking the awkward situation, Joe held up the box in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve brought you some supplies, thought you could use them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow why would you want to do that?\u00a0 I ain\u2019t no charity case,\u201d the man responded angrily, and without waiting for an answer he turned and walked back into the cabin.<\/p>\n Not quite knowing what else to do, Joe followed him and put the supplies down on the table.<\/p>\n There was a few minutes silence before Maitland spoke again.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose it was you who cleaned up in here?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe just nodded his head, unsure whether Maitland was angry or not.<\/p>\n Maitland begrudgingly looked inside the box on the table and with a sniff of his nose and a shrug of his shoulders announced.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t eat bacon and eggs raw.\u00a0 Make yourself useful boy and get that stove fired up.\u00a0 I could sure use a cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir,\u201d Joe smiled and rushed outside.\u00a0 His brothers would have been amazed if they could have witnessed how eagerly he chopped wood so early in the morning.<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t return home until late that afternoon by which time Adam and Hoss had been left to do his chores as well as their own.\u00a0 The apology that Adam felt he owed Joe from the night before was left unsaid.\u00a0 As far as Adam was concerned the reprimand he didn\u2019t give Joe with regards to the forgotten chores had wiped the slate clean.<\/p>\n ****** \u201cYou got a day off Adam?\u00a0 Don\u2019t look as if you are about to chase cows this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m meeting business associates in Virginia City this morning,\u201d Adam replied dryly, ignoring his brother\u2019s sarcasm.<\/p>\n \u201cYeh like I said, you got a day off,\u201d Hoss chuckled and made quick his exit before Adam could respond.<\/p>\n Hoss was working in the low pasture for most of the day, while Joe was assigned to go out to the lumber camp and assess how things were progressing.\u00a0 Joe worked diligently up until lunchtime but his thoughts were far away; Dirk Maitland was on his mind.\u00a0 The man puzzled him.\u00a0 Where had he received those horrific burns and who was Freddie?<\/p>\n Even though Joe was well aware his eldest brother would be furious if he found out, Joe decided to leave the lumber camp and go and check on Maitland.\u00a0 After all he had most of the information that was needed for his father and eldest brother to assess how much timber was needed for the contracts they had in hand.\u00a0 His brother was in town and the men at the lumber camp were hardly likely to see Adam in the coming days to mention Joe\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n Maitland was surprised to see the Cartwright boy turn up that afternoon on a buckboard laden with wood.\u00a0 Joe himself was pleased to see that the man was sober and he was also impressed to note that Maitland had made a start to try and put his house in order.<\/p>\n Pushing his brother to the back of his mind, Joe rolled up his sleeves and taking hammer and nails from the back of the wagon, he offered to help repair the roof on the ramshackle homestead.<\/p>\n Maitland was glad to accept the offer of help and for the rest of the afternoon the two men worked together in companionable silence, but unbeknownst to Joe, fate was working against him.<\/p>\n Adam had met his three business associates in town and as Joe repaired Maitland\u2019s roof, Adam and the men headed towards the lumber camp.\u00a0 The businessmen were headed up by Duke Lane, but Adam was unaware of the mans run in with his younger brother. Duke\u2019s father was a famous architect, a man that Adam very much admired, and the Lane business had contracts to build bridges all over the West.\u00a0 Lane Senior had sent his son to meet with the Cartwrights to negotiate a deal for their timber.<\/p>\n When they arrived at the lumber camp Adam proudly showed the three men the operations and haggled over prices.\u00a0 It was only when he was about to leave that he pulled the foreman, Benny, over to one side and asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s my little brother Benny, I haven\u2019t seen him around and he was supposed to be here?\u201d<\/p>\n Benny tried to be evasive, \u201cHe was here earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded his head.\u00a0 \u201cBut where is he now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t he around?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo Benny he isn\u2019t.\u00a0 Now suppose you tell me where he is.\u201d<\/p>\n Benny shrugged his shoulders.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t lie to the Boss but at the same time he didn\u2019t want to get the kid into trouble.<\/p>\n Adam turned away in exasperation.\u00a0 Why was it when it came to his youngest brother, people were always more than willing to protect his butt?\u00a0 Ever since the kid could talk, or even before that, he had smiled his way out of some mischief or other.\u00a0 Well he wouldn\u2019t get away with this one, Adam would see to that.<\/p>\n That evening Adam and Hoss were in the barn doing the evening chores when Joe finally returned.\u00a0 As they heard Joe ride into the yard, Hoss put a restraining hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder, \u201cLet\u2019s hear what he has to say first.\u201d\u00a0 But Adam was in no mood to play softly softly and as Joe prepared to dismount he laid into him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere have you been all afternoon little brother?\u00a0 Sneak off into town again like you did last Wednesday?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was at a loss to know how Adam had found out about his latest misdemeanour, but instead of being contrite he felt his own temper start to rise.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should know all about being sneaky Adam.\u00a0 Ever since we were kids you have stuck your big nose in where it don\u2019t belong.\u00a0 Always tittle-tattling to Pa, always trying to be mister goody two shoes.\u00a0 You complain about me.\u00a0 When was the last time you got your hands dirty and did a decent days work?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam could hardly believe his ears.\u00a0 \u201cWhy you little good for nothing, I\u2019ve been carrying you since the day you were born.\u00a0 Someone needs to teach you some manners boy, and I\u2019m just the man to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay big brother you asked for it,\u201d Joe growled as he confronted Adam just outside the barn.<\/p>\n Hoss, ever the peacemaker, tried to intervene.\u00a0 From experience he didn\u2019t see the point in trying to calm down Little Joe, his hackles were up and the red mist had descended, so he turned to his elder brother and began coaxing.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave him to cool off Adam, you know he don\u2019t mean half the things he says.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was in no mind to be persuaded.\u00a0 With legs spread akimbo and arms folded across his chest, he smirked at the youngest Cartwright opposite him, \u201cNo Hoss, the kid\u2019s been asking for it.\u201d\u00a0 Then goading his adversary even more he added, \u201cIf he thinks he\u2019s man enough to take me on, that is!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw Adam you can\u2019t do this, he\u2019s only a kid. Leave Pa to deal with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou keep out of this Hoss.\u00a0 This is between me and older brother here,\u201d\u00a0 Joe shouted, trying hard, but not succeeding to push his middle brother out of the way.<\/p>\n Seeing as he was unable to stop the inevitable, Hoss moved to one side and resigned himself to picking up the pieces of his younger brother once Adam had finished with him.<\/p>\n As soon as Hoss was out of the way, Joe lunged at his older brother, but Adam was on his guard and side stepped causing Joe to almost lose his balance.\u00a0 As Joe fought to keep his feet, Adam landed a heavy blow to his chin.\u00a0 Joe fell backwards momentarily, but righted himself again before Adam had time to pull back his fist for a second time.<\/p>\n Rushing forward Joe head butted Adam in the stomach and followed through with a left handed punch to Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s cool demeanour began to wane; the gloves were off.\u00a0 He had intended to give Joe a sharp lesson in respecting his elders, but for once the kid was going to feel the full force of his anger.\u00a0 Joe caught the changing look in his brother\u2019s eyes and just for a second a wave of fear ran over him; he had never fought Adam on equal terms before.\u00a0 But Joe was never one to run from a challenge and he squared up to his brother with a grim determination.\u00a0 Adam may have the bulk and additional strength, but Joe was fast on his feet and he knew that one lucky punch was all it would take to win the day.<\/p>\n The brothers traded punch for punch and Hoss was quite enjoying the spectacle.\u00a0 Little Joe sure had a lot of grit and Hoss was filled with pride at just how much his little brother\u2019s fighting skills had honed over the past year.\u00a0 Adam was not finding him the pushover he thought he would.<\/p>\n The lucky punch came, but it wasn\u2019t from Little Joe.\u00a0 Adam landed a heavy one- two to his brother\u2019s jaw and Joe fell backwards to the ground and lay still.<\/p>\n When Joe didn\u2019t move a muscle, a surge of guilt washed over the eldest Cartwright.\u00a0 Joe was just eighteen years old and his baby brother.\u00a0 What sort of man was he to beat up on a kid, even if he did ask for it?<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss quickly made their way over to Joe\u2019s prone body to make sure he was all right.\u00a0 As Adam leaned over to inspect the damage, Joe\u2019s fist shot out without warning and caught Adam squarely between the eyes.<\/p>\n Adam fell back heavily and sat down in the dirt, a dazed look on his face.\u00a0 Joe jumped to his feet and chuckled to himself as he made a hasty retreat towards the house.<\/p>\n Hoss couldn\u2019t help smiling as he bent down and offered his older brother a helping hand.\u00a0 Adam looked up at him and grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cI blame you for this,\u201d he admonished.<\/p>\n \u201cMe!\u00a0 Why me?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked bewildered.<\/p>\n \u201cWasn\u2019t it you who said \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s gonna have to learn to fight a lot dirtier than that\u201d <\/em>when he got knocked out by Jean Millain last year.\u00a0 Well from what I can see, the kid must have been listening.”<\/p>\n As Hoss pulled his big brother to his feet the two men started laughing together at Adam\u2019s words, Joe really had matured in some ways over the last year.\u00a0 A departing Little Joe heard the banter and the laughing and he smiled as he entered the house, all anger now forgotten.\u00a0 He would have stayed and joined in the fun, but he wasn\u2019t quite willing to live that dangerously.<\/p>\n At supper everything was back to normal but Ben couldn\u2019t help but notice two of his sons\u2019 battered faces.<\/p>\n \u201cDo we have a problem boys?\u201d he asked looking at each of them in turn.<\/p>\n Joe bit on his bottom lip and raised his eyes to look at his eldest brother; his Pa didn\u2019t look favourably upon them fighting and he would look even less favourably at Joe\u2019s part in the proceedings.\u00a0 With a sly wink in Joe\u2019s direction Adam looked over at Ben and replied,<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no problem at all Pa.\u00a0 Everything\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked at his sons for a few moments more, but decided to let the matter drop.\u00a0 If his sons had resolved their differences there was no reason for him to rake over the problem again.<\/p>\n \u201cWell let\u2019s eat boys.\u00a0 No point letting good food go to waste.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow you\u2019re talking\u201d Hoss enthused, reaching over with his long arm to grab hold of the plate containing the potatoes before his younger brother could get a look in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Top of Form<\/p>\n Bottom of Form<\/p>\n Chapter 2:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Late the following morning, Joe was at the corral with the new string of horses when he saw Adam and his visitors ride up to the house.\u00a0 Joe scowled when he recognised Duke Lane and his buddies.\u00a0 What business did they have with Adam?<\/p>\n An hour later Adam decided to show the three men the Ponderosa\u2019s horse breaking operation and he led them towards the corral.<\/p>\n At this point in time Little Joe was in full swing with a particularly frisky sorrel and he didn\u2019t see their approach.<\/p>\n Duke recognised Joe immediately and turning to Adam he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe boy on the horse, has he worked for you long?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled, \u201cJoe?\u00a0 He\u2019s been with us quite a while.\u00a0 Bit of a handful but he gets the job done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe boy\u2019s trouble.\u00a0 I would get rid of him if I were you,\u201d Duke advised.\u00a0 He was still smarting over the Maitland episode and he felt he still had a score to settle with Joe.<\/p>\n Adam looked at Duke thoughtfully and then cast his eyes in Joe\u2019s direction.\u00a0 There was something going on between these two and he was going to get to the bottom of it.<\/p>\n As soon as Joe had finished with the horse, Adam called him over to the fence.\u00a0 Indicating towards Duke, Adam introduced them.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, I\u2019d like you to meet Duke Lane.\u00a0 Mr Lane and I are negotiating a timber contract.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr Lane and I have already met,\u201d Joe responded folding his arms and making no attempt to shake hands with Adam\u2019s visitors.<\/p>\n Duke was confused as to why Cartwright had brought Joe over to meet them.\u00a0 It was the last thing he had expected.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I figured.\u00a0 You see Mr Lane thinks I should fire you,\u201d stated Adam, giving his brother a quick wink.<\/p>\n Joe looked at Adam and smiled and Adam smiled back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d Duke asked, his temper beginning to flare.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, maybe I should redo the introductions,\u201d Adam apologised.\u00a0 \u201cMr Lane I would like you to meet my little brother Joe.\u00a0 Perhaps someone would care to enlighten me as to where you two have met previously?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was happy to oblige.\u00a0 \u201cMr Lane and his two cronies are the ones that beat up on Dirk Maitland, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I see,\u201d said Adam stroking his chin as he thought about the dilemma.\u00a0 \u201cIn that case I\u2019m sorry Mr Lane, but my family and I are unable to do business with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Duke was furious, but there was nothing he could do, business may be business, but when the chips were down blood was thicker than water and the brothers were united.<\/p>\n Adam took the three men back to the house and they prepared to take their leave.\u00a0 As they were riding from the yard Joe was just entering.\u00a0 Duke rode up to him and bending forward he threatened Joe under his breath, making sure that no one else could hear. \u201cI\u2019ll not forget about this kid.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t go riding out on your own if you know what\u2019s good for you.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t want you to have an accident!\u201d<\/p>\n As they rode away Adam came to stand next to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cBetter give them a wide berth until they leave town Joe.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think Duke seems too happy about my decision.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe smiled happily in Adam\u2019s direction and Adam raised an eyebrow in question.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh nothing big brother, nothing at all,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0 But he couldn\u2019t get over the irony of Adam being so concerned about his welfare, when less than twenty-four hours ago his big brother had wanted to \u2018murder\u2019 him himself.<\/p>\n ****** Maitland didn\u2019t talk about his past and Joe didn\u2019t ask him, the fact that the man was no longer viewing life in a drunken stupor was good enough for Joe.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that Maitland had given up drinking altogether, but over the last few days he had eaten at regular times and kept himself busy.\u00a0 It was only when evening came that he found solace at the bottom of a whisky bottle.<\/p>\n Joe did not confide to his family about the amount of time he was spending at the Maitland cabin.\u00a0 When Joe had broached the subject of helping the man, Adam had been quick to give his opinion.<\/p>\n \u201cYou would do well to keep away from him Joe; he\u2019s already been the cause of one bloody nose and the loss of a timber contract.\u00a0 If the man wants to drink himself to death, that\u2019s his business, but don\u2019t let him drag you down with him.\u201d<\/p>\n So Joe had made a point of visiting with Maitland during the day when he was supposed to be riding fence.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that he was lazy; in fact he had never worked so hard, but he knew he wasn\u2019t pulling his fair share on the Ponderosa and if Adam found out he would have his hide.<\/p>\n With Joe\u2019s coaxing, Maitland was taking an interest in his home and day-by-day the little cabin was being transformed into a habitable residence.\u00a0 A lick of paint here and an odd nail there made all the difference and Joe even found himself kneeling down by the creek scrubbing until his hands bled in an attempt to get some of the dirt from the filthy bedding.<\/p>\n On one particular day, Joe turned up about lunchtime to find Dirk sitting outside with a whisky bottle in his hand and a glazed look in his eyes.\u00a0 Joe sighed to himself, and supposed that things had been going too good for Maitland not to have a relapse.<\/p>\n Dismounting from his horse, Joe pushed his hat far back on his head, and with grim determination walked over to where Maitland was sat.\u00a0 He was all set to do battle to get the whisky bottle away from him, when he was shocked to see that Maitland was crying.<\/p>\n Squatting down in the dirt next to him, Joe quietly asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? What\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland began to quietly sob, \u201cIt\u2019s her birthday.\u00a0 Today would have been her birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s birthday?\u201d Joe asked kindly, recognising that this wasn\u2019t the self pitied cry of an unhappy drunk, but of a man in the depths of despair.<\/p>\n \u201cMartha.\u00a0 She would have been three years old.\u00a0 I try to stop thinking about them, but I can\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 On the last word the man sobbed uncontrollably and Joe found his own eyes watering in sympathy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to her?\u201d Joe asked as gently as he could.<\/p>\n Wiping his running nose across his sleeve, Maitland turned tear filled eyes in Joe\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n \u201cMy wife and daughter.\u00a0 There was a fire.\u00a0 I-I-I couldn\u2019t get to them, I couldn\u2019t save them.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was at a loss for words, and he didn\u2019t know how to ease the man\u2019s torment.\u00a0 He wished his Pa was there with them for Ben was no stranger to grief and Joe was sure his Pa would be able to bring some comfort to the bereaved man.\u00a0 He sat and waited for the man\u2019s sobs to ease, feeling young and inexperienced.<\/p>\n While Maitland\u2019s back was turned, Joe kicked over the whisky bottle lying at his feet and with a relieved sigh watched the remainder of the contents sink into the dirt. With a bit of coaxing Joe helped the grieving man into the cabin and prepared to make some strong coffee in an effort to sober him up.\u00a0 Joe offered to make something to eat but Maitland had no appetite.<\/p>\n The minutes ticked by and the two men sat looking at nothing in particular, each wrapped in their own thoughts.\u00a0 At last Joe broke the silence.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Freddie.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland\u2019s head shot up.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you know about Freddie?\u201d he asked, his eyes narrowing to no more than slits.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mentioned his name,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cThat first night I brought you home.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland\u2019s eyes clouded over once more.\u00a0 \u201cFreddie is my little boy.\u00a0 He\u2019s six years old.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut where is?\u00a0 Why isn\u2019t he here with you?\u201d<\/p>\n The older man\u2019s head fell to his chest in shame.\u00a0 \u201cThe night of the fire I carried Freddie out and went back to get his mother and sister, but the whole of the upstairs was in flames. I tried, but I was too late and the building fell down around me.\u201d<\/p>\n It was several moments before the man could continue.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all my fault.\u00a0 I should have protected them.\u00a0 I should have made sure they were okay.\u00a0 Because of me my little boy has lost his mother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to Freddie?\u201d Joe asked once more, almost afraid to hear the answer.<\/p>\n Maitland lifted his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s with my brother and his wife back in California.\u00a0 A little boy needs a stable background.\u00a0 They\u2019ll love him like their own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re his father.\u201d Joe shot out accusingly not thinking of the hurt he caused.<\/p>\n The older man was confused at how vehemently Joe had spoken.\u00a0 Surely he could understand that a little boy of six needed a woman to take care of him and his brother\u2019s wife would make an excellent mother.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe you have to understand.\u00a0 I\u2019m not fit to look after a little boy; he\u2019s better off with them.\u00a0 He\u2019ll have a mother and a father who love him.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s own eyes were filling with tears, \u201cBut it\u2019s you he\u2019ll want.\u00a0 His Mama is dead and now you\u2019ve deserted him.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland couldn\u2019t comprehend Joe\u2019s upset.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve done what\u2019s best for him Joe.\u00a0 When you\u2019re older and a father yourself, you\u2019ll understand.\u00a0 Sometimes you have to make sacrifices\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n Joe cut him off.\u00a0 His voice was rising in pitch as he fought to stem the tears that threatened to flow.\u00a0 \u201cBut I do understand, I understand better than anyone.\u00a0 He needs you, you\u2019re his father.\u00a0 Right now he needs you more than anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Dirk Maitland didn\u2019t know what had triggered Joe\u2019s emotional state and in a role reversal he tried to calm him down.\u00a0 \u201cSit down Joe.\u00a0 Come on sit down and get yourself together lad.\u00a0 Here I\u2019ll make us both another cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was embarrassed by his outburst and struggled to gain control of himself.\u00a0 Talking about Freddie had resurrected so many of the feelings he kept buried deep inside from the time of his own mother\u2019s untimely death.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe apologised.\u00a0 \u201cI had no call to say the things I did, but I wish you would talk to my Pa, and then you would understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all right lad and maybe I will talk to your Pa.\u00a0 Here have this coffee and then I need to get back to work, I\u2019ve wasted half a day already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeh and I need to get back to riding fence otherwise I\u2019ll be in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland stopped what he was doing and looked hard at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYour Pa does know you\u2019re coming out here helping me doesn\u2019t he?\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t want you to neglect your work.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe squirmed under the man\u2019s scrutiny.\u00a0 \u201cMy Pa knows I\u2019ve been here,\u201d he replied evasively.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what I asked you Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Maitland recognised the avoidance of the truth for what it was, after all he was a father himself.<\/p>\n When Joe just hung his head, Maitland exploded.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean to tell me you\u2019ve been coming out here each day without permission?\u201d<\/p>\n That got Joe\u2019s hackles up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not a little kid, I don\u2019t need permission.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant Joe and you know it.\u00a0 You have a job to do for your father on his ranch and you have no business leaving that job without asking.\u00a0 You\u2019re taking advantage of the fact that you\u2019re the boss\u2019 son.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe would have liked to refute the allegation, but he couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 He knew that Maitland was right.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I\u2019ll speak to my Pa tonight and I\u2019ll come back tomorrow and help you finish the roof.\u201d<\/p>\n Once the air was cleared Joe and Maitland walked outside and were surprised to see they had company.<\/p>\n Duke Lane and his cronies were leaning against the fence smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you believe it,\u201d Duke began.\u00a0 \u201cTwo birds with one stone.\u00a0 When we came here looking for Maitland we didn\u2019t expect to get Little Joe Cartwright as well, did we boys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want Duke?\u201d Joe asked angrily, annoyed with himself for being taken unawares.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do I want?\u00a0 Let me think.\u00a0 First of all I want to pay Maitland back for spilling whisky over my good clothes, and then I think you owe me for that punch to the jaw.\u00a0 But most of all I want to claim from your hide every dollar my Pa\u2019s lost by having to go to another timber company to do business.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was just debating what to do, when one of Duke\u2019s henchmen called out.<\/p>\n \u201cThrow your gun on the ground Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe had no choice but to do so.\u00a0 As the three men moved towards him, Joe decided the best form of defence was attack and with a whoop and a holler he launched himself at Duke.<\/p>\n For all of a few minutes it looked as if Joe might get the better of them. Maitland tried to help out, but it was obvious to all he was not a fighting man and after the first round of punches he was sprawled on the ground unconscious.<\/p>\n It seemed only a heartbeat before Joe was face down in the dirt, his body sprawled over that of Duke, a nasty gash in his head and his right arm twisted unnaturally away from his body.\u00a0 Duke Lane pushed the unconscious figure away from him and stood up.\u00a0 Wiping the blood from his own face, Duke asked nervously,<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you hit him with?\u00a0 I think you may have killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n His equally nervous friend replied, \u201cOne of those planks of wood.\u00a0 I had to get him off you.\u00a0 What are we gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n Duke paced up and down.\u00a0 Things had gone too far, but there was no turning back.<\/p>\n \u201cGet them in the cabin and we\u2019ll set fire to it,\u201d he said at last.\u00a0 \u201cBy the time anyone gets here, there won\u2019t be anything left to identify.\u00a0 Best set Cartwright\u2019s horse free in case anyone comes looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Between them the men carried the two bodies into the cabin and laid them on the floor.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t even bother checking if Joe was still alive, after all there didn\u2019t seem much point.<\/p>\n Duke lit a match and set fire to the bed before running outside and climbing on his horse.\u00a0 With hardly a backward glance the three men rode off, heading away from the Maitland place and away from Virginia City.<\/p>\n ******<\/p>\n That evening Hoss returned to the ranch in a bit of a quandary.\u00a0 He had finished his work and had decided to ride over out to help Joe.\u00a0 When he arrived where Joe should be, not only was Joe missing, it didn\u2019t look as if he had been around much at all for the last few days.\u00a0 The fencing had been started but Hoss could see that only half as much as should have been done, had been done.\u00a0 His dilemma was whether to tell Adam, or whether to talk to Joe first.\u00a0 He hated being put in this position and Joe would certainly know how much he hated it before the day was out!<\/p>\n It was nearing suppertime and Joe had still not returned.\u00a0 Ben was beginning to worry and Hoss had no choice but to spill the beans.<\/p>\n \u201cI went over to where Joe was working this afternoon Pa.\u00a0 Joe wasn\u2019t there and…\u201d\u00a0 Hoss hesitated, unwilling to get his little brother into trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what?\u201d Adam prompted, knowing there was more to come.<\/p>\n \u201cWell it don\u2019t look like Little Joe\u2019s been there much over the last few days.\u00a0 He\u2019s started the fence but that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sucked in his breath.\u00a0 He should have known.\u00a0 That boy needed a keeper for he couldn\u2019t be trusted to work on his own.<\/p>\n Ben looked at his eldest son and knew what he was thinking.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s not jump to conclusions Adam.\u00a0 Joe may well have a perfectly good explanation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome off it Pa.\u00a0 If Joe had a reason to leave the job unfinished, why didn\u2019t he mention it yesterday or even the day before?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI still want to hear it from Joe first,\u201d Ben persisted, feeling irritated, more because he knew Adam was right.<\/p>\n Before a full scale row could break out between the two men, there was a sharp knock at the door.\u00a0 Hoss went to open it, grateful for the interruption.<\/p>\n Mike Swan, one of the ranch hands was stood there.\u00a0 \u201cSorry about this Mr Cartwright,\u201d he said addressing Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cBut one of the men just found Little Joe\u2019s horse wandering about on its own.\u00a0 He looked around but there was no sign of Joe so he thought he\u2019d better bring it back to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n The previous argument was forgotten as the three Cartwright men rushed into the yard to inspect the horse.\u00a0 There was no sign of blood or injury and no indication as to where Joe could be.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we gonna do Pa?\u00a0 Joe may be hurt,\u201d Hoss asked, his worry beginning to show.<\/p>\n \u201cSaddle up boys and I\u2019ll get a few things together.\u00a0 We need to find him before it gets dark.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben rushed back to the house to get his gun, jacket and medical supplies, just in case they were needed.\u00a0 As he entered Hop Sing came to meet him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happen?\u00a0 Supper get all cold.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Hop Sing,\u201d Ben placated. \u201cJoe\u2019s horse has turned up without him.\u00a0 We need to look for him while there\u2019s still light.\u201d\u00a0 Then with a heavy heart he added, \u201cI just wish I knew where to start.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing was unsure whether he should break Joe\u2019s confidence, but on reflection when Joe\u2019s safety was at risk he had no choice.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe visit with Mr Maitland,\u201d he informed Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHe goes to help man with his cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n Rejoining his sons, Ben quickly mounted his horse and headed towards the Maitland place.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing has just informed me Joe has been helping Dirk Maitland,\u201d Ben said soberly.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help but feel annoyance at Joe\u2019s deception and, providing they found him well and unhurt, he would be having a few choice words with his youngest son.<\/p>\n \u201cNow isn\u2019t that just like our young brother,\u201d Adam added.\u00a0 \u201cAll the work to be done on the Ponderosa and he spends his days with the town drunk.\u00a0 He really knows how to pick his friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe may have good reason Adam,\u201d Hoss interjected; he was always ready to go to his baby brother\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n \u201cYeh I\u2019ll bet he does,\u201d Adam spat back at him.\u00a0 \u201cA new drinking partner, away from town, so none of us find out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s unfair Adam,\u201d Hoss shouted back.\u00a0 \u201cSince when has Little Joe returned home drunk this week?\u201d<\/p>\n Before Adam could reply, Ben cut in.\u00a0 \u201cJust ride boys.\u00a0 There will be plenty time for questions and answers later.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence reigned until they were approaching the Maitland cabin and then the smoke rising into the early evening sky alerted them to the fact that something was wrong.<\/p>\n ****** The recurrent nightmare he had been having since the loss of his family was once again reality and as he rolled over onto his stomach he gasped for breath and began crawling towards the cabin door.\u00a0 He was only a few feet from safety when a new panic infiltrated his brain.\u00a0 \u201cWhere was Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Much as he wanted to get out of the door and away from the fire that was threatening to burn him alive, he couldn\u2019t go without Joe.\u00a0 Turning his body round he bravely crawled back to the middle of the room.\u00a0 He tried to call Joe\u2019s name but his throat was burning and his efforts only resulted in a coughing fit.<\/p>\n Maitland spread his arms all around him, feeling the floor for any sign of Joe.\u00a0 Just as he was about to give up, his fingers touched a boot and he grabbed hold as tightly as he could.\u00a0 With superhuman effort he raised himself from the ground and on unsteady feet he dragged the unconscious man towards the door.\u00a0 Fire burned all around them and he screamed out in pain as the flames licked his already scorched flesh.<\/p>\n Bursting through the cabin doors Maitland hauled Joe behind him and dragged him as far from the rising flames as he could.\u00a0 Taking but a few moments to gather his breath, Maitland wiped the smoke from his streaming eyes and tried to focus on the lifeless body on the ground.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take a doctor to tell Maitland that Joe was badly hurt.\u00a0 The gash to his head was deep and still bleeding and his fire damaged jacket revealed scorched flesh beneath.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s breathing was shallow and laboured and Maitland knew he would have to do something quick if he was to save the boy\u2019s life.<\/p>\n Oblivious to his own injuries, Maitland lifted Joe into his arms and headed towards the creek that ran at the back of the cabin.\u00a0 He thought to lower Joe into the water to help his burn wounds and he also needed to clean the injury to Joe\u2019s head before infection set in.\u00a0 Maitland only made it to the top of the embankment before his knees gave way and he and Joe rolled to the bottom of the hill.\u00a0 On the way down their bodies were scratched unmercifully on the thick bushes growing everywhere and when they arrived at the bottom they were both in a sorrier state than they were only a few moments ago, if that were possible.<\/p>\n Maitland used the last of his strength to pull Joe into the creek and allow the cool water to flow over Joe\u2019s scorched body and his own.\u00a0 With gentle hands he did his best to wash the blood from Joe\u2019s head and as he was doing so he noticed for the first time the swelling and unnatural bend in Joe\u2019s right arm.<\/p>\n Dirk Maitland sat on the embankment cradling Joe in his lap, crying softly to himself.\u00a0 What was he to do?\u00a0 Joe needed urgent medical attention, but his own body had given up and he couldn\u2019t force himself to stand let alone ride into Virginia City.\u00a0 In a last effort, he laid Joe tenderly on the rough earth and tried to rise, but his head spun out of control and the blackness had descended upon him before his head hit the ground.<\/p>\n Over an hour passed before Dirk Maitland awoke to find himself lying half in and half out of the water.\u00a0 His body shivered uncontrollably and it took him several minutes to recall what had happened.\u00a0 Looking to his side he winced as he took in the desperate state of the boy lying next to him.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face was ashen, dried blood stuck to his hair, and his body showed no sign of life.\u00a0 With trembling hands Maitland reached over and felt for a pulse in the young man\u2019s neck.\u00a0 It was there, but only just.\u00a0 Maitland knew he could not put off any longer; he must go for help.<\/p>\n There was nothing more he could do for Joe and so once he had made him as comfortable as possible, he retraced his way back up the embankment and over to the cabin.\u00a0\u00a0 Looking back he would never remember how he managed to saddle his horse, let alone ride into Virginia City.<\/p>\n ******<\/p>\n Ben, Hoss and Adam rode up to the Maitland homestead to find it nothing more than a smouldering heap of timber.\u00a0 The fire had almost burned itself out and there was no sign of life.<\/p>\n The heat from the burning embers was still too great for them to get close to the cabin itself and they had to satisfy themselves with searching the surrounding area for any sign of Maitland or Little Joe.<\/p>\n Finally Hoss put into words what they were all not daring to think.\u00a0 \u201cPa, you don\u2019t think Little Joe and Maitland were in there do you?\u201d he asked, gesturing towards the cabin.<\/p>\n Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI hope not son, I sincerely hope not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we head into town Pa?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cMaitland\u2019s horse isn\u2019t here, so you never know, him and Joe may be in town.\u00a0 It\u2019s getting pretty dark and there\u2019s no sign of them here.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowing there was nothing more they could do until first light, Ben agreed.\u00a0 As quickly as they could in the semidarkness, the three men rode towards town with worry, but hope in their hearts.\u00a0 They were not prepared to write off the youngest member of the family that easily.<\/p>\n The Cartwrights rode into town and straight to the Sheriff\u2019s office.\u00a0 Clem was just leaving to go on his rounds as they dismounted from their horses.<\/p>\n \u201cIs Roy around?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s over at the doc\u2019s place,\u201d Clem called back.\u00a0 \u201cSeems there\u2019s been some trouble at the Maitland place.\u201d<\/p>\n Not waiting for Clem to continue, the men turned and walked across the street to Paul Martin\u2019s surgery.\u00a0 As they approached they could hear Dirk Maitland\u2019s voice raised in anguish.<\/p>\n When they entered the building Doc Martin was trying, with the help of Roy Coffee, to calm an injured and overwrought Maitland.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me give you something to ease the pain,\u201d Paul Martin coaxed.\u00a0 \u201cThen I can tend to those burns.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland pushed the hands away from him as he struggled to remain conscious.\u00a0 He needed to let them know about Joe before it was too late.\u00a0 \u201cForget about me, I\u2019ll be alright.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got to get help to the Cartwright boy.\u00a0 He\u2019s hurt bad, real bad.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben rushed to the man\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about Joe?\u00a0 Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n Dirk Maitland looked at the man before him and relief washed over him.\u00a0 Now someone would take notice.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s back at my place Mr Cartwright.\u00a0 Three men beat up on us and tried to burn us alive.\u00a0 I managed to get Joe out but he\u2019s in a bad way.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben started to take charge immediately.\u00a0 \u201cAdam get over to the stables and get a buckboard, if Joe\u2019s injured we\u2019ll need something to carry him in.\u00a0 Hoss we\u2019re going to need lanterns, its pitch black out there.\u201d\u00a0 Then turning his attention to Doc Martin he instructed.\u00a0 \u201cPaul, please get together what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Martin didn\u2019t need to be told twice, he was already pushing bandages and medicines into his black bag.\u00a0 Roy Coffee also did not remain idle.\u00a0 He gathered blankets and provisions for the short trip back to the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming with you Mr Cartwright,\u201d Maitland declared, pulling himself up onto his feet once more.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, but you\u2019ll slow us down,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 He had enough on his plate without having to think about another injured man.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019ll never find him without me and I can travel in the buckboard.\u201d<\/p>\n Much as he would have liked to say \u2018no\u2019 as he really didn\u2019t need the extra encumbrance, Ben knew he needed Maitland\u2019s help and he nodded his head in acceptance.<\/p>\n In less than an hour they were back at the smouldering cabin.\u00a0 Paul Martin had sat in the buckboard with Dirk Maitland and had spent his time bandaging the injured man\u2019s burns as best he could.<\/p>\n Maitland had been right; they would never have found Little Joe without his help.\u00a0 In the dark his still form was hidden in the undergrowth and would have gone unnoticed until morning, by which time it would have been too late.<\/p>\n Led by Maitland the six men slipped and slided down the embankment at the back of the cabin.\u00a0 The lanterns swayed from side to side as they tried unsuccessfully to keep their footing and several times a curse could be heard as unseen bushes scratched their faces and arms relentlessly.<\/p>\n When they reached the bottom, Maitland took a moment to get his bearings before moving off to his left and towards the creek.\u00a0 \u201cCareful,\u201d he called, \u201che should be just around here somewhere.\u201d\u00a0 Then with a relieved cry he pointed to a dark mound ten feet in front of him.<\/p>\n As the light from the lantern flickered over his youngest son\u2019s battered body, Ben Cartwright cried out in distress.\u00a0 Rushing forward he gently gathered Joe into his arms and cradled him as he would a baby.<\/p>\n Seeing the deathly pallor of the young man\u2019s face, Paul Martin had no time for niceties.\u00a0 \u201cOut of my way Ben,\u201d he ordered, squatting down next to his friend and taking Joe\u2019s seemingly lifeless body from him and laying it once more on the mud-covered ground.<\/p>\n Before their Pa could put up any form of protest, Adam and Hoss pulled him to one side to let the doctor do his work.\u00a0 Roy Coffee held the lantern as steady as he could, but he didn\u2019t like what he saw.\u00a0 At that precise moment in time he wouldn\u2019t give a nickel for Joe Cartwright\u2019s survival and a lump caught in his throat as he thought of the mischievous young boy he had watched growing into a man.<\/p>\n As Paul Martin\u2019s hands and eyes checked over Joe\u2019s body he hardly knew where to begin.\u00a0 All that was in Joe\u2019s favour was the fact he had a pulse, albeit not a strong one, but a pulse nevertheless.\u00a0 He had a severe gash to his head, burns down both sides of his body, a broken right arm, cuts and scrapes everywhere and to top it all he had lain exposed and injured in filthy mud and water for several hours.\u00a0 Even if he survived, which was doubtful, infection was bound to set in.<\/p>\n Ben looked on helplessly as the doctor cleaned and bandaged Joe\u2019s head as best he could.\u00a0 When Paul came to strap Joe\u2019s injured arm to his body, the men around winced in sympathy at the pain it would inflict, but Little Joe remained unconscious and oblivious.\u00a0 Throughout the doctor\u2019s administrations he showed no sign of life, lying still and compliant, with not even a murmur escaping his lips to give the men around him some hope.<\/p>\n The journey down the embankment had been quick, but the return journey, with Joe fastened tightly to a stretcher, was laborious and slow.\u00a0 Their feet sank into the mud with every step and the thick bushes that had scratched them on the way down, once again scratched and hampered them on the way up.<\/p>\n Finally reaching the buckboard, Ben and Paul Martin climbed into the back with Joe set between them.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to take him back to the Ponderosa?\u201d Paul Martin asked.<\/p>\n Ben was taken aback.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t it be quicker to take him into town?\u201d<\/p>\n Paul was careful how he worded his reply.\u00a0 He had done all he could for Joe at this point in time and it he didn\u2019t think it would be enough.\u00a0 If the boy wasn\u2019t going to make it, it would be better for Ben and his sons if Joe died in his own bed.\u00a0 An extra hour or so in the buckboard wasn\u2019t going to make much difference to the outcome.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019ll get the best care in his own home Ben.\u00a0 You and the boys and Hop Sing are what he needs right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded his head.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t need for Paul to spell out what he was thinking, for one look at Little Joe told him all he needed to know.<\/p>\n ****** Paul Martin had finally gone to bed just a few hours ago.\u00a0 He had painstakingly cleansed and treated every cut and scratch on Joe\u2019s body.\u00a0 The gash on Joe\u2019s head had been stitched, his broken arm set and his burns bandaged, but he knew with inevitable foreboding that Joe\u2019s fight for survival had only just started.\u00a0 Even before the good doctor retired with exhaustion, Joe\u2019s temperature had started to rise as infection ravaged his already battered body.<\/p>\n Ben gazed out the window at the rising of the sun and breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 He thanked God for small mercies; his son may be desperately ill, but he was still breathing.\u00a0 As the saying goes, \u2018while there\u2019s life, there\u2019s hope\u2019 and Ben clung to that thought like a drowning man with a straw and he wouldn\u2019t let go.<\/p>\n Turning back to the bed he once again dipped the cloth he was holding into the clean tepid water he kept ready on the nightstand.\u00a0 Wringing out the excess liquid he folded the cloth in his hand and dabbed it gently on Joe\u2019s burning brow and face.\u00a0 Pulling back the bedclothes he continued his administrations over and down his son\u2019s sweat soaked body.<\/p>\n Deep in thought Ben hardly heard the door to the bedroom open and he was startled when he heard a man cough.\u00a0 Dirk Maitland stood hesitantly in the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cI just wondered how he was?\u201d he asked apologetically, averting his eyes from Joe\u2019s naked body.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t mean to disturb you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben pulled the covers up to Joe waist and beckoned the man into the room.\u00a0 \u201cNo need to apologise.\u00a0 Please come in.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland entered and closed the door quietly behind him.\u00a0 Walking over to the bed his heart tightened as he watched the father continue to bathe his son\u2019s head and chest with the cool water.\u00a0 Thoughts of his own son were never far from his mind.<\/p>\n Under different circumstances, Ben would have been curious about the stranger in front of him.\u00a0 The night before when Paul Martin had been tending to Joe, he had also insisted on redressing Maitland\u2019s wounds.\u00a0 Dirk Maitland had sat in the chair next to Joe\u2019s bed and removed his shirt and the men around him had flinched in pity on seeing the man\u2019s scarred torso.<\/p>\n Maitland\u2019s flesh was still in the healing process from his previous burns and the scars that covered his chest and back were red and painful to observe.\u00a0 Doctor Martin didn\u2019t feel the time was right to be asking questions, he had more pressing matters to attend to, and so he did what he could for the injured man before returning his attention to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he going to make it?\u201d Maitland asked, breaking into Ben\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n Swallowing hard and coughing to clear his throat, Ben\u2019s eyebrows pulled together in distress.\u00a0 \u201cWith God\u2019s help.\u00a0 He\u2019s a strong boy and he won\u2019t give up.\u201d\u00a0 What he didn\u2019t add was that Joe couldn\u2019t give up, he wouldn\u2019t let him, and he wasn\u2019t ready to let him die.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing tells me that Joseph has been helping you repair your home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Maitland replied.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you knew, but Joe did promise he would tell you when he got home.\u00a0 He\u2019s a good lad Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes he is,\u201d Ben confirmed, \u201che is a good boy\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Reaching forward he ran his hand through Joe\u2019s singed hair.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll have to cut it all off,\u201d he said sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Maitland responded, not understanding.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2019s hair,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cHe hates having his hair cut, but it\u2019s been burnt in the fire, so it\u2019ll need to be cut really short.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s voice began to falter, \u201cI know it\u2019s silly, but he\u2019ll probably be more upset about that than anything.\u00a0 He does so like his hair long.\u201d\u00a0 Running his hand through Joe\u2019s curls once more, Ben lifted his other hand and tried to mask the unshed tears that filled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you have been wondering about the burn scars I have?\u201d Maitland began haltingly.\u00a0 When Ben didn\u2019t comment, he continued. \u201cMy wife and daughter died in a fire a few months ago.\u00a0 Joe said I should talk to you about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sat down next to the distressed man and nodded sympathetically.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m really sorry about your family.\u00a0 It\u2019s so hard to lose your partner.\u00a0 I have lost three wives, which is probably why Joseph thinks I would understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it get easier with time?\u201d Maitland queried.\u00a0 \u201cNever a moment goes by, when I don\u2019t think about them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can honestly say the pain is not lessened by experience.\u00a0 I felt just as devastated and alone when my third wife died as I did with my first.\u00a0 But time does have a way of healing, and\u2026\u201d he added without thinking, \u201cI had my boys and they needed me.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland dropped his head in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben admonished himself, thinking of the man\u2019s daughter.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t think what it must be like to lose a child.\u201d\u00a0 Gripping hold of Joe\u2019s hand and wishing his own strength could be passed to that of his son, Ben whispered, \u201cand I hope I never will.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking up at Ben with tear filled eyes, Maitland confessed.\u00a0 \u201cI too have a son, he\u2019s six years old.\u00a0 After my wife and daughter died I left Freddie with my brother and his wife.\u00a0 A small child needs a mother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn an ideal world, yes that\u2019s true, but a boy needs his father as well,\u201d Ben declared with feeling.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just what Joe said, he was so upset at me leaving Freddie.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben winced at Maitland\u2019s words; he hated to think Joe\u2019s feelings were still raw with regard to that time so long ago.\u00a0 Well he couldn\u2019t turn back time but if he could stop history repeating itself he would.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph had every right to be upset Mr Maitland.\u00a0 When Joe\u2019s mother died, I felt unable to cope with life.\u00a0 I went away and left him, and my other sons, to cope on their own.\u00a0 Quite honestly at the time I didn\u2019t know whether I would ever come back.\u00a0 Joe was well looked after, he had Hop Sing and his brothers, but I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll ever repair the damage I did to him.\u00a0 The look in his eyes when I finally returned will stay with me forever.\u00a0 No child that young should ever have to feel such pain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I failed Freddie,\u201d Maitland explained.\u00a0 \u201cI should have saved his mother and sister.\u00a0 How can I ever face him?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s pain filled eyes locked onto that of the grieving father and he added with fervour.\u00a0 \u201cAccidents happen and no matter how much we try, we can\u2019t change that.\u00a0 Go home to your son, Mr Maitland.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t you will regret it for the rest of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland nodded his head and began to weep.\u00a0 It was as if a gigantic load had been lifted from his shoulders and there was hope in his heart once more.<\/p>\n ******<\/p>\n At daybreak Roy Coffee headed out after the men who had committed this heinous crime, knowing they wouldn\u2019t be hard to find, as he knew their identities and where they lived.<\/p>\n Throughout the day Joe\u2019s condition did not improve.\u00a0 Not once did he give any sign of regaining consciousness and his temperature continued to rise steadily. By late evening Doctor Martin was beginning to think they should prepare themselves for the worst, as Joe\u2019s body was showing signs of closing down and he didn\u2019t think he could last much longer.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss finally persuaded their father to go downstairs and have something to eat.\u00a0 Ben had not left Joe\u2019s side since they had found him next to the creek and the exhaustion was taking its toll.<\/p>\n Left on their own, the siblings quickly stripped Joe\u2019s soiled sheets from the bed and with ease lifted and replaced Joe in a clean environment.\u00a0 Even though the evening was quite cool Joe\u2019s skin still felt hot with fever and Hoss decided to open the bedroom window and let in more of the cold night air.\u00a0 A cool breeze flowed round the room and back out of the window, taking with it the pungent smell of sickness that permutated the room.<\/p>\n Earlier that day Adam had assigned himself the job of cutting off Joe\u2019s singed hair.\u00a0 Ben couldn\u2019t bring himself to do it and Hoss had professed that he was much too clumsy for such a task.\u00a0 As it turned out, his father had been right to excuse himself, as the undertaking had not been an easy one.\u00a0 All his life Joe had had an aversion to having his hair cut; it was if the shedding of his curls would sap his strength, much as it had done with Sampson in biblical times.<\/p>\n Looking down at his brother\u2019s shorn locks, Adam\u2019s eyes shone with tears.\u00a0 Joe looked so impossibly young and helpless without the usual curls framing his face.\u00a0 Adam berated himself for his over sentimentality; after all, Joe\u2019s hair would soon grow back and those untameable curls would be dropping down over his brow before long.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least I hope so,\u201d Adam whispered softly to his sibling, while Hoss was out of the room.\u00a0 \u201cCome on Buddy, it\u2019s time to open your eyes and come back to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lay unmoving and Adam tried again.\u00a0 \u201cPa told me about Dirk Maitland Joe.\u00a0 You were right to help him; he\u2019s been through so much.\u201d\u00a0 Just for a second Adam thought he saw Joe\u2019s eyelids flicker.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right Joe, come on it\u2019s time to wake up.\u00a0 After all you wouldn\u2019t want to miss seeing your older brother eat humble pie would you?\u201d<\/p>\n The dark tunnel seemed never-ending and Joe wondered if he would ever get to the end.\u00a0 His brother was calling him, but he was so so tired, he just wanted to lie down and rest.\u00a0 A warm feeling encircled him and he began to drift off to sleep for perhaps the last time.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice interrupted his dreams and Joe felt a moment\u2019s anger.\u00a0 Why couldn\u2019t old bossy boots let him sleep?\u00a0 Why did he have to be in an all fired hurry to get things done?\u00a0 Now Adam was talking about watching him eat pie.\u00a0 Joe didn\u2019t want pie, he wanted to sleep.<\/p>\n Adam was stood at the bedroom door.\u00a0 \u201cPa, Pa.\u00a0 Doc Martin.\u00a0 Come quick.\u00a0 I think Joe just moved his eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n Seconds later Ben, Paul and Hoss rushed into the room and over to the bed.\u00a0 Paul Martin felt Joe\u2019s head and body and breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 Turning towards three anxious faces he said, \u201cThe fevers broken. \u00a0He\u2019s not out of the woods, but it\u2019s a good sign.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben felt his heart lighten, Joe was going to get well, he just had to.\u00a0 \u201cCome on son, open your eyes.\u00a0 It\u2019s time to wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was aggravated; his Pa was now calling to him.\u00a0 That left him no choice. \u00a0His Pa wouldn\u2019t stand for insubordination; he would have to open his eyes.\u00a0 With great effort Joe tried to clear his head, he felt as if he had being kicked by a mule.\u00a0 What did he have to drink last night?<\/p>\n As he came closer and closer to consciousness, Joe began to feel the pain that had so far eluded him.\u00a0 A low groan emitted from his lips as his eyes flickered open and he tried to focus on his father.<\/p>\n \u201cP-P-Pa what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShh, don\u2019t worry about that now son,\u201d Ben soothed, running his hand gently down the side of Joe\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cEverything\u2019s going to be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t stay awake for very long; just long enough to take a few mouthfuls of Hop Sing\u2019s soup and a cool drink of water.\u00a0 But this time when he slept it was a natural sleep and not one they needed to worry about.\u00a0 Ben settled himself down in the chair next to the bed and once again clasped Joe\u2019s hand in his own, and noted with satisfaction that the skin was no longer clammy and hot but cool to the touch.<\/p>\n ****** \u201cHow is Dirk Maitland Pa?\u00a0 Was he badly hurt?\u00a0 It must have been so awful for him.\u00a0 His family died in a fire you know,\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded in understanding.\u00a0 \u201cYes he told me about that.\u00a0 He was very brave Joe, if it hadn\u2019t been for him, you wouldn\u2019t be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he?\u00a0 Can I see him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s here at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll send him in to see you, but only for a few minutes.\u00a0 It\u2019s time you got some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe waited anxiously and was soon rewarded by the opening of the door and Dirk Maitland walking slowly into the room.<\/p>\n Maitland was relieved to see just how much Joe\u2019s condition had improved from the last time he saw him and he smiled warmly at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHow you doing lad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreat thanks to you.\u00a0 From what Pa told me, you saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Maitland thought for a moment and then replied.\u00a0 \u201cI got you out of the fire Joe, but in actual fact it was you who saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe!\u00a0 What do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going home Joe.\u00a0 You were right about your father, he did understand.\u00a0 So I\u2019m going back to California to be with Freddie.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was overjoyed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s great, Freddie needs you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you see Joe, in the end it was you who saved me.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t had a life these last few months, just an existence.\u00a0 But that\u2019s all about to change.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be a good Pa to Freddie, I\u2019ll make it up to him for these past few months, and I just hope he can forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was just about to enter the room when he heard Maitland\u2019s last comment.\u00a0 He stopped in his tracks not wanting to intrude.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t mean to eavesdrop but Joe\u2019s response filled his heart with joy.<\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t have to make it up to him; Freddie will be overjoyed to have his Pa back.\u00a0 As for forgiveness, what\u2019s there to forgive?\u00a0 I know you\u2019ll be the best Pa in the world to Freddie, just like mine is to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben waited another moment before entering. \u00a0As he walked across the room his moist eyes locked with those of his son and he rejoiced at the love he saw in the depth of those green orbs, a far cry from the frightened little boy he had returned to all those years ago.<\/p>\n ****** By the second week Joe decided to take matters into his own hands.\u00a0 As suppertime approached and he heard his brothers return to the house, he threw back his bedclothes, swung his body to the side and stood up on shaky and unsteady legs.\u00a0 His head swam dizzily and he needed a moment for the room to stop spinning.\u00a0 Taking a deep breath he wondered for a minute if he was doing the right thing, but dismissed the thought from his brain.\u00a0 He could do this; he just needed to take his time.<\/p>\n Ten minutes later he sat down on the bed, tired but triumphant.\u00a0 His nightshirt may have lain crumpled on the floor, but he had managed to don his pants and shirt.\u00a0 With only one hand the buttons to his shirt were left undone and his pants would struggle to stay up with only one button fastened, but he felt satisfied with his efforts.\u00a0 Now to make it downstairs before they discovered his little escapade.<\/p>\n Familiar voices carried up to him as he slowly and carefully made his way step by step down the staircase.\u00a0 Deep in conversation at the supper table, his presence was not discovered until he reached the creaky stair three from the bottom.<\/p>\n As three pairs of eyes looked towards him, Joe almost wished he hadn\u2019t been so reckless.\u00a0 His father\u2019s face turned red with anger and Adam shook his head in exasperation.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat on earth do you think you are doing young man?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice boomed out, making the china on the dinner table rattle with nervousness.<\/p>\n \u201cI-I-I\u2019ve decided to join you for supper,\u201d Joe explained, keeping his head down as he struggled to walk the last few steps to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t!\u201d Ben corrected, moving forward and grabbing Joe by his good arm. \u201cYou are going right back to bed and you will stay there until I say you can get up.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam couldn\u2019t believe Joe had thought he would ever get away with it and he went to help his father return his errand sibling to bed.\u00a0 As he stood away from the table he glanced at his brother\u2019s face and immediately relented; Joe looked as if he was about to cry.\u00a0 Much as he was the hard-headed member of the family, he had to acknowledge that Joe must be pretty desperate to be out of his room to incur his father\u2019s wrath the way he had.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Pa, let the kid stay down and have his supper.\u00a0 He\u2019s made it this far, there doesn\u2019t seem much point in making him go all the way back upstairs before he gets his breath back.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sent Adam a look of gratitude and Adam winked in return.\u00a0 Ben blustered for a few more seconds, but nevertheless he helped Joe to his chair and sat him down.\u00a0 Hoss was glad to see harmony returned and tucked in with gusto to his meal.<\/p>\n Ben had to acknowledge to himself that maybe allowing Joe to stay was a good idea, because the boy ate more than he had eaten all week.\u00a0 He decided he might even let Joe lie on the settee for a while before insisting that he return to his bed.<\/p>\n Hop Sing bustled into the room happily carrying a large apple pie; Joe\u2019s favourite. \u201cThis pie sure smells good Hop Sing,\u201d Hoss praised.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t you having any Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben raised his eyebrows in Joe\u2019s direction and Joe made a valiant effort.\u00a0 \u201cGuess I could eat a little, after all if is tastes as good as it smells, it must be good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about you big brother?\u201d Hoss asked, eyeing the last piece of pie left on the plate.<\/p>\n Adam squirmed in his seat and declined.\u00a0 \u201cNo thanks Hoss.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had about as much pie as I can stomach lately.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss thought for a second before replying.\u00a0 \u201cWhat pie you on about Adam?\u00a0 Hop Sing ain\u2019t made pie for dessert all week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh the pie I\u2019m thinking of is the type that sticks in your throat and upsets your stomach,\u201d Adam replied casting a glance in his younger brother\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n Hoss sat puzzled for a moment and then gave up.\u00a0 If Adam wanted to talk in riddles that was up to him, but that last piece of pie beckoned and who was he to refuse it.<\/p>\n As Hoss tucked into his second helping Adam raised his eyes to find Joe\u2019s twinkling eyes looking back at him full of mischief.\u00a0 He wondered fleetingly if Joe had heard his apology to him while he had been so ill and had therefore understood his veiled meaning with regards to the pie.\u00a0 Joe seemed to delight in Adam\u2019s pondering and a grin started to spread across his face.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s own mouth began to twitch and it wasn\u2019t long before his dimples were prominent in his cheeks.<\/p>\n \u201cTouch\u00e9!\u201d he thought.\u00a0 \u201cYou can have the last laugh little brother, I don\u2019t mind.\u00a0 Just to see your smiling face is a small price to pay for eating \u2018humble pie\u2019\u201d.<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary: As Adam and Joe lock horns, Adam finds ‘humble pie’ is on the menu again and again. <\/p>\n Rated: K+ \u00a0WC 19,000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":19018,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1091,23,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-joe","category-drama","category-humor","wpcat-1091-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/apple-pie-3.jpg?fit=2212%2C3318&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=661"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u00a0<\/em>
\nJoe eyed the men longingly, for it seemed like months since he had let his hair down and had fun and these young men certainly seemed a lively bunch.\u00a0 One of them caught Joe\u2019s eye as he stood there and with a smile on his face he invited, \u201cWant to join us in a game of poker mister?\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0<\/em>
\n\u201cDon\u2019t mind if I do!\u201d Joe replied, confident that a couple of games wouldn\u2019t hurt.\u00a0 Joe took an instant liking to the man; he hadn\u2019t called him \u2018kid\u2019 or \u2018boy\u2019 unlike most of the local men to anyone under the age of twenty.<\/em>
\n\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe man introduced himself as Duke Lane; he and his companions were in Virginia City to do business the following week, an had arrived early to\u00a0 take a few days out and relax.\u00a0\u00a0 All three men were in their mid to late twenties and as they teased and bantered with each other, Joe recognised kindred spirits, and he bonded with them immediately.<\/em>
\n\u00a0<\/em>
\nIt was almost 1am in the morning before Joe realised the time and decided to head home.\u00a0 The night had been a success in more ways than one, for not only had Joe won at poker, but he had also made some new friends.\u00a0 As he rode back, trying hard not to slide from his saddle, Joe was happy and content, blissfully unaware of the sore head and upset stomach that would come with the morning.\u00a0 They were still a long way off.<\/em>
\n\u00a0<\/em>
\n\u201cJoe? Are you listening to me?\u201d Adam asked for the third time.<\/p>\n
\nIt was Saturday night before Joe had the opportunity to go into Virginia City and meet with his new friends once more.\u00a0 As he was getting ready his father appeared at the bedroom door.<\/p>\n
\nBy that time one of Duke\u2019s henchmen was knocked out cold and the other sat dazed on the floor.\u00a0 Duke himself was not unscathed but in the fracas he had managed to land a hefty punch on Joe\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n
\nOn Monday morning the brothers started their working day early.\u00a0 As the younger pair prepared to leave they looked over at a particularly smart Adam and Hoss remarked.<\/p>\n
\nOver the next week a strange friendship developed between Joe and Dirk Maitland.\u00a0 Maitland was still a little reluctant to accept Joe\u2019s help, but Joe was quietly persistent and the young man\u2019s natural charm and likeable personality worked their magic on the older man\u2019s hardened heart.<\/p>\n
\nA couple of hours earlier<\/em>
\n\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe smell of smoke was what brought Dirk Maitland back to consciousness.\u00a0 Terror filled his very being as the acrid smell filled his nostrils and all he could think about was getting away from it as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
\nIn the early hours of the next morning Ben was sat next to Joe\u2019s bed, his large hand clasped gently round his son\u2019s smaller one.\u00a0 The rising and falling of Joe\u2019s chest was the only comfort he had.\u00a0 The last few hours had been a nightmare for them all and he knew with the dawning of the day the nightmare wouldn\u2019t end.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s struggle was just beginning.<\/p>\n
\nIt was still another 24 hours before Joe was conscious enough to hold a proper conversation.\u00a0 Ben sat on the side of the bed and gently explained to him what Duke Lane and his cronies had tried to do.\u00a0 When he finished Joe was quiet for quite a while.<\/p>\n
\nThe next week or so was a test of strength \u2013 Joe against his family.\u00a0 As Joe healed, his impatience to be up and active began to tell on them all.\u00a0 They tried to keep him in bed and rested but he fought them at every turn.\u00a0 Joe hated to be dependent on anyone and he didn\u2019t mind who knew it.\u00a0 Allowances were made for his condition, but even Hoss was ready to pull Joe\u2019s bag of bones across his lap and give him a few well-earned swats.\u00a0 If Joe had been a few years younger it may even have happened.<\/p>\n
\nSmacking his lips together Hoss reached over and helped himself to a large slice.<\/p>\n