{"id":7165,"date":"2014-05-07T16:32:25","date_gmt":"2014-05-07T20:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7165"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:17:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:17:25","slug":"nightshade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7165","title":{"rendered":"Nightshade (by JoaniePaiute)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0<\/span>Ten-year-old Joe is tired of Adam treating him like a little kid. Enter Nightshade, Adam’s powerful and temperamental horse. What follows involves not only Joe and Adam, but some new Paiute friends and a revelation about Roy’s past.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a016,000<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nightshade<\/strong><\/p>\n

by JoaniePaiute<\/p>\n

Dedication: For my son,\u00a0Wange’e\u00a0(the fox), and with thanks to sklamb and PonderosaPal for those long-ago beta reads.<\/em><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
\n

Chapter 1: King Adam<\/strong><\/p>\n

Little Joe glared up at Adam,<\/strong> who sat regally astride Nightshade.\u00a0Why does he have to be so bossy?<\/i>\u00a0Joe wondered for the thousandth time. \u201cI can so ride Nightshade,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cI turned ten last week, remember? And I\u2019m a good rider. Pa says so.\u201dAdam looked down at Joe from his lofty perch and gave him that maddening crooked smile of his. \u201cNot that good. Even for\u00a0ten<\/i>.\u201d He emphasized the last word, and Joe caught the barest hint of derision. He had to fight hard to keep from stomping his foot. Boy, would that ever prove Adam\u2019s point.Hoss put a hand on his arm. \u201cAdam\u2019s right, little brother.\u201d Joe shook the hand off, and Hoss looked hurt, but he didn\u2019t back down. \u201cThat\u2019s a one-man horse. Even I don\u2019t ride him. Shoot, even Pa don\u2019t ride him\u2014you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned Nightshade toward the barn, the subject apparently closed. Joe clenched his fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down, little brother,\u201d Hoss told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuit calling me that!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged, picked up the cross saw, and headed for the back yard. Joe stayed where he was, scowling toward the barn, and Hoss called over his shoulder, \u201cYou gonna help me with this wood or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay.\u201d Reluctantly, he trotted after Hoss. \u201cI think I\u2019ll just show him,\u201d he muttered, and Hoss turned to stare at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you runnin\u2019 on about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Halting in midstride, Joe folded his arms. \u201cI might decide to take Nightshade out when Adam\u2019s not around. I might decide to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get that idea right outa your head, Joe. Pa\u2019ll skin you alive if you do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI certainly will.\u201d Both boys whipped around to see Pa standing six feet away, close enough to have overheard. Joe felt a too-familiar quiver in the pit of his stomach. Pa walked slowly toward him, his eyes fixed on Joe\u2019s, and raised a finger. That finger held a world of promise. Looking at it, Joe wanted to take a step backward. He sucked in a deep breath and stood still, meeting his father\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph…Francis…Cartwright.\u201d Each word was as hard as granite. \u201cIf you so much as put a bit in that horse\u2019s mouth, you\u2019ll eat off the sideboard for a month. Do you understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gulped. \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa held his eyes another moment, then turned without a word and went back to the house. Joe let out his breath in a whoosh. He hadn\u2019t realized he\u2019d been holding it.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s expression mingled reproach and sympathy. \u201cCome on, little brother,\u201d he said, and this time Joe didn\u2019t protest. \u201cLet\u2019s go cut them logs.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna eat that, Hoss?\u201d Joe asked, reaching across the table for Hoss\u2019s biscuit. It was an old joke, but one he never tired of.<\/p>\n

Grinning, Hoss slapped his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys,\u201d Pa said sternly. \u201cAct civilized.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAct is right,\u201d Adam put in, his fork halfway to his mouth. Joe giggled. The litany was so familiar he could have recited each person\u2019s lines, but it was still funny.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo much talk, not enough eat!\u201d Hop Sing complained as he set another plate of biscuits on the table. Hoss obligingly grabbed one of them and slathered it with butter.<\/p>\n

Pa eyed his middle son\u2019s plate. \u201cDon\u2019t you think you should finish the one you\u2019ve got first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa, this one\u2019s hot. I don\u2019t want it to cool before I butter it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, shaking his head. He sipped his water and changed the subject. \u201cJoe, have you finished those practice sums I gave you?\u201d Joe sighed, which Pa apparently\u2014and rightly\u2014took as a no. \u201cRight after supper, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate doing sums,\u201d Joe burst out. \u201cWhy do I have to do them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam arched an eyebrow. \u201cI thought you wanted to have your own ranch someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019d better be able to calculate, otherwise you\u2019re going to get cheated when you buy or sell stock.\u201d He took a bite of steak, chewed it slowly, and swallowed before speaking again. Joe rolled his eyes, thinking,\u00a0Mr. Perfect would never talk with his mouth full.<\/i>\u00a0Adam continued, \u201cAnd you\u2019ll have to keep inventories, and pay your workers, and project profits and losses. And you\u2019ll need to know angles and pitches, or your buildings will fall down. That\u2019s geometry. And you\u2019ll need algebra to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay, I get it,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

Pa frowned at him. \u201cAdam\u2019s right, Joseph. You should listen to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swung his feet so hard he accidentally kicked Hoss, who yelped. Pa looked sharply at Hoss. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gazed pleadingly at Hoss, hoping his brother could read his unspoken apology.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, just a pain, Pa. Guess I ate too many biscuits,\u201d Hoss said sheepishly. Adam snorted, and Pa glanced across the table at him. Hoss took the opportunity to wink at Joe.<\/p>\n

Thank you,<\/i>\u00a0Joe mouthed silently. Aloud he said, \u201cWant to play checkers after supper, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam just had to say it. \u201cAfter your practice sums, you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not Pa!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Pa snapped, and Joe glowered at his plate. Then, to his surprise, Pa added, \u201cBut he\u2019s right, Adam, you\u2019re not.\u201d Adam\u2019s mouth dropped open, and Joe almost laughed. He imagined himself sticking his tongue out at Adam, but he wasn\u2019t\u00a0that<\/i>\u00a0stupid. More gently, Pa said to Joe, \u201cCheckers after sums. I may play you a game myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

When supper was over and the hated sums were finished, Joe set up the checkerboard. In less than half an hour, he had beaten Hoss three out of three. Adam offered to play the next game, since Pa was absorbed in the latest edition of The Territorial Enterprise. Joe had to work a little harder to beat Adam, but he did it.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you\u2019re not the only smart one in the family,\u201d he gloated.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed and reached across the checkerboard to ruffle his hair. \u201cNever said I was,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

***\u201cAre you two at it again?\u201d Pa shouted, coming into the barn and interrupting yet another quarrel.<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe pointed at each other, both of them starting, \u201cHe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear it. I\u2019m tired of you being at each other\u2019s throats. You, Adam\u2014you\u2019re the oldest. Seems you could be a little more understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Adam demanded loudly, and Joe thought,\u00a0Boy, just let me raise my voice at Pa and see how fast I\u2019d get it.<\/i>\u00a0\u201cI came in here and he was brushing Nightshade. And he wouldn\u2019t come out of his stall when I told him to. I had to drag him out by the collar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa’s eyes hardened as he lowered his gaze on Joe. In a small voice, Joe said, \u201cI didn\u2019t put a bit in his mouth, Pa. Honest, I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet in the house.\u201d Pa pointed toward the barn door. Joe fled, but first he darted a bitter look at Adam.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head, then started after Joe. Adam spoke from behind him. “What are you going to do, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben turned back. \u201cWhat do you think I\u2019m going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive him a…talking to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Ben heard the grim edge in his own voice, making it clear that he was going to do more than talk. Adam rubbed the back of his neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be too hard on him, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to get through to him, Adam. That horse could kill him with a misplaced hoof.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Adam turned wistful eyes on Nightshade, who stood complacently in his stall as if he weren\u2019t the center of all this trouble. \u201cBut I\u2019ve been thinking…maybe I should sell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you’ve got a special bond with that horse. He\u2019d never be happy with anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but if he ever hurt Joe…Pa, I\u2019d never forgive myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won’t come to that,\u201d Ben said firmly. \u201cJoe has to learn to stay away from him, that\u2019s all.\u201d Suddenly he felt tired. \u201cAnd it\u2019s my job to teach him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so. But…well…maybe it doesn\u2019t have to be a\u00a0real<\/i>\u00a0talking to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was silent, considering. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said finally. \u201cI\u2019ll just talk. This time.\u201d He studied Adam for a moment, then added, \u201cMaybe someday he\u2019ll appreciate what you just did for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled wryly. \u201cI doubt it,\u201d he said, \u201cbut it doesn\u2019t really matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe sat on the edge of his bed, swinging his legs and thumping his feet against the frame.\u00a0Darn Adam. Why doesn\u2019t he get off his high horse?<\/i>\u00a0At the unintentional pun, he couldn\u2019t help giggling\u2014but the sound was more nervous than mirthful. The quiver in his stomach grew as he heard Pa\u2019s footsteps coming down the hall.<\/p>\n

The door opened, and he forced himself to look into Pa\u2019s eyes. Resigned to the inevitable, he stood up, turned around, and placed his hands on the bedspread. Hearing no movement behind him, he looked over his shoulder. He was surprised to see Pa smiling ruefully. Hope rose in his chest. Was it possible that he was going to get out of this?<\/p>\n

\u201cCome here, son,\u201d Pa said. Joe straightened and went over to him. Pa took him by the shoulders. \u201cDo you understand why Adam got so angry when he saw you in that stall?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sure<\/i>, Joe wanted to say.\u00a0Because he thinks I\u2019m a baby. Because he\u2019s so in love with that horse that he\u2019s jealous of anyone who touches him. Because he doesn\u2019t believe that Nightshade could love me, too.<\/i><\/p>\n

Aloud he said, \u201cBecause he doesn\u2019t want me to get hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Pa’s eyes softened. \u201cWe both don\u2019t want you to get hurt. Do you believe that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Actually, Joe reflected, he did. He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now you stay away from that horse. You hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir. I hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa gave his shoulders a little squeeze and left. Joe flopped onto the bed and stared gratefully at the ceiling. Boy, that had been close. He closed his eyes, replaying the conversation.<\/p>\n

Now you stay away from that horse. You hear?<\/i><\/p>\n

Yes, sir. I hear.<\/p>\n

You hear?<\/p>\n

I hear.<\/p>\n

A dangerous thought crossed his mind.\u00a0I said I heard him. I didn\u2019t say…<\/i><\/p>\n

Abruptly, he jumped up and dashed out the bedroom door and down the stairs, bent on doing a few sums before supper. He\u2019d been granted a reprieve. Now he was going to be good if it killed him.<\/p>\n

His resolve lasted the rest of the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter 2: Taking the Reins<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhere is everybody, Hop Sing?\u201d Joe asked, sticking his head into the kitchen. But only his head\u2014Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen was his castle, and he was the king.\u00a0King Hop Sing,<\/i>\u00a0Joe thought, and clapped his hand to his mouth, not quite in time to stifle a giggle.\u201cWhat funny, Ritta Joe?\u201d the cook demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing. Where is everybody?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing thunked the dough he\u2019d been kneading onto a floured board and picked up a rolling pin to flatten it. \u201cMr. Cartlight go to town, take Adam with him. Hoss go with hands, fix fences.\u201d He gave Joe a suspicious look. \u201cIt still morning. Why you home? You supposed to be with Widow Hawkins, whitewash her fence today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cIf I\u2019d run off from Mrs. Hawkins,\u201d he said earnestly, \u201cthis\u2019d be the last place I\u2019d come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing thought about that, then nodded. \u201cSo why you home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Hawkins told me to go away. She had a headache.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmph. You got something to do with headache?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave him his best \u201cWho, me?\u201d look and asked, \u201cCan I have a cookie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou change subject. No, not say\u2014I not want to know.\u201d Hop Sing went to the ceramic jar and pulled out two oatmeal cookies. He gave them to Joe and said, \u201cWhat you going to do all day?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a bite and said with his mouth full, \u201cI figured I\u2019d go fishing.\u201d He sprayed a few crumbs as he spoke. Hop Sing made a\u00a0pfft!<\/i>\u00a0sound and handed him a cloth to wipe his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Hop Sing said, turning back to the counter, \u201cI pack you lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou packed me one earlier,\u201d Joe reminded him, then added sheepishly, \u201cbut I guess I ate it on the way home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already know that.\u201d Joe watched admiringly as the cook pulled out meat, bread, and cheese, and slapped a sandwich together faster than Pa could rope a steer. Hop Sing tied a large square of cheesecloth around the sandwich, along with an apple and three more cookies, and handed the neat bundle to Joe. \u201cNow<\/i>\u00a0go fishing,\u201d he commanded, his face crinkling into his one-of-a-kind Hop Sing smile. Joe grinned back and dashed away.<\/p>\n

Outside, he sauntered toward the barn where the fishing poles were kept, in a back corner with some other odds and ends. He opened the door and stepped into the cool darkness. The clean smell of fresh hay mingled with the musty, horsey odor. Joe breathed deeply, loving it all.<\/p>\n

A soft snort caught his attention. \u201cHey there, Nightshade,\u201d he said softly, going to the black horse\u2019s stall. He reached up to stroke his nose, and quickly found the spot Nightshade liked, right between his eyes. The horse blew a gust through his nostrils and bumped his forehead against Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re a good boy, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Nightshade looked at him with liquid brown eyes, apparently agreeing. He nosed the pouch in Joe\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you want my apple? Sure, boy.\u201d Joe unwrapped the cloth, removed the apple, and held it on his flattened palm. Nightshade bared his lips to take the treat between his teeth. As he crunched, Joe stroked his neck. \u201cI knew you were a good boy,\u201d he murmured. \u201cTo hear Adam tell it, you would\u2019ve taken my arm off just now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam. Just thinking of him made Joe flush. If it hadn\u2019t been for Adam, Joe wouldn\u2019t have come so close to a licking yesterday. All he\u2019d been doing was giving Nightshade a good brushing, and then Mr. College had to butt in. Adam had been away for the past five years, so he didn\u2019t realize how good Joe had gotten with horses.<\/p>\n

Wistfully, he eyed Nightshade, then the saddle that lay across a nearby rail.\u00a0I could ride you, boy,<\/i>\u00a0he thought, and Nightshade snorted again.\u00a0You\u2019re reading my mind, aren\u2019t you? You want me to ride you.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t easy, getting the saddle on by himself, but he managed it by standing on a stool. When he heaved the saddle onto the giant horse\u2019s back, Nightshade whinnied and tried to sidestep. Joe eased his hand out and stroked the horse\u2019s nose in the right place, and he calmed right down. Putting the bit in Nightshade’s mouth brought Pa\u2019s threat to the front of Joe\u2019s mind, but only for a few seconds. He managed to push the memory aside by doggedly focusing on getting the bit under Nightshade\u2019s tongue and the bridle over his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, boy,\u201d he said, leading Nightshade out of the stall. His heart was pounding so loudly he wondered if it would spook the horse. It was sure about to spook him. \u201cEasy, boy,\u201d he said, not quite sure if he was talking to Nightshade or to himself.<\/p>\n

He was terrified that someone would come into the barn and catch him\u2014so terrified that he almost forgot to tighten the cinch.\u00a0Stupid, stupid,<\/i>\u00a0he thought, and sacrificed a few precious seconds to close his eyes and breathe deeply, trying to calm himself. He couldn\u2019t afford to get careless at this point. When he felt his pulse slow down to something approaching normal, he tightened the cinch and climbed onto a stall railing. From there he hooked a foot into the stirrup and swung his other leg over Nightshade\u2019s back. He\u2019d done it\u2014he was in the saddle.<\/p>\n

Immediately, his heart began to race again, but this time it was due to the sheer thrill of sitting astride such an enormous animal. So this was what Adam felt like up here! Joe touched his heels to Nightshade\u2019s sides and felt the horse\u2019s powerful muscles ripple beneath him as he walked to the open barn door. Joe felt a grin stretching over his face. Being up here was so different from being on the ground looking up at Adam!<\/p>\n

King Joseph arrives,<\/i>\u00a0he thought,\u00a0on his mighty, noble steed.<\/i>\u00a0He walked Nightshade into the sunshine, tipping his hat graciously to imaginary commoners, who pointed and jostled each other as they gathered to catch a glimpse of their sovereign. Nightshade, glad to be out in the fresh air, tossed his head and twitched his ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to walk, do you, boy?\u201d Joe asked, running his fingers through the glossy mane. \u201cMe neither. We understand each other, don\u2019t we?\u201d And he kicked him into a trot, heading down the path that wound toward the lake.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Adam tossed a coil of rope, the last of the supplies, onto the wagon and climbed onto the seat beside his father, relieved to be finished with the town-chores. He wanted to get home and start drawing some plans for a road through the north pasture. Of course, Pa hadn\u2019t said yes, at least not yet. Adam chewed his lip, mentally forming the words to convince him.<\/p>\n

Pa flicked the reins and the horses moved off. \u201cThat didn\u2019t take long,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing,\u201d Adam responded. At Pa\u2019s questioning look, he admitted, \u201cI want to get started on those plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlans?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know\u2014the new road through the north pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa looked straight ahead. \u201cI haven\u2019t said yes to that, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa. But when you see what I\u2019ve got in mind, you will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa smiled. It was a small smile, but it gave Adam hope. \u201cYour enthusiasm is contagious, son,\u201d he said. \u201cJust don\u2019t let your passion cloud your judgment.\u201d Adam repressed a sigh.\u00a0How about not letting caution impede progress?<\/i>\u00a0he wanted to say, but he knew better than to push Pa too hard. They rode in silence for a while, and then Pa said thoughtfully, \u201cSpeaking of judgment…I wonder if I did the right thing by Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took Adam a minute to make the transition. Then he remembered: Joe and Nightshade. \u201cSure you did, Pa. Joe didn\u2019t mean any harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s far too impetuous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut there\u2019s no malice in him. It\u2019s just mischief.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. But that mischief, as you call it, could get him in serious trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right, Pa.\u201d Adam gazed at the horizon. “Maybe I\u2019m too hard on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd maybe I\u2019m too soft.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a tough call, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. It is.\u201d<\/p>\n

We\u2019re talking man-to-man,<\/i>\u00a0Adam realized suddenly, and sat a little straighter.\u00a0Before I went away to school, I was still a boy in Pa\u2019s eyes, despite the man-sized jobs I’d done. And I was so anxious to prove myself. Joe’s no different.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Of course, it was a lot easier to think this way when the kid wasn\u2019t around. Adam allowed himself a rueful grin.<\/p>\n

When they pulled into the yard, Hoss was there, pumping fresh water into the horses\u2019 trough, which meant he\u2019d bailed out the stale water. Now\u00a0there<\/i>\u00a0was a hard job, lugging all those buckets to the spring behind the kitchen. And nobody\u2019d asked him to do it, either. Adam was about to commend his brother\u2019s work, when he noticed his look of alarm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Nightshade?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Even with the sun on his shoulders, Adam felt a sudden chill. \u201cWhat do you mean, where\u2019s Nightshade?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you must have ridden him to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was down and racing for the barn, even as Pa was shouting, \u201cNo, we both rode in the wagon!\u201d By the time Pa and Hoss arrived inside the barn, Adam was standing and staring at the empty stall, as if by looking at it he could make Nightshade magically appear.<\/p>\n

Pa uttered one bleak word. \u201cJoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, take care of the wagon,\u201d Adam said. Pa was already moving toward the saddle blankets. Adam opened Old Pete\u2019s stall door and led him out. Pete wasn\u2019t fast, but he was the most dependable on a rough trail. \u201cI\u2019ll go toward the lake, Pa, while you ride back to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa handed him a blanket and turned toward Buck\u2019s stall. \u201cJoe couldn\u2019t have ridden toward Virginia City. We would have seen him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily. He could have heard us coming and ducked into the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose so. All right, I\u2019ll head that way.\u201d He threw a blanket over Buck. Adam already had a saddle on Pete and was fastening the cinch.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about me?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to stay here,\u201d Pa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone needs to be here if he comes home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing can\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa placed a hand on Hoss\u2019s shoulder. \u201cIf Joe comes back, you\u2019ll need to ride to tell Adam while Hop Sing comes for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the hired hands\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t here. Am I right?\u201d Looking miserable, Hoss nodded. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, son,\u201d Pa said, and Adam could see that he meant it.<\/p>\n

As Adam led Pete out, he froze. Nightshade, saddled but riderless, was drinking at the freshly-filled trough. A huge patch of dirt marred the sleekness of his right flank, and his mane and tail were matted with sticks and leaves.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wasting time, Adam,\u201d Pa snapped from behind him. Adam looked away from Nightshade to Pa, then nodded curtly and swung into the saddle. He wheeled and galloped off, not seeing Pa tend to his cinch, hands trembling.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Several hours before, Joe had reluctantly pulled back on the reins to slow Nightshade as the path toward the lake grew rougher. Trotting had been sheer bliss; Nightshade\u2019s gait was easy, his rhythm like the steady strum of Adam’s guitar. Neither horse nor rider wanted to return to a walk, but Nightshade didn\u2019t resist much when Joe reined him in.\u00a0Ha!<\/i>\u00a0Joe thought triumphantly.\u00a0I told Adam I could handle him.<\/i><\/p>\n

The thought had barely crossed his mind when they rounded a corner and a briar snapped at Nightshade\u2019s leg. With a snort, the horse jerked to one side. \u201cEasy, boy,\u201d Joe said, dismayed to hear his voice tremble. He pulled back a little harder. Nightshade halted, but he stomped impatiently, and once again Joe felt the power in the steed\u2019s taught muscles. For a second, he wondered if he\u2019d made a mistake. Maybe he should go back right now. Immediately, he scolded himself.\u00a0You\u2019re fine. And if you go running home, you\u2019ll prove Adam was right: that you\u2019re just a kid.<\/i>\u00a0Setting his jaw firmly, he kicked his heels, and Nightshade stepped out again.<\/p>\n

By the time they reached the lake, Joe felt sure of himself again. He sat atop his live throne and surveyed his kingdom. The Tahoe Lake gleamed azure just past the dark green pines, and Nightshade\u2019s hooves barely sounded on the carpet of needles beneath them. Glancing toward the his mother\u2019s grave, Joe said a silent prayer for her, but a quicker one than usual. He thought,\u00a0I\u2019ll come back and visit you later, Ma.<\/i>\u00a0Much as Pa said she\u2019d loved horses, he figured she\u2019d understand. She\u2019d even be proud of him, riding this gigantic beauty.<\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t been much farther down this particular trail, and he felt a sudden urge to explore it. A surprisingly prudent thought flashed through his mind:\u00a0I\u2019ve proved my point, at least to myself. Guess I oughta head back.<\/i>\u00a0But another thought raced close on its heels:\u00a0Pa and Adam won\u2019t be home till supper. If Hoss gets back before me, he\u2019ll be mad, but he won\u2019t tell on me. At least, I don\u2019t think he will.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Deciding to take the chance, he headed down the path. The underbrush crowded closer as the trail grew steeper, but it was some time before Joe realized the path had become so narrow and rocky that it would be difficult to turn around. He was pretty sure he could get Nightshade to back up, but then again…well, it would be a lot easier if there was a clearing.<\/p>\n

He wondered what time it was. Come to think of it, he was getting hungry. Maybe he should try backing Nightshade. But a clearing was bound to open eventually, wasn\u2019t it? Indecision banged around in his head like a trapped squirrel, and Nightshade continued to carefully pick his way down the hill.<\/p>\n

The snake came out of nowhere. Later, Joe would guess that Nightshade had almost stepped on it. He\u2019d probably reared up just in time to dodge its strike, and then had slipped on a rock. Joe managed to keep his seat, which turned out to be the worst thing he could have done. He found himself on the ground, right leg pinned beneath the flailing horse. He both felt and heard the snap of his own leg bone. Then Nightshade scrambled up and galloped down the hill, and Joe wasn\u2019t sure if the shrill sound in his ears was the horse\u2019s whinny or his own scream.<\/p>\n

As the searing pain in his leg subsided into an agonizing throb, Joe struggled up onto his elbows, thinking of Nightshade galloping downhill.\u00a0Rocks,<\/i>\u00a0Joe thought, panic-stricken.\u00a0Narrow path. Steep grade.\u00a0<\/i>The words darted through his mind with lightning speed.\u00a0He\u2019ll fall again. He\u2019ll break a leg. We\u2019ll have to shoot him. Oh, geez. Oh, Adam. I\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m sorry…<\/i><\/p>\n

He stared down at his leg. The bone hadn\u2019t quite broken the skin, but he could see the sharp ridge where it was trying to poke through. A wave of nausea washed over him, and he fell back. Was it the sight of his leg or the pain that made him pass out? He would never know.<\/p>\n

He woke in someone\u2019s arms. A chilly breeze rippled across his face, and he realized it was dark. Strong biceps cradled his shoulders and his legs, and he lay against someone\u2019s bare chest. It wasn\u2019t Pa. It wasn\u2019t Adam or Hoss.<\/p>\n

Whoever it was, he was moving forward, carrying Joe somewhere, treading slowly, deliberately, and evenly through the woods. Joe tried to raise his head to see whose face it was, but a burst of fire shot through his leg, and he collapsed into the stranger\u2019s embrace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 3: Night<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Hoss paced in front of the fireplace. He had tried sitting, tried standing with one hand on the mantle, tried leaning against Pa\u2019s desk and the back of the couch. Nothing settled him. His whole body itched with anxiety, and he had to keep moving.Hop Sing came in from the kitchen. \u201cNo Little Joe?\u201d he asked, his face lined with worry. Hoss shook his head, unable to speak around the lump in his throat. Hop Sing, muttering something in Chinese, went back to the kitchen. From the aroma that wafted through the great room from the open kitchen door, Hoss knew he was baking cookies for Little Joe\u2019s return.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s lucky,<\/i>\u00a0Hoss thought.\u00a0Cooking helps him. All I can do is pace.<\/i><\/p>\n

The front door opened, and a gust of wind came in with Adam. Cold wind. Cold and getting colder. Adam looked at Hoss, his eyes hopeful, for the space of a second. Then he looked away.<\/p>\n

Hoss answered Adam\u2019s unspoken question. \u201cHe ain\u2019t come back. You didn\u2019t find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d A single word with the weight of a millstone. Hoss closed his eyes in despair, and Adam asked, \u201cIs Pa back yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s eyes flew open. Before he could stop himself, he snapped, \u201cDon\u2019t you think I\u2019d have told you if he was?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t bite my head off. I was just asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat down heavily in Pa\u2019s chair. \u201cI know. I\u2019m just…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Me, too.\u201d Adam took off his gun belt and set it on the table inside the door. He laid his hat beside it and came over. Still wearing his jacket, he sat on the coffee table and dropped his head into his hands.<\/p>\n

Hoss eyed him worriedly. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try to get some sleep?\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t raise his head. \u201cDo you actually think I could sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Adam, there\u2019s no use in both of us being exhausted. We got to ride out at daylight and look for him, and it might be a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the better tracker. You need the sleep more than I do, so you\u2019ll be fresh enough to read the signs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI might miss something,\u201d Hoss insisted. \u201cI\u2019ll need you fresh enough to catch any mistakes I might make.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam finally lifted his head. \u201cTell you what. You go to bed\u2014\u201d He raised his hand as Hoss started to protest. \u201cI\u2019ll sleep down here on the settee, in case Pa or Joe comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hesitated. \u201cYou promise you\u2019ll sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise.\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes were steady\u2014bloodshot, but steady. Hoss nodded, even though he knew his brother was lying. Adam wasn\u2019t going to sleep, especially on that short settee, but Hoss knew he couldn\u2019t make him\u2014and like he\u2019d said, one of them had better be fresh. Of course, Hoss knew he wouldn\u2019t sleep either, but he might as well make the attempt. He stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll wake me up if Pa or Joe gets home, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded and trudged upstairs.<\/p>\n

Alone in the living room, Adam got up and threw another log on the fire. It landed in a shower of sparks, and as the wood began to catch, he wondered if Joe had a fire tonight, wherever he was. Although if he were able to gather wood and build a fire, why wouldn\u2019t he be able to make his way home? Was he injured? Was he unconscious? Was he…<\/p>\n

No. He couldn\u2019t be\u00a0that.<\/i><\/p>\n

Leaning against the fireplace, Adam blinked rapidly. He wouldn\u2019t give in to despair. He would not. He bit his lip until he tasted blood. For some reason, that helped.<\/p>\n

Turning away from the fire, he went over to Pa\u2019s chair and sat down.\u00a0Funny how both Hoss and I chose this chair,<\/i>\u00a0he mused.\u00a0As if some of Pa\u2019s strength has seeped down into its back and arms, and we can absorb it into ourselves.<\/i>\u00a0He closed his eyes and imagined the chair was Pa, holding him, supporting him, keeping him from breaking down entirely.<\/p>\n

Who was holding Joe?<\/p>\n

Nobody. Joe was somewhere out there, alone.<\/p>\n

Adam wasn\u2019t much given to praying, at least not in words. For him, riding around the Ponderosa with the sun on his face and a good horse under his legs, that was usually prayer enough. But now he laced his fingers, placed his elbows on his knees, and rested his chin on his knuckles. The words came out in a whisper, but they were hard and fierce.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod, keep him safe. Bring him home.\u201d Then his tone softened. \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upstairs, Hoss\u2019s face crumpled at the sound of Adam\u2019s brief, choked sob. Hoss had kept his door open so he\u2019d hear if Joe or Pa came home, knowing he\u2019d sleep lightly if he slept at all, and not entirely trusting Adam to come get him. He dropped to his knees beside the bed, the way he had when he was a kid and Pa had come up to listen to him recite, \u201cNow I lay me down to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLord,\u201d he said now, \u201cyou gotta bring Joe back. You just gotta.\u201d He stood up, wiped his eyes, and got into into bed. Staring at the ceiling, he whispered, \u201cYou know Pa can\u2019t take losin\u2019 somebody else. And Adam\u2014\u201d He lay quiet, and then added, \u201cAnd me. You just gotta bring Joe back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miles away, Sheriff Roy Coffee rode beside Ben toward the Ponderosa. Ben had woken Roy up to ask if he knew anything of Joe\u2019s whereabouts, knowing it was a foolish question; if Joe had made it to Virginia City, Roy would have collared him and hauled him toward home, and would have met Ben on the way.<\/p>\n

Standing awkwardly on Roy\u2019s front porch, Ben had twisted his hat brim and mumbled, \u201cSorry to have bothered you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo bother.\u201d Roy had motioned him into the house. \u201cI\u2019ll be dressed in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no. No sense in that, Roy. I\u2019ll get on back to the Ponderosa. Adam\u2019s probably found him by now. You go back to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be a fool, Ben. Come on in and sit down.\u201d Roy had disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Ben in the living room. Ben had not sat down; he\u2019d remained standing, still turning his hat in his hands.<\/p>\n

Now, riding in silence beside his friend, he prayed. Like Adam and Hoss, he prayed\u2014but unlike either of them, he prayed wordlessly. He was beyond words, even beyond coherent thought. Yet somehow, he knew he was praying.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The next time he woke, Joe found himself lying on a thick, heavy fur with another one over him. He was inside some kind of large shelter; the walls sloped upward and almost met at the top, where a hole let out the thick smoke from a fire in the center of the floor…although \u201clet out\u201d and \u201cfloor\u201d were both a bit of a stretch. Joe\u2019s eyes stung, and he coughed. Patting the ground beside him, he felt packed dirt covered with woven mats and pine needles.<\/p>\n

A flap opened on the side of the shelter, and a tall man stepped inside. His chest and arms were bare and gleaming, and he wore buckskin breeches. Stone beads hung around his neck on leather cords, and his black hair fell loose around his shoulders. A leather band around his forehead held three feathers in place; Joe recognized one as an eagle feather. Even in the firelight, Joe could see that the man was darker than anyone he\u2019d ever known, except for Jack, that old Paiute Indian he sometimes saw in Virginia City. His eyes widened as realization dawned.<\/p>\n

He tried to sit up, but he fell back weakly. His leg hurt like the devil.<\/p>\n

\u201cToohoo\u2019o,\u201d the man said sharply toward the tent flap. A black-haired boy about Joe\u2019s age, also shirtless, appeared in the opening. He came forward and knelt beside Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cName,\u201d he said to Joe. His tone was commanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s black eyes sparked with amusement. \u201cCho,\u201d he repeated to the man, who smiled slightly as he folded his arms across his chest. He said something to the boy, who grinned back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d Joe demanded. His voice wasn\u2019t as strong as he would have liked, but at least he kept it steady.<\/p>\n

The boy moved his tongue inside his cheek, apparently translating in his head. Enunciating carefully, he said, \u201cCho. Means \u2018fall.\u2019 Good name for boy fall-off-horse.\u201d His eyes danced.<\/p>\n

Joe glared at him, and then tried to glare at the man. That stern countenance was too much for him, though, so he turned his attention back to the boy. \u201cYour name,\u201d he said, pointing to him.<\/p>\n

The boy puffed up. \u201cToohoo\u2019o. Bobcat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe groaned. \u201cBobcat\u201d was sure a lot better than \u201cFall Off Horse.\u201d He wondered if the man had actually seen him take his tumble, or if he\u2019d found him afterward.<\/p>\n

Suddenly he thought of Nightshade. \u201cMy horse!\u201d he said urgently, trying again to sit up. The man moved quickly, taking him by the arms and gently forcing him down again. Joe wiggled in his grasp, but a jagged pain shot up his leg. He pressed his lips tightly together to keep from crying out, but he couldn’t suppress a tiny whimper. Taking a deep breath, he said urgently to Toohoo\u2019o, \u201cAsk him if he knows where my horse is.\u201d Toohoo\u2019o translated, and the man shook his head. Toohoo\u2019o turned back to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cKinna\u2019a not follow booghoo…horse. He take care of boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sagged back, shutting his eyes tightly to hide his despair. When he opened them, Kinna\u2019a was leaving the shelter, letting the flap fall shut behind him.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o sat back on his heels and gazed unblinkingly at Joe. Joe stared back for a minute, then looked away. It was unnerving, having someone look at you that way. Funny, Pa had told him Indians didn\u2019t stare. He said they considered it rude, or maybe they were taking their cue from the animals. If a wild animal refused to look away from you, it was a challenge. But maybe Indians acted different if you were the one in their territory.<\/p>\n

A minute later he the flap opened again, and Kinna\u2019a ducked back inside, followed by two other Indian men. One had white hair woven into plaits on either side. He was wearing a buckskin shirt, but the other, younger man was bare-chested like Kinna\u2019a and Toohoo\u2019o.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Toohoo\u2019o. \u201cAren\u2019t you guys cold?\u201d<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o moved his tongue inside his cheek again as he translated. Then his face broke into a smile. He said something to the three men, and the shelter rang with their laughter. Joe\u2019s face burned. Toohoo\u2019o, still grinning, told him, \u201cWhite boy get cold. Paiute not get cold till snow come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was still trying to think of a retort when he felt the fur being lifted off his legs. He tried to see his legs, but the old man bundled the fur up around Joe\u2019s middle, and he couldn\u2019t see over it. The three men were conferring solemnly, and Kinna\u2019a said something to Toohoo\u2019o. The boy instantly sobered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Joe asked, determined not to show fear to these people.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o hesitated, and this time Joe didn\u2019t think it was because he didn\u2019t know the words. He just didn\u2019t want to say them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d he repeated between clenched teeth. He grabbed the other boy\u2019s wrist. \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the men was laying a long pole beside Joe. Another was unrolling several leather straps. Joe gripped Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s arm tighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey must…what is word?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow should I know?\u201d Joe heard his own voice, shrill and close to panic. He steadied himself and stared into Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s eyes. Slowly he said, \u201cThink of the word, Bobcat. You have to tell me what they\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o screwed his face up in concentration. \u201cMake leg go straight,\u201d he said finally.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean set the bone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot know \u2018set the bone.\u2019 Make leg go straight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe felt strong hands on his knee and his thigh, and he fought to keep from trembling. Kinna\u2019a moved from his position with the other two men to squat beside him, and Joe was surprised to see concern in the man\u2019s eyes. He handed Joe a wide strip of tough leather and motioned for him to put it between his teeth.<\/p>\n

I want my Pa<\/i>, Joe thought desperately, staring at the leather strip in his hand. He didn\u2019t want this man with his bare chest and his black hair and black eyes. He wanted Pa. He turned his face away from Kinna\u2019a.<\/p>\n

Gentle fingers touched his cheek, and Joe reluctantly looked back at the Indian man. \u201cKaibab,\u201d the man said. His voice was firm, but it somehow reminded Joe of Pa\u2019s voice, saying,\u00a0We both don\u2019t want you to get hurt.<\/i><\/p>\n

That seemed like years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cKaibab,\u201d Toohoo\u2019o said softly, and Joe looked from the man to the boy. \u201cKinna\u2019a give you new name,\u201d Toohoo\u2019o explained. \u201cKaibab.\u201d Too scared to ask what this new name meant, Joe could only assume that it was better than Fall Off Horse. Grimly, he put the leather strip between his teeth and bit down. The hands on his leg tightened, and Kinna\u2019a held his arms firmly. Joe grabbed Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s wrist and dug his fingers into it. A sweat broke out on his forehead as he felt the bones in his leg shift. He had thought the actual break was the worst pain anyone could imagine, but there really was something beyond it.<\/p>\n

His whole world narrowed into two focal points: the pain in his leg and Kinna\u2019a\u2019s black eyes. He bit down on the leather for all he was worth, moaning but refusing to scream. As long as he looked at Kinna\u2019a, he would not scream. He would not. He would not.<\/p>\n

And then the hands let him go, and he fell asleep\u2014or passed out\u2014once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Chapter 4: What’s in a Name?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Roy sat at the kitchen table watching Ben argue with Hoss and Adam. Daylight was still two hours away, he realized, but no one could have slept any longer. They were supposedly eating breakfast, the Hop Sing had been standing behind Ben with a pot of coffee in his hands for the last five minutes, and Roy would bet his badge that the Cartwrights hadn\u2019t taken half a dozen bites between them.\u201cHe didn\u2019t go toward Virginia City!\u201d Ben insisted.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s voice rose over his father\u2019s. \u201cI still say he could have, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss tried to interrupt. \u201cWhat about\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy and I wouldn\u2019t have missed him,\u201d Ben said, ignoring Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Adam said sarcastically. \u201cIf he was lying in the woods beside the road, you wouldn\u2019t have missed him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss tried again. \u201cThe north pasture\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t there, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he wasn\u2019t at the lake. That only leaves\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u00a0doesn\u2019t<\/i>!\u201d Hoss yelled, slamming his fist on the table. He accidentally hit the upraised edge of the spoon beside his plate, and it went flying over his shoulder to clatter on the floor. Hop Sing jumped, sloshing coffee onto the floor. Ben and Adam gaped at Hoss, and Roy brought his cup to his lips to hide his smile. He shouldn\u2019t be smiling, not with Joe missing.<\/p>\n

He caught Hoss\u2019s eye and gave him a reassuring nod. Looking grateful, the boy took a deep breath and said firmly, \u201cThere\u2019s more than just the two ways he could\u2019ve gone. There\u2019s more than three or four. So it seems to me…\u201d He trailed off, resolve weakening under the eyes of his father and brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, son,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n

Hoss rallied. \u201cYes sir. Seems to me we gotta pick the likeliest two, and check them out in pairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cWhy not the likeliest four, and go singly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCause we\u2019ll be tracking. And we\u2019re all tired, and any one of us could miss something. Best to cover each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised his eyebrows. He didn\u2019t quite smile, but his eyes were encouraging. \u201cYou, Hoss? Miss a sign, cutting trail?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The compliment went right past the boy. \u201cSure, even me,\u201d he said earnestly. \u201cSo the four of us go in pairs, but just to be sure, we can send some of the hands in the other directions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cThe less likely ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy reached for another slice of bacon. \u201cEat up,\u201d he put in. Three incredulous sets of eyes turned to him. He pushed the plate of bacon toward Adam. \u201cI know you don\u2019t feel like it. But it won\u2019t do Little Joe any good for us to pass out on the trail from hunger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need for hyperbole, Roy,\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

Roy studied him. He considered saying,\u00a0I\u2019ll bet you think I don\u2019t know what that means.<\/i>\u00a0But getting sidetracked wouldn\u2019t do Joe any good either. \u201cUse sense, Adam,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you\u2019re hungry, you won\u2019t concentrate. Now, we\u2019re all exhausted, and we can\u2019t do anything about that. But we can do something about this. Now eat.\u201d He glared at each of them in turn, not sparing Ben.<\/p>\n

Meekly, they picked up their forks. Hop Sing, looking relieved, poured coffee.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe leaned back against the birch tree, enjoying the sun on his face. He had shed his jacket and had tried to take his shirt off when Kinna\u2019a had carried him outside, thinking he\u2019d rather look like the Indian boys and men. But Kinna\u2019a had put a quick stop to that, placing a strong, unyielding hand on top of Joe\u2019s. When Joe had opened his mouth to protest, Kinna\u2019a\u2019s eyes had turned to black ice. Joe had left his shirt on. Kinna\u2019a obviously wouldn\u2019t have tolerated argument, any more than Pa.<\/p>\n

Pa.<\/i>\u00a0He\u2019d be going crazy right now, and so would Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n

Not wanting to think about them, Joe examined his leg. The Indians had cut his right pants leg off, and his bare skin looked pale and yellowish next to the dark oak splint. Goosebumps from the chilly air stood out starkly.<\/p>\n

Looking at his own leg, he wondered if Nightshade\u2019s was broken.<\/p>\n

Feeling sick, he closed his eyes for a moment. When he looked up, Toohoo\u2019o was squatting in front of him, giving him that stare again. Joe scowled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you quit that?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s eyebrows went up. His \u201cWho, me?\u201d look was every bit as good as Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t help laughing. He patted the ground beside him, and Toohoo\u2019o sat. From the cluster of teepees nearby, a girl of nine or ten approached them with a bowl. With a coy look at Joe, she set it down between them and handed each of them a disk of flat bread. He examined the bowl\u2019s contents; it looked like a porridge of some sort, with large chunks of meat in it. It sure smelled good.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d he told her, and she lowered her eyes. Then, with her head bowed, she raised her eyes so she was looking at him through her lashes. He reddened, and beside him, Toohoo\u2019o snickered. The girl turned on him, eyes no longer shy but spitting fire, and let loose a stream of words that made Toohoo\u2019o laugh so hard he rolled over onto his back. The girl flounced away, and Joe concentrated on scooping up a piece of meat with his bread.<\/p>\n

When Toohoo\u2019o finally sat up, still chuckling, Joe was ready with a diversion. \u201cThis is good,\u201d he said, motioning to the food. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKaibab.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned. He had blocked much of last night from his memory, but that word…<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that what you said before they…made my leg go straight?\u201d<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o nodded. \u201cKaibab,\u201d he repeated. \u201cNew name for white boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSquirrel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe almost choked. Staring down at his bowl, he felt himself turn green. Toohoo\u2019o was watching him with a crooked smile…a knowing smile, a very Adam-like smile. Joe felt a wave of homesickness that almost covered his nausea. Almost. He knew that plenty of people ate squirrel, but he\u2019d always been notoriously picky about what he put in his mouth. And Hop Sing had never, to Joe\u2019s knowledge, served squirrel, possum, ground hog, snake, or skunk.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o sopped his bread in the porridge and took a bite, still watching Joe.\u00a0Pa would tell me to be polite,<\/i>\u00a0he thought.\u00a0These people did save me, after all.<\/i>\u00a0Taking himself in hand, he dipped his bread back in and nibbled a corner.<\/p>\n

Then he thought of something else. \u201cWhy is my new name Squirrel?\u201d he demanded. He supposed it was a little better than Fall Off Horse, but not by much.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o said around a morsel of meat, \u201cKaibab, small like you. Quick. Life…alive…\u201d He frowned, searching for the word.<\/p>\n

\u201cLively?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLively.\u201d Toohoo\u2019o nodded emphatically, and Joe shrugged, resigned. He\u2019d have taken Bobcat or Wolf if he\u2019d had a choice, but Squirrel would have to do.<\/p>\n

A shadow fell over him, and he looked up to see Kinna\u2019a standing there, arms folded. He squatted beside Joe and said something to him in Paiute.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o translated. \u201cTell story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStory?\u201d Joe was baffled. \u201cYou mean like in a book?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuk?\u201d Toohoo\u2019o scrunched up his face. \u201cNot know word. Tell story. How you hurt leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Joe\u2019s face grew hot. \u201cI was stupid. I\u2014\u201d He darted his eyes at Kinna\u2019a and bit his lip. \u201cI took my brother\u2019s horse.\u201d Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s eyes widened, then his face became a blank mask as he translated. Joe sighed. He didn\u2019t want to tell all, but something compelled him to. \u201cMy father told me not to. So I waited till no one was around, and I…\u201d He could not make himself meet Kinna\u2019a\u2019s eyes. \u201cI stole him,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o translated that last sentence, and a rock seemed to settle in Joe\u2019s chest. Silence, dark and heavy, pressed down on him. He wished a chasm would open up beneath him. Anything to escape this moment.<\/p>\n

He felt a firm hand on his shoulder and looked at Kinna\u2019a. The Indian\u2019s face was hard, like carved walnut wood. But his eyes held compassion. Joe was sure of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cKaibab,\u201d he said, and spoke several more sentences. Toohoo\u2019o listened closely, then turned to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cKinna\u2019a say Kaibab good name for you. Teach you much. Not any squirrel. Is squirrel with…\u201d He stretched his hands apart, palms toward each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig? Long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLong. Squirrel with long ears.\u201d Joe thought he knew the one:\u00a0tassel-eared squirrels,\u00a0<\/i>Hoss called them. Toohoo\u2019o grinned crookedly. \u201cEars to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cYeah,\u201d he agreed ruefully. \u201cEars for listening.\u201d Kinna\u2019a\u2019s eyes were boring a hole clear through his skull and out the other side. He seemed to be expecting something, so Joe said, \u201cThanks, Kinna\u2019a.\u201d The Indian looked startled, then laughed. Confused, Joe turned to Toohoo\u2019o.<\/p>\n

\u201cKinna\u2019a means father,\u201d Toohoo\u2019o explained, eyes dancing. \u201cKinna\u2019a\u00a0my<\/i>\u00a0father. His\u00a0name<\/i>, Tuggweggwetseba Pannunudu: Lightning on Lake.\u201d Joe\u2019s mouth dropped open. He\u2019d never be able tosay<\/i>\u00a0that, much less remember it.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s father touched Joe\u2019s sleeve. He spoke, and his son translated once more. \u201cHe say you call him Kinna\u2019a.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened. This was big. Really big. \u201cUm…how do I tell him thanks?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s eyes danced. \u201cYou do what he say.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t easy to squirm, seated and hampered by a splint, but Joe managed it. He changed the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean you\u2019re my brother?\u201d he asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

Once more, Toohoo\u2019o fell over laughing. Joe bit his lip, flushing to the very roots of his hair. What a stupid thing to have hoped. Finally Toohoo\u2019o propped himself on one elbow, his black eyes sparkling. \u201cMany times I…what is word?\u201d Joe shrugged, trying to conceal his hurt.<\/p>\n

\u201cPester!\u201d Toohoo\u2019o shouted, pride all over his face for coming up with it. \u201cI pester Kinna\u2019a all time. Say, \u2018Make wife make brother for Toohoo\u2019o.\u2019\u201d Sitting up, he socked Joe on the shoulder. Hard. \u201cI have brother now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dang, he sure packs a punch,<\/i>\u00a0Joe thought. He lifted his hand to rub his shoulder, but caught himself just in time. He used the upraised hand to make a fist and punch Toohoo\u2019o back instead. Kinna\u2019a looked on approvingly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 5: Revelations<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa.\u201d Adam reined in Pete. Roy, several paces behind, saw Adam looking down at a flattened bush. \u201cRoy,\u201d Adam said quietly. \u201cCome look at this.\u201dRoy dismounted and squeezed between his horse and the brambles that threatened to overgrow the narrow trail. They\u2019d been riding downhill for about an hour since they\u2019d passed Marie\u2019s grave, following the recent trail-sign of a large horse, presumably Nightshade. Now they stood on a patch of ground that bore the marks of a horse\u2019s fall and panicked flight: smashed briars, a flurry of hoof prints, broken twigs.<\/p>\n

Adam reached out and drew a curly black hair from a thorny branch. He held it up to Roy. \u201cJoe was here, all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy knelt and studied the ground. Then he jerked back, startled, bumping into Adam\u2019s leg and almost knocking him over. \u201cSorry,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0Spooked like a young\u2019un<\/i>, he chided himself as he lifted up the mangled body of a rattlesnake. The head was a crushed mess, but some of the diamonds were intact: graceful symmetrical patterns, gray on tan. The rattles\u2014ten nested, hollow beads\u2014were clustered in a tight, fitted row at the tip of the tail. They glistened in Roy\u2019s hand, reflecting the light like wet pearls.<\/p>\n

Adam shuddered. \u201cSo that\u2019s why Nightshade threw him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say so.\u201d Still crouching, he looked at the surrounding brush from his low vantage point. \u201cThere,\u201d he said, pointing. The bushes were bent back, ever so slightly, pointing away from the trail and into the woods.<\/p>\n

Adam knelt beside him. \u201cI would have missed that,\u201d he said, his voice heavy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re in pairs,\u201d Roy said mildly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think Joe wandered off that way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe. I don\u2019t think so, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019d have left the path.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cBut the bushes. It doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure it does. If someone was carrying him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut where would they be taking him?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was rising. Roy watched him closely, thinking,\u00a0You can\u2019t have all the answers all at once, son. Maybe that\u2019s how it works in books, but this here is life.<\/i><\/p>\n

Adam stood and turned in a slow circle, as if expecting his brother to leap out from behind a tree, giggling and reveling in the joke he\u2019d played. For a fairy-tale second, Roy could see it playing out that way. Then Adam\u2019s voice broke as he said, \u201cWhere the hell is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy stood and placed a hand on Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cWe\u2019ll find him, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook Roy off and smacked his palm into the side of a tree. \u201cI want him now!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

Roy had seen this sort of thing before. A young man like Adam Cartwright was used to being in control. Adam had grown up too fast\u2014he\u2019d had to. Truth be told, he\u2019d fathered his brothers for a while there, when Ben was so torn up with grief over Marie. Now one of those brothers was missing, and Adam couldn\u2019t control what was happening…and he was very close to losing his grip on himself.<\/p>\n

Roy took a step toward him, hoping he was about to say the right thing. \u201cBoy, my next move\u2019ll be to knock you silly. This ain\u2019t helping your brother. Now you get ahold of yourself, and you do it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maybe it was the threat, but Roy didn\u2019t think so. More likely, it was the use of the word \u201cboy.\u201d He watched Adam slowly come back to himself, squeezing his eyes shut and pinching the bridge of his nose. When he opened his eyes, he didn\u2019t meet Roy\u2019s gaze. \u201cSorry,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tying their horses, they moved into the woods on foot.<\/p>\n

About a mile in, the faint trail-signs grew fainter. Finally they disappeared altogether. Adam\u2019s eyes glittered again. \u201cWhat did they do, just melt into thin air?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy turned and went back to the last clear sign. It was a few hundred feet behind them, and pathetically small\u2014just a bent branch that should have been straight. Roy licked his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Adam demanded, so close behind him that Roy could feel his breath on the back of his neck.<\/p>\n

He turned to Adam and gave him a long, searching, sympathetic look. \u201cThe trail\u2019s dead, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blinked. \u201cWhat do you mean, dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no other way to say it. \u201cI mean it\u2019s dead.\u201d Roy surveyed the surrounding area. The undergrowth wasn\u2019t so dense here, but there should still be something. Unless… \u201cThere\u2019s only one kind of person this slick in the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that would be…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn Indian.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched Adam stop breathing. \u201cIs that good or bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDepends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned away, fists clenched. Roy was left to imagine the emotions that might be crossing his face: rage, terror, disbelief\u2013take your pick. Without turning back around, Adam said tightly, \u201cQuit with the riddles, Roy. Is it good, or is it bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be straight with you, Adam. There was an uprising a few weeks ago, south of here. A farmer shot a Paiute trespassing on his land, and the Indians retaliated. A whole bunch of people got killed on both sides, and the Army had to come in and settle it. You weren\u2019t back from Boston yet, so you might not know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa told me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I haven\u2019t heard about it affecting relations up this way. And the Paiutes have always been friendly with your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned back around. His fists were still clenched, but his eyes held a glimmer of hope. \u201cPa\u2019s always respected the Paiutes. And he gave them six steers last month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSort of a peace offering.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d He relaxed his hands. \u201cSo what do we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hope in Adam\u2019s eyes flickered and died. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t find Joe. So we wait for the Indians to find us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lips parted and his eyes narrowed. \u201cDon\u2019t we know where their villages are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey move around, Adam. They have a regular winter site, but they don\u2019t go there until first snow. Right now…\u201d Roy spread his arms. \u201cThey could be anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes clouded with agony. It looked like there was just no room for anything else. He sat down\u2014collapsed, really\u2014on a fallen tree. \u201cAnywhere. And we wait.\u201d He looked at Roy, anger spent. \u201cAnd just what makes you so certain they\u2019ll come?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy sat down beside him. \u201cI\u2019m not certain. But I\u2019m hoping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope.\u201d His voice dripped bitterness. \u201cWhat good is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy gazed thoughtfully at the young man beside him. \u201cSon,\u201d he said slowly, \u201cthere\u2019s just one thing required of you right now.\u201d He waited until Adam had turned his head to look bleakly at him. \u201cThat\u2019s courage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Roy. Hope, courage. I don\u2019t see\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ll listen a minute, you will.\u201d He took his time, calculating his next words carefully. \u201cYou love Joe, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of a fool question is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell? Don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor God\u2019s sake, Roy! Of course I do!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you do,\u201d Roy said evenly. \u201cAdam, love and courage are the same in one respect: they both need hope for nourishment.\u201d He chuckled at Adam\u2019s stare. \u201cNapoleon said that. Think you\u2019re the only one who reads?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blinked, then he gave a strangled laugh. Roy nodded, relieved. He understood how close to a sob that laugh was, but it was still better than despair.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe sighed pathetically. He had never been so bored in his ten years. Toohoo\u2019o and three other boys were playing some sort of dice game that was impossible to follow, and that dumb Indian girl kept pestering him, bringing him more food than even Hoss would have wanted. So far she\u2019d brought him another bowl of kaibab stew, half a dozen flatbread circles, a basket of pinion nuts, two bowls of blackberries, and a carved dish of some sort of yellow vegetable with lumps in it that he didn\u2019t want to think about.<\/p>\n

Now she sat on a stump near him, gazing soulfully at him out of the tops of her eyes and looking down demurely whenever he glanced her way. He shifted uncomfortably. Hoss had told him he\u2019d change his mind about girls soon, but this one wasn\u2019t doing anything to change it.<\/p>\n

He wished someone would take him home. He\u2019d briefly considered just getting up and going, but even if he could have walked more than a few steps, he had no idea where he was. Frustrated, he picked up a stick and idly drew a line in the dirt.<\/p>\n

A small brown hand covered his, and he looked into the face of the girl. Holding his hand under hers, she moved the stick, drawing a skinny human figure with short curly hair. She pointed at the drawing, then at Joe. \u201cTangwaci.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head and pointed to his chest. \u201cKaibab,\u201d he said, lowering his voice in an attempt to sound…well…manly.<\/p>\n

She giggled. \u201cKaibab,\u201d she agreed patiently, but then she said again, \u201cTangwaci.\u201d She pointed to Toohoo’o and his friends, and then to an old man sitting outside one of the teepees, his lower lip almost touching his nose. \u201cTangwaci.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe got it. Warily, he repeated, \u201cTangwaci. Boy…or man. Uh, male.\u201d He tried to slip his hand from her grasp, but she tightened her grip. Moving the stick again, she added strokes to the short hair until it spilled over the figure\u2019s shoulders, then drew two circles at chest level. Grinning, she pointed to herself. \u201cMamaci.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deciding this had gone far enough. Joe pulled his hand away. The girl looked so hurt, though, that he grabbed the stick from her and drew a horse. Its legs were too long, its ears looked like a rabbit\u2019s, and its mane was a series of jagged vees, but it was recognizable as a horse. He hoped. Pointing to it, he raised his eyebrows in a question. The girl\u2019s eyes flashed with pleasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cBooghoo.\u201d He recognized it as one of the words Toohoo\u2019o had said when he\u2019d translated Joe\u2019s question about Nightshade. Joe repeated the word and searched his mind for something else to draw.<\/p>\n

In the next half hour, he learned the words for dog, bird, buffalo (although his buffalo looked more like a hunchbacked, earless dog), rabbit, fish, snake, and frog. They went from there to mountain, river, tree, and fire. Then she told him the words for various things around them: teepees, cooking pots, bowls. He pointed to the bear fur under his leg, and she said, \u201cPadooah.\u201d The wildcat skin stretched and drying on a teepee wall was \u201ctunagwetsedu.\u201d Before long he was having so much fun that he almost forgot she was a girl.<\/p>\n

When the lesson slowed, he idly reached in his pocket and pulled out a small pouch. He opened it and spilled his treasured store of real glass marbles into his hand, rattling them around in his palm. They were mostly blues and greens, with one yellow and two brilliant reds. The colors caught the light, and she gasped.<\/p>\n

The next thing he knew, he was surrounded by Toohoo\u2019o and his friends. One of them reached out to touch the marbles, but Toohoo\u2019o smacked the boy\u2019s hand away. Toohoo\u2019o looked at Joe, one finger stretched tentatively toward a sky-blue marble, his eyes eagerly questioning. Joe nodded permission, and Toohoo\u2019o took the marble between his thumb and forefinger and held it to the light. A collective sigh went up.<\/p>\n

Five minutes later, Joe had sketched a rough circle in the dirt and was showing the boys how to shoot. It took a little innovation, with one leg immobilized, but he managed it by lying on his side. The girl sat some distance away, watching wistfully. Later, Joe would regret his fickleness, but for now he had simply forgotten her.<\/p>\n

He remembered her when her small brown foot, bare and perfectly shaped, slammed down in the center of the circle. Joe\u2019s head whipped up, and his eyes met hers, which were somehow both wounded and scornful. She was holding the stick they had used for their drawings, and she flung it at him with deadly aim. It smacked him in the chest before he could react. The biggest boy leaped to his feet and grabbed her arms, shaking her roughly and shouting in rapid syllables.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Joe yelled. Pa\u2019s instructions on proper behavior toward girls were so ingrained that he didn\u2019t even think. He rolled toward the struggling pair, wrapped his arms around the boy\u2019s legs, and yanked him off his feet. Then they were grappling and rolling together.<\/p>\n

Joe had been in plenty of brawls with boys his age, and he\u2019d rarely been beaten. But his splinted leg kept him from fighting his best, and soon the bigger boy was straddling him, pinning his arms to the ground as he bucked uselessly and the other boys shouted. Twisting his head and his body, he glimpsed the girl standing to the side, her hands over her mouth.<\/p>\n

Then a strong hand grabbed the other boy\u2019s arm and tossed him to the side like a fish too little to keep. The boy stumbled to the ground and sat there, rubbing his arm. The others grew silent, and Kinna\u2019a reached down to take Joe\u2019s hand and pull him up. Joe stood, balancing on his good leg and staring at the ground.\u00a0Now I’ve done it,<\/i>\u00a0he thought bitterly.\u00a0No Indian would want an adopted son who gets licked so easy.<\/i>\u00a0He raised his eyes and was surprised to see Kinna\u2019a\u2019s eyes shining with what could only be approval. Kinna\u2019a spoke, and Joe looked over at Toohoo\u2019o, who was smiling so broadly Joe could see his molars.<\/p>\n

\u201cKinna\u2019a say you have new name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain?\u201d Joe\u2019s head reeled. How often did these people change their names?<\/p>\n

\u201cPaddaki\u2019e. Raccoon. Good fighter. Little but…but…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFierce?\u201d Baring his teeth to illustrate, Joe raised his hands and curled his fingers into claws.<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019s eyes gleamed. \u201cGood word. Fierce.\u201d He said the word several times under his breath, as if savoring its taste.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. Raccoon. He was moving up in the world…he reckoned. \u201cGrizzly\u201d was, no doubt, out of the question.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter 6: Further Revelations<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Hoss pushed his food around his plate. Even with Pa sitting here at the table with him, he felt lonelier than he\u2019d ever been in his life. Dark outside, Joe still not back, and now Adam and Sheriff Coffee missing. It was like all the important people in his life were being plucked away one by one, like chicken feathers under Hop Sing\u2019s deft fingers.He glanced at Pa. He wasn\u2019t eating either.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be home soon, Pa.\u201d It sounded feeble, even to him. Pa didn\u2019t even look up.<\/p>\n

They had started out searching the north pasture, where Hoss and Joe would sometimes ride when they didn\u2019t feel like sticking to a road or even a path. Joe loved to head out over a hill or down through a meadow without any plan. And Hoss could imagine Joe giving Nightshade his head to see where the horse wanted to go.<\/p>\n

Of course, it would be harder to find a trail if Joe had done that. So Hoss had been extra thorough, and he knew Pa had, too. Everyone talked about what a great tracker Hoss was, but he\u2019d learned every bit of it from Pa. And from what he\u2019d seen today, his father hadn\u2019t lost his touch. They might not have looked at every rock, branch, and blade of grass in that pasture, but they\u2019d sure come close.<\/p>\n

Finally they\u2019d given up and started riding the fence line. Hoss knew what they both were thinking: Joe was just the sort to try jumping. Much as he wanted to find him, Hoss found himself hoping they wouldn\u2019t, not like this. If he\u2019d gotten thrown into a fence, then they probably weren\u2019t going to find him alive.<\/p>\n

The very thought felt like a betrayal. He drove it from his mind and kept searching, sweeping his eyes across the landscape.<\/p>\n

As darkness set in, there was nothing to do but come home, hoping the others had had better luck. Hoss had half-convinced himself that when they walked in the door, Adam would be leaning against the fireplace, arms folded, and Joe would be sheepishly sitting in a chair, waiting for Pa to give him what for. And Hoss wouldn\u2019t be sorry to see him get it. Well, he might be a little sorry. He couldn\u2019t stand to see Little Joe hurt.\u00a0Although this time…If Pa don\u2019t do it,<\/i>\u00a0Hoss thought,\u00a0I might.<\/i><\/p>\n

But only Hop Sing was there, with the news that two sets of hired hands had returned unsuccessful. Later in the evening the third pair came in, shaking their heads. Now only Adam and the sheriff were left, and who knew where they were?<\/p>\n

He gave Pa another sidelong glance. Doggone, he sure looked old tonight.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know they\u2019re going to be worried sick,\u201d Adam said. Firelight flickered on Roy\u2019s features, emphasizing every ridge and crease.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t be helped.\u201d The words were casual, but Adam heard the deep regret. Adam had suggested that Roy go back to the Ponderosa to tell Pa what they\u2019d found, but Roy had refused to leave him there alone. He stretched out on his blanket; Roy had at least gone back to the horses and retrieved what gear they had. Of course, it wasn\u2019t much; they hadn\u2019t exactly planned to camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe loves sleeping outside.\u201d He hadn\u2019t meant to say it. Now that he had, he could imagine his brother sitting beside Roy, orange firelight dancing across his face. He\u2019d be begging Adam for a story.\u00a0Tell the one about the Cyclops,<\/i>\u00a0he\u2019d say.\u00a0I love that one. The Cyclops eating the sailors and picking his teeth with their bones…and Ulysses throwing that hot spear into its eyeball…<\/i>He would chortle with delight at the specter of fairy-tale gore.<\/p>\n

Adam heard himself demanding,\u00a0Who\u2019s telling this story, you or me?<\/i><\/p>\n

You. You tell it best.<\/i>\u00a0And then Joe would draw his knees up to his chin, and wrap his arms around his legs, and fasten that eager little-boy look on Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cLikes to sleep out, huh?\u201d Roy chuckled. \u201cMy little brother did, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a brother?\u201d This was the first Adam had heard of it.<\/p>\n

Silence. Then, \u201cHad. Died when I was twelve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Adam coughed. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d Sorry the brother had died, of course, but also sorry for bringing it up. But had\u00a0he<\/i>\u00a0brought it up? No, Roy had. Adam wanted to ask more, but he wasn\u2019t sure if he should pry.<\/p>\n

Roy settled it for him. \u201cHis name was Johnny. Him and me used to sneak out and sleep on the roof, or just on the ground.\u201d He chuckled. \u201cWeren\u2019t supposed to, and when we got caught, there was the devil to pay. But he loved doing it, and I had trouble telling him no.\u201d He shook his head as his nostalgic smile faded. \u201cOne night he wandered off while I was asleep. We looked for him for two days. When we found him…\u201d He cleared his throat. \u201cCougar.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was nothing to say about that, Adam reflected. An unexpected wave of irritation washed over him, mingling with his compassion. What was Roy thinking, telling him this right now, with Little Joe missing? He allowed his eyes to close; weariness overwhelmed him, and worry had worn him numb.<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s voice penetrated the darkness behind his eyelids. \u201cJohnny was ten,\u201d he said. \u201cSo you see why I\u2019m so bent on finding your brother. Finding Joe…\u201d He trailed off.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s anger dissolved. Eyes still closed, he said, \u201cIt\u2019d be like finding Johnny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon so.\u201d<\/p>\n

An owl hooted. A rustle in the brush indicated the passing of a small animal. Far away, a cougar snarled howled.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy poked at the fire. \u201cYeah, Adam. We will.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Adam and Roy were up at first light\u2014not because they had anywhere to go or anything to do, but because sleep was impossible. As exhausted as Adam was, his sleep had been fitful. Besides being cold, he had woken at every crackle of bush, and the cougar had snarled at least once an hour. Adam would just start to drift off, and that savage sound would jerk him back to this nightmare of reality.<\/p>\n

Roy started up the fire as Adam chewed on a piece of jerky. There would be no coffee this morning. He thought of Hop Sing\u2019s ham and eggs, and then he wondered what Joe was eating for breakfast.\u00a0If<\/i>\u00a0he was eating breakfast. The dry, salty jerky swelled in his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy?\u201d he said after taking a drink from his canteen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if the Indians don\u2019t come?\u201d It was one of the thoughts that had plagued him all night.<\/p>\n

Roy sat back on his heels and watched the flames flicker into life. \u201cWell, I say we wait till about noon and then head on back. You can bet they know we\u2019re here. If they don\u2019t come for us by then, they\u2019ve decided not to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe look for them. But we\u2019ll need a lot better trackers than you and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam finished his jerky and rubbed his face with both hands. His skin felt tight, and he was having trouble getting the crust out of one eye.\u00a0I\u2019d kill for a washbasin and a pitcher of water right now,<\/i>\u00a0he thought.<\/p>\n

As he withdrew his hands, he felt a prickle on the back of his neck. The hairs above his collar began to stand up, and he turned slowly. He had heard nothing, but his instincts had been true; two dark, black-haired men had stepped from the cover of the trees and were watching them impassively. They both wore leather breeches and moccasins, and their bare chests gleamed with grease; by the smell, he guessed it was bear fat.\u00a0Probably keeps them warm,<\/i>\u00a0he thought, deciding he preferred his jacket.<\/p>\n

He stood, automatically letting his arms drop to his sides, right hand close to his gun but not touching it. Not threatening, just ready. Four years in Boston hadn\u2019t drummed\u00a0that<\/i>\u00a0instinct out of him, he realized with a flash of gratitude. For the first time in almost two days, his senses tingled with complete awareness.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Roy said softly. Not moving his head, Adam flicked his eyes in that direction and saw that Roy was standing too, but with his hands at chest level, palms out in a gesture of peace. Reluctantly Adam did the same. The Indians came forward; one of them slipped Adam\u2019s gun from its holster, and the other one took Roy\u2019s. As the weight left his hip, Adam almost groaned. He felt as vulnerable as a baby.<\/p>\n

One of the Indians turned and started into the woods. The other stepped behind Roy and Adam, motioning for them to go ahead. As they moved off, single file, Roy winked at Adam and said the most welcome words he\u2019d heard since this whole ordeal had begun.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey came.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 7: Glad Reunions<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Joe hobbled out of the teepee and blinked in the sunlight. Kinna\u2019a had made him a crutch out of a strong piece of oak. His leg hardly hurt at all now. He looked around the familiar cluster of teepees, the cooking fires just getting started, the working women and the lounging men and the playing children. The smell of porridge and meat made his stomach growl. Louder than that, though, was the question burning in his mind.Will they take me home today?<\/i><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t mind saying it: he was homesick, even though he dreaded facing Pa. And he felt truly sick when he thought about Adam\u2019s reproach. If Nightshade had been killed from a fall on the trail, or had been shot for a broken leg, Adam would, quite simply, never forgive him.<\/p>\n

As if he\u2019d ever forgive himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cPadaki\u2019e!\u201d Toohoo\u2019o said, so close to his ear that he jumped, wobbling on his crutch. He realized the boy had said his name at least twice. It was hard, getting used to answering to those strange syllables.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want to be a raccoon,<\/i>\u00a0he thought miserably.\u00a0I want to be me.<\/i><\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o was staring at him again, but by now Joe could recognize the concern in his eyes. Joe wondered what he should do. These people had saved his life. Heck, one of them had adopted him, so he didn\u2019t want to seem ungrateful. On the other hand, he didn\u2019t want to stay here forever. He took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cToohoo\u2019o,\u201d he said, and for good measure, added, \u201cmy brother.\u201d It felt a little stilted, but he figured it couldn\u2019t hurt. \u201cI need to see my father.\u201d Toohoo\u2019o turned, poised to fetch Kinna\u2019a. \u201cNo,\u201d Joe said quickly, and the boy turned back, frowning uncertainly. Joe held his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy real father,\u201d he said, and then quickly amended, \u201cMy other father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o bit his lip. He looked at Joe like one betrayed. Joe steadied himself on his crutch and reached out to touch Toohoo\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re my brother,\u201d he said gently, \u201cbut I need my other brothers, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, his Indian brother\u2019s face relaxed. With a rueful, crooked grin, he nodded. Then he turned to go toward his…no,\u00a0their<\/i>…father.<\/p>\n

Joe watched him approach Kinna\u2019a, who was squatting in front of a teepee chewing on a piece of dried meat. Toohoo\u2019o squatted beside him, and they talked for a minute. Joe tried to stand there with an air of patience, like someone who had all day to decide if he wanted eggs or flapjacks for breakfast. The trouble was, he did have all day. If he had to stay here much longer, he would die of boredom. You could only play so many games of marbles.<\/p>\n

Finally Toohoo\u2019o stood and came back to Joe. \u201cNot take you home,\u201d he said cheerfully, and Joe\u2019s heart skipped a beat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d he burst out. \u201cAre you going to\u2014to\u2014\u201d Anger surged in him, and he forgot his vow not to appear ungrateful. \u201cTo\u00a0keep<\/i>\u00a0me?\u201d he shouted. \u201cI\u2019m not some stray dog, Toohoo\u2019o, and I\u2019m not your pet squirrel, or raccoon, or whatever. I\u2019m\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Toohoo\u2019o raised his palms. \u201cSlow, Padaki\u2019e,\u201d he protested. \u201cNot keep you, my brother.\u201d Joe gritted his teeth, confused and furious. \u201cOther brother of you, white brother coming here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d someone yelled. Joe\u2019s head whipped toward the sound. Two braves flanked two white men, clad in trousers and jackets and wide-brimmed hats, poised at the edge of the camp. \u201cJoe!\u201d Adam cried again.<\/p>\n

And then Adam was running and Joe was hobbling as fast as he could, and Adam caught him up and wrapped him in his arms so tightly he thought his ribs would crack.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Roy insisted, covering his badge with one hand. \u201cYou can\u2019t have my sheriff\u2019s badge, and that\u2019s final!\u201d Kinna\u2019a, his face a mask, but his eyes clearly showing displeasure, sat cross-legged in front of the sheriff, his back rigid.<\/p>\n

Adam, sitting with his lap full of cured animal pelts, chuckled. They\u2019d been trading for the last two hours. Joe fidgeted, and Toohoo\u2019o gave him a sidelong smile, his usual crooked one. Joe reflected that when his Indian brother smiled like that, he and Adam could have been twins. Well, except for their ages. And dress. And skin color, and language, and the way Toohoo\u2019o ate with his fingers while Adam used a fork. And…Joe stifled a giggle, and Toohoo’o’s eyes danced.<\/p>\n

Adam had relinquished two silver dollars and his exquisitely tooled leather belt, which Kinna\u2019a now wore around his waist. Roy had contributed a pouch of tobacco, a fine buckskin canteen, and the rattles from the snake that had spooked Nightshade. Plainly, he thought that was quite enough. Kinna\u2019a gave up and turned to Adam again. To Joe\u2019s surprise, Kinna\u2019a took off his headband with the feathers. Plucking the eagle feather out and keeping it in his lap, he offered Adam the band with other two still in, and pointed to Adam\u2019s hat. Joe caught his breath.<\/p>\n

Slowly Adam reached out and let Kinna\u2019a drop the headband into his hands. Adam shot Joe a fierce look.\u00a0You had just better appreciate this,<\/i>\u00a0that look said, and Joe winced.<\/p>\n

As slowly as he had accepted the headband, Adam reached for his hat. The black hat he\u2019d bought in Boston. The one with the brass buckle on the band, a buckle he kept polished to gleaming perfection. The one he\u2019d snatched back from Joe when he\u2019d worn it for a joke, and given him a tongue-lashing he\u2019d never forget. The only black hat he\u2019d ever planned to own.<\/p>\n

But now that he had it off, he didn\u2019t hesitate. He handed it to Kinna\u2019a, who beamed and put it on. Adam put on the headband, and at the sight of his brother decked out in feathers, Joe didn\u2019t even try to stifle his laugh. Neither did Toohoo\u2019o.<\/p>\n

Now Kinna\u2019a gave Roy an expectant look and held out the eagle feather\u2014and pointed at the tin star again. With a sigh of resignation, the sheriff took off his badge and made the trade, but not before looking daggers at Joe.<\/p>\n

Are we finished now?<\/i>\u00a0Joe pled silently.\u00a0I want to go home.<\/i>\u00a0But no; now Kinna\u2019a turned to him. He said something, and Toohoo\u2019o translated.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather says you good boy. Brave boy. Welcome in Paiute camp always.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome in our home, too,\u201d Joe said solemnly. \u201cAlways.\u201d He didn\u2019t have to look at Adam to know it was all right to say that. Toohoo\u2019o translated for his father, who looked pleased. Then Kinna\u2019a reached for the deerskin pouch that he\u2019d hung on his newly acquired tooled leather belt.<\/p>\n

Untying the pouch, he searched its contents with his fingers and pulled out a clear crystal stone. He handed it to Joe. It lay in his palm, reflecting the sunlight off its smooth, irregular sides, and he looked into Kinna\u2019a’s black eyes and realized that this was no ordinary token. Somehow, this was as big as the adoption. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said softly. Toohoo\u2019o didn\u2019t bother to translate, and Kinna\u2019a nodded.<\/p>\n

A return-gift was expected from him, he knew. But he didn\u2019t have anything of value. His marbles, sure, but they wouldn\u2019t mean anything to a grown Indian man. Then he thought of his pocketknife. He\u2019d bought it at the mercantile; it had taken him almost a year to save that much money. But this was his other father, after all. Joe fished in his pocket, drew out the knife, and handed it over.<\/p>\n

Kinna\u2019a examined it, put his finger in the little indentation in the side of the blade, and pulled it open. Delight covered his face, and he picked up a twig and sliced off a piece. He looked at Toohoo\u2019o and spoke, and the boy said to Joe, \u201cIs good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now it was Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s turn. He reached in his own pouch and pulled out three flat sticks, carved from soft pine, with a different number of scratches on each end. Joe grinned and took them in his hand. Maybe he and Hoss could make up a game to play with them.<\/p>\n

Well, a gift for Toohoo\u2019o was easy. Pulling the pouch from his pocket, he spilled the marbles into his palm, except for his steel shooter, which he knew by feel and purposely left in. He assuaged a stab of guilt by picking out the three next-best: the sky blue one Toohoo\u2019o had admired, plus a yellow and a red. Toohoo\u2019o took them, grinning so hugely it looked like his face would split.<\/p>\n

Kinna\u2019a stood, and Joe breathed a sigh of relief. It was over, and he could go home. Adam helped him up, and he saw that one of the braves was waiting with a pony. That was good; he wouldn\u2019t have to hobble back to where Roy\u2019s and Adam\u2019s horses were.<\/p>\n

The horses.<\/i>\u00a0Joe hadn\u2019t dared the question yet, but it had to be asked. \u201cAdam?\u201d His brother looked at him, eyebrows raised.\u00a0He knows,<\/i>\u00a0Joe thought resentfully.\u00a0He knows what I\u2019m going to ask, but he\u2019s going to make me say it.<\/i>\u00a0\u201cIs Nightshade…?\u201d He couldn\u2019t finish.<\/p>\n

Adam gave in, his eyes grave. \u201cHe came home, Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down, blinking hard with relief.<\/p>\n

As they left the camp with Joe perched awkwardly on the pony, he caught sight of a barefoot Indian girl standing by one of the teepees. She gazed at him mournfully. \u201cWait,\u201d Joe said to Roy, who was leading the pony. The girl came toward Joe and looked up at him, her eyes glistening. Slowly, ever so slowly, Joe pulled out the pouch of marbles, felt inside it, and drew out the steel shooter. Slowly, ever so slowly, he dropped it into her outstretched palm. She stared openmouthed at it, and when she looked at him again, her eyes shone as bright as the steel.<\/p>\n

Adam watched, amazement clearly written on his face. He motioned for Joe to lean down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was your best shooter,\u201d he whispered in his ear. Joe felt his ears redden, and he jerked upright. Relentlessly, Adam grabbed his arm and pulled him down again. He whispered, \u201cYou gave Toohoo\u2019o your second best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knew that his ears were as scarlet as Toohoo\u2019o\u2019s red marble.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Of course, Adam wasn\u2019t\u00a0glad<\/i>\u00a0Joe had broken his leg, but there was one good thing about it. It gave Adam an excuse to wrap his arms around him all the way home…just for balance, as far as Joe was concerned. Probably. As Joe leaned back against him in the saddle, Adam wondered a little, and smiled.<\/p>\n

As the trail widened enough for Roy to pull up beside them, Adam glanced down at the sheriff\u2019s pistol in its holster. He\u2019d been blessedly conscious of the weight of his own ever since Kinna\u2019a had returned it to him.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t have to give it back,<\/i>\u00a0he thought.\u00a0Just like he didn\u2019t have to save Joe.<\/i>\u00a0He wondered if a feeling of gratitude could actually burst a person\u2019s chest. It sure felt that way.\u00a0Kinna\u2019a…there’s an honorable man,<\/i>\u00a0he thought.\u00a0And that Toohoo\u2019o…talk about smart. Bright as a freshly minted dime.<\/i><\/p>\n

Tightening his arms around Joe, Adam breathed in the musty scent of the boy\u2019s hair. They would have to have a talk eventually. Joe probably understood the seriousness of what he had done, but Adam couldn\u2019t be sure. And he needed to be sure. Absolutely certain.<\/p>\n

Plenty of time enough for that later,<\/i>\u00a0he thought. For now, he let his lips form two words, repeating them silently over and over.\u00a0Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.<\/i><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Joe watched the house grow larger as they came closer. The familiar cleared area out front, the water trough, the barn to the right. The smoke house. The front porch with the comfortable oak rocker, where Adam sat so often with a book. It seemed smaller somehow, after the last two days. But home. Definitely home.<\/p>\n

The front door burst open and Hoss dashed out, yelling at the top of his lungs, \u201cPa! Pa!\u201d Even before Hoss reached them, Joe slid down from the saddle and was waiting for him, one hand on Adam\u2019s leg for balance. Hoss grabbed him and swung him around, Joe’s right leg dangling like a pendulum. Another set of arms encircled them both, and he heard Pa choking out, \u201cJoe! Thank God, thank God!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss echoed, \u201cThank God,\u201d and added, \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happening?\u201d he heard Hop Sing shout, and the sound of running feet grew closer and closer. The little man squeezed between them and wrapped his arms around Joe too, and the ensuing group hug was almost too much to bear.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t\u2014breathe!\u201d Joe gasped, and Adam laughed from somewhere above them.<\/p>\n

Finally they let go, and he steadied himself on Pa\u2019s arm. He looked up at him. Pa looked smaller than he remembered, too…but big enough, Joe thought, with a sudden tightening of his stomach. Was it too much to hope…<\/p>\n

Yeah. He knew it was.<\/p>\n

Hoss, as usual, saved him. \u201cCome on, little brother. Hop Sing\u2019s got you some cookies ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Roy sat in the saddle and watched Ben carry Joe toward the house, flanked by Hoss and Hop Sing. Adam turned Old Pete toward the barn and said over his shoulder, \u201cCome stable your horse, Roy. Stay for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thanks,\u201d Roy told him. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go get Doc Martin. He\u2019ll want to take a look at Joe\u2019s leg. Although,\u201d he added, \u201cI have a feeling those Indians set it just fine.\u201d He pulled on one rein and nudged his horse toward the road. \u201cSee you later, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy?\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned back. Adam looked like Roy felt: as if there were half a dozen different things he wanted to say, but not one he actually could. Roy studied the boy\u2014the young man\u2014and knew what Adam was wanting to ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Roy said quietly. \u201cIt helped.\u201d He cleared his throat. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t quite like finding Johnny\u2014but it helped.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes looked older than twenty-two.\u00a0Well,<\/i>\u00a0Roy thought,\u00a0I guess the last two days have grown you up a little. There are some things you can\u2019t learn from books, after all.\u00a0<\/i>He forced a smile, and turned toward Virginia City.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Chapter 8: Promises, Promises<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

It was a relief, Joe realized, to wiggle into clean clothes. He\u2019d never been particularly bothered by wearing dirty ones, but pants with only one leg in them were something else again. He had a little trouble getting his pants off, and a lot getting a larger pair of Hoss\u2019s on over his splint, but he wasn\u2019t about to ask for help. Finally his old clothes lay wadded up where they\u2019d fallen beside his bed, and the fresh ones lay cool against his skin.Pa had ordered him upstairs to rest\u2014and although he wasn\u2019t the least bit tired, Joe was not about to argue with Pa today. He\u2019d just hoisted himself up onto the bed and was about to stretch out when someone knocked on his door. \u201cCome in,\u201d he called, and it opened. Pa stood there, looking grave.\u00a0Uh oh,\u00a0<\/i>Joe thought. He knew that look. Pa came in and turned the straight backed chair to face the bed. He sat, placing his hands on his knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh.\u201d He couldn\u2019t think of anything else.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell.\u201d Apparently Pa couldn\u2019t think of anything else, either. Joe allowed himself a moment of hope, dashed when Pa spoke again. \u201cDo you remember what I promised you if you rode Nightshade?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gulped. \u201cUh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n

This could go on for a while,<\/i>\u00a0Joe thought.\u00a0Might as well get it over with.<\/i>\u00a0\u201cYou said I\u2019d eat off the sideboard, uh, for a while.\u201d Pa raised his eyebrows, and reluctantly, Joe amended, \u201cFor a month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd have you ever known me to break a promise?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cNo sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell.\u201d A pause. \u201cLet\u2019s get to it, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

The good thing about Pa\u2019s punishments was that once they were over, they were over. No further lectures, no recriminating reminders, no later allusions. Done was done…except that Joe had to sit on a pillow at supper that night. It was more than a little awkward, since he also had to sit sideways so he could prop his leg on another chair. And Hoss and Adam exchanged amused glances, which he chose to ignore.<\/p>\n

But in one particular, Pa did break his promise. There was no sideboard dining, just the pillow.<\/p>\n

So all things considered, Joe was pretty grateful.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

After supper, Joe lay full-length on the couch and stretched luxuriously. \u201cCan I have another cookie?\u201d he asked. Hop Sing scrambled to bring him the whole plate, and Joe handed Hoss his empty milk glass. Obligingly, Hoss took it to the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Adam, leaning with one hand on the mantle, snorted. \u201cHow about a fan, little brother? And maybe a slave girl to wave it for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Adam. That\u2019d be nice,\u201d Joe agreed, crossing his arms behind his head. He smiled angelically. Adam looked pained.<\/p>\n

Ben eyed Joe over the top of his paper. \u201cDon\u2019t get too accustomed to this, young man,\u201d he said, pointing his pipe stem. \u201cTomorrow you\u2019ll be doing chores like everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa, how can I do anything with a busted leg?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts. You may not be running any footraces for a while, but that won\u2019t keep you from cleaning tackle and polishing brass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan shell peas,\u201d Hop Sing said eagerly. \u201cShuck corn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smirked. \u201cDo sums.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlay checkers,\u201d Hoss offered, coming back in, and Joe shot him a grateful look. Then he thought of something.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? If I can clean tackle, can I clean your rifle?\u201d<\/p>\n

The answer was quick. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. Then he brightened. \u201cHey, Adam. Hoss said you\u2019re going to hunt down that toonugwetsedu tomorrow. Good luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled so fiercely his eyebrows almost touched. \u201cThat what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToonugwetsedu. You know, mountain lion.\u201d Joe crossed his arms smugly.<\/p>\n

Adam gazed at the ceiling. \u201cSpare us,\u201d he said under his breath. Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least you learned\u00a0something<\/i>\u00a0during your time with the Paiutes,\u201d he said, emptying his pipe and packing in more tobacco.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa. I learned a lot.\u201d Joe turned serious. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m glad Nightshade\u2019s okay.\u201d He gazed anxiously at his brother. But Adam wasn\u2019t even looking at him. He was staring into the fire, as if it contained all the answers to all the questions anyone could ever ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad, too,\u201d Adam said finally, his voice flat. \u201cBut I\u2019ve decided to sell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! You can\u2019t do that!\u201d Joe tried to get up, but Hoss put a hand on his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not discussing this,\u201d Adam said tightly. \u201cHe\u2019s too dangerous an animal to keep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was near tears. \u201cAdam, please. I\u2019ve learned my lesson. I won\u2019t go near him, I won\u2019t even pet him. Please don\u2019t sell him, Adam, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood up. \u201cHop Sing, Hoss, let\u2019s leave these two alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s voice was shrill. \u201cPa, tell him! He can\u2019t do this, tell him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cThis is between you and Adam.\u201d He nodded at Hop Sing and Hoss. The cook, mumbling something about \u201cfoolishment,\u201d stalked toward the kitchen as Hoss and Ben climbed the stairs. \u201cGood night,\u201d Ben called from the top, and two doors clicked with grim finality.<\/p>\n

Adam gave Joe a long, appraising look. Then he came over to the coffee table and sat on it, knees close to the couch. He rested his chin on one palm and regarded his brother coolly. Joe squirmed and developed a sudden interest in his fingernails.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice caught. \u201cDo you have any idea how scared I was?\u201d When Joe didn\u2019t answer, he added in a trembling near-whisper, \u201cWe could have lost you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe forced himself to look up, more frightened by Adam\u2019s show of emotion than by anything that had happened the past two days. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam,\u201d he said fervently.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too. I should have gotten rid of Nightshade as soon as I knew you were determined to ride him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you shouldn\u2019t have. I\u2019ve got ears.\u201d He hesitated. He hadn\u2019t told Adam his Indian names.\u00a0Squirrel.<\/i>\u00a0Oh, boy, would Adam and Hoss have fun with this. But it would be his peace offering.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paiutes gave me a couple of names,\u201d he said tentatively. Adam arched an eyebrow, as if wondering where this was going. \u201cThe first one was Kaibab. It means…\u201d He almost lost his nerve, but he plunged on. \u201cIt means squirrel.\u201d Now both eyebrows shot up, and Joe spoke quickly. \u201cBut not just any squirrel. This is the really long-eared kind, the ones called tassel-eared. Kinna\u2019a said it was a good name for me. He said I should learn from it.\u201d He pled with his eyes, begging Adam to understand. \u201cEars, Adam. Ears for listening. I can listen, really I can.\u201d Reaching out, he gripped his brother\u2019s hand. \u201cReally I will. Please don\u2019t sell Nightshade.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam closed his eyes, going somewhere Joe couldn\u2019t follow. But when he opened them, they were gleaming with humor. \u201cYou realize Hoss would just love to know your Indian name,\u201d he said dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry. I won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you won\u2019t sell Nightshade?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat depends. You won\u2019t be such a pain in the backside?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned. It was going to be all right. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam let go of Joe\u2019s hand to ruffle his hair. \u201cI\u2019ll just bet,\u201d he said with that maddening, crooked smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0Ten-year-old Joe is tired of Adam treating him like a little kid. Enter Nightshade, Adam’s powerful and temperamental horse. What follows involves not only Joe and Adam, but some new Paiute friends and a revelation about Roy’s past.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a016,000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":13918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1091,23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-adam-joe","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-1091-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":5512,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Black-Stallion.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4008,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4008","url_meta":{"origin":7165,"position":0},"title":"From Joe to Adam (by Trinity)","author":"Trinity","date":"April 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A type of poem I learned how to write in my English 3 class. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a033","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adamjoe4.jpg?fit=400%2C319&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7161,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7161","url_meta":{"origin":7165,"position":1},"title":"Dah-Gey: A Fable Told by Hop Sing (by JoaniePaiute)","author":"JoaniePaiute","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0An extremely silly response to a Chaps & Spurs challenge. Also partly inspired by the thread \"Feminizing the Cartwrights.\" Little-Little Joe is driving Adam crazy. Hop Sing has the solution: it's story time! Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0WC \u00a01400","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/vsy.jpeg?fit=248%2C203&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":679,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=679","url_meta":{"origin":7165,"position":2},"title":"Play Before Bedtime (by Terri)","author":"Terri","date":"April 18, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: After a confrontation with Adam, Joe rides away from the house and into trouble. \u00a0 Rated: K+ \u00a0WC 2000","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/frontporch.jpg?fit=439%2C305&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6756","url_meta":{"origin":7165,"position":3},"title":"The Crazy Lady (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe and Hoss scare themselves one night, come to Adam's room and tell him the story of the crazy lady. Prequel\/Young Cartwrights\/Humor \u00a0Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0700","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7174,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7174","url_meta":{"origin":7165,"position":4},"title":"Don’t Let Him Kill Us (by JoaniePaiute)","author":"JoaniePaiute","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A comedic prequel featuring 5-year-old Little Joe and introducing Tommy Coffee, Roy's 7-year-old son. Oh, Hoss...why did you take your eyes off those two? Poor Adam... Rated:\u00a0K WC \u00a03400 Little Joe, Tommy, and Annabelle Series Don't Let Him Kill Us Word of Honor","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6742,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6742","url_meta":{"origin":7165,"position":5},"title":"Grazed (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0When Adam finds a slightly injured Joe, they share a strangely special moment. \u00a0A Young Cartwright short story. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0767","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7165","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\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7165\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}