{"id":7185,"date":"2004-03-10T16:50:35","date_gmt":"2004-03-10T21:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7185"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:30","slug":"dedims-tot-pignora-fatis-hostages-to-the-fates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7185","title":{"rendered":"Dedims Tot Pignora Fatis – aka Hostages to The Fates (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>A tense situation at the Ponderosa leads Ben to see his sons as hostages to the fates.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0WC \u00a08000<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dedims Tot Pignora Fatis – aka Hostages to The Fates\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you drew the short straw, did you?\u201d Ben asked Joe as his son handed him a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe shook his head. \u201cI volunteered to stay,\u201d he admitted. He sat down on the sofa opposite his father and picked up his own cup.<\/p>\n

Raising one sceptical eyebrow, Ben silently invited Joe to continue. Joe sipped his coffee. \u201cOh, don\u2019t get me wrong, Pa, I\u2019d have enjoyed the trip to Sacramento, but it didn\u2019t need three of us to go, and we certainly didn\u2019t want to leave you alone here. And there wasn\u2019t anything pressing I wanted to do when I got there. Adam wants to go and buy books and I can\u2019t for the life of me imagine what Hoss wants, apart from maybe a change of candy, but there was nothing I really wanted to do there. I can see pretty girls and have a beer here in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure there isn\u2019t an irate father baying for your blood?\u201d Ben teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite sure, thank you!\u201d Joe laughed. \u201cDon\u2019t you trust me, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly when I can see you,\u201d Ben intoned solemnly, and then laughed. \u201cSeriously, Joe, I didn\u2019t expect any of you boys to stay behind. I\u2019d have managed alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I didn\u2019t mind staying,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cThis way, I can get a head start on those horses, and do the chores for you. It\u2019s not even as if Hop Sing is home to look after you! I know you\u2019re much better, but I wouldn\u2019t have been happy leaving you alone.\u201d Joe smiled lovingly at his father. \u201cYou don\u2019t shake off double-septic pneumonia in a couple of days, you know!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDouble-septic pneumonia!\u201d Ben spluttered indignantly. \u201cYou cheeky young pup! I\u2019ve got a broken ankle and I\u2019m getting about on this crutch very well!\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning unrepentantly, Joe shrugged. \u201cWell, they\u2019re very similar, Pa. You can\u2019t expect me to remember all these little details.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three weeks previously, Ben\u2019s horse had been lame and he had taken one of the young horses from the corral. Unfortunately, that had been the day when the inexperienced gelding had met its first angry bull and Ben had been unceremoniously dragged off under the branch of a tree. The fleeing horse, clumsy as well as nervous, had trodden on Ben as it fled and had broken his ankle.<\/p>\n

Although Ben had had no intention of making the trip to Sacramento anyway, he was rather annoyed to have the choice taken away from him. Adam and Hoss were perfectly capable of dealing with the negotiations with the beef buyers. The surprise \u2013 a pleasant one \u2013 was Joe announcing that he would stay at home, too. That freed Hop Sing, their cook, to go and visit one of his myriad relatives.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben said, \u201cWell, at least this didn\u2019t happen just before round up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s something, I guess,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cAlthough now we\u2019re negotiating the contracts before hand, it\u2019s taken a lot of the stress out of the drive. We can take a day or two longer without missing out on the best prices.\u201d Joe gazed into the depths of his cup and Ben wondered what he was seeing there. After a moment, Joe blinked and brought his gaze back into focus and looked at Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll get started on breaking those horses tomorrow, Pa,\u201d he went on and Ben hid a smile. He should\u2019ve known Joe was thinking about his beloved horses!<\/p>\n

\u201cJust you be careful,\u201d Ben warned him. \u201cWe don\u2019t want another Cartwright with broken bones!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI bounce,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cBesides, with Doc Martin trotting out here every couple of days to look at you, we wouldn\u2019t have to worry about sending into town for him. Say, when is he next coming out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it would be today,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut you know how busy he is, Joe. It could be that he simply hasn\u2019t had the time. Besides, my ankle is doing fine. He doesn\u2019t need to keep checking up on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s because he\u2019s torturing you, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Joe teased. \u201cGo on, Pa, admit it! He tortures us, so why should you escape!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does not torture you!\u201d Ben denied. \u201cJoseph Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

Unrepentant, Joe grinned at his father. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t say that if he\u2019d given you half the noxious medicines he gives me!\u201d he retorted. \u201cIts favouritism, Pa! I tell you it is!\u201d Joe giggled.<\/p>\n

They were both startled by the sudden sharp knock on the door. \u201cNow look what you\u2019ve done,\u201d Ben chided teasingly, as Joe rose to his feet to answer the door. \u201cYou\u2019ve conjured Doctor Martin and he\u2019s come to torture me now, to prove I\u2019m not his favourite patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said he didn\u2019t torture you?\u201d Joe cackled, walking sideways towards the door, so he could look back at Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust answer the door, young man,\u201d Ben growled.<\/p>\n

Still grinning, Joe opened the door and was met by a rifle butt crashing off his chin. He slumped to the floor, unconscious, blood spurting from a split lip.<\/p>\n

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

Shock flowed through Ben as he gazed at the two strange men at the door. He started to lever himself to his feet, but the rifle was turned on him and he froze, half up and half down, uncomfortably propped on his arms. \u201cSiddown,\u201d ordered the man who had struck Joe, and Ben realised that he had no real choice. He slumped back into his seat, frantically craning his neck to see around the pier table behind the sofa to look at Joe.<\/p>\n

The two men came in, carefully shutting the door behind them. They looked around curiously, but it was the fire as opposed to anything else that drew one man\u2019s attention. \u201cIt\u2019s warm in here!\u201d he exclaimed in obvious delight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Ben asked. He could see Joe sprawled on the floor, but couldn\u2019t see his son\u2019s face. Anxiety was a sharp pricking in his gut.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire,\u201d answered the man. \u201cFood. Looks ta me like ya got both.\u201d He looked slowly around the room. \u201cNice place.\u201d He nodded to his companion. \u201cTie the kid up an\u2019 then we c\u2019n git somethin\u2019 ta eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t gonna do no cookin\u2019!\u201d the other complained. \u201cWhy\u2019nt we git the ol\u2019 man ta do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBob, I know yer eyes ain\u2019t great, but surely even ya c\u2019n see he\u2019s got a cast on that there foot!\u201d He snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d replied Bob. \u201cSorry, Dan.\u201d He scratched his head, lifting his greasy hat to do so. Ben thought uneasily about lice for a moment before he craned his head to look at Joe once more.<\/p>\n

Joe was stirring, moving slightly and moaning softly. Ben longed to go to his side and see how badly injured the young man was. He started to draw himself up once more, but found the business end of the rifle pointing in his direction again. Dan glared hard at Ben before going over and yanking Joe to his feet.<\/p>\n

At once, Ben could see that Joe was dazed. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d he called, and Joe\u2019s head slowly turned towards Ben and he squinted at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he murmured. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d He ran a shaking hand through his hair. Joe\u2019s lip had bled all down his chin, which was bright red with an embryonic bruise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI happened, boy!\u201d Dan told him. \u201cNow ya git inta that kitchen an\u2019 make us somethin\u2019 ta eat, hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Not understanding, Joe took a step towards the kitchen and then stopped. He turned back. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d he began, but Dan wasn\u2019t having any backtalk. He gave Joe a vicious shove and Joe\u2019s equilibrium was still so out of kilter that he tumbled to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben again half rose and this time Bob stepped in close, his rifle pointing at Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe looked at his father and his blood froze. \u201cPa,\u201d he breathed, horrified.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n ya want yer pa ta stay healthy, boy, ya\u2019ll do as we say!\u201d Dan snarled. \u201cNow git inta the kitchen an\u2019 make us some food.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deathly pale, Joe managed to climb to his feet with some help from a dining chair and staggered into the kitchen. For a moment, Ben hoped that Joe would take his chance and go for help, but Dan followed him. Ben was left impotently watching Bob, who stood so close to the fire that Ben wondered why he didn\u2019t just climb right inside it.<\/p>\n

At length, Joe appeared back from the kitchen, carrying two plates. It smelt to Ben like the end of the stew Joe had made for them both. He set both plates carefully on the table and straightened up. Dan grabbed one of the chairs and moved it away from the table, closer to Ben. \u201cSiddown,\u201d he ordered and Joe collapsed gratefully into the seat. Dan jerked a length of raw-hide from his pocket and tied Joe\u2019s hands behind his back. The men fell on the food like they were starving.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben murmured and Joe lifted his throbbing head. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked, his dark eyes full of compassion.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe answered, but he wasn\u2019t very convincing. \u201cAre you all right, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Ben replied, reassuringly. \u201cThey haven\u2019t touched me, son.\u201d He didn\u2019t point out that they didn\u2019t have to hurt him. He was hurt each time they abused Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe cast a glance over his shoulder at the men and Ben could see the bruise on his jaw starting to darken. Ben winced, for it looked very sore. \u201cJoe,\u201d he whispered and Joe slowly turned back to Ben. \u201cIf you get the chance, get out of here and fetch help, do you understand, son? Don\u2019t worry about me. Just get help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t leave you alone with them!\u201d Joe hissed. \u201cYou can\u2019t ask me to do that, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you have to,\u201d Ben hissed back. \u201cWe don\u2019t know what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d Joe declared, and jutted his chin in his usual fashion. He winced at the movement, but Ben could see that his son was not going to do as he was asked and try and make a break for freedom. If they could only expect Hoss and Adam back, but they were not due back for a couple of weeks. \u201cI won\u2019t leave you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d snapped Bob, throwing them a black look. \u201cWe\u2019s tryin\u2019 ta eat!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Later, they untied Joe and made him go into the kitchen to clear up. Ben tried to find some humour in the fact that these two filthy men were worried about the kitchen being clean. He failed. When Joe finally came back into the great room, Ben could see how tired and sore his son was.<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon ya could put our horses away,\u201d Bob commented to Joe. \u201cSeein\u2019 how it\u2019s rainin\u2019, we\u2019ll be stayin\u2019 here fer the night.\u201d He jabbed Joe painfully in the back with his rifle. \u201cMove, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth, Joe shot Ben a look before he went outside. It was indeed raining, huge cold drops that soaked through Joe\u2019s thin shirt on the short trek across the yard to the barn. The men\u2019s two thin, ill-kempt horses stood head down by the trough and Joe led them into the barn, wondering when they had last had a meal. He hated to see horses mis-treated and took his time unsaddling them and gave them both a generous portion of grain. He quickly tended to their own horses, too, and glanced round at Bob while he petted Cochise\u2019s head after feeding his gelding. Bob was more than half asleep. Joe grinned. This was his chance.<\/p>\n

Picking up some hay, and trying to look as meek as he could, Joe walked towards one of the men\u2019s horses, looking as though he was going to give the horse the hay. Bob barely glanced at him.<\/p>\n

In a sudden move, Joe threw the hay in Bob\u2019s face and jumped him. They wrestled furiously, but Joe had caught Bob completely off guard and in a remarkably short time, had knocked him out. He hesitated for a moment, but there was no way he was going to go for help and leave Ben alone with these two, especially if he had made a break for freedom. No, Joe couldn\u2019t leave Ben alone.<\/p>\n

Scrambling to his feet, Joe went to the barn door and peered out. The May evening was cold and damp, with the rain still pouring down. The front door of the house was closed and Joe decided that his best option was to go around the side and in through the kitchen.<\/p>\n

He flitted across the yard and eased his way into the kitchen. There, Joe paused to catch his breath and listen. There was no sound from the great room and Joe cursed silently. If only one of them would speak, he would know where they were. Joe assumed his father was still in the red leather chair by the fire, but where was Dan?<\/p>\n

Step by careful step, Joe made his way silently across the kitchen, barely allowing himself to breathe. He crouched and peered round the wall. Sure enough Ben was still sitting by the fire, looking over towards the door or the study; Joe wasn\u2019t sure which. He needed to know where Dan was. Joe slid back round the wall until he was sitting on the floor and slipped off his boots and socks.<\/p>\n

On silent feet, Joe took two long strides into the dining room and dropped to his hands and knees behind the shelter of the table. Safe from a casual glance, Joe peered between the forest of table and chair legs and spotted Dan over by Ben\u2019s desk. Gritting his teeth in frustration, Joe began to move down, so that he was closer to Ben, but he wished that Dan was nearer so he could tackle him.<\/p>\n

Time was against him, Joe knew. Bob could regain consciousness at any moment and Joe wished he had tied him up. He had to try and deal with Dan before Bob came back into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty fancy place ya got here,\u201d Dan commented to Ben. \u201cLooks like we picked a good place ta spend the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it,\u201d Ben replied, coldly. He cast an anxious glance at the door, wondering what was keeping Joe. Was he all right? What was happening out in the barn?<\/p>\n

\u201cYa ain\u2019t too keen on us bein\u2019 here, are ya?\u201d Dan remarked. \u201cYa think yer too good fer us, with yer fancy house an\u2019 all, don\u2019t cha?\u201d As he spoke, Dan walked closer to Ben. Joe eased himself into a better position.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know anything about you,\u201d Ben snorted. \u201cBut I haven\u2019t broken into your home, attacked your son and held you prisoner!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa really think yer somethin\u2019,\u201d Dan snarled. He took another step closer to Ben.<\/p>\n

It was the chance Joe had been waiting for. With a roar, he flung himself at Dan. The startled man half turned, bringing his rifle up, but it was too late. Joe struck him about waist level and bore him to the floor.<\/p>\n

Startled, Ben took a moment to collect himself, wondering where on earth Joe had come from, but his inactivity didn\u2019t last for long and he pushed himself to his feet and grabbed the crutch. He hobbled over towards the gun rack, edging carefully around the table, wishing it wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Joe and Dan wrestled furiously on the floor. This was Joe\u2019s second fight in a very short time. He traded punches with Dan, but couldn\u2019t seem to get the better of him. Joe\u2019s only consolation, as he dodged a wild haymaker, was that Dan wasn\u2019t getting the better of him, either.<\/p>\n

Before Ben could reach the gun rack, the door burst open, admitting a wet and dripping Bob, who fired his rifle into the air. Dan flinched and Joe got in a punch that stunned his opponent.<\/p>\n

But he paid for it, and for knocking Bob out. With a coldness of purpose, Bob aimed his pistol at Joe and pulled the trigger. Joe felt a moment of searing agony as the bullet hammered into his thigh from a distance of about three feet. His body reacted instantly to the shock, and Joe slumped to the floor, all but unconscious as blood began to trickle from the hole just above his knee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Horrified, Ben began to hobble towards his stricken son, but froze as the gun came up to point at Joe once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move, old man!\u201d Bob ordered. His face was lumpy and red, a mute testimony to Joe\u2019s handiwork in the barn. \u201cMove an inch an\u2019 I kill him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Fear flooded Ben\u2019s heart that Joe was already dying as he saw the blood pouring from his leg. If an artery had been nicked, then Joe would die before his very eyes in a matter of a few moments. In anguish, Ben looked down at Joe and saw his son\u2019s pain-filled emerald eyes looking back at him. \u201cPlease let me go to him,\u201d he begged.<\/p>\n

As Dan started to sit up, Bob stepped back and nodded. Ben hobbled across and awkwardly sat on the floor by Joe\u2019s side. At once, he tore the leg of Joe\u2019s pants and looked closely at the wound. It was bleeding profusely, but the blood wasn\u2019t pumping out, which was something of a relief to Ben. Nevertheless, Joe\u2019s leg needed attention now. The bullet had gone right through at high speed and Joe\u2019s leg was a mess. There wasn\u2019t much Ben could do for his son, but he ripped the sleeves from his shirt and bound the makeshift bandage round Joe\u2019s leg. To his intense relief, the bleeding gradually slowed, then stopped altogether.<\/p>\n

But Ben wasn\u2019t fooled. He knew that if Joe moved about, the bleeding would start up again. They needed the doctor there right now. He saw that Joe\u2019s lips were slightly blue and that his son\u2019s skin was pale, sweaty and clammy. Joe was going into shock.<\/p>\n

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

The brisk knock on the door took them all by surprise. Before any of them could react, the door opened and the very person Ben most needed to see came into the house with all the familiarity and casual ease of an old friend. Doctor Paul Martin looked totally shocked as he took in the scene that met his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul!\u201d The word escaped Ben\u2019s lips involuntarily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d Paul began and then stopped as Bob raised his pistol and aimed it at him. He cautiously raised his hands, debating for a moment if he should throw his Gladstone bag at the men, but after another searching look at Ben and Joe, he decided that he was going to need his bag and quickly!<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Dan demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Paul Martin,\u201d Paul replied briskly. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a good thing I\u2019m here. If that man doesn\u2019t get attention right now, he could die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we care?\u201d Bob sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now,\u201d Ben said, with quiet authority, \u201cyou can ride out of here and if the sheriff catches up to you, you might go to jail for a time. If Joe dies, then you\u2019ll hang when the sheriff catches you.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was clearly a thought that had not occurred to either man and they exchanged an uneasy glance. Then Bob\u2019s bravado surfaced again. \u201cWell, we ain\u2019t goin\u2019 till mornin\u2019,\u201d he insisted. \u201cBut I guess ya c\u2019n look at the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a hasty, but heart-felt, prayer of thanks, Paul hurried over to Ben and Joe, pausing only to grab a blanket from the credenza by the door. Kneeling by Joe, he gave Ben a harried smile and tucked the blanket over Joe\u2019s torso. \u201cIn trouble again, huh, Joe?\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

Valiantly, Joe tried to smile back, but the effort was too much for him. He was gasping for breath as the pain hammered through him. \u201cJust take it easy,\u201d Paul urged. \u201cBreathe deeply, Joe, while I take a look at your leg. As soon as I know what\u2019s what, I\u2019ll give you something for the pain.\u201d He removed Ben\u2019s makeshift bandage and examined the wound, his face grim.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Ben asked, anxiously.<\/p>\n

Not answering the question directly, Paul sat back on his heels and fixed the two intruders with a steely gaze. \u201cI need boiling water, right now,\u201d he informed them. \u201cI need to operate on him and I must sterilise my instruments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, ya ain\u2019t gonna git no water,\u201d Dan replied. \u201cYa do what ya have ta do ta the boy, but ya ain\u2019t gonna move outa this room, hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Paul considered arguing further, but he was afraid to push them. Joe had lost a lot of blood and if his leg wasn\u2019t seen to at once, he might lose the use of it, or even the whole leg. Sighing, Paul searched his bag for what he needed and dropped some chloroform onto a cloth, which he held to Joe\u2019s face. It didn\u2019t take more than a few breaths for the youngest Cartwright to succumb.<\/p>\n

Rolling his sleeves up, Paul began his work.<\/p>\n

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

Time ticked relentlessly and steadily by, but for Ben, time seemed to stand still. Every time he looked at the clock by the door, the hands didn\u2019t seem to have moved. Outside, it was completely dark and the rain poured down in torrents. Paul worked steadily and silently, only the occasional grunt or sigh escaping him. Dan and Bob watched with detached interest as they consumed the contents of Ben\u2019s brandy bottle.<\/p>\n

At last, Paul began to bandage Joe\u2019s leg and he indicated to Ben that the chloroform wouldn\u2019t be needed again. He glanced over at Dan. \u201cI need something to splint his leg with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t my problem,\u201d Dan replied. He was gloriously drunk. \u201cYa wanted ta treat him \u2013 well ya done that. Ya ain\u2019t goin\u2019 nowhere\u2019s else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Joe\u2019s leg broken?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cBut I\u2019d rather he didn\u2019t move it at all.\u201d He peered into his bag and produced another roll of bandage. \u201cI\u2019ll have to just bandage his legs together for now.\u201d He did so, acutely aware that Bob had risen to his feet and was standing just behind him. He was glad he had already given Joe a large shot of morphine. He really didn\u2019t want Bob rifling through the contents of his bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s a right good idea ya have there, Doc,\u201d Bob slurred. \u201cDan an\u2019 me\u2019s a bit tired. We want ta have ourselves a sleep, but we don\u2019 want ya goin\u2019 nowheres. So ya jist set yersel\u2019 in that there chair, Doc, an\u2019 no harm\u2019ll come ta ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Paul got to his feet. He sat where he was told and submitted to having his hands tied to the chair behind him. He had done everything he could for Joe, but he hated not being close at hand should a crisis arise.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 ya, old man,\u201d Bob ordered, when he was finished with Paul.<\/p>\n

But Ben baulked. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not leaving Joe,\u201d he insisted. He deliberately turned his back on Bob.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d Paul cried in warning, but he was too late. Bob crashed his gun butt across the back of Ben\u2019s head and the older man collapsed in a heap on the floor. Paul fought his bonds furiously, but there was no give in them. He could only watch as Ben was dragged across the floor and tied to the chair that Paul was sitting in. Nor was there anything he could do when Bob turned Joe onto his side and tied the young man\u2019s hands behind his back.<\/p>\n

They were helpless.<\/p>\n

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

His return to consciousness was hellish. He ached all over, but the worst ache was in his heart. Ben forced open his eyes and saw, as he had dreaded, that he was separated from Joe, and that his son, too, was tied up. He groaned as a sharp pain stabbed through his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to move,\u201d advised a calm voice from above him. Ben recognised it as Paul\u2019s. \u201cBreathe deeply, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he muttered and Paul made a \u2018tsk-tsk\u2019 sound under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m keeping an eye on Joe,\u201d he assured Ben, although there was nothing he could do for Joe should he waken. But Paul was fairly sure that the morphine, combined with the last lingering effects of the chloroform, would keep Joe slumbering for quite some time yet. \u201cYou just do what I tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Across the room, Dan and Bob were also slumbering, but the raucous snores indicated that they had had more than their share of the brandy. \u201cBen, is it possible that Adam and Hoss might come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben declared, vehemently. \u201cI don\u2019t want them to come back, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shocked, for Paul was sure that Ben would want the help and support of his older sons, he asked, \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want them here till its over,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI don\u2019t want them in danger too. It\u2019s bad enough that Joe is hurt, without anything happening to Adam and Hoss.\u201d He swallowed audibly. \u201c\u2019I have sons,\u2019\u201d he muttered, obviously quoting something. \u201c\u2019We have given so many hostages to the fates.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHostages to the fates,\u201d Paul echoed, struck by the aptness of the words. \u201cWho said that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA Roman poet, Lucan,\u201d Ben replied. He sounded exhausted. \u201cHe, of course, said it in Latin. I can\u2019t quite remember it all. But it ends \u2018Dedimus tot pignora fatis\u2019. There\u2019s another quote, too. Let me think.\u201d Ben forced himself to remember. \u201c\u2019He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.\u2019\u201d Ben sighed. \u201cThat was Francis Bacon,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see what you mean,\u201d Paul agreed. \u201cBut I still think it\u2019s a pity that Adam and Hoss aren\u2019t going to come riding to our rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll think of something,\u201d Ben murmured. \u201cWe have to; for Joe\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

His return to consciousness was hellish. His head felt fuzzy and strangely thick. The feeling was familiar, but he couldn\u2019t place it. An unpleasant smell lingered in his nostrils and when he tried to raise his hand to rub his nose, he discovered that his hand wouldn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n

A surge of adrenalin raced through Joe\u2019s system, bringing him closer to full awareness. He recognised the smell as chloroform at the same moment that he realised his hands were bound behind his back. Joe tried to move, but his legs seemed to be tied, too and a stab of pain shot through his right thigh. Memory came back with a rush. Joe forced his eyes to open.<\/p>\n

The two vagrants that had broken into the house were asleep in the chairs by the bottom of the stairs. The cold hand of fear suddenly squeezed Joe\u2019s heart when he realised he couldn\u2019t see Ben. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered. \u201cPa?\u201d he called again, louder now.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe, I\u2019m here,\u201d Ben called, softly. He didn\u2019t want to risk wakening the two men. \u201cDon\u2019t try to move, son, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Craning his neck frantically, Joe could just see Ben over his shoulder. Ben smiled reassuringly, not realising that there was a little blood on his shirt collar from where he had been struck. \u201cPa, you\u2019re bleeding,\u201d Joe gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s superficial,\u201d Paul informed him. He had been frantically straining against his bonds, and thought that there was a slight loosening. But the last thing he wanted was the men wakening up when he was freeing himself. \u201cJoe, lie still. If you move too much your leg will start bleeding again. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe muttered and dropped his head back down. His shoulders were cramping painfully. His bare feet were freezing. Joe twisted his hands against the rawhide around his wrists, but there was no give in the tight knots. Joe kept trying until exhaustion swept over him and he slid into sleep.<\/p>\n

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

As dawn broke at long, long last, Dan and Bob stirred. They were both clearly hung over and they moved about the house without checking on their prisoners. Without addressing a word to any of them, Dan and Bob left the house and a short time later, they heard hoof beats as the men rode off.<\/p>\n

By then, Paul Martin had already managed to drag his lacerated wrists free from the rawhide that had kept him prisoner for a good part of the night, and he quickly set Ben and Joe free, too. Joe was clearly in a bad way, and Paul moved him gently to the sofa where he tucked the blanket in more snugly and hurried to get some water to give the exhausted young man a much-needed drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre there any ranch hands on the place?\u201d Paul asked Ben, urgently. \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave Joe for long, but we need to tell Roy what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the bunkhouse,\u201d Ben replied, all his attention focused on Joe. He sat awkwardly on the edge of the table and stroked Joe\u2019s hair. Joe was running a temperature and shivering slightly. He stirred and moaned before opening his eyes slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked, clearly disoriented.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts all right, those men have gone,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cPaul\u2019s sending someone to get Roy. You just lie still. Do you want another drink?\u201d Ben\u2019s thirst had been outrageous, and he could barely imagine Joe\u2019s, which must have been worse than that, with the combined effects of blood loss and anaesthetic. Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before Paul was back. He knelt by Joe\u2019s side and checked the wound on his leg. He was afraid that there would be some infection in the wound, since he hadn\u2019t been allowed to sterilise his instruments. However, despite the wound being obviously very tender, there didn\u2019t seem to be any sign of infection. Paul went over to the wood box and found two suitable sticks which he used to splint Joe\u2019s leg, preventing the young man from bending his knee.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to me, Joe,\u201d he instructed, sitting down on the table next to Ben. \u201cYou aren\u2019t going to be walking anywhere on that leg for some weeks. The damage the bullet did was severe and if you walk about on it before I say you can, you might damage it permanently.\u201d He paused to look closely at Joe to make sure he understood. Joe\u2019s green eyes were riveted to his face. \u201cDo you hear me, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you,\u201d Joe responded. He looked apprehensively at his leg, stretched out on the sofa. He could see that it was hugely swollen and the bandaging extended from mid-thigh to well down his shin, and the tattered remains of his pants leg was liberally soaked in blood. The pain was building up again as the morphine wore off.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Paul replied. He took a closer look at the wound on the back of Ben\u2019s head, but as he had said to Joe the previous night, it was superficial, although he didn\u2019t doubt Ben had a thumping headache to go along with it. \u201cAll right, I\u2019m going to make you both something to eat, and then we\u2019ll see about getting you transferred to bed, Joe. Ben, once Joe\u2019s settled, I think you ought to get some sleep, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they finished eating the scrambled eggs that Paul had produced, they heard horses in the yard. Paul, suddenly wary, took Joe\u2019s gun from its holster and went to the door, but he needn\u2019t have worried, as it was Roy Coffee, the sheriff, and a posse.<\/p>\n

The story was told quickly and clearly, and Paul enlisted help from Clem, Roy\u2019s deputy, in carrying Joe upstairs. Paul was still with Joe when he heard the posse ride out. He glanced at his now-sleeping patient and went to cajole Ben into bed. Paul was exhausted, too, but he was reluctant to leave Ben and Joe alone in the house. But when he went back downstairs, he was relieved to find that Roy had left a deputy behind to guard them.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Paul went to get his buggy and go back to town. He didn\u2019t doubt there would be a queue of patients for morning surgery, when all he wanted to do was lie down and sleep. Ah well, he consoled himself, such is the life of a doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIts good ta be home,\u201d Hoss commented as the ranch house hove into view ten days later.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cAnd I know Pa will be pleased at the contracts we got.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup,\u201d Hoss agreed and beamed at Adam. \u201cWonder if\u2019n Joe\u2019s driven Pa mad yet, wi\u2019 fussin\u2019 over him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I would expect so,\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cAnd we both know how limited Joe\u2019s cooking is. I hope Hop Sing got back yesterday as planned. I shudder to think what Joe might rustle up as a welcome home meal!\u201d He laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t that bad!\u201d Hoss chided, laughing, too. \u201cHe cooks a sight better\u2019n ya do!\u201d<\/p>\n

Trying to look offended, but failing dismally, Adam shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m hurt,\u201d he declared but Hoss wasn\u2019t fooled.<\/p>\n

Still smiling, they rode into the yard and dismounted stiffly from their horses. They looped the reins round the hitching rail in the yard, eager to get inside and greet their family before they put the horses away.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa!\u201d Hoss exclaimed as he threw open the door and saw his father sitting in front of the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss! Adam! You\u2019re home!\u201d Ben rose to his feet and the boys saw that the cast was off his ankle, although Ben still used a stick. He smiled at his sons. \u201cI\u2019m so glad to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Adam was frowning. \u201cPa, you look tired,\u201d Adam remarked. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe? I thought he was supposed to be keeping you from over-doing it?\u201d His tone was disapproving.<\/p>\n

A shadow crossed Ben\u2019s face. \u201cBetter sit down while I explain,\u201d he began. \u201cWould you like some coffee? Hop Sing! Coffee for three.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deeply concerned now, Adam and Hoss exchanged a worried look before taking their seats. Their Chinese factotum appeared with coffee almost at once, but didn\u2019t smile at either son before departing back to the kitchen and that was enough to make both sons realise that whatever had happened was serious.<\/p>\n

Ben poured the coffee and took a fortifying sip of his before beginning. He began to talk, telling them what happened. \u201cJoe\u2019s been confined to bed ever since,\u201d he went on. \u201cRoy has been out looking for these men, but he hasn\u2019t found them yet. They just seem to have disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shock registered on both faces. Ben studied them with tired detachment. \u201cHow is Joe now?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cA little better,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cHe\u2019s been pretty sick. Because Paul couldn\u2019t sterilise his instruments, an infection started in Joe\u2019s leg and at one point we thought he might lose it.\u201d Ben\u2019s tone was admirably steady, but the fear that had haunted the house for a few hours that day would never leave his heart entirely. \u201cJoe\u2019s leg is still badly swollen and he won\u2019t be walking on it any time soon. But Paul was out this morning, and he is more optimistic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019 understand,\u201d Hoss admitted. \u201cWhat did them fellers want?\u201d<\/p>\n

Making a rueful face, Ben shrugged. \u201cAs strange as it seems, Hoss, they really did just want a warm place to stay for the night. They didn\u2019t want money, and they didn\u2019t seem to notice the safe, or if they did, they didn\u2019t know what it was. They didn\u2019t know who we were, and didn\u2019t ask. Apart from drinking all the brandy, they didn\u2019t steal anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there\u2019s been no trace of them since?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cIt\u2019s very odd.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you manage?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul sent out help from town,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cHop Sing got home yesterday and scolded me all day, as far as I can gather. Paul took the cast off my ankle this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you wire us?\u201d Adam wanted to know. \u201cWe\u2019d have come home at once.\u201d His tone indicated hurt and annoyance.<\/p>\n

Smiling at his oldest son, who was fiercely protective of his family, Ben replied, \u201cWe would have needed help for the few days it would have taken you to come home, son. So we thought there was no point in worrying you unduly. We knew you wouldn\u2019t linger longer than necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we could have been here for you when you were so worried about Joe,\u201d Adam objected.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that would have been nice,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut the decision wasn\u2019t ours to make, Adam. The decision was Paul\u2019s \u2013 and God\u2019s. If it had been necessary to amputate Joe\u2019s leg, he probably wouldn\u2019t have survived the procedure. I couldn\u2019t wish the knowing of that onto you.\u201d His voice quivered and Ben took another mouthful of coffee. He noticed that his sons\u2019 cups were untouched. \u201cAnd besides, you wouldn\u2019t have been here in time anyway, if that had happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re here now,\u201d Adam stated, as though Ben hadn\u2019t already noticed this. \u201cAnd we\u2019ll take over. You just rest. You look exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am pretty tired,\u201d Ben agreed and he finally was persuaded to go and have a nap while Hoss tended to the horses and Adam went to see Joe.<\/p>\n

As he lay down, Ben thought how nice it was to have his sons back and have someone to share the burden with. He didn\u2019t have to worry about them being hostages to the fates now. Or so he hoped.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next couple of weeks, Joe continued to progress and was finally allowed out of bed. His leg was in good shape, considering the damage the bullet had done, but he would be on crutches for some time.<\/p>\n

It was about then that they heard the reports of a couple who had been held hostage overnight by a couple of vagrants called Dan and Bob. Once again, nothing had been stolen and the couple had escaped unscathed. Roy investigated, but once more, the men seemed to vanish without trace.<\/p>\n

But once one sighting had been reported, there seemed to be a positive avalanche of sightings. They were scattered all over the area, and Adam and Hoss took to plotting the places on a map. Neither one had forgiven the men for hurting Joe so badly. However, there didn\u2019t seem to be a pattern to the wanderings, and so they weren\u2019t able to predict where the next sighting might be.<\/p>\n

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

About a week later, Adam rode into the yard and found Joe standing leaning against the corral, petting his horse. Joe had only been allowed out of the confines of the house in the last 24 hours and was making the most of it. Adam knew that Joe was risking over doing things, but he couldn\u2019t altogether blame his youngest brother. Adam knew how he felt when he\u2019d been confined to bed for a spell.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Adam,\u201d Joe offered and braced himself for the expected lecture.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d Adam replied, peaceably. \u201cHow\u2019s Cochise doing? Pleased to see you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Joe answered, surprised and pleased that Adam wasn\u2019t riding herd on him. He gave his horse a final pat and angled the crutches under his arms. Adam joined him as he slowly made his way back to the house. \u201cAny more word about those two men?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t need any elaboration to know to whom Joe was referring. \u201cNo, they\u2019ve disappeared again.\u201d He glanced at Joe. \u201cI wish I could find them! Then they\u2019d pay for what they did to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t hold your breath,\u201d Joe advised, cynically. \u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019ll ever be caught.\u201d He made a face. \u201cOnce I can walk properly again, all this will be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shocked by Joe\u2019s cynicism, Adam stopped walking and put his hand on Joe\u2019s arm. Joe stopped and turned enquiring eyes on his brother. \u201cYou don\u2019t really believe that, do you?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cBecause it\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it is!\u201d Joe replied. \u201cEveryone will want to forget about this and Roy isn\u2019t going to catch them, is he? We don\u2019t even know who they are. In time, I\u2019ll be the only one who remembers this, because I won\u2019t be able to forget, not with this scar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll never forget, Joe,\u201d Adam replied, quietly. He was reeling from the bitterness in Joe\u2019s voice. \u201cDo you think Pa will ever forget those hours he spent tied to a chair while you were lying injured on the floor? Do you think he\u2019ll ever forget the hours when he thought you might lose that leg \u2013 and your life? I don\u2019t think so! I\u2019ll never forget Pa telling us what happened, Joe. Never! So don\u2019t you even think that once you\u2019ve recovered this will be forgotten, because it won\u2019t! Is that clear?\u201d Adam shook Joe and then had to catch him as Joe\u2019s precarious balance almost gave way.<\/p>\n

Shaken by more than Adam\u2019s physical touching, Joe nodded, tears glimmering in his eyes. The elusive nature of these men had suggested to Joe that nobody was looking for them very hard. He had come to the conclusion, in the middle of a long, dark, pain-filled night, that only lip-service was being paid to the hunt, and that as soon as he was back on his feet completely, it would be forgotten about. But Adam\u2019s quiet vehemence \u2013 growing into anger and that shaking \u2013 had convinced Joe more thoroughly than anything else that his conclusion was wrong. \u201cIts clear,\u201d he agreed, softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo and sit down and put that leg up,\u201d Adam suggested. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll get us some coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed and made his way slowly across the room.<\/p>\n

He had just put his crutches on the floor when the door opened. Joe glanced round, expecting to see his father or brother, but what he saw froze Joe in place; it was Dan and Bob!<\/p>\n

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

\u201cLooks like what we heard is true, Dan,\u201d Bob drawled. \u201cThe boy is still alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStubborn cuss, sure enough,\u201d agreed Dan. \u201cI didn\u2019t think he had a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the kitchen, Adam and Hop Sing exchanged glances when they heard the voices. Adam went to the door and glanced round the corner. Joe was sitting in Ben\u2019s leather chair, where he had a stool for his leg, looking like a rabbit caught in the fox\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

Immediately alerted, Adam drew back into the kitchen and put his finger to his lip. Hop Sing\u2019s eyes were huge. \u201cHave you got a gun?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n

Nodding, the little Oriental went over to the broom cupboard and from among the mops and brushes produced an ancient rifle. Smiling his thanks, Adam quietly let himself out of the side door.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Joe asked, numbly. All his nightmares came flooding back. He hoped Adam would stay in the kitchen out of harm\u2019s way. \u201cA warm place to spend the night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s what we wanted first time round,\u201d agreed Dan, smiling. His smile made Joe think of a big cat just before it tore the throat out of its prey. \u201cBut now we know who ya are, boy. An\u2019 we want more this time. We hear yer daddy\u2019s got money an\u2019 we want some o\u2019 it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to get it,\u201d Joe told them. He was suddenly angry. \u201cThere\u2019s a posse out looking for you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe heard,\u201d Bob remarked. His smugness made Joe\u2019s temper spiral higher. \u201cBut they ain\u2019t gonna catch us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a movement from behind the men, from outside, caught Joe\u2019s attention. He knew at once that it was Adam and he was afraid that the men would see something on his face that would give his brother away. Rather than risk that, Joe took the initiative and attacked.<\/p>\n

Snatching up a crutch, he fired it across the room at the two men, who were taken completely by surprise. They recoiled, although there was no way that Joe, muscular though he was, could throw the heavy crutch far enough to actually reach them. But it did as he intended and distracted them enough for Adam to charge in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it!\u201d he ordered as Bob\u2019s gun came back up. He dug the barrel into Bob\u2019s back. \u201cDrop the guns.\u201d When there was a hesitation, he dug the barrel in harder. \u201cI said drop the guns!\u201d There was a clatter as the guns dropped to the floor.<\/p>\n

Kicking the guns aside, Adam ordered the two men to sit on the floor with their hands on their heads. He stepped back from them, retrieved his own hand gun and then put aside Hop Sing\u2019s rifle. \u201cAre you all right, Joe?\u201d he asked, not taking his eyes off the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWhere did that gun come from?\u201d Joe, in actual fact, was feeling distinctly shaky now that the danger was past.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing,\u201d Adam returned. A smile crossed his face. \u201cIt\u2019s not actually loaded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe squeaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you\u2019d like that bit,\u201d Adam agreed. His smile broadened as he saw the expressions on his captives\u2019 faces. \u201cIt was a ploy worthy of you, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks \u2013 I think,\u201d Joe replied, faintly.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAn empty gun?\u201d Ben thundered. \u201cAre you mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have much choice,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cJoe was in here alone and unarmed. It did give me a bit of a turn when I discovered that, I admit. But what did you want me to do? Hide in the kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Muttering something that sounded like \u2018yes\u2019, Ben turned away and continued to pace the floor. All his sons watched him. Swinging round, Ben went straight back on the attack. \u201cYou could\u2019ve been killed!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I know that,\u201d Adam replied, trying to hold on to his patience. \u201cBut I couldn\u2019t leave Joe here alone.\u201d He looked at his parent\u2019s set face. \u201cTell me you wouldn\u2019t have done something similar,\u201d he challenged. \u201cTell me you\u2019d have left Joe alone with those men.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was plain to them all that Ben couldn\u2019t have done that. He sat down heavily. Adam sat down beside him. \u201cPa, this time, they wanted money. When Roy questioned them, they admitted that they had lost everything and were drifting around. When it got too cold, they would break into a house and stay there for the night, taking the chance to have a good meal and something to drink, if possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took up the story. \u201cThe people at one of the places they broke into realised at once who they were and it was through them that they discovered who we were. They hadn\u2019t even heard of the Cartwrights or the Ponderosa when they were here. But once they knew who we were, they decided it would be worth coming back and seeing if they could get some money this time. But they couldn\u2019t exactly remember how to get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they found us again,\u201d Adam went on. \u201cIt was just luck that I came back early this afternoon. Now they are safely locked up down in Roy\u2019s jail house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very glad you\u2019re both all right,\u201d Ben told his sons. \u201cVery glad.\u201d He rose. \u201cI\u2019ll just go and wash up before supper.\u201d Looking at his three sons, he said, \u201cDedimus tot pignora fatis.\u201d So saying, he went upstairs.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Hoss and Joe looked at one another and Joe shrugged. Both looked to Adam for enlightenment. \u201cWhat do that mean?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHostages to the fates,\u201d Adam replied, as mystified as his brothers.<\/p>\n

Hearing them, Ben decided not to enlighten them. He went to his room and leant for a moment against the door. His \u2018hostages to the fates\u2019 were safe.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0A tense situation at the Ponderosa leads Ben to see his sons as hostages to the fates.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0WC \u00a08000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-6.jpg?fit=303%2C240&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7185","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\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7185\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}