{"id":7197,"date":"2001-02-23T07:06:21","date_gmt":"2001-02-23T12:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7197"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:04:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:04:36","slug":"doing-what-had-to-be-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7197","title":{"rendered":"Doing What Had To Be Done (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>A fall from a horse leaves Joe laid up. When disaster strikes, can he do as he was told and just watch from the sidelines?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (9,980 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doing What Had To Be Done<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For days, the sun had been beating down relentlessly onto the corral, baking the ground to rock. The land shimmered when you looked towards the horizon, offering an illusion of wetness that just reminded you of how hot it really was.<\/p>\n

Conditions were not ideal for breaking horses, but time was Joe\u2019s enemy and he had no choice but to do it. The heat was punishing for both man and beast and the hard ground made the inevitable falls much worse. But there was nothing for it but to push on, and at last, after several days of hard graft, the end was in sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot the hammerhead ready for ya, Joe,\u201d Jeb called over to where his young boss was resting in the shade.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe called back, climbing wearily to his feet. He had done the majority of the work himself, but one of the other hands had taken first ride on the black hammerhead and had had an ignominious end to his ride when he was dumped within a few seconds, to the accompaniment of raucous catcalls from the other men.<\/p>\n

The horse\u2019s shoulders were wet with sweat as Joe climbed the side of the chute. Slowly, Joe eased himself down onto the trembling beast and patted its neck reassuringly. Over at the other side of the corral, Joe saw that his father had just arrived, but he didn\u2019t have time for anything more than a tight smile in his direction. \u201cAll right, let me have him,\u201d he said, quietly and the gate to the chute swung open.<\/p>\n

For all that he had watched the last ride on this horse and had seen how powerful it was, Joe was slightly surprised by the power in the first buck. The horse had its head down to its knees as it bucked on stiff legs across the dusty ground. Joe hung on, his body going with the horse\u2019s movements.<\/p>\n

Over at the fence, Ben admired Joe\u2019s grace as he rode the mustang. He hated to watch his sons breaking horses, knowing only too well the dangers that were involved. It was something that he had never done, feeling that when he arrived out west, he was really a novice horseman and was perfectly content to let others do this. It had amazed him when Adam had first begun breaking, and then Hoss had followed in his brother\u2019s footsteps, but neither of them had really enjoyed doing the job and were only too happy to back away and let Joe get on with it. They all agreed that Joe was a natural horseman.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Ben was dragged from his daydreaming as Joe let out a shout. The black, tired of bucking, was now running at full pelt towards the railings. Joe was hauling ineffectually on the halter the animal wore, knowing that there was very little he could do to stop the creature.<\/p>\n

At the last possible second, the horse turned sharply away and Joe swayed wildly in the saddle. Ben\u2019s heart lurched, but his son regained his balance. Ben breathed again. But his relief was short lived. The horse bucked wildly, almost throwing Joe from the saddle. And before Joe could get back properly in the saddle, the horse bucked again. The cantle of the saddle smacked Joe firmly in the butt, catapulting him over the horse\u2019s shoulder. For a long moment, Joe teetered there, then gravity took over and he plummeted to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben scrambled through the railings and hurried over to where Joe was lying on his back on the ground. Before he could reach him, however, Joe rolled onto his side and pushed himself into a sitting position. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked, for it had been an unforgiving fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Joe replied, shakily, rubbing at his butt, which felt rather numb. Joe knew there was going to be a huge bruise there the next day.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t bang your head, did you?\u201d Ben went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI might,\u201d Joe admitted, not completely sure. He shook his head, but everything seemed to be in working order. He smiled at Ben, although the smile was still shaky. \u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa,\u201d he assured him. Slowly, Joe rose to his feet, with Ben hovering anxiously over him. \u201cWhere\u2019s the horse?\u201d Joe glanced down at his left hand as he spoke and hauled back on the partially removed glove, which had almost come off when Joe hadn\u2019t let go of the rope fast enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cShouldn\u2019t you call it quits for today?\u201d Ben asked, brushing dust off Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

Wincing slightly, Joe removed himself from his father\u2019s reach. \u201cNo, I need to get this horse finished today. The major from the army will be here day after tomorrow and we\u2019ve got to have these horses ready. This is the last one, and I want it done today. That way, we have time to do a little more work with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since the horses were Joe\u2019s area of responsibility, Ben deferred to his judgement on this matter, although he would have preferred Joe to return to the ranch house with him. \u201cAll right, but you be careful, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll be careful,\u201d he agreed, all the while knowing, as Ben did, that careful horse breakers didn\u2019t manage to break horses. He glanced at the men, who had ridden down the black. \u201cGet him back in the chute!\u201d he ordered. \u201cI\u2019m comin\u2019 again!\u201d
\n________________________________________
\nBy the time he arrived home that night, Joe knew that his seemingly innocuous fall had done a lot more damage than he had first suspected. He hadn\u2019t noticed the pain to begin with, but after his second \u2013 successful \u2013 ride on the black, Joe began to feel the odd twinge in his butt. Now that he had arrived home, Joe was sure he\u2019d done himself some real damage.<\/p>\n

Getting down from his horse was an experience that Joe could have happily lived without, and his initial relief at no longer being on the horse soon gave way to a grinding soreness that erupted at every movement. Cochise received a very cursory rub-down that evening and Joe walked slowly towards the house, wondering why, if he had landed on his butt, he couldn\u2019t stride out in his usual fashion.<\/p>\n

As he already knew, Adam and Hoss were both home before him. Joe sighed, knowing that he faced an inevitable barrage of jokes about his fall. He took off his jacket and gun belt and laid his hat on the credenza. The great room was deserted for the time being and Joe hoped he would have the chance to go up and get changed before he had to face his family.<\/p>\n

However, his luck ran out as Adam appeared at the top of the stairs and saw Joe. \u201cWell, it\u2019s about time you were getting home,\u201d he commented tartly. \u201cPa was about to send out a search party for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forcing a smile that he didn\u2019t feel, Joe walked carefully across to the stairs and began to climb then. He hadn\u2019t gone more than two steps when he found himself wishing that he slept on the ground floor. He passed Adam on the landing and Adam grinned when he saw the dust coating Joe\u2019s clothing. \u201cDon\u2019t sit on anything until you\u2019ve taken your pants off,\u201d he advised and gave Joe a teasing swat on the butt, intending to see how much dust he could raise in doing so.<\/p>\n

What he hadn\u2019t expected was Joe\u2019s reaction. His youngest brother all but went into orbit, jumping and letting out a cry that sounded remarkably like pain. Surprised, Adam blinked. \u201cSurely its not that sore, Joe?\u201d he teased. \u201cA bit dramatic, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d He laughed and walked off, leaving Joe clutching the banister and breathing shallowly though his mouth as he tried to control the pain that was spreading up his spine.<\/p>\n

At a snail\u2019s pace, Joe crept up the remaining steps and met his father at the top. Ben\u2019s face immediately registered concern as he saw the pain etched on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cJoe, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Trying not to alarm Ben, Joe replied, \u201cI\u2019m sore from that fall, Pa.\u201d He took the last step up, trying not to wince.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like more than that,\u201d Ben returned. \u201cDid you come off again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied, truthfully. He found a smile, small but genuine. \u201cI broke that black, Pa.\u201d He sounded justifiably proud of himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about I get Hop Sing to bring you some water for a bath?\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cThat\u2019ll take the aches out.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was surprised when Joe looked alarmed. \u201cNo, never mind,\u201d Joe blustered. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine.\u201d The truth was, he didn\u2019t know if he would be able to get into the bath, and the thought of sitting in it was enough to set his tail aching anew. In fact, the longer he stood there, the more it ached. He smiled once more and detoured round Ben to go to his room.<\/p>\n

With a sigh of relief, Joe closed the door and looked at the bed. A soft seat seemed to be just the thing he needed and so he hobbled over and sank down, wincing at the pain as he reached the point of critical bend. But that was nothing to the pain of his buttocks actually hitting the softness of the bed. The pain was excruciating and Joe couldn\u2019t contain his scream. He rocked over onto his right buttock, his arm leaning on the bed to help support his weight while his left hand shot round to gently cup his injured part.<\/p>\n

The thunder of feet outside in the hallway ought to have alerted Joe to the fact his scream had not gone unnoticed, but he was so deep in the pain that he didn\u2019t actually hear them and he was quite surprised to see the door to his room being flung open and his father and brothers all dash in. \u201cJoe, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Ben gasped, looking wildly all around as though expecting to see an armed intruder.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe responded through gritted teeth. The pain was beginning to ease slightly, but when Joe tentatively tried to sit back down on both cheeks, it flared up again, and he swiftly regained the more \u2018comfortable\u2019 pose. \u201cI just didn\u2019t expect it to hurt so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took Hoss a moment to realise what was wrong with Joe but when he did, he let out a great bellow of laughter and within a moment or two, both Adam and Ben were laughing along with him. Joe regarded them in hurt silence. He had expected this reaction to the news that he\u2019d landed on his butt, but given the amount of pain he was in, he failed to see the funny side. \u201cI can do without the audience,\u201d he announced curtly. Still laughing, the others back out and shut the door.<\/p>\n

But Joe\u2019s problems didn\u2019t stop there. Sitting down and bending over to take off his boots was almost worse than just sitting had been and he discovered that he couldn\u2019t do it. Nor could he bring his leg up and rest it on the opposite thigh and haul his boots off that way. Tears of frustration and pain rose in Joe\u2019s eyes, but they didn\u2019t fall.<\/p>\n

Thinking that if he stood up, he might be able to pull his boots off by putting the opposite toe on the back on his boot heel, Joe discovered that the act of sitting was preferable to the act of rising. He clung to the bedpost, panting his way through the pain and groaning softly. The only time Joe could remember experiencing such excruciating pain was when he had had broken limbs.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I can\u2019t have broken anything there, can I?\u201d he murmured. \u201cIt\u2019s just my tail b\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off as he remembered a conversation with Ben when he was just a little boy, asking why his bottom was sometimes referred to as his tail when he clearly didn\u2019t have a tail. Ben had explained that there was a bone called his tail bone. Remembering, Joe winced anew. Perhaps he had broken it.<\/p>\n

Eventually, Joe managed to get changed, but he felt slightly nauseous by the time it was accomplished and he knew he was perilously close to being late for supper. Joe didn\u2019t know if he was hungry or not, but the thought of sitting at the table was one that wasn\u2019t easy to face. Slowly, Joe made his way down the stairs, and grimly set his jaw against the burst of laughter that greeted his arrival.<\/p>\n

Seeing that Joe was really upset, Ben soon put a stop to the teasing. He watched with growing concern as his youngest son eased himself onto his seat with an expression of extreme pain on his handsome features. Somehow, he didn\u2019t think Adam\u2019s assessment of Joe seeking attention was accurate. If anything, Joe usually made light of his injuries. His attention seeking was always much more direct. Not wanting to start his other sons off again, Ben said nothing, but he watched Joe chase the food around his plate for a while before Joe announced that he wasn\u2019t hungry, just tired and could he pleased be excused.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed. He watched Joe\u2019s face closely as he got to his feet and heard the muffled groan Joe couldn\u2019t quite contain and saw the spasm of pain that crossed Joe\u2019s pale features. Hoss snorted indelicately into his napkin and Ben threw both his older sons a hard glare as he realised they were both laughing again. They did their best to subdue their glee, but didn\u2019t quite succeed. Furious and offended, Joe made his careful way across to the stairs and paused there for a moment before beginning the painful upward climb.<\/p>\n

As soon as Joe was out of sight, Ben rounded on his other two sons, who were now both laughing openly. \u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u201d Ben declared sternly. \u201cCan\u2019t you see your brother\u2019s in a lot of pain?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s sure making a meal of it,\u201d Adam cackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s dignity sure is painin\u2019 him some right enough,\u201d Hoss sniggered.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your information,\u201d Ben said, icily, \u201cI don\u2019t think he is \u2018making a meal of it\u2019! He\u2019s in a great deal of pain, and if you don\u2019t know by now that Joe plays down any problems, then you\u2019ll never know your brother!\u201d Glancing down at his own meal, Ben discovered that he had lost his appetite. He threw his napkin down and rose, giving his sons another glare. They both tried their best to look repentant, but neither succeeded and as Ben rounded the corner of the stairs, he heard another burst of laughter erupting from them.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben hesitated outside Joe\u2019s closed door, then he raised his hand and knocked briskly. \u201cJoe? Can I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d came the dispirited answer from the other side and Ben entered to find Joe leaning on his dresser with both hands, his head hanging down. He turned his head to look at Ben and slowly straightened up. \u201cHi, Pa. Come to laugh some more?\u201d His tone was bitter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I laughed earlier,\u201d Ben apologised, for he was sorry now that he\u2019d seen the depths of Joe\u2019s distress. \u201cI didn\u2019t realise how much you were hurting. After all, you got straight back onto that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t really sore then,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cJust numb. And I had to get the horse broken, Pa. It was only later, as I got down from Cooch that I realised how sore everything was. Standing isn\u2019t good and sitting is worse and that point between standing and sitting is just\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off, because the only adjective that sprang to mind was an expletive that Pa would not approve of \u2013 hell. He swallowed. \u201cAnd I couldn\u2019t even get my boots off, Pa! And then I had trouble with my socks; in fact, I didn\u2019t put any more socks on because I couldn\u2019t face it.\u201d Joe lifted a very woebegone face to Ben. \u201cI\u2019m in agony, Pa, and all Adam and Hoss can do is laugh at me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting his arm around Joe, Ben was troubled. Joe so seldom admitted to any physical weakness. Ben had often wondered if it was because he was the shortest member of the family, or because Joe had often felt, as a youngster, that he had to push harder to catch up with his older brothers. But whatever the reason, Joe usually told everyone he was \u2018fine\u2019. \u201cYour brothers don\u2019t realise that you\u2019re so sore, Joe,\u201d Ben soothed him. \u201cI didn\u2019t realise at first either. Please forgive me. Now tell me; what can I do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake my boots off?\u201d Joe suggested, trying to laugh off his misery. He failed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down then,\u201d Ben urged and saw at once that he had blundered. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Ben cursed himself for his thoughtlessness as he saw the anger flaring in Joe\u2019s face. \u201cLet me get you something for the pain, and then we can see about getting your boots off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe muttered sulkily. He leaned over again, because that position gave him marginal relief from the pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Adam asked, as Ben came down stairs.<\/p>\n

Glaring at his older sons, Ben paused. \u201cI\u2019m going to get him some laudanum,\u201d he replied. \u201cBecause otherwise, I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll be able to sleep tonight. Did either of you two actually look at your brother? He\u2019s like his own ghost! He took a really bad fall out there this afternoon and I think he\u2019s really hurt himself.\u201d Without another word, Ben marched into the kitchen to locate the laudanum.<\/p>\n

Sobered by Ben\u2019s displeasure, Adam and Hoss looked at each other. \u201cI thought he was putting it on,\u201d Adam ventured at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me too,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cI thought he\u2019d have a bruise like that time Satan bit him an\u2019 when he got that corker when ya was back\u2026.\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice trailed off and he looked at Adam. \u201cWhen Tom tried ta kill him when ya was back east visitin\u2019 that time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember Joe telling me about the bruise, and your story of him climbing on the dresser to look at it,\u201d Adam nodded. He hated hearing of the time Tom masqueraded as him and came close to killing both Joe and Ben. \u201cI thought it was just a bruise, too. I think we\u2019ve got an apology to make, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you have, too,\u201d Ben nodded as he came back into the sitting room. \u201cBut give me a few minutes first to get Joe settled into bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re right sorry, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied contritely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you are,\u201d Ben responded and carried on upstairs. The shortness of his response told both his boys that they would have some serious fence mending to do \u2013 and not just with Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Adam and Hoss went upstairs a little while later, neither of them was keen to be the first to go into Joe\u2019s room. Adam knocked and Ben bade them come in. He had given Joe the laudanum, then helped him out of his boots and into a nightshirt. At Joe\u2019s bidding, he discreetly looked for bruising, but there was nothing to see, although the whole area looked a bit swollen.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help you get into bed or are you better doing this yourself?\u201d Ben enquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll need to do it for myself, thanks,\u201d Joe replied. He could feel the laudanum taking a hold and although he really didn\u2019t like to take drugs, the resulting numbing of his butt was the nicest sensation he could imagine. Unfortunately, as he sat down on the bed, he realised that he wasn\u2019t going to be totally pain free. He managed to bite back the cry that rose to his lips and swung his legs gingerly into bed, immediately sliding down and rolling onto his right side, facing away from the door. After a moment, his breathing eased as the pain died down.<\/p>\n

As his brothers came in, Joe gave Ben a pleading look. He hoped his brothers were there to apologise. He didn\u2019t think he could face any more teasing. Perhaps when the pain died away he would be able to see the funny side; and he would be the first to admit to laughing at others who had had a similar incident, but he vowed never to do that again.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Joe?\u201d Adam decided to go first and get it over with. After all, he had added the additional insult of swatting Joe on the butt. \u201cI\u2019m really sorry I didn\u2019t take you seriously. I didn\u2019t think you were really hurt. I thought it was just your pride that had suffered. And I\u2019m sorry if I made things worse by swatting you like that. I didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe replied, somewhat ungraciously. He glanced at Adam, who had moved round the bed so he was facing Joe. His brother really did look shame-faced. \u201cI know you didn\u2019t mean it,\u201d he relented.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, too, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss added. \u201cI was jist rememberin\u2019 that bruise ya got on yer butt afore.\u201d For once, Hoss exercised a great deal of tact and didn\u2019t remind Joe of the horrible chain of events. \u201cI don\u2019t guess ya\u2019ll be climbin\u2019 on yer dresser ta look at this one, will ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose so,\u201d Joe smiled, for Hoss looked so mournful that Joe couldn\u2019t stay mad. He was feeling sleepy now that the laudanum was hitting him and he slid a little further down the bed, dismayed to find that even that simple movement hurt.<\/p>\n

With a smile, Ben indicated that his older sons should go and leaned down to pull the blankets up to Joe\u2019s shoulders. Joe\u2019s lashes brushed his cheeks and he could barely drag his eyes open again for long enough to whisper, \u201cG\u2019night, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNight, son,\u201d Ben whispered in reply, but he was sure Joe didn\u2019t hear him. Ben gently stroked Joe\u2019s curls for a moment before going out and softly shutting the door.
\n________________________________________
\nWhen he woke the next morning, Joe realised that he had been allowed to sleep in. He grimaced as the sensation of being hung over hit him. The laudanum always did that to him and Joe hated it. He rolled over and thought with immense relief that his butt didn\u2019t hurt any more!<\/p>\n

Energetically, Joe threw back the covers and swung his feet onto the floor. Pain rocketed up through his coccyx and Joe groaned aloud. What was he going to do now? he wondered. He longed to roll back into bed, but now he was awake, his bladder was making its presence felt. Joe bent over to reach under the bed for the chamber pot, but that action proved to be too agonising to complete and he sat back gingerly.<\/p>\n

Finally, Joe slid onto his knees on the floor and managed to reach the pot from there. Standing proved to be less of a nightmare from that position than Joe had feared and he was able to stand without too much pain.<\/p>\n

With his bladder relieved, Joe turned to his morning ablutions and quickly washed himself and slid on a shirt. Although standing produced a feeling of discomfort, Joe found that by swaying to and fro, it was eased slightly. Pulling on his pants, Joe decided that there was no way he was going to sit down and attempt to put on either socks or boots, so he headed downstairs in his bare feet.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t terribly surprised to find Ben downstairs, although his father was reading the previous day\u2019s newspaper, not working on the books. \u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, son,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHow are you feeling this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout the same,\u201d Joe admitted, dispiritedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the pain no better?\u201d Ben asked, worriedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I\u2019ve noticed,\u201d Joe replied, trying to be as up-beat about it as he could manage. He walked steadily over to the table and looked at his chair for a moment before lowering himself gingerly onto it. Again, the moment of maximum bend was the moment of maximum agony and Joe bit his lip to stop crying aloud. When the pain was once more under control, Joe looked at Ben, who was regarding him with great sympathy.<\/p>\n

\u201cTough, huh?\u201d Ben murmured and briefly cupped the nape of Joe\u2019s neck with his big warm hand before he went into the kitchen to ask Hop Sing to bring Joe some breakfast.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until after Joe had finished eating that Ben broached the dreaded question. \u201cDon\u2019t you think you ought to see Doc Martin?\u201d he enquired, neutrally.<\/p>\n

The look of alarm on Joe\u2019s face was almost comical, but Ben also thought it was a trifle overdone. \u201cNo, it\u2019ll be fine!\u201d Joe protested hastily.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Ben put his hand down on top of Joe\u2019s to prevent his son escaping, not realising that Joe was dreading the thought of rising to his feet. \u201cThis is your back we\u2019re talking about here. You know the risks with back injuries just about as well as I do. I\u2019m concerned about this and I want you to come into town with me this morning and we\u2019ll see Doc Martin and pick up the supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the buckboard?\u201d Joe squeaked and Ben nodded impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course in the buckboard. How else am I meant to get the supplies back\u2026.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice trailed off as he suddenly understood why his son was so determined to stay away from the doctor. It wasn\u2019t just Joe\u2019s habitual distrust of the medical profession; it was the thought of sitting on the seat of the buckboard. \u201cOh, yes, I see.\u201d If Joe found sitting on an unmoving, quite comfortable chair so awful, how would the hard plank seat of the unsprung buckboard feel? Ben quite understood. \u201cThat is a problem,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI still think you should get checked out though.\u201d<\/p>\n

No one could live with that level of pain without wanting to do something about it. \u201cI\u2019ll ride Cochise,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI was okay when I was on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben asked, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe managed a real smile this time. \u201cThat\u2019s one bit of you that isn\u2019t really on the saddle,\u201d he reminded his father, who thought about it and agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you\u2019re sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Joe nodded. He made to get up, and the pain had him groaning aloud and gritting his teeth as he reached that hellish point once more. Ben hastened to help Joe, but there was very little he could do for him, except offer him sympathy and someone to lean on until the worst was past. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe said, gratefully as the world came back into focus. \u201cLet\u2019s get this over with, shall we?\u201d
\n________________________________________
\nAlthough the ride to town was something Joe was in no hurry to repeat, he knew it beat hands down trying to sit on the buckboard seat. He was quite relieved to arrive outside the doctor\u2019s and didn\u2019t even mind when Ben came round to help him dismount. For a moment, Joe just stood, leaning against Cochise, and allowing everything to settle. Ben went in to see if Paul Martin was there. Coming back to the door, he nodded to Joe, who straightened gingerly and went in.<\/p>\n

It took only a few moments to tell his story to Paul. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to ask you to stand, Joe, but I need to examine you,\u201d Paul told him. \u201cI\u2019ll be as gentle as I can be, but this is going to hurt.\u201d He helped Joe to his feet and delicately felt the bottom of Joe\u2019s spine.<\/p>\n

The tiniest bit of pressure had Joe almost jumping his own height in the air. Fortunately, that was about it for the examination. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I need to look at the pattern of bruising. Could you lower your pants, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

Blushing, Joe did as he was asked. He normally didn\u2019t suffer from much modesty and frequently didn\u2019t wear underwear at all, but he was glad he had today, although since that had to be lowered as well, Joe couldn\u2019t decide why he was glad he was wearing it! But Paul\u2019s examination was brief and Joe was soon being eased back into a seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Paul said, sighing. \u201cJoe, you\u2019ve broken your coccyx \u2013 your tailbone,\u201d he added, seeing Joe frown. \u201cThere\u2019s a little movement there. Unfortunately, there\u2019s nothing I can do for it, apart from give pain relief, which I\u2019m sure you\u2019d appreciate right now, judging from your face?\u201d Joe nodded mutely, and Paul rose to mix something up for him. \u201cI\u2019ll give you a prescription for this,\u201d Paul told him as Joe drank it down. \u201cBut I\u2019m afraid you\u2019re looking at about six to eight weeks before it\u2019s healed. Assuming it does heal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Joe asked, shooting an apprehensive glance at Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, coccyx often don\u2019t heal well,\u201d Paul explained. \u201cI don\u2019t really know why. Something to do with their position, I suppose. At the moment, some of the discomfort is because of the level of bruising, Joe. Your butt cheeks aren\u2019t marked, but between them\u2026\u201d He trailed off for a moment, before smiling sheepishly at the look of horror on his young patient\u2019s face. \u201cI know, it\u2019s a charming topic, isn\u2019t it? However, that part of your anatomy is black right now, and it could be black for some time to come. Some of the pain will ease out as the bruising eases, obviously. But for now, don\u2019t carry heavy weights. Don\u2019t stand too much, or walk too much. Keep riding to a minimum until the bruising is down. Try lying on your stomach, not sitting, and don\u2019t sit on the floor! I\u2019ve found that makes everything much worse!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything else?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cRegular pain relief,\u201d he replied. \u201cCertainly for the first week, and after that, you can judge for yourself if you need anything, Joe. However, this isn\u2019t a licence to loll around the house and not do anything at all. No exercise is just as harmful as too much.\u201d He scribbled the prescription for painkillers. \u201cTry to keep the getting up and down to a minimum to begin with,\u201d Paul added as Joe got to his feet to leave. \u201cThat\u2019s the point when the damage is exacerbated the most.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t say,\u201d Joe commented dryly. \u201cThanks, doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside, they stood for a moment beside the buckboard. \u201cDo you want to mount now, Joseph, or walk down to meet me at the store?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll walk, thanks, Pa,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you down there.\u201d He took Cochise\u2019s rein and began a slow walk down the street. Ben watched him for a moment, then got into the buckboard and went down to the general store.
\n________________________________________
\nBy the time they got home, Joe could appreciate the stricture against not riding too much. It wasn\u2019t the sorest position he had found, but it wasn\u2019t the best, either. With Ben\u2019s help, he slid carefully down from Cochise and made to take him into the barn, but Ben wasn\u2019t having that. \u201cI\u2019ll see to your horse,\u201d he announced. \u201cYou go inside and make yourself comfortable, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed, for he was sore enough and tired enough to want to rest, but he had been taught from childhood to take care of his mount before he saw to his own comforts. \u201cAt least you didn\u2019t tell me to sit down,\u201d Joe quipped and Ben laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here!\u201d he scolded lightly and watched as Joe walked carefully across to the house.<\/p>\n

When he came inside, Joe was stretched out on his side on the sofa gazing dreamily into the flames in the fireplace. \u201cIf you want to sleep, I won\u2019t stop you,\u201d Ben remarked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t really,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI am a bit tired, but I\u2019m not sleepy, if you see what I mean.\u201d He rolled his head round to smile at Ben. \u201cI was just thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about?\u201d Ben asked, his tone carefully neutral.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Joe replied ruefully. \u201cI was just thinking of the number of falls I\u2019ve had over the years from horses while I was breaking them. Sure, I\u2019ve had my share of broken bones, but this is one I never thought about. I didn\u2019t know you could break your tail bone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNor me,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cAlthough I do know men who have had an injury there, but a lot of them wouldn\u2019t trust a doctor, or have the money to consult one in the first place, and so they just had to get on with things. Not every rancher is willing to give men paid time off if they get sick or hurt, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe replied, soberly. A few of his father\u2019s rancher friends had followed Ben\u2019s example of giving men pay if they got hurt doing ranch work, but they were still in a minority. \u201cI\u2019d hate to have to work through this pain, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry you have to have it at all, Joe,\u201d Ben answered him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Pa,\u201d Joe frowned, sliding himself up so he wasn\u2019t lying quite so flat. \u201cI would never hold anyone else responsible for something I did on a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben regarded Joe for a moment, struck anew by how handsome his son was. \u201cIs that your way of telling me that you sometimes aren\u2019t as careful as you ought to be, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

The look on Joe\u2019s face was comical as he reviewed what he had said, and wondered how on earth Ben had drawn the conclusion he had. \u201cUm, no,\u201d he ventured and glanced at Ben\u2019s face. It was with considerable relief that Joe saw the laughter there. He had always known that Ben had a certain fear about Joe\u2019s fearless attitude to horses, stemming from Joe\u2019s mother\u2019s death. The fear had come to a head when Joe\u2019s horse had fallen in the yard as Joe rode in at a canter, eager to tell Ben about the big cat that he had seen up by the herd. Joe had had a nasty head injury, but he had escaped with a minor concussion only. Joe decided to try and dig himself out of the hole he had managed to dig himself into in the first place. \u201cBut since I\u2019m in charge of the horses, nobody can be held responsible for me.\u201d He smiled brightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still my ranch,\u201d Ben reminded him, but he couldn\u2019t begin to keep his face straight and laughed. \u201cI know you know the risks, Joe, but I\u2019ve never broken horses and I don\u2019t know how you can climb onto a mustang, knowing that there\u2019s a pretty fair chance it\u2019s going to throw you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really know, either,\u201d Joe replied, thoughtfully. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t really worry me. Generally, you hit the ground and walk away. The times when you don\u2019t are the minority, after all. Even this; I did walk away from it, Pa. It was just one of those things.\u201d Joe shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m quite happy to leave all the breaking to you, Joe, if that\u2019s what you want,\u201d Ben replied. He slapped his knees and got to his feet. Joe envied him the ease with which he accomplished the move. \u201cLunch should be ready soon. I\u2019ll go and have a look at the mail.\u201d
\n________________________________________
\nThere was no improvement in Joe\u2019s condition over the next few days. He took the painkillers regularly as he had been told and with no complaint and that alone was enough to tell his family how bad things were. Joe never took painkillers unless they were forced on him. Adam and Hoss were quite contrite about their initial amusement at Joe\u2019s predicament and went out of their way to entertain Joe, or get things for him. Joe swiftly became aware of this, and took full advantage of it for several days until Ben put his foot down. Thereafter, normal behaviour was restored.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing had been giving Joe something called arnica and Joe found that after he had taken it for a full day, the bruising on his butt began to ease. By the end of the week, Joe was finding he could go without the painkillers most of the time, although there were still times he needed them.<\/p>\n

As Joe improved, so the family relaxed and Ben found himself going out more often to supervise tasks, or take a more active hand in the activities that were going on around the ranch. The range of light chores that Joe could do was understandably limited, so he found himself relegated to collecting the eggs once more, and feeding the pigs. Joe didn\u2019t mind feeding the pigs so much, but he hated collecting the eggs. The chickens seemed to have it in for him, pecking at him viciously and he was apprehensive that one would land a direct hit on his sore behind! It never came to pass, but Joe could not shake off this disquieting thought.<\/p>\n

About three weeks after the accident, Joe was out in the yard, petting Cochise in the corral when Fred, one of their long-time ranch hands, came riding in full pelt. \u201cJoe!\u201d he cried, spying his young boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe asked, diagnosing immediately that something was wrong, simply by looking at Fred\u2019s face. Normally of placid temperament, Fred now looked agitated and it usually took quite something to agitate Fred.<\/p>\n

\u201cStampede!\u201d Fred cried and Joe paled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy family?\u201d he asked, grabbing the older man by the arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Fred panted. \u201cMr Cartwright sent me ta get some ropes, take them back an\u2019 then go fer the doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are they?\u201d Joe demanded. \u201cTell me what happened!\u201d He listened in growing horror as Fred told Joe of the sudden stampede. No one knew what had started it, but suddenly the herd, which was being moved to fresh grazing, had broken into a run. Some of them had plunged into the fast-running creek by the track they were following and had become bogged down. Others had kept on going and Fred had been grabbed by Ben and ordered to get help.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe nodded, his worry only marginally appeased. \u201cYou go and get the doc and I\u2019ll go with the ropes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you ain\u2019t…\u201d Fred began but Joe interrupted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy butt isn\u2019t the issue here,\u201d he retorted. \u201cJust get going, Fred!\u201d He hurried into the barn to get his saddle as Fred did as he was told.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Anxiety ate into Joe as he rode at a gallop towards the herd. He barely noticed the pain in his butt as the worry for the safety of his family consumed his mind. Even though he knew Ben had been all right when Fred left him, that didn\u2019t mean things were still all right. Anything could happen in the aftermath of a stampede.<\/p>\n

He could hear the bawling of the steers long before he could see them. Joe slowed his headlong pace, knowing that appearing at a gallop was the worst thing he could do, even though it was what his instinct urged him to do. At a cautious trot, he came face to face with disaster.<\/p>\n

Most of the herd was milling about anxiously as the cowboys rode around them, trying to calm them down. In the creek, Joe could see a number of beasts still stuck there. He was pretty sure at least a few had drowned. The air was full of dust, but Joe didn\u2019t think about putting on a bandanna. He had to find his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d The voice sounded surprised and disapproving but was no less welcome to Joe because of that. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, are you all right? Where\u2019s Pa and Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re ok,\u201d Adam assured Joe, seeing how pale his younger brother was. But at that bit of good news, colour began to creep back into Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWhat are you doing here? You\u2019re not supposed to ride this far.\u201d The disapproval was back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI brought the ropes,\u201d Joe announced, wondering why Adam needed to ask. Cochise\u2019s saddle was festooned with ropes. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll help if I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning at Joe, Adam was tempted to try and send him back to the house with a few well-chosen sharp words. But he knew that they needed every hand they could get to help get the steers out of the creek. \u201cKeep away from the heavy stuff,\u201d Adam ordered curtly and took the ropes from Joe, riding off to distribute them where they were most needed. Joe watched him go, relieved that Adam hadn\u2019t tried to send him home. Moments later, Joe spotted his father and other brother and, relieved, went off to help soothe the herd.<\/p>\n

A few of the hands lay on the ground and Joe grimaced in pity for them. One man was clearly already dead and another looked to Joe as though he would soon be joining his comrade. But there was nothing Joe could do for them. Another hand was tending them with rough sympathy. Joe rode on past, wishing there was something he could do.<\/p>\n

Gradually the herd began to calm down and the remaining hands got the animals moving in the correct direction again. Seeing that they had things under control, Joe turned Cochise and headed back to the scene of the disaster. As he arrived, he saw that the first of the steers was being hauled up the banking from the creek. It reached the top, shook itself while Hoss untwined the rope from around its horns, then staggered slowly away, following its herd mates. One down, Joe thought, but there were still several to go.<\/p>\n

Even as he relaxed, Joe saw disaster strike once more. The next steer panicked as the one beneath it struggled to free itself and get up. The creature clearly had a couple of broken legs and was trying to get up. Hoss continued pulling at the top steer while Adam slid around it to put the underneath one out of its misery.<\/p>\n

But before he could even draw his gun, the creek bank crumbled under the flailing cloven hooves of the steer and the big animal began to slide back down the bank, with Adam right in its path.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam look out!\u201d a myriad of voices shouted, but there was no time for Adam to get completely clear. 1200lbs of steer slid backwards onto Adam.
\n________________________________________
\nThere was no time for anyone to react to this disaster. The steer panicked as its hooves slipped and it threw its head up. The movement shifted its whole weight, which began to topple backwards. Hoss was pulled off his feet and before he could catch himself, the steer fell back and landed across the creek, where it struggled to free itself. Hoss was lost somewhere down the side of the banking.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t wait to see any more. He snatched up the rope that was still tied to his saddle and leapt off Cochise, sliding down to the edge of the river. Ben was looking frantically for his sons, while the hand beside him went to put the both steers out of their misery.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Joe cried, as he threw himself down on his stomach on the grass. He could see his brother at the bottom of the bank, floundering around trying to regain his feet. He didn\u2019t seem to be hurt, but Joe knew that any moment, one of the flailing feet of the steer could strike him. \u201cCatch!\u201d he called, and threw the rope down to Hoss.<\/p>\n

Quickly, Hoss looped the rope under his arms and did his best to help his rescuer as Joe hauled, hand over hand, to help Hoss up the bank. It didn\u2019t take long for Hoss\u2019 head and shoulders to come into view, and a moment later, Ben\u2019s hand was there helping Hoss up the last part. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Too winded to speak, Hoss simply nodded. Joe glanced at Ben. \u201cWhat about Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s trapped between the bank and that injured steer,\u201d Ben replied, in a distracted tone. He hadn\u2019t seemed to realise that Joe shouldn\u2019t be there. \u201cI can\u2019t get down to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can,\u201d Joe announced and after patting Hoss on the shoulder, he got to his feet and hurried over to the place where Adam lay. He threw the rope down first then slid down after it, hearing his father calling his name in protest.<\/p>\n

There was no time for Joe to waste waiting for help he realised at once. Adam was lying in the water, his face barely above it and Joe knew only too well that there was a risk of Adam drowning before help could arrive. He drew his pistol and put the injured steer out of its misery, then turned his attention to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you hurt?\u201d he asked, putting his hand on Adam\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cBroke my leg,\u201d Adam replied. His face was white with pain and his lip tight.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben shouted. \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s broken his leg, Pa,\u201d Joe called back. \u201cIf I loop this rope round the horns, can you and Hoss move this carcass?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben cried back and Joe patted Adam before he scrambled off to attach the rope to the dead steer. He made sure it was good and tight.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere it comes!\u201d he called and threw the rope to the top of the bank. Ben caught it easily and handed it to Hoss, who wound the ends around his saddle horn.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Put this rope on too!\u201d Hoss hollered and threw down another rope. His throw was excellent and the rope struck Joe in the side before he had time to put up his hands to catch it. Standing almost ankle deep in the cold water, Joe worked as quickly as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right!\u201d he called. \u201cHaul away!\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving out of the way, Joe leant over Adam to protect him from anything untoward that might happen. He watched over his shoulder as the steer began to move very slowly. Adam groaned and Joe transferred his attention to his brother. He saw at once that the steer\u2019s movement would cause Adam to sink deeper into the water. Joe scrambled around until he was by Adam\u2019s head, then sat down in the creek, gradually easing his brother\u2019s head and shoulders up until they rested on Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Adam protested weakly. \u201cYou\u2019re getting wet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t shrink,\u201d Joe replied cheerfully, although it wasn\u2019t so much the wet that was the problem as the coldness of the water. \u201cHow\u2019re you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt hurts,\u201d Adam grunted. \u201cJoe, your butt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still attached,\u201d Joe replied. He hadn\u2019t felt it at all before then, but suddenly, reminded, the pain came back with a vengeance and Joe realise that he had managed to hurt himself, as the pain was much worse. He bit back a groan. Adam didn\u2019t need to know that Joe was suffering, too. He needed to think Joe was in charge \u2013 which he was.<\/p>\n

Suddenly there was a shout and the steer splashed back into the water, spraying both Joe and Adam and making Adam cry out in pain. Joe\u2019s own pain at the suddenness of the movement was bad enough. He couldn\u2019t imagine what Adam was feeling. \u201cYou all right?\u201d he asked, wiping the water off his brother\u2019s face. He could feel Adam beginning to shiver and his flesh was cold to the touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d Adam replied, clearly anything but all right. His weight of his head increased as his ability to keep it held up decreased as the pain increased. He slid into a sort of stupor.<\/p>\n

Later, Joe would never know how long they sat there before the steer was finally dragged clear; all he knew was that it was too long. But finally, Hoss slid down the banking to his brothers and carefully picked up Adam and carried him over to the side where willing hands pulled him to safety. Hoss turned round to make a comment to Joe and was shocked to see his brother still sitting in the water. \u201cJoe? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I can get up,\u201d Joe replied. His legs were numb where Adam\u2019s weight had rested on them and his butt was screaming in agony from sitting on the rocky creek bed for so long. He tried once more to get up and a river of agony shot up his back and down his legs. He cried out.<\/p>\n

In an instant, Hoss was at Joe\u2019s side and he bent over and picked his brother up as though he was a child. Joe protested to no avail, yet he could feel Hoss\u2019 muscles quivering with strain. \u201cHoss, you can\u2019t,\u201d he whispered through the pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cJist hush up,\u201d Hoss panted. He knew he was nearing the end of his strength, but he had to get Joe out of there. Again, willing hands reached for Joe and hauled him to safety.<\/p>\n

When Hoss scrambled onto the banking once more, he realised, with a sense of shock, that it was getting dark. They had been by the creek all afternoon. Doc Martin had been there for some time, but there had been very little he could do for the most badly injured hand except ease his pain and the man had slipped away peacefully. The other men had been patched up and dispatched back to the ranch in the wagon that Fred had been sent to get. Now, Paul examined Adam and Joe, hoping that Fred would hurry back with that wagon.<\/p>\n

Both men were very cold. Adam\u2019s broken leg was quite straight forward and Paul was able to reduce it right there and then, also cutting off Adam\u2019s boot to prevent the swelling spreading up his leg. There were no blankets there, and the Cartwrights hadn\u2019t even a coat between them. Joe groaned and Paul hurried over to give Joe a painkilling injection as he had done to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish Fred would hurry,\u201d Paul commented to Ben in an undertone. He glanced at the two men. \u201cJoe, try and lie still,\u201d he urged as Joe attempted to roll over onto one side. \u201cI know it hurts, but right now, lying flat is the best thing you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d Joe asked, his teeth chattering. He clenched his jaw to try and stop them, but it didn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right, just as you will,\u201d Paul replied. He smiled slightly at Ben, who came to kneel between his two sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s Fred!\u201d Hoss declared, his tones tinged with relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt last!\u201d Joe responded, tartly. \u201cWhere did he go with those men? The moon?\u201d He tried to laugh to ease Ben\u2019s anxiety slightly, but it didn\u2019t quite come off.<\/p>\n

Adam was deep in a drugged sleep when he was moved and Joe envied him. He couldn\u2019t quite drop off, although he was exhausted. Each jolt of the wagon kept him in sheer, hellish wakefulness and he was never so glad to arrive home as he was that day.<\/p>\n

While Paul plastered Adam\u2019s leg, Ben helped Joe have a bath to warm him up and clean off some of the mud. Sitting was a nightmare, but the warmth of the water did loosen some of Joe\u2019s muscles and he felt slightly better after it was over. He was embarrassed that Ben had to dry his feet and legs, as he simply couldn\u2019t bend over to reach them, but Ben was quite matter-of-fact about it and slid a nightshirt over Joe\u2019s head without comment.<\/p>\n

Finally lying on his side in bed was a great relief for Joe. The painkiller was really working now as he relaxed and Joe was drifting on the outer edges of sleep when Paul Martin came in. Reluctantly, Joe dragged his eyes open again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe, tell me exactly what happened out there,\u201d Paul requested.<\/p>\n

Sleepily, Joe related the story of Fred\u2019s arrival with the bad news, his own journey out there, and then the steer falling on Adam. \u201cI helped Hoss get up the banking,\u201d Joe replied, \u201cthen I went down to help Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo in other words, you lifted a saddle, which is heavy, and helped pull Hoss up a bank \u2013 and Hoss is heavy! \u2013 and then supported your brother\u2019s weight in a cold creek while sitting flat on your behind. Is that correct?\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking at the sarcastic tone, Joe nodded. \u201cSound about right,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not surprised you\u2019re in pain,\u201d Paul remarked. \u201cEverything you did this afternoon hasn\u2019t done your back any favours. I\u2019ll just have a look at it.\u201d He probed gently at the swelling at the base of Joe\u2019s spine and was rewarded with a couple of hisses, a groan and a yelp. \u201cWell, its badly swollen again, Joe and I\u2019m afraid you\u2019ve put yourself back with this. Any one of those things you did this afternoon would have been bad for your back, and all of them together have really made a mess of things. I want you to stay off your feet completely tomorrow, and you can get up carefully the day after. But you won\u2019t be riding anywhere much, or doing anything much. Time is the only cure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe muttered, sulkily. He\u2019d been aware that he shouldn\u2019t be doing any of those things, but he couldn\u2019t sit back and let his brothers suffer. \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to you, he\u2019s fine,\u201d Paul replied, in a softer tone. \u201cJoe, I was harsh with you just now, but you needed to understand that you\u2019ve hurt yourself badly again. But I have to say, it was incredibly brave of you to do what you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t brave,\u201d Joe protested. \u201cI was just doing what had to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Above Joe\u2019s head, Ben and Paul exchanged glances, then Paul patted Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWell, whatever, Joe, I think it was incredibly brave. Now you rest tomorrow and keep off your back as much as possible, all right? And take it easy. I\u2019ll see you in a few days when I come out to check on Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back, Joe,\u201d Ben said, as he rose to see Paul out.<\/p>\n

Another bout of shivers ran down Joe\u2019s back and he dragged the covers up over his shoulders. Once more, he was on the outer fringes of sleep when the door opened and Ben came back. Seeing the sleepy expression on Joe\u2019s face, Ben wasn\u2019t going to linger, but Joe\u2019s eyes opened as Ben slipped a hot water bottle under the covers. \u201cAre you mad at me, Pa?\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMad at you?\u201d Ben echoed. \u201cWhy, Joe how could I be mad at you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what Doc Martin said,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cEverything I did this afternoon was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot everything, Joe,\u201d Ben denied. \u201cThe things you did this afternoon were bad for your sore back, but there was nothing wrong with the impulse that made you do them. Joe, a lot of men wouldn\u2019t have put themselves out for another in that dangerous situation. And I\u2019m very grateful that you did, even though I am sorry that you\u2019re hurt again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI had to help Adam and Hoss.\u201d His eyes were drooping with exhaustion now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYou go to sleep now, Joe. I\u2019m not mad at you.\u201d He sat beside Joe for several minutes until he was sure his youngest slumbered deeply, then he rose and went downstairs.<\/p>\n

He could hear Hoss\u2019 voice in the kitchen talking to Hop Sing, but Ben didn\u2019t go to join them. He sat down in front of the fire and held his hands out to the blaze although he wasn\u2019t really cold. He was thinking deeply about his three sons. Each of them would be willing to give their lives for the others, Ben knew. It was an awesome thought. Even though Ben had instilled the notion of family above all into them since they were small boys, he hadn\u2019t realised how far the boys were willing to go with it. Ben was so proud of them all that he could have burst.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa, supper\u2019s ready,\u201d Hoss announced, coming into the great room and seeing his father\u2019s silver hair. \u201cReckon Adam an\u2019 Joe\u2019ll want some?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know about Adam,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut Joe\u2019s sound asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the more for us then!\u201d Hoss exclaimed gleefully and seated himself at the table.<\/p>\n

That night, Ben\u2019s thanks to the Lord was more heartfelt than it had been for some time.
\n________________________________________
\nAdam and Joe were soon up and around. Adam\u2019s leg seemed to be healing nicely and after the first few days, Joe\u2019s sore butt had finally begun to ease and he was noticing a difference in the way he could walk and stand. It seemed that despite his exertions, he hadn\u2019t done himself any lasting damage.<\/p>\n

One afternoon a few weeks later, Adam and Joe were alone in the house. Putting his book down, Adam glanced at Joe, who was fathoms deep in a luridly illustrated book. Another dime novel, Adam sighed. When would he grow out of them?<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d he ventured.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm?\u201d Joe responded, his nose still in the book.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to talk to you,\u201d Adam persisted and Joe regretfully laid the book down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever it was, it wasn\u2019t me,\u201d he protested automatically and smiled angelically.<\/p>\n

Smiling as well, Adam shook his head. Joe always said that. \u201cI just wanted to thank you for what you did that day,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI know it was painful for you and you didn\u2019t have to sit with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I hadn\u2019t, you\u2019d have drowned,\u201d Joe replied bluntly and then saw from Adam\u2019s face that his brother had known that nugget of information. \u201cAdam, I would\u2019ve done it even if you hadn\u2019t been in danger,\u201d Joe hurried on. \u201cYou were in pain and needed someone with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I made such fun of your injury to begin with,\u201d Adam went on, having digested that piece of the story. \u201cBut I think I know what it cost you to sit there in that water with me. Thank you doesn\u2019t seem enough, somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts more than enough,\u201d Joe returned, his face crimson. \u201cI was just doing what had to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Realising that to say any more would force Joe into leaving the room, Adam smiled. \u201cI hope you keep on \u2018doing what has to be done\u2019,\u201d he concluded.
\n________________________________________
\n\u201cSo,\u201d Ben asked, his face wreathed in smiles as Joe dismounted from Cochise with his usual graceful step, \u201chow was your first full day back at work?\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning with his normal vivid enthusiasm, Joe replied, \u201cIt was great, Pa!\u201d He led Cochise into the barn, talking all the time, telling Ben the minutiae of his day. Ben listened with delight. It had been three very long months for Joe, but at last his coccyx had healed and he was now back into the swing of things.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I just hope you\u2019re this keen when we start the cattle drive next month,\u201d Ben smiled as Joe finally ran out of things to tell him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, everything sounds good to me right now!\u201d Joe declared. He finished brushing his horse and patted him. \u201cSo, is supper ready yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

They both laughed and Ben draped his arm over Joe\u2019s shoulder as they walked back to the house.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dedicated to Mac the horse, who broke my coccyx, but gave me a gift I\u2019ll be forever grateful for.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags: \u00a0<\/strong>Family, Fire, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0A fall from a horse leaves Joe laid up. When disaster strikes, can he do as he was told and just watch from the sidelines?<\/p>\n

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